October 20, 2008, Monterey, CA—At the 12th annual Internet Librarian Conference and Exhibition, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) announced the publication of Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries: Librarians and Educators in Second Life and Other Multi-User Virtual Environments, edited by Lori Bell and Rhonda B. Trueman.

Eighty percent of Internet users are expected to engage in some form of virtual world activity by 2011 (Gartner Research Group), and librarians and educators are already there. Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries—the brainchild of editors Bell and Trueman—is designed to help libraries and schools recognize the importance of multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) and consider ways of getting involved as they proliferate. The editors and 24 contributors describe innovative library, educational, and cultural projects they have undertaken. They recount their experiences working together to succeed in Second Life and other virtual worlds and explain how traditional library services such as reference, teaching, collections, discussion groups, and young adult programs can be applied in a virtual environment.

“This is probably the first comprehensive book about MUVEs to focus on libraries and education,” according to Stephen Abram, 2008 President of the Special Libraries Association (SLA), writing in the Foreword to the book. “Those who read [it] and then dive in to experience these worlds … will be better prepared to evaluate the opportunities that will emerge in the coming years. We might not even be at the beginning of the beginning.” Abram added, “It cannot be ignored or left unsaid that these early pioneers have a palpable passion and excitement for the potential of virtual environments. This energy is one of the most compelling aspects of virtual worlds and of this book.”

Contributors to Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries include these librarians and educators who have done pioneering work in MUVEs:

Tom Peters
Marty Grover
Jami Schwarzwalder
Bill Sowers
S. Thompson
J. J. Jacobson
Kelly Czarnecki
Guus van den Brekel
Carol Perryman
Abbi Ball
Erik Gordon Bainbridge
Mack Lundy
Mary-Carol Lindbloom
DaisyBlue Hefferman
Barbara Galik
Skip Burhans
J. B. Hill
Todd Spires
Geraldine Purpur
Louise Ochoa
Susan Payne
Rachel Gollub
Deni Wicklund
Jeremy W. Kemp

In addition to an Introduction by Bell and Trueman and the Foreword by Stephen Abram, Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries features an Afterword, a glossary, and an index. As a bonus for readers the editors maintain a companion website to the book at www.virtualworldsreallibraries.info.

Book Launch and Signing at Internet Librarian Conference
To celebrate the publication of Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries, Lori Bell and Rhonda B. Trueman will sign copies at the Information Today, Inc. booth at the Internet Librarian Conference in Monterey on Monday, October 20, from 5:00–6:00 PM. For more information about the conference venue, visit www.infotoday.com/il2008.

About the Editors
Lori Bell is Director of Innovation at the Alliance Library System and has served as project manager for the Alliance Virtual Library in Second Life since its inception in April 2006. She has worked in a variety of library settings and has been an adjunct instructor at both the University of Illinois and Dominican University. Rhonda B. Trueman, Reference Librarian with Johnson and Wales University, Charlotte, NC, serves as liaison to the College of Business and as Vice-Chair of the Library Committee. She has served as the Assistant Director/Director of Operations for the Alliance Virtual Library in Second Life, and is an adjunct lecturer for continuing education virtual world classes through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries: Librarians and Educators in Second Life and Other Multi-User Virtual Environments (272 pp/softbound/$39.50/ISBN 978-1-57387-361-1) is published by Information Today, Inc. It is available in bookstores and direct from the publisher by calling (800) 300-9868 [outside the U.S., call (609) 654-6266]; faxing (609) 654-4309; emailing custserv@infotoday.com; or visiting the ITI website at www.infotoday.com.For more information about Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries, please contact Rob Colding at 609.654.6266 ext. 330.

October 20, 2008, Monterey, CA—At the 12th annual Internet Librarian conference and exhibition, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) announced the release of ShanachieTour: A Library Road Trip Across America, a unique book/DVD set by Erik Boekesteijn and Jaap van de Geer, with photographs by Geert van den Boogaard.

Releasing ShanachieTour at Internet Librarian is significant because it was here in Monterey last October where the three Dutch librarians wrapped up their road trip and previewed the first pieces of video from it. The crowd’s enthusiastic reaction to the ground-breaking project encouraged the trio to publish a book and movie about their cross-country journey.

The illustrated book, along with its 1-hour companion DVD, tells the story of how coworkers Erik, Jaap, and Geert drove an RV coast-to-coast to discover how American librarians are engaging their communities and envisioning their future. In the spirit of traveling Scots-Irish storytellers from the past (known as “Shanachies”), Erik, Jaap, and Geert traveled to libraries both large and small during their 3-week trek, meeting with librarians to encourage, record, and share their stories.

“Sometimes it takes different eyes to see the potential and promise of what we do,” says Michael Stephens, popular blogger, columnist, and library school professor. “The Shanachies traveled to America to share and make stories─and they made magic. This book gathers the [stories] for all of us to enjoy, to find inspiration, and to be challenged to keep on doing what we do the best ways we can. ... These fellows are true mages of libraryland.”

“The importance of the ShanachieTour lies in the indomitable spirit and delight with which [they] went after and captured stories both grand and small,” says Kathryn J. Deiss in the book’s foreword. “A good idea, a human idea, a seeking of understanding and connection are all at the heart of this unique experience…relive the tour through this wonderful volume and DVD.”

The ShanachieTour book includes original blog entries from the trip, insights from library professionals they interviewed, post-trip reflections, and vivid color photographs of libraries and their staff members, as well as scenery from around the country. Along the way, the three Shanachies videotaped their adventure, and they edited their film to create a 1-hour “road movie” that brings the trip to life. The documentary features conversations with forward-thinking librarians and educators from across the U.S., including the likes of John Blyberg, Michael Stephens, and Barbara Ford.

To learn more about the Shanachies and to see some video clips and photos, join their Facebook group at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11911660114 or check out their website at www.shanachietour.com. The book/DVD set can be purchased securely online at books.infotoday.com/books/ShanachieTour.shtml.

Book Launch and Signing at Internet Librarian
To celebrate the publication of ShanachieTour, Erik Boekesteijn and Jaap van de Geer will sign copies of their book at the Information Today, Inc. booth at the Internet Librarian Conference on Monday, October 20, from 5:00–6:00PM.

About the Authors
Erik Boekesteijn works in the Communication and Innovation Department at DOK, the library concept center in Delft, the Netherlands. His work includes marketing, promotion, and innovation, and he works on many DOK Studio productions. Erik is one of the founders of the UGame ULearn project, which promotes gaming in libraries on a national and international level. Jaap van de Geer is head of the IT department at DOK. He is responsible for the self-invented, unique ILS called ClienTrix, which recently integrated Google Book Search. He also works on DOK’s website and is cameraman and editor on many productions of the DOK Studio department. Geert van den Boogaard is responsible for acquisition and external funding at DOK. In addition to fundraising, he works on signage and many other initiatives for DOK including Agora, the Story Board of Your Life project. He is an avid amateur photographer.

ShanachieTour: A Library Road Trip Across America (160 pp/softbound/$39.50/ISBN 978-1-57387-360-4) is published by Information Today, Inc. It is available in bookstores and direct from the publisher by calling (800) 300-9868 [outside the U.S., call (609) 654-6266]; faxing (609) 654-4309; emailing custserv@infotoday.com; or visiting the ITI website at www.infotoday.com.

October 16, 2008, Medford, NJ—Information Today, Inc. (ITI) has announced the publication of The Accidental Librarian, by Pamela H. MacKellar.

According to a recent report from the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 30 percent of librarians working in U.S. public libraries do not have a master’s degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program of library and information studies. Among them are thousands of so-called accidental librarians who either felt the call of librarianship early in their working lives or turned to it as a second career.

In The Accidental Librarian, author Pamela H. MacKellar—a 25-year library veteran who has mentored accidental librarians in all types of settings—covers library principles, practices, and tools of the trade for individuals who work as librarians without benefit of a formal education. MacKellar points out, “Often, communities that cannot afford to hire a librarian with a master’s degree are delighted to hire someone with a high school diploma or undergraduate degree to fill a librarian position. A church, organization, or school may be happy just to have a library and someone to run it at all. We are fortunate to have people who step up to the plate when the job of librarian needs to be filled.”

MacKellar, a strong proponent of accidental librarianship, believes no librarian, whether degreed or not, can serve effectively without continuing professional development. “Many librarians understand that there is always something to learn about librarianship,” she says, “especially at this time of immense change when technology is having such an impact on libraries and the profession overall.”

In addition to offering advice on basic library principles and practices, technology, and career development, MacKellar includes tips and examples along with simple exercises designed to test a librarian’s knowledge and increase his or her understanding. Throughout the book, she emphasizes the roles librarians play in their communities and the value of libraries in the lives of the people they serve. Other features include a foreword by Karen Strege, Director of ALA’s Library Support Staff Certificate Program; sample library policies; a list of educational resources; a round-up of current library issues including legislative matters; and recommended print and Internet resources. Readers can stay connected and learn more about librarianship at the author’s website, www.accidentallibrarian.com.

“As an accidental librarian who stumbled into the profession almost completely by chance, it’s good to know that others debating this career choice can use this book as a realistic roadmap,” said Don Borchert, author of Free for All: Oddballs, Geeks and Gangstas in the Public Library. “Every job of the librarian, every duty, every responsibility is considered here … If you’re just starting out in library work, you’ll find a lot of useful information, and if you’re an accredited professional with tenure, you’ll come away with a clear picture of your strengths and weaknesses.”

According to independent library consultant and author Stephanie Gerding, “The Accidental Librarian is a comprehensive and truly necessary resource … This book should be on every library staff’s personal reference shelf, especially those new to library work and directors without formal training.” Dr. Susan Pinkerton, Associate Professor of Library Science at New Mexico State University said, “Impressive! A wealth of information is contained in this overview of the profession.”

Pamela H. MacKellar has been a librarian for more than 25 years. She has held positions as a newspaper librarian, library services director, assistant librarian, health services librarian, cataloger, technology consultant, and independent consultant in libraries of all kinds, including special libraries, school, public, post-secondary, tribal, prison and state library agency. She is the co-author of Grants for Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual (Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2006) and the article “Wishing Won’t Work: 10 Things You Need to Know and Do When Applying for Technology Grants” (Computers in Libraries, July–August 2006). She has presented at the Computers in Libraries Conference, Internet Librarian Conference, and the New Mexico Library Association Annual Conference.

The Accidental Librarian (432 pp/softbound/$29.50/ISBN 978-1-57387-338-3) is published by Information Today, Inc. It is available in bookstores and direct from the publisher by calling (800) 300-9868 [outside the U.S., call (609) 654-6266]; faxing (609) 654-4309; emailing custserv@infotoday.com; or visiting the ITI website at www.infotoday.com.