COSLA (Chief Officers of State Library Agencies) commissioned a feasibility study about e-books and their impact on public libraries.  As the report points out, “As electronic books grow within the public consciousness and more devices and economic models arise to vend them, public libraries are increasingly concerned about how it will affect their core audience. Many library leaders believe a tipping point is not far off. When enough people choose convenience over a sharing model, the relevance and mission of public libraries are in jeopardy. Libraries need to anticipate this shift and become part of the e-book story.” 

COSLA worked with Pinpoint Logic, a design strategy company, to discover what library leaders want and need to make e-books an effective piece of the public library service model.  The researchers interviewed 10 library managers and staff from urban, suburban, and rural public libraries to explore these topics:  

Some of the conclusions that the report arrived at concerned ways to lend devices through the library or let people try them out while improving the ease of use for discovering and getting library eBooks.  It also discusses ways to expand access to eBooks through larger collections and national buying pools while delivering real-time local statistics in a manner that helps library funders see the value of large-scale collaboration at the local level, such as applying leverage to publishers and vendors for better pricing, licensing models, more reasonable copyright or DRM models around shared use, and standards.  It explores how libraries can transition from an emphasis on content supplier to creating spaces that invite social interaction around learning and living literature. 

To read the entire study, see the COSLA website . 

  

Send your news or stories that you would like to share with the library community to the HH editor, Robert Upton, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

 

State Librarian’s report.  State Librarian Susan Oberlander writes:  “I am very happy to announce that our first two Fast Forward New Mexico kick-off events are scheduled – August 21 in Gallup (Octavia Fellin Public Library) and September 18 at Aztec Public Library.  These events will involve community members, librarians and the Fast Forward New Mexico team and feature Internet-related events, information such as how to choose a broadband provider and about the FFNM classes, and sharing of community-based success stories. 

“The classes will begin shortly after the kick-off events and will cover topics such as:  basic computer and Internet skills, how to select and maintain a computer, how to take an online course and Internet and social media for business management and marketing. 
“The community response in both Aztec and Gallup has been great.  We are doing radio interviews, meetings with the city council, schools, ISPs, Tribal Councils, and other community leaders as part of the preparation for the kick-off. The State Library and our partners at UNM-Los Alamos, UNM-Continuing Ed, and Global Center for Cultural Entrepreneurship thank Library Directors Mary Ellen Pellington and Leanne Hathcock and their staff for their cheerful and enthusiastic contributions and leadership as we have moved forward with Fast Forward.  Meanwhile, our partners are also hard at work on the FFNM website, polishing the curriculum and doing the marketing for these first two events. 

“I will share pictures and stories from the road and we will be seeing you at other public libraries around the state soon.” 

 

 

 

MedlinePlus redesign.  For over a decade, MedlinePlus has been a trusted resource for free, reliable health information.  On Wednesday, July 14, MedlinePlus unveiled a completely redesigned site with a fresh look and feel, a new logo, and distinctive color schemes for English and Spanish pages.  The UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center wants to reassure you that all of our old favorites are still there, but organized differently to make them easier to find. 

 

 

Some of the features of the new design include:  

 

Water issues.  “Water Your Mind” – this year’s Summer Reading Program theme for adults – found expression in many creative ways in libraries across the state.  The Octavia Fellin Public Library, in collaboration with the City of Gallup Water Board, used the theme to present a series of programs during August to explore critical water issues locally and statewide. 

 

 

 

HH notes.  The Hitchhiker is about you and your libraries.  We depend on you to let us know what is going on at your libraries, and what you like or don’t like about the content of the newsletter.  Please help by reminding others to send their email addresses so we can notify them each time a new issue is available.  Send your news and announcements, and also new and corrected email addresses to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

 

 

Send event and training announcements for the library community to the HH editor, Robert Upton, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Free books for libraries.  The New Mexico State Library has removed about 5,000 books from its circulating collection during a process of weeding holdings that no longer fit the collection development profile.  These are current titles that may be of value to other libraries, and the State Library wants them to have a nice home elsewhere. 

A number of  libraries have already taken books, but there are still about 2,500 left.  If you could use some current non-fiction books to fill gaps in your collection, these books can be yours at no charge. Because they have dust jackets and have not been used much, they could be easily find a place on your new book shelf.  Although no list of what is left is available some of the subjects are:

 

Business 

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a time to pull books, please call Linda Harris at 505-476-9763 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

 

 

 

100 best NM books.  The New Mexico Book Co-op and Reading New Mexico have announced the search for the 100 Best New Mexico Books to celebrate New Mexico’s Centennial.

Votes will be solicited from authors, libraries, schools, booksellers, and the public to nominate the best New Mexico books written and published on or before 2000. Books nominated must be written by New Mexicans, published by a New Mexico publisher, or be about New Mexico. The competition will end January 6, 2011, the results to be announced in the Spring of 2011. Each nomination includes up to 10 books; nominations must include the name of the author of each book nominated. All nominations must include the name of the person nominating. Only one nomination (up to 10 books) per person. Duplicate nominations will not be counted.

For more information go to the New Mexico Book Co-op website. 

 

Send announcements of new personnel, changes, achievements, and retirements in your library to the HH editor, Robert Upton, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sharon Jenkins, who has been the Director of Library Services at Pannell Library, New Mexico Junior College for the past 11 years, will be leaving New Mexico.  She will be relocating to the Cayman Islands to help operate Shiloh Lifestyle Services, a business in which she is part owner. It’s a wellness center and spiritual retreat where clients can learn and practice nutritional changes, lifestyle changes, and benefit from a variety of holistic therapies to improve health and serenity. 

 

Susan Oberlander, State Librarian, has been invited to appear on a panel at the New Mexico Broadband and Smart Grid Summit on August 16 from 8:30-12:00 at the Moriarty Civic Center.  The conference is open to the public without charge.  The Summit is hosted by Senators Bingaman and Udall and will address topics such as building a national broadband network and modernizing the electric grid.  The conference will bring together policy makers and industry leaders to identity ways to meet these challenges and take advantage of their full potential for job growth and energy independence.  Dr. Oberlander will participate in a panel that provides a practical perspective on what is happening in the state in terms of the ways that anchor institutions such as libraries and healthcare centers can make the benefits of broadband available to all citizens, especially in rural communities.  She will discuss the Fast Forward New Mexico project that the NM State Library has begun with a federal Broadband Technology Opportunity Program grant.  This project will promote broadband adoption, provide free Internet training in 17 public libraries, and strengthen the resources of all public libraries in the state to meet the needs of their customers who need to use public access computers. 

 

Lee Bollschweiler has resigned her position as Program Manager for the Fast Forward New Mexico ARRA Grant.  She has been working from the NM State Library since April of this year, bringing on the new partners in the grant and establishing the grant with the federal program.  Lee had recently retired from the position she held for 27 years with UNM-Los Alamos before joining the ARRA grant. 

 

 

Send job announcements to the HH editor, Robert Upton, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . There is no charge for this service to the library community.

 

 Librarian.  Los Alamos County has an opening for Librarian (Circulation).  This is a full-time position (announcement number 11-05) with a salary of $43,590 to $61,025 annually.  Applications accepted until August 17 at 5 p.m.  Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Library, Library and Information Science, Humanities, or related field and four years library experience. MLS degree may be substituted for experience on 1:1 ratio.  Must possess, or be able to obtain within first thirty days of employment, a valid New Mexico Class “D” driver’s license;  and successful completion of the pre-employment physical exam.  Preferred qualifications include successful public service experience in a public library;  demonstrated problem-solving skills in a technological environment;  and supervisory experience.  Under general supervision of the Library Manager or Assistant Library Manager, the incumbent oversees the operations of one or more specialty library services, and performs a range of complex and specialized library tasks requiring a high level of professional expertise and customer service skills. Provides guidance, leadership, and coordination to library services staff in areas such as circulation, reference, web and electronic services, youth services, systems administration, and materials cataloging, acquisition and processing. Participates in the development of operating policies and procedures, systems to maintain records, and quality standards. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.  A detailed list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this classification are available on the website.  County application is required.  Apply at the Human Resources Division, County of Los Alamos, 2451 Central Avenue, Suite B, Los Alamos, NM  87544.  Applications are available in the county office, at the website, or by calling (505) 662-8040.  All vacant positions are listed on the above website and on the Job Line at (505)662-8039.  If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the examination process, notify the Human Resources Division at (505)662-8040 at the time of application.  Some documents can be provided in accessible formats.  Contact Human Resources at the above number if an accessible format is needed.  Applications become a public record upon receipt and may be made available for public inspection.  The Incorporated County of Los Alamos does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in employment or the provisions of service.  Los Alamos County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

 

 

Librarian.  New Mexico State University Library invites applications for the position of Acquisitions Librarian (12 month appointment, non-tenure track, College Assistant Professor).  Req. #2010005726.  With the budget management team, the Acquisition Librarian plans, develops, and manages Voyager fund allocations and fund structure within the base budget ledger for the library materials budget ($2+ million); works closely with collection development coordinator and subject specialists regarding budgetary aspects of collection development; in consultation with the department head develops and implements policies, standards, goals, and procedures to continuously improve workflow; provides leadership and supervision of staff in the Acquisitions Unit; conducts performance reviews and provides input for merit assessments. As a college faculty member of the library, is responsible for achieving in the areas of librarianship and service.  Required qualifications are an MLS from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent; ability to supervise staff; strong written and oral communication skills; ability to work in cross-organizational collaboration; strong critical thinking skills; must be able to work with vendors.  Preferred are 1-3 years professional experience in mid-to-large size academic or research library; demonstrated budget or accounting experience; previous management experience; knowledge of integrated library system, preferably Voyager; proficiency with Excel and Access; experience with vendor negotiations, licensing agreements, and electronic invoicing.  Salary is commensurate with education and experience.  For benefits see the University’s Human Resources website.  Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter stating qualifications, a resume, and names, addresses, (including e-mail), and telephone numbers of three references to Leticia Phetteplace, New Mexico State University Library, Box 30006, MSC 3475, Las Cruces, NM  88003-8006; e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; fax (575)-646-6940.  Review of applications will begin September 15 and will continue until the position is filled.  For additional information, visit the website.   For additional information about New Mexico State University, visit the website.  NMSU is an EEO/AA employer. Men and women, and members of all racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply. Offer of employment contingent upon verification of the individual's eligibility for employment in the United States.