The Tech Static, a new technology-related book review outlet and collection development resource for librarians launching this November, is soliciting article queries. Current needs include:

* Advice on weeding technology-related titles
* Overviews of “hot” new technologies, software, applications, certifications, or new releases for which libraries should stock updated guides
* Discussion of ways to fund useful collections of technology titles
* Suggestions of what types of professional technology titles to stock for staff’s reference and development
* Series overviews and recommendations for library purchasing
* Any other advice, how-tos, or “how-we-did-it-good” articles related to collection development in the area of technology.

Experience with collection development in this area, or with newer technologies, library tech support, or other technological background a plus. Email your queries to rachel@thetechstatic.com.

Union County Public Library Goes Live With Evergreen
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Norcross, GA – October 14, 2008
Union County (Ind.) Public Library has gone live with Evergreen, the consortial-quality open-source library automation software. Union County Public Library is the third library in Indiana to migrate to Evergreen, following Hussey-Mayfield Public Library and Adams Public Library. Fourteen other public libraries in Indiana are on track to migrate to Evergreen by the end of 2008 as part of Indiana Evergreen, a shared-catalog project administered by the Indiana State Library. Equinox Software, Inc., the support and development company for Evergreen, provided bumper-to-bumper support during the process, while the Alpha-G consulting company assisted with data migration.
“Our whole community is excited about Evergreen Indiana,” said Karen Kahl, director of Union County Public Library. She added, “Patrons are looking forward to being able to use their cards at other libraries, and they like the way the hold system works.”
“We’re happy to see the Evergreen Indiana project growing so quickly and yet so smoothly,” said Brad LaJeunesse, Equinox company president. “Evergreen was born in a large library consortium, and has the strength and features required by these special environments. Most library software, including Evergreen, performs well in libraries with one or several outlets. But Evergreen is up to the task of serving a project such as Evergreen Indiana, as well.”
Union County Public Library has been serving residents since 1887, and became a public library in 1913 after the school board transferred it to the Stanley Memorial Building in Liberty, Indiana. Today, the library has 28,000 bibliographic items and serves over 5,000 patrons. Their website is http://www.union-county.lib.in.us and their new online catalog can be viewed at http://evergreen.lib.in.us/.
About Evergreen
Evergreen is consortial-quality, open-source library software initially developed to support Georgia PINES, a resource-sharing consortium with over 270 public libraries. Evergreen was designed from the ground up to meet the needs of very large, high-transaction, multi-site consortia, yet its robust, fault-tolerant architecture elegantly scales down to the smallest sites. Evergreen is also adaptive software that due to its service-oriented, standards-compliant design can nimbly evolve to meet changing library needs and user expectations.
From its debut in September 2006, Evergreen has consistently outperformed expectations and resulted in acclaim and praise from users worldwide. Evergreen has received significant attention, including a Technology Collaboration Award from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Additional Evergreen implementations include the Michigan Library Consortium, British Columbia SITKA, and several smaller implementations, such as Kent County Public Library in Maryland and Marshall Public Library in Missouri. For more information about Evergreen, visit http://evergreen-ils.org
About Equinox Software, Inc.

Founded by the original Evergreen designers and developers, Equinox Software is a growing team of skilled developers and other professionals who provide comprehensive support for Evergreen, the consortial-quality, open source Integrated Library System (ILS). Equinox develops, supports, trains, migrates, integrates, and consults on Evergreen, and engages with the rapidly expanding Evergreen community. Instead of one-size-fits-all support, Equinox works closely with libraries to ensure Evergreen is implemented in the manner that best fits their individual needs.
In addition to support, custom development and integration services, Equinox offers complete Evergreen hosting packages for libraries wishing to outsource their ILS infrastructure. Equinox also provides consulting services for libraries seeking more insight into the value proposition of open source software.
Press contact: Corinne Hall, corinne@esilibrary.com, 678-269-6113
For more information on Equinox Software, please visit http://www.esilibrary.com.

Evergreen is open source software, freely licensed under the GNU GPL. Evergreen and the Evergreen
Logo are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of the Georgia Public Library Service.

October 20, 2008, Monterey, CA—At the 12th annual Internet Librarian Conference and Exhibition, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) announced the release of Designing the Digital Experience: How to Use Experience Design Tools and Techniques to Build Websites Customers Love by David Lee King.

With the emergence of Web 2.0 technologies and social networking tools, today’s web marketers and designers can apply “experience design” techniques in the online environment, creating memorable experiences for website visitors and customers. In his cutting edge book, author King explains digital experience design, showcases sites that utilize it to greatest advantage, and offers strategies for building websites customers not only love but feel motivated to share with others.

While other authors have written conceptually about experience design, and still others have suggested ways to make websites more user friendly, King is the first to connect the dots between these approaches. Digital experience design is all about giving web users what they want, according to King, who says he wrote the book to help organizations “distinguish themselves from the competition and uncork the viral marketing genie.”

“If you have ever read a restaurant review or paid a bill online, you've had a digital experience,” says Rohit Bhargava, Senior VP of Marketing at Ogilvy. “The problem is, many of these experiences stink.” Bhargava described Designing the Digital Experience as an essential guide to creating “an authentic digital experience for your customers. Read [it] and give it to every member of your web team if you finally want to have a website your customers will rave about.”

“Websites, communities, services, companies, and individuals who provide their visitors with an enjoyable, memorable experience have a distinct, noticeable advantage over those that do not,” said Patrick O’Keefe, principal of iFroggy Network and author of Managing Online Forums. “Designing the Digital Experience presents solid ideas and strategies that can help you to gain that advantage.”

Following a foreword by David Armano, VP Experience Design at Critical Mass and author of the popular blog, Logic+Emotion, Designing the Digital Experience features an Introduction by the author and the following chapters:

1. Welcome to the Experience Economy
2. What Is Structural Focus?
3. Elements of Digital Design Experience
4. Information Architecture and Usability: Experience-Focused Design
5. What Is Community Focus
6. Emerging Tools for the Digital Community
7. Community Building Through Invitation
8. Community Building Through Social Networking
9. What Is Customer Focus?
10. Staging and Theming Digital Experiences
11. Customer Journey Mapping and Personas
12. Customer Focus Ideas
13. The Next Step

Additional features include a list of resources and recommended reading, a glossary, and an index. As a reader bonus, the author offers content related to the book on his blog at www.davidleeking.com/digital experience, including live links to recommended websites and resources.

Book Launch at Internet Librarian 2008
To celebrate publication of Designing the Digital Experience, David Lee King will sign copies at the Information Today, Inc. booth at the Internet Librarian Conference on Monday, October 20, from 5:00–6:00 PM. For more information about the conference venue, visit www.infotoday.com/il2008.

About the Author
David Lee King is the Digital Branch and Services Manager at the Topeka & Shawnee County (Kansas) Public Library, where he plans, implements, and experiments with emerging technology and trends. He has spoken at information industry events in the U.S. and internationally about emerging tech trends, website usability and management, digital experience design and planning, and managing tech staff. He was named a 2008 “Mover & Shaker” by Library Journal.

Designing the Digital Experience: How to Use Experience Design Tools and Techniques to Build Websites Customers Love (200pp/softbound/$24.95/ISBN 978-0-910965-83-5) is a CyberAge Book from Information Today, Inc. It is available in bookstores through Independent Publishers Group (IPG) or by calling (800) 300-9868 [outside U.S. call (609) 654-6266]; faxing (609) 654-4309; emailing custserv@infotoday.com; or on the web at www.infotoday.com.