At the Newton Free Library in Newton, Mass they developed a blog for the FINRA sponsored Retirement Planning Club for Women. They first thought the blog should be closed to members of the Retirement Planning Club only, but found the Club would be better served if the blog was open to all. The move was made with the goal to attract new members to the Club. The link to the blog is http://retirementclub.wordpress.com/ or go to the Library’s homepage at www.newtonfreelibrary.net, scroll down the page to the box entitled “Our Blogs”.
Smart Investing at Alliance Library System
Robert Ganem and Margaret Monsour (above) recently met with Kitty Pope, Lori Bell (below) plus Tom Peters, and other staff from the Alliance Library System to experience their Smart investing@ your library program.
Our avatars were guests at a lively book discussion on the latest book by Dan Ariely entitled Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. Maxito Ricardo led the conversation on Investing Info Island a virtual space located in Second Life.
We were then whisked away, not virtually but in reality to see the van in action as John Howard, Outreach Coordinator showcased books and brochures about Smart investing @ your library at one of the six participating member libraries. The van will be traveling until September, sharing the message that your public library is a good source of unbiased investment information.
New Resources for Educating Kids About Money
Looking for materials to engage kids and get them thinking about money? Here are a few sites suggested by Susan Sarver of FINRA.
The US Mint has a wonderful children’s area at http://www.usmint.gov/kids/campCoin. This site includes coloring pages that you may download and print…and much more.
The Federal Reserve has some free fun comic-type books for kids at http://www.federalreserveeducation.org/teachers.
The Credit Union National Association has a “Thrive by Five” program that has terrific activities to teach preschoolers about saving and investing at http://www.creditunion.coop/pre_k. These activity sheets can be given to parents, and are available in English and Spanish.
You may also enjoy looking at the resources available at “Money on the Bookshelf.” This site contains numerous resources for parents and children. http://www.unce.unr.edu/programs/sites/moneybookshelf/concepts/
RUSA Approves New Definition of Reference
At the January 14, 2008, meeting of the RUSA Board, a new definition of reference was approved. It was based on solicited input received on the RUSA Blog as of 12/8/07. Thank you to all those who gave input, as well as all those who worked hard to come up with a definition that could be supported by so many.
Lisa R. Horowitz
Chair, Reference Services Section (2007-2008)
Definition of Reference
Approved by RUSA Board, 1-14-08
Submitted
by subgroup of RSS Executive Committee
Reference Transactions are information consultations in which
library staff recommend, interpret, evaluate, and/or use information resources
to help others to meet particular information needs. Reference transactions do
not include formal instruction or exchanges that provide assistance with
locations, schedules, equipment, supplies, or policy statements.
Reference Work includes reference transactions and other
activities that involve the creation, management, and assessment of information
or research resources, tools, and services.
(The following bullets clarify what is meant
by terms within the Reference Work definition.)
·
Creation and management of information
resources includes the
development and maintenance of research collections, research guides, catalogs,
databases, web sites, search engines, etc., that patrons can use independently,
in-house or remotely, to satisfy their information needs.
·
Assessment activities include the measurement and evaluation of reference work,
resources, and services.