In This Issue

1. Survey Tackles Libraries Role in Digital Literacy

2. Talking Books Upgrades Offer Greater Online Options

3. Webinar to Discuss Digital Learning Day @ your library

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Survey Tackles Libraries Role in Digital Literacy

More frequently, public libraries and community organizations are becoming the go-to place for digital literacy education. Users come searching for help to understand and use computer programs, printers and other hardware, the Internet (web browsing, e-mail, social media), digital media (cameras, e-readers, music players) and more.

The Public Library Association (PLA) recently received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to build an online Digital Learning Center. This site will hold self-directed trainings for end-users to increase their digital literacy and will be a place for digital literacy trainers to share tools and best practices.

Please help them with this important work by completing the PLA Digital Learning Center Survey by December 15, 2012.

Talking Books Upgrades Offer Patrons Greater Online Options

The National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped recently upgraded its Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service. BARD enables registered patrons to download over 25,000 digital books and over 50 digital magazines directly from the program’s website via a standard USB flash drive. Notable upgrades to the BARD service include:

• Braille Materials: Over 12,000 braille books and magazines added, 2,000 braille music materials, and 2,000 locally-produced braille materials were added to BARD;
• My Wish List: This page was created to provide a place where you can store and access titles that you want to download at a later date.
• Previous Downloads: This page displays a list of all of the titles a patrons has downloaded in reverse chronological order.
• New Search Features: BARD now has advanced search features to enhance the user experience, including search options by author, narrarator, subject and series.

Anyone registered as a Indiana Talking Books patron can have access to BARD after completing the online application. If you have patrons that could benefit from the Talking Books program, please note that Indiana librarians are qualified as a "Certifying Authority." This means you may certify a patron's eligibility for the Talking Books program in the cases of visual and physical handicaps (learning/reading disabilities do require certification from a doctor or vision professional).

Indiana libraries also have a way to bring Talking Books services to their local schools and communities by becoming an institutional partner. Libraries with institutional accounts have free access to a deposit collection of up to 60 large print titles, and receive a complementary BARD account and NLS Digital Player. These tools enable libraries to introduce this free service to students and patrons with visual, physical, or learning disabilities that make it difficult to read standard print, as well as educate them on how to use associated assistive technologies like BARD and the digital player. This is also a great, cost-free way to augment your homebound services, even those in unserved areas, as all materals are shipped for free directly to patrons' homes.

Contact the Indiana Talking Book & Braille Library at 1-800-622-4970 or TBBL@library.in.gov for more information about the service or anything mentioned in this article.

Webinar to Discuss Implementing Digital Learning Day @ your library

Digital Learning Day is a national campaign that celebrates teachers and shines a spotlight on successful instructional practice and effective use of technology in classrooms and libraries across the country. The inaugural Digital Learning Day boasted tens of thousands of teachers representing nearly 2 million students. This next campaign will take place on February 6, 2013.

Anyone looking to learn more about Digital Learning Day should not miss tomorrow's (Dec. 6) Epic-ed Webinar, "Leveraging Digital Learning Day Activities." The one-hour webinar (1-2:00 PM ET) will feature Mary Ann Wolf, PhD, chief executive officer of Wolf Ed with fifteen years of experience in education and education technology, and presenters Robyn Young (Avon, Ind.), Ann McMullan, and Kim Sharp, to discuss strategies for leveraging Digital Learning Day.

Visit www.digitallearningday.org to learn more about this unique initiative, including local programming ideas, contests, promotional materials, and grant opportunities. Digital Learning Day is just not for schools. The campaign also highligts several ways public libraries can participate.

New app for quick math and science help

The new Ask Rose iPhone app is now ready for download! The free app, created by Rose-Hulman senior Franklin Totten, gives students a one-touch link to call the Homework Hotline for math and science questions and quick access to AskRose.org.
 
The app also offers fun games that reinforce math problem-solving skills, as well as helpful resources, including the periodic table and an interactive tool that provides common geometric shapes and formulas.
 
To download the free app, search the iTunes App Store on your mobile device or tablet, or click here to download the app through iTunes on your computer.

Upcoming Workshops,
Events & Important Dates

eIndiana OverDrive webinar
When: December 7 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Live Online

SE Indiana YA Roundtable
When: January 17 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Greensburg-Decatur Co. Public Library

Every Child Ready to Read Workshop
When: January 25 @ 10:00 AM
Where: Aurora Public Library

Digital Learning Day
When: February 6, 2013 (all day)
Where: Across the Nation

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