Lesson-free week & a pair of (almost) widgets

No assignment this week, but I thought I might mention a couple of interesting (almost) widgets that have come in handy here.

Widget #1: A nifty promo-item that all SD libraries should have access to - netLibrary's e-book of the month

Last month (November) it was a book on surviving the mortgage crisis. This month - timely as always - the featured title is Barack Obama : the new face of American politics. netLibrary's widget embedded in your website could look like this:

Clicking on it will take patrons directly to netLibrary, where they can access the featured e-book (note: they will need to log in if not in a library or IP-verified location). The banner's available in horizontal (above), vertical-large, and vertical-small formats.

Once the script is embedded in your webpage, it automatically updates to each month's new feature - no maintenance required. That's great, but - bonus - netLibrary also provides lots of nifty promotional materials for your patrons. You can learn more about monthly ebooks, download the linking script, and find out how to get those free promotional items for your library in netLibrary's Tools for libraries section.

Which they don't exactly make easy to find, let me tell you!!!

But here's a great opportunity to use that delicious account you created last week and save the link for future reference :)

Widget #2 : Ever wondered about (or wanted your patrons to know) exactly how much the services your library provides are worth in today's economy? To find out, check the Value of Library Service Calculator

Originally created by the Massachusetts Library Association, and made freely available for any library's use, this is a nifty, customizable calculator that allows your patrons to see just how much their library use is worth in monetary terms. A quick Google search or the MLA website will produce a downloadable Excel file that you can edit to add your own values, or simply plug in to your library's website. Maine's State Library is using it to promote the value of libraries in their state, as is the Denver Public Library, and many, many others in communities across the country.

A few rough guesses as to my use of library materials and interlibrary loan - no databases or other services included - in the last year fixed an approximate valuation of my personal library use.
Here's an eyeopener: if I lived in Maine, I'd have to spend nearly $6,000 out of pocket to recoup my usual library activities. (And that's just books & serial use, not including online stuff!). In Denver the average value is calculated by monthly use. They've also added in an ROI (return on investment) calculation per dollar spent. There, I'd be spending about $491/month on books & periodical items, and my ROI for taxes would be $1=$118.08.

So there you have it. Two interesting tools you too can make use of on your library's site with only a bit of effort on your part.