DALNET Logo
DALNET Details Newsletter
  The e-newsletter of the Detroit Area Library Network

  JUNE 2015




Monthly News
Future System Planning Update

The DALNET Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new system was sent to vendors in May.  Vendors will have until the end of June to submit proposals.  The RFP Task Force will review all responses and determine which vendors, based on their responses to the RFP, will be invited to give webinar demonstrations of their products.  Demonstrations are anticipated in July/August.

Visit the Future System Planning project page for more information.  [Member Login Required.]
Image
Getting Ready for Change

Image

Real change is in store as we pursue our strategic initiative to expand the support services of the consortium by adopting a new library software system.  Our current system, which we have used for the past 15 years, served us well when our collections were primarily physical; during the last decade, electronic media has come to comprise a substantial portion of the resources available from many member libraries and these resources do not integrate well with the old system.  Although the current system does not fully do what we need it to do, we have developed our work routines around the system, which we are used to. Adopting a new system will be a huge change for everyone, and change is can be both scary and exciting.  It's not about selecting a new system that matches our current work flows but moving to a new that best meets the service needs of everyone in the consortium.  A new system will be disruptive but in a good way.  The focus of the new system will mirror the change of focus in libraries-- a shift from managing collections to offering services and access.  Yes, the new system will manage much more than the old, both print and electronic resources, but it will also focus the efforts of the library on delivering services instead of just keeping track of what the library acquires and has on the shelves.  The library user will have a new interface to discover all of the resources that the library has, and behind the scenes in the library we will all have a new system to get used to.  A good plan is to begin assessing the current work flows within our libraries so that we know where we are coming from once we start to plan out where the new system will take us.  Change is what it is all about: the system will change, the work flows in our libraries will change, and libraries users will notice a real change as they discover all we have to offer in our libraries.  


Welcome New Member Siena Heights University

Image The DALNET Board voted enthusiastically and unanimously to approve the new DALNET membership application for Siena Heights University. The DALNET office has worked on exploring the possible partnership over the past year and planning has finally been approved by the SHU administration and the DALNET Board.  SHU Library Director, Jennifer Dean, noted that the time is right for them to join DALNET, stating "I think it is the logical next step for us."  They are excited about partnering with the consortium and are very "on board" for the future system planning that DALNET is currently underway with.  This summer SHU will move from their current stand alone Horizon system to DALNET Shared System Services.  DALNET welcomes Siena Heights University to our community of libraries!

DALNET Partners with WSU/SLIS for Library Workforce Development Scholarship



The DALNET office is excited to partner with the Wayne State University School of Library and Information Science on the Library Workforce Development Scholarship!  Each recipient of the scholarship will receive a $1000 tuition remission per semester, over six (6) semesters, while pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science at WSU.

Interested employees of DALNET member libraries may contact Matt Fredericks directly at mfredericks@wayne.edu or 313-577-2446 with questions. Individuals may also attend one of the upcoming SLIS Information Meetings which will discuss the scholarship, June 3 (on-campus) and July 16 (online).
Image

Survey Success: 10 Tips for Effective Survey Design 


Image
WSU SLIS assistant professor, Deborah H. Charbonneau, Ph.D., will delivery a guest lecture for the next DALNET member training event.

Learn how to create a successful survey! Join us for a presentation that aims to demystify the survey process by sharing simple rules for survey success.  This presentation introduces 10 tips for crafting effective survey questions to elicit informative answers. In addition, constructing an easy-to-use questionnaire format and various features of web survey tools to consider will be discussed.

Attendees of this member event will also have an opportunity to get an update on DALNET future system planning, and to ask and answer any related questions.


Sharing Our History: DALNET Annual Member Meeting

Image
Save the Date: Monday Morning, August 10, 2015

Mark Coir, native Detroiter, who has worked as a librarian, archivist, and curator, will deliver the keynote presentation "A Detroit Back Story," a look at Detroit's architectural and commercial development since its founding in 1701, at this year's annual membership meeting.  The theme of this year's meeting is "Sharing Our History."  The agenda of the meeting will focus on how libraries can preserve history through digital library initiatives.  A luncheon will follow the morning programs.   Registration opens in July.


break


Events Calendar   Image
Monday, June 15, 2015
Training - Survey Success: 10 Tips for Effective Survey Design
1:30 - 4:00 PM
WSU Undergraduate Library,
Community Room, 3rd Floor

Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Annual Meeting Committee
10:00 - 11:30 AM
WSU Undergraduate Library,
DALNET Conference Room, 2nd Floor

Friday, June 19, 2015
RFP Task Force Meeting
2:00 - 4:00 PM
WSU Undergraduate Library,
DALNET Conference Room, 2nd Floor

Monday, June 22, 2015
Board Luncheon and Meeting
12:00 - 3:30 PM
Benson Ford Research Center
(Optional tours of Henry Ford Museum or Greenfield Village, 3:30 - 5:00 PM)



break
     Of Note
Image
Library Systems Report

"Products able to deliver efficiency, innovation, and excellent user experience are especially well positioned in this phase of the history of the industry."

View Article

break

DALNET eLibrary

     New Resources
Access for Free Online!

Code of best practices in fair use for the visual arts / by College Art Association
View In Catalog

The day I stood up alone / by Boniface Mwangi
View In Catalog

Making archival and special collections more accessible / OCLC Report
View In Catalog


Tall Line Kristy's Corrections
Corrections made this month for commonly misspelled words in the union catalog:


coucil*   /   council*   (5 times)


Los Angleles   /   Los Angeles  (1 time)


renwal   /   renewal   (1 time)




break

Monthly Feature
Image
Ernie Harwell Sports Collection

"Welcome to the Detroit Public Library
DIGITAL COLLECTIONS"

The Ernie Harwell Sports Collection began in 1966 when sportscaster Ernie Harwell made his initial donation to the Detroit Public Library.

Browse Images


break
     Just for Fun

Image
These 12 Ice Cream Shops in Michigan
Are An Absolute Must-Try


"Whether you’re on the search for a scoop of Superman or Blue Moon, looking for old-fashioned charm or want to know which local dairy is behind the magic, these places have you covered."

OnlyInYourState.com

break
Did You Kniow?
The easiest, quickest, and most effective way to ask the DALNET office a question or to open a help-desk issue is to simply send an email to: helpdesk@dalnet.org.

break


facebook Pinterest Twitter YouTube flickr