Tutor.com has created the Better Together Contest to recognize and reward such efforts. Tell Tutor your idea and you could win $1,000 to support an existing program or launch a new one.  Hurry, entries must be submitted by June 7!

Looking to spruce up your space? More than just a home for books, a library is a living organism, a vibrant community center for learning, digital content discovery, and exploration. Shouldn’t your 21st century patrons have a 21st century library? Learn about the top building trends in exterior and interior design from architects who have reinvigorated and reimagined library spaces throughout the United States. Breathe new life into your library.

Marci Merola, Director of the Office for Library Advocacy for the American Library Association will present Advocating for Libraries: Keys to Success to help you learn key arguments and lines of reasoning to use when talking about libraries with legislators and other key stakeholders.

Gloria Stuart, Assistive Technology Consultant from TechACCESS of Rhode Island, will talk about eBook readers and accessibility.  eBook readers and emerging technologies used in library programs should be accessible to users of all abilities – if your library distributes eReaders or is considering it, you should attend this session to make sure your program complies with ADA accessibility requirements.

Don’t miss these and other great sessions on all aspects of librarianship for all types of libraries!  Join us at the annual RILA conference.  And register by May 13 for the early bird rate!

And don’t miss the opportunity to meet any and all AskRI vendors and learn more about AskRI while you’re there.  (That’s AtoZdatabases, EBSCO, Learning Express, Mango Languages, ProQuest, Tutor.com and World Book.)

It’s all online at http://www.ala.org/transforminglibraries/ebooktoolkit

Enhancements to EBSCO include:

New and Updated Content
EBSCO has added 61 new topics to Points of View Reference Center, bringing the total number of topics in the product to 343.

All existing PoV topic content has undergone a comprehensive annual content and bibliographic update.

New Interface (coming soon)
This summer, EBSCO will unveil a new user interface for PoV featuring an updated landing page and improved navigation. Key updates include:

• Revised navigation with topic trees
• Topical landing page and detailed record format
• Access to Common Core and State Curriculum Standards benchmarks

MayDay, MayDay, MayDay!

A post from guest blogger, Sarah Hudson, Project Assistant for Protecting the Past – RI.

Protecting the Past – RI is joining the effort to encourage libraries, museums, archives, historical societies and preservation organizations to set aside May 1, 2013 to participate in MayDay, a national effort to prepare for disaster.

This MayDay, Protecting the Past – RI will be offering emergency preparedness resource binders to cultural heritage organizations throughout Rhode Island.  These binders, valued at $50, provide information about planning for, mitigating against, and recovering from disaster.  They are available at no cost to Rhode Island’s cultural heritage organizations because of support from an Institute of Museum and Library Services Connecting to Collections grant.  Please contact Theresa Woodmansee at 401.253.1619 or Sarah Hudson at 401.952.4374 to reserve your copy today. Quantities are limited.

Take time on May 1^st to:

• review your institution’s insurance policy,
• update your disaster plan,
• or hold a fire drill.

A disaster can strike anytime.  Completing even one MayDay activity will help ensure that your organization is prepared.

For more suggestions on MayDay efforts please visit: http://www.heritagepreservation.org/programs/tflessons/MayDay.html

Protecting the Past – RI is funded by a grant to the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as part of the Connecting to Collection: Statewide Planning and Implementation Grant program.

Among the vendors will be representatives from all the resources available on AskRI.  Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn more about the individual AskRI databases and the latest updates from the companies that developed them.  (That’s AtoZdatabases, EBSCO, Learning Express, Mango Languages, ProQuest, Tutor.com and World Book.)  There will also be a number of other vendors at the conference who provide products to RI libraries, so this is a great opportunity to learn about the latest developments on the products you use . . . or could use!

And we’ll be there too.  Join OLIS at the RILA conference in the City by the Sea.  June 3-4, Salve Regina University.

Money Smart Week @ Your Library is a partnership between the American Library Association and the Chicago Fed as part of a greater national financial literacy initiative.