New Insignia Discovery Layer Coming November 2015

UPDATE as of 11/6/15: This change is on hold for now. You will receive an email with a new release date.

On November 9, 2015 we are transitioning to a new version of the library catalog called the Discovery Layer. I think you’ll find the new interface to be more appealing and user friendly, especially the results list and the title details screens.

Here is a screenshot of the results list*:

And one of the title details screen*:

*The options on these screens might be slightly different when we go live on November 9.

Testing and Next Steps

Currently, a team consisting of teacher librarians, Rae, and myself are testing the Discovery Layer and reporting any issues to Insignia. If there are no major issues by early November, we will move forward with the new interface on November 9.

During our testing window, I will make several screencasts that will introduce the features of the Discovery Layer. Look for those screencasts within the next few weeks.

What is your role?

You will need to familiarize yourself with the new Discovery Layer by watching the screencasts that I will be publishing soon. You may also need to update your lessons plans that refer to the library catalog.

If you are feeling particularly ambitious, you can try the Discovery Layer right now by going to this URL: https://library.bvsd.org/library/discovery (Please note: we will only be using this URL during the testing phase.)

Will you need to update your links to the library catalog?

No (thank goodness).

When we go live on November 9, the link you are currently using for the library catalog—the one on your desktops and websites—will automatically point to the new Discovery Layer. You won’t need to update any links, as long as the link you are currently using is https://library.bvsd.org/library

Next steps

This is the first of several communications you will receive about this change. I want everyone to know what to expect on the morning of November 9. You are always welcome to contact me (Amy Hitchner) or Insignia if you have any questions about the Discovery Layer.

Bi-Monthly Meeting Schedule

With the advent of LIBinars, we have a new meeting schedule this year. Our “bi-monthly” teacher librarian meetings are the following dates from 4:00-5:30pm.

• Tuesday, November 10th, 2015 @Boulder High
• Tuesday, January 12th, 2016 @Crest View Elem
• Tuesday, March 8th, 2016 @Pioneer Elem
• Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 TL Celebration! @Ed Center
• Click for a printable schedule

We will have a workshop-style at these meetings. Curious about leading one? Sign up here to be contacted by LAC or Ed Tech to chat about potential topics, etc!

Location/snack sign-up

• Please only sign up to host if you haven’t hosted in the last 2 years.
• Bonus! This form uses an Add-On called Choice Eliminator, which deletes an option from the form when someone selects it. This would be a great Add-On to use for creating sign-ups for parent/teacher conferences.

Interested in Salary Credit for these meetings? A .5 salary credit is available for TL meetings this year--email Nannette to be added to the contact list for salary credit and you will receive information soon!

Announcing LIBinars!

Announcing LIBinars!

Get ready for an incredible new learning opportunity brought to you by YOU! Introducing LIBinars! (Libraries + Webinars=LIBinars) 

What is a LIBinar?

A LIBinar is a webinar available to you that will be both streamed and available for on-demand viewing with topics that are specific to you, led by teacher librarians, visionaries and leaders from around BVSD and beyond. We will publish a schedule of webinars on this blog for October very soon!

How does this change our current monthly workshop model?

Through guidance from the LAC, we will be moving to bi-monthly teacher librarian meetings (Sept, November, January, March, May). This will free up capacity to provide more on-demand professional development opportunities like LIBinars to our teacher librarian community!

How long is a LIBinar?

A LIBinar can be as short as 30 minutes and as long as an hour--it is up to the presenter and the content of the webinar. Remember, LIBinars can be watched live or through on-demand access after a broadcast.

When will LIBinars be available?

Our first LIBinars will debut in October of this year! Times and dates are to be determined. In months where there is not a teacher librarian bi-monthly meeting, there will be at last two LIBinars (October, December, February, April).

I want to lead a LIBinar! How do I do this?

First, email Amy Hitchner to let her know of your interest and topic. Then, she will work with you on all of the technical details (you won’t have to be responsible for any of the tech side except your presentation materials) as well as selecting the best date and time.

September Announcements & Thoughts!

“Creativity is as important as literacy”

― Sir Ken Robinson, author & speaker, education reformer

Think!

“Libraries must iterate all the time. They no longer can innovate and then expect that to last five years.”

Libraries of the Future

Why Read This?

This summer a group of librarians and other influencers met in at the Aspen Institute to discuss the future of libraries. Read what these leaders envision for the future of our profession.

Welcome Back Survey!

We’d like to take time to gather feedback from you to begin this school year! Please fill out the Welcome Back Survey!

Insignia Info

• Check out the blog post on the Silverlight error in Chrome.
• We will be moving to a new version of the OPAC this fall (probably November), which Insignia calls the Discovery Layer. This new interface should fix some bugs, including links to eBooks (currently not working), and add general search enhancements. More on this in the upcoming weeks.

What to know @BVSD this month

The new SharePoint templates look beautiful (thanks to amazing work by our web team). Here are some answers about the design that several of you have asked about:

• The library landing page gives a high-level view of your library. The main audience is parents and community members. Use it for posting your library vision, hours, etc. You can add a webpart with a link to your other library content (i.e., student resources).
• Add a link under the Student section of your school website for quicker access to the library’s online resources.
• Your school’s webmaster can change “Media Center - Library” to “Library”. They should contact Maureen or Vijay if they need help doing that.

News from Beyond BVSD

Attention—the Highly Effective School Library Program is on temporary hiatus due to funding and employment constraints at CDE. We will share more information as it becomes available.

Why Read this?

As we continue to work towards developing future-ready libraries, expect changes to be made through CDE that reflect the shift in the profession.

Every Kid in a Park - All fourth grade students can receive a free national parks pass. How cool is that?

Why Read this?

Think about what ways you can connect with this in your libraries and with teachers in 4th grade. What books? Research? Etc!

Check out the Colorado State Library’s Colorado Book Club Resource

Why Read this?

Looking for copies of books for book clubs? Look no further! These titles are secondary/adult focus, however, there is an option for requesting titles. Don’t forget--your public library can also gather collections of books to send your way for book clubs, too!

Upcoming PD

Please take a moment to fill out this survey regarding upcoming PD opportunities. We will use this information to send more of you to these and other conferences!

CASL Year of the Student Workshop is Saturday, September 12 from 9-3:30

• Cost is $50 for non-CAL members
• Guest speaker Shannon Miller, @shannonmiller

Colorado Summit featuring Google for Education (aka GAFE)

• October 10 & 11 at Monarch High
• Contact Elene Medicraft for pricing

edcamp Longmont is Saturday, September 19 from 8-3 at Silver Creek High School

• Organized by Phil Goerner, @pgoerner
• FREE to all participants!
• Register on their site

READ-ing Conference, Oct 1 & 2 from 8:00-4:00 in Adams 12

• This conference is designed to support the implementation of the Colorado READ Act, specifically K-3 educators.
• Registration is limited to 300 participants, so jump on this early.

This Month’s Meeting

• Tuesday, September 8, 4:00-5:30 @Centennial Middle
• Host: Jon Georgitis
• Snacks and Book Talks: Amy, Nannette, & Rae
• Sessions:
• Book Talks: What are you buying for your library right now? Come prepared to discuss!
• Innovative Spaces: A Design Conversation with Jon Georgitis & Sarah Kirby