The Courier-Post Newspaper in South Jersey has adopted a new interactive format for public postings in response to news items.  http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070725/NEWS01/707250356/1006/news01 .

Sounds like a new twist on blogging to me. 

An idea that is long overdue - develop a unified social network that lets you keep in touch no matter if you use Blogger, Wordpress, Twitter, Flickr, Picasa Web, YouTube, MySpace, Friendster, Facebook or other services.  

NovelIdeas is currently powered by Wordpress and I am in search of a workaround to connect with the blogger community w/o resorting to creating NovelIdeas2.0 on Blogger.  Ideas?

http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2007/07/googles-social-networking-projects.html 

I understand the risk involved when shifting scholarly library programming to programming with ”pop culture tie ins,” however consider the buzz created by media outlets  as viral marketing for library programs.  If a new Harry Potter movie is released, how about advertising collection offerings and additional programming in tandem?   

Last year, I visited an Atlantic County Library in New Jersey and was blown away by the highly sucessful Harry Potter wizard programming for community youth.  Here’s an example of a Pennsylvania library going a step further, partnering with corporate entities and municipal organizers, to create fun and learning for all ages in the community. 

BTW-I learned of the program listening the radio while driving to the Long Beach Island in New Jersey.  Library radio advertising, hmmmm.  As a librarian it was validating to hear the words “library” and “fun” together over and over throughout the spot.

Friday, July 6 from 5 - 9 PM. First Fridays at the Doylestown library - Harry Potter Night.

Harry Potter movies, costume contests, crafts for kids, trivia contests for adults and kids, treasure quest, Hogwarts Express candy trolley, Kaleidoscope Talent improv and music, Wizard of Wonder magic show and much more mystical mayhem!

While you’re here, take a look at our video games now available for checkout with your library card!

Want to know more? Visit http://firstfridaydoylestown.com/

First Fridays programming is a multifaceted approach to grabbing public attention and building community partnerships.  The event highlights programming and materials.  I’m sure that several copies of each published Harry Potter title will be available to borrow at the library!   

Can you believe that movie moguls and pop culture icons neglect to alert libraries to new offerings on the horizon?  How can libraries stay current?  Consider designating a staffer to keep the library informed or perhaps a volunteer sleuth from your own community who would be glad to alert staff to the latest buzz and maybe even assist in developing displays!

The New Jersey Knowledge Initiative (NJKI) will continue to receive funding.  Caution, don’t smile too quickly.  The State of New Jersey budget for 2008 will not include full funding for the project. 

Unfortunately, funding will be reduced to two thirds of last year’s allotment.  This amount is one million dollars less than is needed to continue the program at its current level.  I view this action as a reduction in support for both the library and business communities of New Jersey.  As I have noted in a prior post, in my municipal library individuals use New Jersey Knowledge Initiative databases for personal reference and research purposes.  Two weeks ago a member of the business community excitedly shared his user experience with the library reference staff.  Information seekers in New Jersey are gaining confidence is accessing databases to find the help they need. It is disheartening to see information service funds reduced.  It is important for taxpayers to be able to easily locate current reliable information by using the libraries of New Jersey.