Welcome to The Current
Our updated newsletter for the SWAN community
With a membership of 97 libraries across the Chicagoland area, SWAN is fortunate to have such a variety of library types, sizes, community interests, and colleagues. We're reframing our newsletter to focus on SWAN's membership and opportunities to come together and learn, improve, and share resources.
SWAN aims to foster a community that reflects its members, and we're open to feedback or ideas that you may have. There's a lot going on at SWAN, and we're glad you're a member.
Aaron Skog,
SWAN Executive Director
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SWANx18 Presentations & Feedback
The 2018 SWANstravaganza (we decided this year to just call is "SWANx" rather than type that out every time!) was held on Friday last week, and we are looking for your feedback on the event. Please complete the online survey. We are in the process of collecting and uploading the presentations from our event, which you can find here on SWAN's support website. If you are interested in helping plan next year's event, make sure to note that in the survey!
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SWAN BLUEcloud Analytics Open Labs Added
SWAN staff have added BCA open labs—two per month—through December. You can view and register for the labs through L2 (must be logged in). Each two hour lab will be held at SWAN HQ in Westmont and will give library staff a chance to get hands-on help with any aspect of BCA, whether you need a new report, help subscribing to existing reports, or just in-person answers to your burning BCA questions.
The next Open Lab will be Thursday, September 13th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Please register in advance.
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The Latest News
SWAN Board Meeting, August 10 Highlights
The meeting was moved up a week from its regular "3rd Friday of the month" schedule. Aaron outlined some work underway with OCLC, which will be expanded upon at the SWAN Quarterly meeting on September 6, 2018. The written reports from Aaron and staff begin on page 16 of the packet if you want to get details on our operations and direction.
SWAN Strategic Plan Membership Survey Coming
There will be a membership survey issued on Monday, August 27 that will be open until Friday, August 31. This survey will be announced via SWANcom and be open to all library staff to respond to.
The final presentation of the 5-year strategic plan will take place at the December 7, 2018 SWAN Quarterly meeting.
RAILS Find More Illinois & Explore More Illinois Work Underway
SWAN is working with RAILS to build the software "connectors" to the Find More Illinois system (which has been described as an "overlay" for several years) and the Explore More Illinois systems. We have no time estimate for completing this access, as this does involve creating new methods for connecting a Symphony ILS with the vendors AutoGraphics and Quipu. If you have questions, please contact Aaron Skog via email at aaron@swanlibraries.net.
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Kate Boyle Inducted as Illinois Library Luminary
 The Illinois Library Association officially named Kate Boyle an Illinois Library Luminary on August 14. The library community raised over $7,000 for the ILA Endowment in honor of Kate. SWAN staff appreciates the support and the swiftness of achieving the fundraising goal. You can read the honoree bios on the ILA website. |
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Upcoming Events
Cataloging & Serials User Group Meeting
Thursday, August 23 (9:30 a.m. – 12 noon at RAILS Burr Ridge)
The joint Cataloging Advisory Group and Serials Users Group meeting will take place one week from today, August 23rd at 9:30 at the RAILS Burr Ridge Main Meeting Room. For the main event, we will discuss future practice for serials call numbers and reach a final decision and action plan on possible changes. We will then move to serials and cataloging topics as usual. Contact Scott Brandwein, Bibliographic Services Manager, for details at scott@swanlibraries.net
SWAN Discovery & User Experience Meeting (DUX)
Thursday, August 23 (1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Oak Brook Public Library)
DUX is working on additional testing and evaluation of the SWAN catalog with library patrons. At this meeting, library staff will need to bring a laptop or mobile device, as it will be an actual workshop on how to conduct a usability test of a website. This event open to all SWAN member library staff. Contact Tara Wood, User Experience Manager, for details at tara@swanlibraries.net
SWAN Quarterly Membership Meeting
Thursday, September 6 (9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at RAILS Burr Ridge)
Event open to all SWAN member library staff, or attend via live streaming of the event. The agenda and meeting packet will be announced via SWANcom. Contact Aaron Skog, Executive Director, for details at aaron@swanlibraries.net
SWAN Circulation Advisory Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 19, 2018 (9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at RAILS Burr Ridge
Event open to all SWAN member library staff to listen and learn about the 11 member group representing SWAN circulation and resource sharing. Contact Crystal Vela, Member Services Consultant, for details at crystal@swanlibraries.net
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