POWER Library Report to the Governor’s Advisory Council
October 21, 2020
Submitted by
Hosting Solutions and Library Consulting
Philadelphia, PA 19104
www.powerlibrary.org
kids.powerlibrary.org
teens.powerlibrary.org
POWER Library during a Pandemic
Support for the POWER Library has been modified to reflect the priority shifts in virtual access to resources and information. In some cases, services have been or will be updated, and in other cases, new services have been developed.
Service to the Public
- Access to the POWER Library eCard is in higher demand and has been more widely promoted. A video with instructions on how to obtain an eCard was created, and has been featured on the home page of the POWER Library, and the eCard information page (https://powerlibrary.org/how-to-get-an-ecard/).
- A Library Status form was created and linked to the Find a PA Library lookup (https://powerlibrary.org/about/find-a-pa-library/) enabling Library Directors to add notes about changes to operating hours and services. When the lookup tool yields a list of nearby libraries, the results include whether the library is Closed, Open without restrictions, or Open with restrictions (i.e. for curbside pickup only, or with limited access to collections or computer workstations).
Service to K12 Students
- The emergency and unprecedented shift from in person to virtual learning earlier this year highlighted difficulties students have in accessing POWER Library e-resources. While in school, students have ready access to e-resources without the need for a library card or eCard; they simply click on a custom authentication link. From home however, card numbers must be produced to ensure PA residents are the only ones accessing the subscriptions.
Over the summer HSLC developed the first of three new options for single sign-on (SSO) authentication. School districts and independent schools that use Google for SSO may now request the custom coding to connect with POWER Library e-resources. Once signed into the school system, students are authenticated, and need only look for the POWER Library lightning bolt in their list of apps to connect with POWER Library e-resources. Since the Google SSO release on September 15th, nearly 30 districts have either completed, or are in the process of completing their Google SSO connections. HSLC will develop a connector for Clever within the next 3 months, followed by development of a Microsoft SSO connector.
Service to Librarians
- Virtual story times became more widely available during the statewide shutdown that occurred earlier this year. However online presentations must observe copyright restrictions. In April, a list of Children’s titles with public domain licensing was posted in the POWER Library (https://powerlibrary.org/librarians/statewide-catalog/documentation/childrens-books-read-aloud-activities/). The list of nearly 300 titles is presented as a sortable online list, or is available for download as a PDF.
- Fall training sessions will not be conducted in person this year. Training for librarians will be conducted via live webinars, and registration is underway (https://powerlibrary.org/librarians/get-training/).
- The Lesson Plans Hub (https://lessonplans.powerlibrary.org/) was launched in August to provide school librarians and teachers with lesson plans tailored for POWER Library resources.
This project is made possible in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and through the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Library Access funds administered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
