[Web4lib] Announcement: OPAL Programs in November

[Tom Peters]

Greetings!  Pasted below is the current list of online programs being offered by OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries--And All Library Users) for November.  For up-to-date information, please visit the OPAL website at www.opal-online.org.
 
Version 4 of tcConference, the web conferencing software used by OPAL, works with the various recent MS operating systems (Win 98 and above), Mac OS X, and Linux.  The first time you enter an OPAL room, the operating system you use may ask for your permission to download and automatically install a small software plug-in.
 
A streaming audio version of this announcement is available at the following URL:
 
http://www.opal-online.org/OPALpromo200511.htm
 
I've also included the announcement of an introduction to podcasting scheduled for Dec. 8.
 
There is no charge to attend these events, and no need to register.  
 
Tom Peters
 

Saturday, November 5, 2005 beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 4:00 Central, 3:00 Mountain, 2:00 Pacific, and 10:00 p.m. GMT:
10-Squared Talking Book Club Induction Ceremony
To recognize the accomplishments and love of reading of patrons who are 100 years or older, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library is having an induction ceremony for the 10-Squared Talking Book Club. Please join us for an afternoon with three of our centenarian patrons and special guest speaker Tony Ventrella. 
This two-hour event will be held in the Auditorium. 


Wednesday, November 9, 2005 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 1:00 Central, noon Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Pacific, and 7:00 p.m. GMT:
Family Reunions: Exploring Your Roots
Looking to learn more about your ancestors? Ever wonder what brought them here? Or what their family life was like? Join Library of Congress staff and explore ways to recreate your family's personal history. Presented by the librarians at the Library of Congress. 
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium. 


Wednesday, November 9, 2005 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 3:00 p.m. Central, 2:00 Mountain, 1:00 Pacific, and 10:00 p.m. GMT:
Shopping Online: Click and Ship
The winter holiday season is here. Learn some of the best tips, tricks, and websites for shopping online. Advice also will provided on how to avoid credit card fraud, identity theft, and online rip-offs. This program is designed for older adults, but everyone is welcome to attend. Sponsored by the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center and facilitated by Tom Peters. 
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium. 


Thursday, November 10, 2005 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 12:30 p.m. Central, 11:30 a.m. Mountain, 10:30 a.m. Pacific, and 6:30 p.m. GMT:
Book Discussion of the non-fiction book, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, by Barbara Ehrenreich
Inspired by welfare reforms, the author explores surviving on less than $8 per hour as an "unskilled" worker. Traveling across the country, she takes on six jobs and lives anywhere she can afford. 
This event is part of the Cyber-Dialogue series of book discussions sponsored by the Cleveland Public Library, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. 
NLS audiobook version: RC 52291 (2 cassettes; read by Colleen Delany)
This OPAL public event will be held in the Cleveland Public Library LBPH room. 


Wednesday, November 16, 2005 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 1:00 Central, noon Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Pacific, and 7:00 p.m. GMT:
Introduction to OPAL and tcConference version 4
This session will provide an overview of how the OPAL collaborative works. We also will cover how version 4 of tcConference software can help you hold successful online meetings and programs. Numerous tips and techniques for customizing and optimizing the OPAL online experience will be shared. 
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium. 


Wednesday, November 16, 2005 beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 7:00 p.m. Central, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 5:00 p.m. Pacific, and 1:00 a.m. GMT:
Shopping Online: Click and Ship
The winter holiday season is here. Learn some of the best tips, tricks, and websites for shopping online. Advice also will provided on how to avoid credit card fraud, identity theft, and online rip-offs. This program is designed for older adults, but everyone is welcome to attend. Sponsored by the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center and facilitated by Tom Peters. 
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium. 


Thursday, November 17, 2005 beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 2:00 Central, 1:00 Mountain, noon Pacific, and 8:00 p.m. GMT:
Library Services for Older Adults: Preview of the White House Conference on Aging
Join Allan Kleiman from Westfield Public Library in New Jersey, one of the few librarian at-large delegates to the upcoming White House Conference on Aging on December 11-14 for a discussion of the themes and anticipated outcomes of the WHCoA. The purpose of this fifth WHCoA is to make recommendations to the President and Congress to help guide national aging policies for the nest ten years and beyond. Allen also will review the key points of a position paper he prepared for the American Library Association for this conference. He also will lead a discussion of the long-term challenges and opportunities of providing library services for older adults. 
This special two-hour OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium. 


Friday, November 18, 2005 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 1:00 p.m. Central, noon Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Pacific, and 7:00 p.m. GMT:
The Mouse Pad Traveler: Using the Internet to Plan and Purchase Your Travels
Airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, maps, itineraries, and other travel essentials can be researched and purchased on the Internet. Learn some of the best tips, tricks, and websites for planning your next trip. Advice also will provided on how to avoid credit card fraud, identity theft, and online rip-offs. This program is designed for older adults, but everyone is welcome to attend. Sponsored by the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center and facilitated by Tom Peters. 
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium. 


Tuesday, November 22, 2005 beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, 5:00 Pacific, and Midnight GMT:
Book Discussion of the memoir Sky of Stone, by Homer Hickam
The third volume of Hickam's memoirs following Rocket Boys (RC 47833) and The Coalwood Way (RC 52009). Recounts what he learned about love and labor unions during his first summer working in the West Virginia coal mines in 1961, after his freshman year in engineering school. 
NLS audiobook version: RC 54699(3 cassettes; read by John Polk)
This OPAL public event will be held in the Atrium. 


Tuesday, November 29, 2005 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 1:00 p.m. Central, noon Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Pacific, and 7:00 p.m. GMT:
Yahoo! Let's Ask Jeeves How to Google: An Introduction to Searching the Internet
Learn some of the tips, tricks, and best search engines for finding any type of information on the World Wide Web. This program is designed for older adults, but everyone is welcome to attend. Sponsored by the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center and facilitated by Tom Peters. 
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium. 


Wednesday, November 30, 2005 beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 7:00 p.m. Central, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 5:00 p.m. Pacific, and 1:00 a.m. GMT:
The Mouse Pad Traveler: Using the Internet to Plan and Purchase Your Travels
Airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, maps, itineraries, and other travel essentials can be researched and purchased on the Internet. Learn some of the best tips, tricks, and websites for planning your next trip. Advice also will provided on how to avoid credit card fraud, identity theft, and online rip-offs. This program is designed for older adults, but everyone is welcome to attend. Sponsored by the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center and facilitated by Tom Peters. 
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium. 

Thursday, December 8, 2005 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 1:00 p.m. Central, noon Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Pacific, and 7:00 p.m. GMT:
Podcasting: An Introduction
Podcasting, an exciting new model for distributing audio content, is generating buzz across the Internet. But what is it exactly? And why should librarians care? We'll discuss the hows and whys of podcasting, including how to tune in, how to find interesting content and how your organization can take advantage of this powerful technology to reach more people in your community. Presented by Greg Schwartz, by day the Circulation Support Supervisor for the Louisville Free Public Library. and by night a husband, father, and blogger and podcaster extraordinaire of Open Stacks. Sponsored by the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center. 
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium. 


Tom Peters

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