Seems like we fell into some of the databases because the print version was going away or becoming too expensive: Mergent, Mitchell's, Standard & Poor. Those are also our most "expensive" databases when measured by cost per search, because the targeted audience is so small. For those with a narrow audience or seasonal appeal, perhaps we should investigate library use only and /or limited number of simultaneous users. After all, those who used the print resources regularly had to do it in the library ...

An online resource should be selected based on how broad an audience it will attract. Something that only a small segment of our users will find interesting or helpful, especially on topics that are on a cycle, like state reports, science reports, or investing should probably not be purchased as an electronic subscription.

Received a link to this article from my brother-in-law, and thought Ray Gatchalian had a philosophy worth remembering and sharing:

Ray Gatchalian -- peace activist and filmmaker
by: Rona Marech, Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, May 15, 2003: A-21

"How do you measure success?" Mr. Gatchalian was asked in an interview posted on the Kellogg fellows Web site. "Pretty simple," he answered. "Am I doing work that I am proud of?"

ASLQuest is a neat site that showcases deaf literature. The site describes deaf literature thus: "ASL Literature is a body of stories, poems, riddles, humour and other genres that have been passed on by the use of ASL from one generation to another by culturally Deaf people. In addition, ASL Literature is NOT English literature translated into ASL. It is composed of original compositions that have arisen from the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of culturally Deaf people. (Byrne, 1996)" My favorite part is the poetry, in particular "Cat", from the "worded handshape rhyme" section.

I'm off the committee working on the LSTA grant as of last week - it is a very interesting project with a lot of potential, but I've got lots of other electronic resource-y things to occupy myself with. For example, my latest idea for the renewals coming up: inventory our patron types annually by age-group and use the information in negotiating site licenses for the databases we subscribe to.

Some public libraries with special services for deaf and hard of hearing people:

District of Columbia Public Library

Seattle Public Library"

San Francisco Public Library

... and soon, perhaps, Sacramento Public, thanks to a pending LSTA grant in process now.

At a recent staff workshop, a list of Internet resources providing information and assistance for a variety of emergencies was handed out. Here are a few that provide personal planning tools, current news, and information:

Ready.gov - dedicated to identifying and mitigating terrorist threats from biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons. Identifies simple things you can do now in preparation.

SBC Vital Connections - SBC, the telephone conglomerate, has launched an informational page with useful ideas for keeping family members in touch with each other during emergencies. The Family Toolkit details how to make a plan that encompasses what to do if at work, at school, or while traveling, and includes a printable wallet contacts card that can be filled in and carried by family members.

ANSER Institute for Homeland Security - a non-profit public research organization, ANSER provides links to current news, commentary, education, and resources, along with a weekly newsletter.

More from the California budget front - the Oakland Tribune ran this story about Governor Davis's plan to impose user fees for public library services. Basically, this means borrowing from your own library will continue to be free, but charges may be imposed for materials not owned by your library, and requested for you from another library system.

Here's a snippet: "To help ease what library officials said would be "devastating" cuts to library staffs and hours, Davis has asked lawmakers to approve legislation allowing libraries "to charge user fees to cover administrative costs associated with providing direct or inter-library loans of materials."

Starting a collection of library and information science news sources. Two I've added to my work page are:
Ex Libris and Library News Daily. More information and a list of library weblogs can be found at Libdex, an index to thousands of library websites, and searchable by topic.

After a refreshing vacation to visit family in Hawaii, I can now understand why many winter visitors want to move there. The weather was perfect! However, we returned to the unveiling of Governor Davis's revised state budget, and are waiting to hear what the impact will be on libraries and other services.
http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/osp/GovernorsBudget04/pdf/ed.pdf