OPAL Podcast

A Conversation with Author Gary W. Moore

2009-01-30T14:27:00.000-08:00

A conversation with Gary W. Moore, author of Playing with the Enemy, conducted on January 30, 2009. (15.9 MB file; runtime 54:25)

Paul Malmont: Jack London in Paradise

2009-01-23T08:11:00.000-08:00

A conversation with Paul Malmont, author of the historical novel, Jack London in Paradise, recorded on January 22, 2009. (18.1 MB file; runtime 56:50)

Casual Conversation with Greg Schwartz

2008-08-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

An OPAL Casual Conversation with Greg Schwartz from the Louisville Free Public Library, recorded on July 11, 2008 (21.1 MB; runtime 52:40)

Declaring Independence: Beyond the Fourth of July

2008-07-09T14:36:00.000-07:00

Ken Drexler and Mark Hall from the Library of Congress talk about the events and documents leading up to the formal Declaration of Independence, as well as afterwards (16 MB file; Runtime 51:37)

Audio Description: Emerging Good Practices (Part 2)

2008-06-28T01:49:00.000-07:00

Tom Peters, Joel Snyder, and others continue their discussion of emerging good practices in the field of audio description (16.7 MB; runtime 56:13)

Audio Description: Emerging Good Practices (Part 1)

2008-06-28T01:47:00.000-07:00

Tom Peters, Joel Snyder, and other discuss audio description as a way to improve access to visual information for blind and low-vision users (5 MB; runtime 16:52)

Invisible Ancestors

2008-06-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Anne Toohey and Judy Graves from the Library of Congress show how to use their digital collections to find information about your ancestors (18.5 MB file; Runtime 58:07)

From Monticello to Capitol Hill: Thomas Jefferson and His Library

2008-05-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

From Monticello to Capitol Hill: Thomas Jefferson and His Library, presented by the librarians at the Library of Congress on May 14, 2008 (16.7 MB, runtime 53:15)

Tech Training and Competencies for Libraries

2008-05-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Tech Training and Competencies for Libraries, presented by Sarah Houghton-Jan from the San Jose Public Library on May 15, 2008 (28 MB; runtime 1:31:00)

Casual Conversation with Stephen Abram

2008-05-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

An OPAL Casual Conversation with Stephen Abram, VP for Innovation and Chief Strategist at SirsiDynix, recorded on May 16, 2008 (16.3 MB; runtime 52:08)

A Casual Conversation with Jenny Levine

2008-05-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Jenny Levine from the American Library Association and Tom Peters from OPAL had a casual conversation on May 9, 2008 about gaming and libraries, Second Life, BBQ, and other fun stuff. (16.3 MB; runtime 54:05)

Online Marketing for Libraries

2008-05-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

Sarah Houghton-Jan, the Librarian in Black, talks about online marketing tools, tips, and techniques for libraries (28 MB; runtime 1:23:37)

Discover Your LibraryThing

2008-04-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

Tim Spalding from LibraryThing and Cindy Hart from the Virginia Beach Public Library discuss LibraryThing, the personal cataloging tool and social network for bookworms (20.1 MB; runtime 1:08:26)

Book Discussion of Manhunt by James L. Swanson

2008-04-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

Land of Lincoln Book Discussion of Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, by James L. Swanson, held on April 8, 2008 (14 MB file; runtime 47:37)

Audio Description Illinois Workshop

2008-04-08T05:35:00.000-07:00

Audio Description Illinois Workshop, sponsored by the Alliance Library System, with funding from the Illinois State Library, and conducted by Tom Peters on April 7, 2008. (33.8 MB; runtime 1:52:30)

A Casual Conversation with Marshall Breeding

2008-03-30T20:44:00.000-07:00

A conversation with Marshall Breeding, the Director for Innovative Technologies and Research for the Jean and Alexander Heard Library at Vanderbilt University, held on March 28, 2008. (17.7 MB; runtime 57:23)

A Conversation with the Author, Lois Ruby

2008-03-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

A conversation with Lois Ruby, author of the Kansas Notable Book, Shanghai Shadows, recorded on March 24, 2008. (13.8 MB file; runtime 42:48)

Her Story: A Women's History Month Book Discussion

2008-03-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

Her Story: Women's History Month Book Program presented by Carolyn Caywood of the Virginia Beach Public Library on March 17, 2008 (15.8 MB; runtime 52:27)

Carnegie Heroes Lecture

2008-03-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

The annual Carnegie Heroes Lecture held at the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida (22.5 MB file; runtime 77:28)

Meet Me in St. Louis: The 1904 Exposition

2008-03-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

A lecture given at the Flagler Museum on March 2, 2008 about the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Saint Louis (17.1 MB file; runtime 57:26)

Casual Conversation with Lori Bell

2008-02-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

A conversation with Lori Bell, Director of Innovation at the Alliance Library System, recorded on February 8, 2008. (16.9 MB; runtime 55:44)

Virtual Worlds for Kids, Tweens, and Teens

2008-01-26T01:39:00.000-08:00

A panel discussion held on Jan. 25, 2008 involving Clint Zintgraff from Whyville, Kelly Czarnecki from the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, and Tom Peters from TAP Information Services (18.6 MB, Runtime 61:23)

Zotero: Two Clicks to Citation Management

2008-01-23T13:57:00.000-08:00

A presentation about the Zotero open source citation management software, presented by Chris Strauber of Wofford College on January 23, 2008. (13 MB file; runtime 41:33)

A Casual Conversation with Curtis Rogers

2008-01-18T13:14:00.000-08:00

A casual conversation with Curtis Rogers, the Director of the Division of Statewide Library Services at the South Carolina State Library, conducted on Jan. 18, 2008. (17 MB; playback time of 56 minutes)

A Conversation with Author Jim Hoy

2008-01-04T06:31:00.000-08:00

A conversation with Jim Hoy, author of the book Flint Hills Cowboys: Tales of the Tallgrass Prairie, conducted by the Johnson County Library on Jan. 3, 2008. (20.3 MB; 42 minutes)

Casual Conversation with Meredith Farkas

2007-12-07T12:51:00.000-08:00

A Casual Conversation with Meredith Farkas, blogger, wiki queen, and Distance Learning Librarian at Norwich University, recorded on Dec. 7, 2007. (17.2 MB; playback time of 55 minutes)

Casual Conversation with Aaron Schmidt

2007-11-30T20:31:00.000-08:00

A Casual Conversation with Aaron Schmidt, the Director of the North Plains Public Library in Oregon and a blogger at Walking Paper, held on November 30, 2007. (19.8 MB, 49 mins.)

Moderating an OPAL Online Event

2007-08-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

Tom Peters, the OPAL Coordinator, provides a chronological overview of tips and techniques for planning, executing, recording, and wrapping up a successful OPAL online program. (13.8 MB file; playback time of 48 minutes)

A Whole New Mind

2007-08-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

Book discussion of A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink, conducted by the Johnson County Library Business Book Club on August 21, 2007. (16.9 MB file; playback time of 55 minutes)

Playaway Digital Audio Books and Libraries (p.m.)

2007-01-12T12:55:00.000-08:00

The afternoon session where Amy Peterson from the Schaumburg Township District Library and Mike Belsito from Playaway discuss these audio books. (53.7 MB file; playback time of 58 minutes)

Playaway Digital Audio Books and Libraries (a.m.)

2007-01-12T12:54:00.000-08:00

Amy Peterson from the Schaumburg Township District Library in Illinois and Mike Belsito from Playaway discuss how libraries are using these audio books (48.8 MB file; playback time of 53 minutes)

Meet the Millennials: Risk Takers and Rule Makers

2006-10-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

This talk about the library and information needs, preferences, and habits of the Millennial Generation was presented by Jami Schwarzwalder on October 6, 2006. (26.1 MB file; playback time of 65 minutes)

OPAL Programs in October and November

2006-10-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

A preview of upcoming OPAL online public programs in October and November. (5.8 MB file; playback time of 14 minutes)

Sustaining Small and Rural Libraries

2006-10-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

Strategies for sustaining small and rural libraries, presented by Bernard Vavrek from Clarion University on October 4, 2006. (25.9 MB file; playback time of 65 minutes)

A Conversation with Author Dana Stabenow

2006-10-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

A conversation with quthor Dana Stabenow, conducted on October 3, 2006. Sponsored by the State Library of Kansas. (20.6 MB file; playback time of 51 minutes)

Bill Moyers on America: Citizens Class

2006-10-04T06:23:00.000-07:00

A conversation held with Bill Moyers and others about how libraries can hold citizens classes in conjunction with the "Moyers on America" TV series. (23.2 MB file; playback time of 58 minutes)

Book Discussion of Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say

2006-09-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

A discussion of the children's book Grandfather's Journey, written and illustrated by Allen Say, conducted on September 21, 2006. (19.3 MB file; playback time of 48 minutes)

A Chat with Tim Spalding from LibraryThing.com

2006-09-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

A Conversation with Tim Spalding, the founder of LibraryThing.com, held on September 22, 2006. (19.9 MB file; playback time of 50 minutes)

Academic Libraries in Second Life

2006-09-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

"Opportunities for Worthwhile Collaboration Among Academic Libraries in Second Life," a discussion held on September 19, 2006, facilitated by Lori Bell and Tom Peters. (19.5 MB file; playback time of 49 minutes)

Community Issues Forums and Libraries

2006-09-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

"Libraries Building Community Through Citizen Dialogue"presented on September 15, 2006 by Taylor Willingham, Donna Lauffer, and Therese Bigelow. (27.2 MB file; playback time of 68 minutes)

Tips for Conducting Book Discussions Online

2006-09-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

A discussion of tips and techniques for planning and conducting book discussions online, held on September 14, 2006 as the kickoff to the Alliance Library System's participation in the NEH/ALA We the People "Becoming American" student literacy program. (16.1 MB file; playback time of 40 minutes)

Discussion of the Thriller Novel, Rusty Nail

2006-09-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

A discussion of the triller novel, Rusty Nail, including comments from JA Konrath, the author, held on September 13, 2006. (25.2 MB file; playback time of 63 minutes)

Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story

2006-09-11T12:54:00.000-07:00

"Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story" presented by Marion Blumenthal Lazan on September 11, 2006. (24.1 MB file; playback time of 60 minutes)

Censorship, Libraries, and Democracy

2006-09-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

"Censorship: How It Affects Libraries and Library Patrons in a Democracy" presented on September 7, 2006 by Melora Norman, the Outreach/Special Services Coordinator for the Maine State Library. (24.3 MB file; playback time of 60 minutes)

Book Discussion of On the Road by Jack Kerouac

2006-08-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

A book discussion of the 1957 novel, On the Road, by Jack Kerouac, held on August 23, 2006. (14.1 MB file; playback time of 35 minutes)

Tech Training Ideas for Library Patrons

2006-08-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

Brenda Hough and Michael Porter discuss ideas and techniques libraries can use when providing tech training classes for patrons, presented on August 18, 2006. (22.4 MB file; playback time of 56 minutes)

A Conversation with Author Melanie Lynne Hauser

2006-08-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

A conversation with Melanie Lynne Hauser, author of the Super Mom books, conducted on August 17, 2006. (19.8 MB file; playback time of 49 minutes)

Are You Ready for ISBN-13?

2006-08-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

This presentation about the move to 13-digit ISBN numbers was made by Karen Swetland from the University of South Carolina Upstate on August 15, 2006. (22.4 MB file; playback time of 56 minutes)

A Conversation with Writer Hampton Stevens

2006-08-07T10:16:00.000-07:00

First Fridays conversation with Kansas City writer Hampton Stevens, held on August 4, 2006. (20.8 MB file; playback time of 52 minutes)

Books at Twilight: Recommended Books and Read-Alikes

2006-07-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

The reader advisory librarians at the St. Charles (Illinois) Public Library discuss several recommended books and similar titles. Recorded live online on July 26, 2006. (23 MB file; playback time of 57 minutes)

Developing Community Programming

2006-07-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Mahnken from the Johnson County Library in Kansas discusses how to develop, sustain, and evaluate community programs in libraries. Recorded live online on Friday, July 21, 2006. (22.5 MB file; playback time of 56 minutes)

Libraries Build Community Through Deliberative Forums

2006-06-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

Presented by Taylor Willingham, Donna Lauffer, and Melinda Ludwiczak on June 7, 2006. (28.7 MB file; playback time of 72 minutes)

Conference Blogging

2006-06-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

Andrea Mercado from the official blog of the Public Library Association discusses the tips and techniques of blogging a conference. (24.6 MB file; playback time of 61 minutes)

Preview of OPAL programs in June

2006-06-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

Tom Peters, the OPAL Coordinator, provides brief descriptions of OPAL programs coming in June. (4 MB file; playback time of 10 minutes)

Ginny Curtin's Nature Photography

2006-06-02T11:54:00.000-07:00

Professional photography Ginny Curtin describes her professional choices and techniques as a nature photographer. (22.3 MB file; playback time of 56 minutes)

Second Life Library 2.0 Overview

2006-05-31T18:43:00.000-07:00

A panel discussion of the new Second Life Library 2.0, located in a virtual reality environment, presented by Lori Bell, Greg Schwartz, Jami Lynn Schwarzwalder, and others on May 31, 2006. (25.5 MB file; playback time of 63 minutes)

Book Discussion of the Graphic Memoir Persepolis

2006-05-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

Book discussion of the graphic memoir Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, held on May 30, 2006. Sponsored by the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library. Includes a discussion of the challenges of making a graphic novel accessible to the blind and print-impaired. (18.6 MB file; playback time of 46 minutes)

Book Discussion: The Adventures of Augie March

2006-05-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

A book discussion of the exuberant novel, The Adventures of Augie March, by Saul Bellow. Conducted on May 24, 2006. (19.7 MB file; playback time of 49 minutes)

Planning with Love and Logic Models

2006-05-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

Project Planning Using Logic Models, presented by Whitney Davison-Turley on May 19, 2006. (19.9 MB file; playback time of 58 minutes)

Blues Poetry: A Duet of Spoken Words and Music

2006-05-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

Blues Poetry, a duet of spoken words and music, performed by Eric Mandat and Ken (Fog) Gilbert on May 17, 2006. A Greenbriar Road Poetry Performance sponsored by the John A. Logan Library and the Southern Illinois Talking Book Center. (20.6 MB file; playback time of 60 minutes)

Introduction to eBay

2006-05-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

Introduction to buying and selling on eBay, presented on May 16, 2006 by Michelle Caulk, Jill Culbertson, and Jane Shelton. (20.8 MB file; playback time of 61 minutes)

Lincoln High School Book Awards

2006-05-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

Nominated books for the 2007 Abraham Lincoln High School Book Award, presented by Carolyn Roys from Lake Park High School in Roselle, Illinois on May 10, 2006. (11.3 MB file; playback time of 50 minutes)

Project InSECT: Art and Entomology

2006-05-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

Jessa and James Huebing-Reitinger provide an update on their efforts to educate the general public on the science of entomology, ecosystem preservation, and global conservation through the mediums of live performance, visual fine arts, scientific approach and interactive activities. (18.6 MB file; playback time of 54 minutes)

Caudill Book Award Finalists

2006-05-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

Presentation of Nominated Books for the 2007 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, presented by Bonita Slovinski from the Lincoln Junior High School, Naperville, Illinois on May 4, 2006. (11.9 MB file; playback time of 35 minutes)

Monarch: Illinois' Children's Choice K-3 Book Awards

2006-05-03T17:38:00.000-07:00

Presentation of the 2007 Monarch Awards: Illinois' K-3 Children's Choice Book Awards, presented by Pam Storm from the Carl Sandburg School in Charleston, Illinois on May 3, 2006. (19.9 MB file; playback time of 58 minutes)

OPAL Online Programs Coming in May

2006-05-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Tom Peters, the OPAL Coordinator, briefly describes the OPAL online programs coming in May. (2.6 MB file; playback time of 7 minutes)

Getting Along with IT Staff

2006-04-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

"Getting Along with IT Staff" presented by David King from the Kansas City Public Library on April 21, 2006. (18.4 MB file; playback time of 53 minutes)

Author Discussion with Melody Thomas

2006-04-14T00:14:00.000-07:00

Author discussion with Melody Thomas, the Chicago-based author of historical romances, held on April 13, 2006. (19.9 MB file; playback time of 58 minutes)

History of U.S. Poets Laureate

2006-04-13T23:55:00.000-07:00

Poetry On High: A History of U.S. Poets Laureate, presented by Peter Armenti and Judy Graves from the Library of Congress on April 12, 2006. (14.9 MB file; playback time of 43 minutes)

Evaluating Health Information Found Online

2006-04-13T23:42:00.000-07:00

The second part of an online workshop presented by Peg Burnette and Tom Peters on April 11, 2006 as part of the Health Information Central Illinois project of the Alliance Library System. (27.8 MB file; playback time of 81 minutes)

Finding Health Information Online

2006-04-13T23:39:00.000-07:00

The first part of an online workshop presented by Peg Burnette and Tom Peters on April 11, 2006 as part of the Health Information Central Illinois project of the Alliance Library System. (25.5 MB file; playback time of 74 minutes)

Lacey Lewis on Art Education

2006-04-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

Lacey Lewis, an artist based in the Kansas City metro area, discusses formal and informal art education options. (18.6 MB file; playback time of 54 minutes)

10 Top Technologies for Librarians

2006-04-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

Michael Stephens from the Tame the Web blog made this live online presentation on Thursday, April 6, 2006. (20 MB file; playback time of 59 minutes)

Follow-Up Discussion to the Day of the Digital Audio Book

2006-02-28T14:22:00.000-08:00

This is a follow-up discussion, facilitated by Lori Bell and Tom Peters, to the Day of the Digital Audio Book online events of February 16, 2006. (17.1 MB file; playback time of 50 minutes)

The Brothers Karamazov

2006-02-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

Brief book discussion of a classic 19th century Russian novel, The Brothers Karamazov. This novel has everything: murder, love, lust, money grubbing, etc. (7.6 MB file; playback time of 22 minutes)

Abraham Lincoln: Ironies, Curiosities & Weird Stuff

2006-02-23T14:49:00.000-08:00

Join Kim Bauer, a Curator at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Musuem, as he explores some of the rare and bizarre items held in their collection. (19.1 MB file; playback time of 56 minutes) The presentation slides accompanying this podcast can be found at www.opal-online.org/Lincolnslides.htm

Introducing New Orleans: History, Culture, People

2006-02-17T14:29:00.000-08:00

An exploration of the rich past, present, and future of New Orleans, as seen and heard through the digital collections at the Library of Congress. Recorded on February 15, 2006. (18.8 MB file; playback time of 55 minutes)

Day of the Digital Audio Book: Session Three

2006-02-17T06:42:00.000-08:00

Lori Bell and Tom Peters discuss the options and aspects of starting a digital audio book service in your library. (19.4 MB file; playback time of 57 minutes)

Day of the Digital Audio Book: Brown Bag Luncheon Discussion

2006-02-17T06:40:00.000-08:00

Debbie Baaske, Lori Bell, and Tom Peters discuss various library-based digital audio book services and options, including MyMediaMall, Playaway, and Unabridged. (15.6 MB file; playback time of 46 minutes)

Day of the Digital Audio Book: Session Two

2006-02-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

Lori Bell and Tom Peters discuss pricing and access schemes for digital audio books for libraries, licensing options and terms, administrative modules, etc. (21.7 MB file; playback time of 63 minutes)

Day of the Digital Audio Book: Session One

2006-02-17T06:33:00.000-08:00

Lori Bell and Tom Peters review the various markets for digital audio books, the file formats, functions and features, and distribution methods. (19.3 MB file; playback time of 56 minutes)

The Civil Rights Movement in America

2006-02-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

The Civil Rights Movement in America: A Tribute to Rosa Parks. Presented by the Librarians at the Library of Congress on Wednesday, February 8, 2006. (15.8 MB file; playback time of 46 minutes)

Author Discussion with Julia Spencer-Fleming

2006-02-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

Award-winning mystery author Julia Spencer-Fleming discusses her books, her characters, and her craft. (16.5 MB file; playback time of 48 minutes)

OPAL Online Programs in February

2006-02-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

Tom Peters, the OPAL Coordinator, briefly describes the outstanding line-up of OPAL online programs in February. We have programs about Rosa Parks, Abe Lincoln, British love stories, the Brothers Karamazov, and more. (2.4 MB file; playback time of 7 minutes.)

OPAL programs for February

2006-01-27T06:56:00.000-08:00

Join us for a variety of great programs in OPAL this month. A wonderful series on Illinois authors will begin with mystery author Julia Spencer-Fleming; February 16 is the Day of the Digital Audio Book; the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Curator Kim Bauer will talk about some of the curiousities of Abraham Lincoln; and you can discuss the love lives of the British royals.

OPAL programs are web-based programs where people can get together to view a power point, website, and more, and interact via text chat and audio.

All programs are free and open to everyone. To attend a program, to to the OPAL auditorium at
http://67.19.231.218/v4/login.asp?r=67955673&p=0
type your name and click enter.

OPAL programs are sponsored by a variety of member libraries. If your library would like to join OPAL or you have questions about OPAL, please contact OPAL Coordinator Tom Peters at tapinformation@yahoo.com

OPAL programs are web-based programs where people can get together to view a power point, website, and more, and interact via text chat and audio.

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 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:
Topic to Be Announced
Join us for a fascinating tour of some of the digital riches at the Library of Congress. Presented by the librarians at the Library of Congress.
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium.

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 2:30 Central, 1:30 Mountain, 12:30 p.m. Pacific, and 9:30 p.m. GMT:
Illinois Authors: Julia Spencer-Fleming
Award-winning mystery author Julia Spencer-Fleming grew up in places as diverse as Mobile, Rome, Stuttgart and Syracuse. Her debut novel, In the Bleak Midwinter, won the St. Martin's/Malice Domestic, the Dilys, the Agatha, the Anthony, the Macavity and the Barry Awards. A Fountain Filled With Blood received a Barry Award nomination, and Julia's latest Clare Fergusson novel, Out of the Deep I Cry, was a 2005 Edgar Award finalist. Julia lives in the Maine countryside with three kids, two dogs and one husband. Organized by the New Lenox Public Library District and the Geneva Public Library. Both libraries will be offering live, on-site showings of this online presentation.
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium.

Thursday, February 9, 2006 beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 2:00 Central, 1:00 Mountain, noon Pacific, and 8:00 p.m. GMT:
Great British Love Stories: How They Changed the Course of History, and Where You can Read More About It
British history is full of romantic fables, tales, and true stories about royal love affairs and how they affected history: from the love triangle of Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot; to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn; to Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville; to our own century with Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. This interactive program will introduce or reintroduce you to these fascinating romances, how they affected history, and some fiction and non-fiction books where you can read more about it. Come and share your favorite British love story. Presented by Lori Bell from the Alliance Library System of central Illinois.
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium.

Thursday, February 16, 2006 :
Day of the Digital Audio Book
This inaugural event for LibraryU Live! will include online self-paced LibraryU modules combined with a day of live events in the OPAL online auditorium and will feature three separate sessions on the exciting and innovative activities going on in libraries in the area of digital audio books. A bonus "brown bag lunch" will provide participants with the opportunity to listen to experts talk about their experiences with a range of creative digital audio book programs.
This special day of online events and discussions if free of charge, but we do ask that you Register.
Presented by OPAL and LibraryU.
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 a.m. Mountain, 8:00 a.m. Pacific, and 4:00 p.m. GMT:
Lincoln: Ironies, Curiosities & Weird Stuff
Kim Bauer, Curator for Lincoln Collection at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library for the past ten years, will present this OPAL session on "Lincoln: Ironies, Curiosities & Weird Stuff". Mr. Bauer will discuss some of the interesting facts that he has discovered as Lincoln Curator for the Lincoln Collection. Join us for this informative session on Abraham Lincoln. Sponsored by the Rolling Prairie Library System
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006 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 classic Russian novel, The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The melodramatic tale of Fyodor Karamazov and his sons: Alyosha, Dmitri, Ivan, and the illegitimate Smerdyakov. The death of the father and conflicts of faith are key themes in this panorama of nineteenth-century Russia. This novel has it all: love, lust, murder, money-grubbing, religious doubt, social problems....
NLS audiobook version: RC 50370 (8 cassettes; read by Ken Kliban)
This OPAL public event will be held in the Atrium.

OPAL is administered by the Alliance Library System, the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service, and the Mid-Illinois Talking book Center.

Gift Book Ideas for Children and Teens

2006-01-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

On December 15, 2005 David Inge from radio station WILL-AM 580 interviewed librarians at the Champaign (Illinois) Public Library about outstanding new books for children and teens. (24 MB file; playback time of 52 minutes)

The Mousepad Traveler

2006-01-16T12:43:00.000-08:00

Discover how to use the web to make travel plans, presented by Tom Peters on January 4, 2006. (15.6 MB; playback time of 45 minutes)

The Armchair Traveler

2006-01-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

Judy Graves and Peter Armenti from the Library of Congress discuss some of the historical and current travel spots and information contained in the LOC digital collections. (15.5 MB; playback time of 45 minutes)

Wiki World (Part Two)

2006-01-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

Part two of an introduction to wikis in librarianship, presented by Meredith Farkas on January 12, 2006. (18.5 MB file; playback time of 54 minutes)

Wiki World (Part One)

2006-01-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

An introduction to creating and using wikis in librarianship, presented by Meredith Farkas on January 12, 2006. (3.6 MB file; playback time of 10.5 minutes)

Finding Consumer Health Information on the Web

2006-01-16T10:05:00.000-08:00

This recording provides a brief overview of finding health information on the web. It includes tips on assessing the quality and truthfulness of this type of information. Presented by Tom Peters on January 10, 2006. (15.4 MB file; playback time of 45 minutes)

Announcing OPAL Programs in January and Beyond

2006-01-03T14:29:00.000-08:00

In this brief 4 minute podcast Tom Peters provides brief announcements of upcoming OPAL online programs.

Introduction to Searching the Web

2006-01-03T13:44:00.000-08:00

Yahoo! Let's Ask Jeeves How to Google: An Introduction to Searching the Web, presented on January 3, 2006 by Tom Peters. Sponsored by the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center. (17.2 MB file; playback time of 50 minutes)

Upcoming January OPAL programs

2005-12-30T00:26:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 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. Co-sponsored by the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service and the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center and facilitated by Tom Peters.
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium.

Wednesday, January 4, 2006 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. Co-sponsored by the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service and the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center and facilitated by Tom Peters.
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium.

Thursday, January 5, 2006 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:
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. Co-sponsored by the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service and the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center and facilitated by Tom Peters.
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium.

Friday, January 6, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 Mountain, 8:00 Pacific, and 4:00 p.m. GMT:
First Fridays: Where in the World are Jessa & James?
Join us on the first Friday of each month to catch up with Jessa and James, our infamous bug artists of Project INSECT! Find out where they are, what they're up to, and what insect they're working on!
Presented by the Johnson County Library in suburban Kansas City.
This OPAL public event will be held in the Atrium.

Monday, January 9, 2006 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:
Finding Health Information Online: An Introduction
There are thousands of websites containing health information and advice for individuals. Learn what are some of the more reliable online resources, and how to evaluate the quality of health information found online. This program is designed for older adults, but everyone is welcome to attend. Co-sponsored by the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service and the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center and facilitated by Tom Peters.
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006 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:
OPAL and tcConference version 4 Intermediate Session for Moderators
This session will provide intermediate tips and techniques for moderators of OPAL online events. We will focus on use of the administrative module, which allows you to add and delete users and moderators, customize your room, obtain usage statistics, etc. We also will cover how to record, archive, and podcast OPAL events. Plenty of time will be reserved to address specific questions from attendees. Facilitated by Tom Peters.
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006 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:
Finding Health Information Online: An Introduction
There are thousands of websites containing health information and advice for individuals. Learn what are some of the more reliable online resources, and how to evaluate the quality of health information found online. This program is designed for older adults, but everyone is welcome to attend. Co-sponsored by the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service and the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center and facilitated by Tom Peters.
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006 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:
The Armchair Traveler
Get set to travel to far-flung locations and down-home sites at the click of a mouse. Join Library of Congress tour directors who will lead you in surfing the library's online collections and resources from Aruba to Zimbabwe and from Rutland, Vermont to Redding, California. All aboard! Presented by the librarians at the Library of Congress.
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium.

Thursday, January 12, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, 10:00 Central, 9:00 Mountain, 8:00 a.m. Pacific, and 4:00 p.m. GMT:
OPAL and tcConference version 4 Intermediate Session for Moderators
This session will provide intermediate tips and techniques for moderators of OPAL online events. We will focus on use of the administrative module, which allows you to add and delete users and moderators, customize your room, obtain usage statistics, etc. We also will cover how to record, archive, and podcast OPAL events. Plenty of time will be reserved to address specific questions from attendees. Facilitated by Tom Peters.
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium.

Thursday, January 12, 2006 beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 2:00 Central, 1:00 Mountain, noon Pacific, and 8:00 p.m. GMT:
Wiki World: An Introduction
Wikis are democratizing the World Wide Web in a way that no other Web application has. A wiki allows a group of people to collaboratively develop website with no knowledge of HTML or other markup languages. Any member of the wiki community can add to or edit anyone else's content, which is what makes Wikis so revolutionary and so controversial. Wikis are being used by librarians as knowledge repositories, subject guides, conference planning vehicles, and Intranets, but they could be used in any situation where quick and easy online collaboration is a goal. This session will explain what wikis are, how they could be used in libraries, and what to consider before creating one of your own. Presented by Meredith Farkas, Distance Learning Librarian at the Kreitzberg Library atNorwich University in Vermont. Meredith is the author of the blog Information Wants To Be Free and the creator and administrator of the ALA Chicago 2005 Wiki and Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. Sponsored by the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center.
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium.

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 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 1880 Russian novel, The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The melodramatic tale of Fyodor Karamazov and his sons: Alyosha, Dmitri, Ivan, and the illegitimate Smerdyakov. The death of the father and conflicts of faith are key themes in this panorama of nineteenth-century Russia. Acclaimed 1990 translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.
NLS audiobook version: RC 50370 (8 cassettes; read by Ken Kliban)
This OPAL public event will be held in the Atrium.

Friday, February 3, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 Mountain, 8:00 Pacific, and 4:00 p.m. GMT:
First Fridays: Where in the World are Jessa & James?
Join us on the first Friday of each month to catch up with Jessa and James, our infamous bug artists of Project INSECT! Find out where they are, what they're up to, and what insect they're working on!
Presented by the Johnson County Library in suburban Kansas City.
This OPAL public event will be held in the Atrium.

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 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:
Topic to Be Announced
Join us for a fascinating tour of some of the digital riches at the Library of Congress. Presented by the librarians at the Library of Congress.
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium.

Thursday, February 16, 2006 :
Day of the Digital Audio Book
This inaugural event for LibraryU Live! will include online self-paced LibraryU modules combined with a day of live events in the OPAL online auditorium and will feature three separate sessions on the exciting and innovative activities going on in libraries in the area of digital audio books. A bonus "brown bag lunch" will provide participants with the opportunity to listen to experts talk about their experiences with a range of creative digital audio book programs.
This special day of online events and discussions if free of charge, but we do as that you REGISTER.
Presented by OPAL and LibraryU.
This OPAL event will be held in the online Auditorium.

Celebrate the Season in Song

2005-12-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

Celebration of the Holiday Season in Song!, an exploration of holiday music facilitated by the librarians at the Library of Congress on Wednesday, December 14, 2005. (16.8 MB file; playback time of 49 minutes)

Celebrate the Season in Song with the Library of Congress

2005-12-14T04:05:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, December 14, 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:
Celebrate the Season in Song!
Songs give voice to our joys and sorrows, celebrations
and commemorations. Visit times past through Library
of Congress songs and musical compositions and view
the way Americans gave voice to their thoughts,
opinions, passions, and sentiments. Presented by the
librarians at the Library of Congress.
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium.

To attend, go to the online auditorium at

http://67.19.231.218/v4/login.asp?r=67955673&p=0
type your name and click enter. As you go in a small
software applet will download to your computer.

Podcasting 101 with Greg Schwartz

2005-12-08T14:49:00.000-08:00

Introduction to Podcasting, presented on December 8, 2005 by Greg Schwartz, the creator of Open Stacks. (25.7 MB file; playback time of 75 minutes) See also the Podcasting101 wiki that Greg created.

Annoucement of OPAL Programs in Dec. and Beyond

2005-12-07T11:42:00.000-08:00

Tom Peters, the Coordinator of OPAL, provides a brief announcement of upcoming OPAL programs in December and beyond. (1.62 MB MP3 file; 4 min. 43 sec. playback)

Author Discussion with Debi Gliori

2005-11-29T13:50:00.000-08:00

Author discussion with Debi Gliori, author of No Matter What,her charming picture book that cleverly explores the theme of unconditional love. This discussion was held on Friday, November 18, 2005. No Matter What is the official selection for Kansas Reads to Preschoolers, the Kansas State Library’s One State-One Book project for 2005 highlighting the importance of reading to preschoolers. Ms. Gliori is the author and illustrator of many books for children, including the very popular Mr. Bear series. She won the Children's Book Award picture book section, and was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1997. She lives in Scotland, near Edinburgh.

(18.3 MB file; playback time of 53 minutes)

Introduction to OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries)

2005-11-16T14:18:00.000-08:00

In this introduction to OPAL, the collaborative online programming initiative involving libraries worldwide, Tom Peters explains how OPAL works, including the features of tcConference, version 4, the web conferencing software used for these online events. (22.4 MB file; playback time of 65 minutes)