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LITA Publications Suggestion Box

tech set

The Tech Set

Edited by Ellyssa Kroski

ISBN: 9781555707149
Published: 2010

Be on the cutting edge with The Tech Set: Ten practical, fast-paced field guides to today’s hottest new technologies for information professionals- copublished with the prestigious Library and Information Technology Association (LITA, a division of the American Library Association).

Edited by sought-after educator, emerging-technology information consultant, and librarian, Ellyssa Kroski, these start-to-finish primers will have you ready to implement all the essential technologies and tools you need to deliver outstanding new services and remain relevant in the digital age.

All ten Tech Set titles follow a clear five-step learning approach to make new concepts easy to implement in your library!

Learn how to integrate cutting-edge technology with library services.
Because you'll receive time-saving step-by-step coaching from your Tech Set author, you’ll have time to learn new skills and complete current tasks.

Plan and Implement a New Web 2.0 Technology Today.
Because the Tech Set is written by librarians and for librarians, you don’t have to go it alone in mapping out the ways to actually use new Web 2.0 technology in your library. With an outline of implementation steps and a planning timeline you’ll have a clear path to follow as you launch new services.

Apply the Social Marketing Techniques Used by the Pros.
Have you ever launched a new service or capability only to find it undiscovered or under used? Your Tech Set author, will coach you through proven outreach tactics to attract and satisfy new users. Learn new ways to integrate new Web 2.0 technologies into your libraries current marketing approach and discover innovative new ways to increase your libraries visibility and presence in the community.

Follow Best Practices Established by Library Innovators.
You don’t need to spend hours on research. Tech Set authors give you a complete, round-up of best practices to increase you library’s success rate and speed you towards realizing the Web 2.0 service benefits. With this inspiration, they enable you to focus instead on emulating then adapting best practices to the unique needs of your library customers. Plus with “ best practices” you will have a quick-reference source of answers for years to come.

Measure Your Success.
Where’s the payoff? The Tech Set provides ways to measure results and demonstrate them to library administrators who may be skeptical. There is nothing better than a well-documented and measureable success story to attract more users and more funding.

Every title is accompanied by author wikis, located at http://techset.wetpaint.com packed with new advice and recommended resources. Plus you can hear these gurus’ own words by listening to the Tech Set podcasts, where authors discuss their books, current research, and the latest developments in their fields.

This groundbreaking set will be available for $385 and save 30% off the list price! At $38.50 per book, you’re saving $165.00, or $16.50 for each title. Invest in The Tech Set and gain ten personal technology coaches right in your library. (To get this special price, use coupon code LITATS at checkout when you order by phone at 1-866-NS-BOOKS, by fax at 1-866-209-7932 or online at http://www.neal-schuman.com/techset)

Find out more about each on e of the Tech Set’s 10 titles by clicking the links below:
1. Next Gen Library Catalogs by Marshall Breeding
2. Mobile Technology and Libraries by Jason Griffey
3. Microblogging and Lifestreaming in Libraries by Robin Hastings
4. Library Videos and Webcasts by Sean Robinson
5. Wikis for Libraries by Lauren Pressley
6. Technology Training in Libraries by Sarah Houghton-Jan
7. A Social Networking Primer for Libraries by Cliff Landis
8. Library Camps and Unconferences by Steve Lawson
9. Gaming in Libraries by Kelly Czarnecki
10. Effective Blogging for Libraries, by Connie Crosby

LITA Guides

For over 40 years, the Library and Information Technology Association has played a leading role in helping librarians understand developing technology trends and make use of cutting-edge tools. Neal-Schuman is proud to be the exclusive publisher of LITA Guides: concise, expertly written handbooks addressing today's most vital technology issues.

guide 15 cover

Core Technology Competencies for Librarians and Library Staff: LITA Guide #15

Edited by Susan M. Thompson

ISBN: 9781555706609
Published: 2008

When it comes to technical know-how, do you and your staff measure up? Given the rapid pace of change in technology and library services, it is challenging to maintain the technology skills that librarians and library staff need. What are the best ways to measure and develop competencies to ensure your library is ready to support the next new technical system? If you’re ready to hire a new systems librarian, which requirements should you specify in the job description? If you’re looking for the answers, then this latest LITA Guide is just what you need.

Ideal for public and academic libraries, Core Technology Competencies for Libraries provides an excellent starting point for you to define and evaluate the right inventory of technical skills and management attributes for yourself and your staff. Lita experts share their experience on technical competencies expected of all libraries and library staff; technical competencies needed by specialists like technology managers, or systems and IT librarians, and success stories about meeting performance standards that will show you how major libraries have demonstrated best practices in technology competency. Employing the skillenhancement tools in this book will help staff that work hard to also “work smart”, and take advantage of technology to improve collections and service. Extensive appendices include core competency lists, personnel assessment checklists, job descriptions, and training curricula.

guide 14 cover

Making Library Web Sites Usable: LITA Guide #14

Tom Lehman and Terry Nikkel

ISBN: 9781555706203
Published: 2008

Library webmasters, usability teams, and administrators will want this authoritative reference on usability.

In Making Library Web Sites Usable, a LITA guide published by Neal Schuman, authors Tom Lehman and Terry Nikkel show library webmasters, usability teams, and library administrators how to turn confusing, unappealing Web sites into the kind of friendly, efficient information gateways that students will choose.

With clear, non-technical language, Making Library Web Sites Usable breaks down what usability assessments are, why they are important for libraries, why libraries should do them regularly, and what the most common challenges are. They also explain all of the necessary how-tos, whats, and whys for the most common assessment techniques and how to interpret results, document findings, and effectively communicate results and recommendations.

Usability-in-action success stories from Purdue, the University of Virginia, and Wright State University libraries; the Clinton Macomb Public Library in Michigan; the MITRE corporate library; and the library at NASA Goddard offer rare insights and practical advice for facing challenges like limited time, working within a budget, and rallying support for Web site changes.

guide 13 cover

Using Interactive Technologies in Libraries, LITA Guide #13

Kathlene Hanson and H. Frank Cervone

ISBN: 1555706126
Published: 2007

Using Interactive Technologies in Libraries, edited by Kathlene Hanson and H. Frank Cervone and published by Neal-Schuman and the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) offers in-depth information and advice for incorporating several interactive technologies that are creating the most hype today. Leading information professionals with experience using today’s high-tech library applications provide detailed examples, implementation ideas, and helpful forecasts for the future roles of major technologies including using RSS, developing Wikis, implementing blogs, and podcasting.

Using Interactive Technologies in Libraries is filled with detailed information and valuable advice about new applications, guidance for deciding whether or not to integrate them into existing programs and suggestions for using them to meeting user needs and create a high-technology profile with library patrons.

Order these LITA Guides now from the Neal-Schuman Web site

LITA Publications Suggestion Box

Would you like to share your expertise? Write a guide or monograph for LITA. Is there a subject you would like to see LITA publish a guide or monograph about? We want your input!