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Press release from Sony regarding new E-Reader: Press release from Sony


September 3, 2010

SONY BRINGS DIGITAL READING EXPERIENCE TO LIFE WITH THE GLOBAL LAUNCH OF ITS STYLISH NEW LINE OF READERS

New Pocket and Touch Editions Feature Sony's Unique Touch Screens with Anti-Glare Technology for the Optimal Digital Book Reading Experience
TORONTO, September 1, 2010 # Continuing to provide book lovers with the most natural, immersive digital reading experience, Sony today announced the global launch of its beautifully-designed new line of Reader™ digital books including the new Reader Pocket Edition™ and Reader Touch Edition™. The new line of Readers feature a host of new design and technology enhancements that make them the perfect device for any reader's lifestyle.

The new Reader models bring a fresh level of flare to e-reading with colourful, elegant aluminum designs and all new, highly responsive touch screens. In addition to the new devices, Sony announced development of a set of applications for iPhone and the Android Marketplace to extend the Reader experience across multiple portable devices.

"The success of our previous line of Readers illustrates book lovers' demand for feature choices and full touch screens on their digital reading devices," said Tim Algate, Product Manager- Reader Digital Books at Sony of Canada Ltd. "Today, we're answering their call by providing an entire line of stylish, full touch screen devices with a variety of features and price points."

What's New

The new generation of Reader™ digital books by Sony builds on the popularity of last year's line. For 2010 Sony has restyled all of the devices, reduced their size and weight, and made new, innovative touch screens available across the line.

· Touch Screen for Everyone

o Based on the popularity of the full touch screen on its previous Touch Edition Readers, Sony equipped the entire line of new Readers with improved, optical touch screen technology designed specifically for digital reading*. The new, first-to-market technology enhances ease of use and increases reading clarity, creating an immersive reading experience for consumers. Book lovers can now escape into their favourite books with the lightest swipe of a finger or stylus pen.

· Improved E Ink Displays

o All three devices utilize E Ink® Pearl electronic paper displays, which delivers a paper-like display that is readable in direct sunlight. The screens offer a high contrast ratio with 16 levels of greyscale, ensuring that text and images are crisp and easy to read.

· A Reader Pocket Edition that Will Wow You

o The new Reader Pocket Edition is the thinnest, lightest e-reader on the market, sports a five-inch, full touch screen and a smart, lightweight design that's easy to slip into a purse or jacket pocket for convenient, on-the-go reading. It is available in chic colours, including silver and pink. It has 2 GB of onboard memory, which lets you carry up to 1,200 of your favorite books, and retails for $199.99.

· A New Reader Touch Edition: More of Everything Readers Love

o The new Reader Touch Edition features a six-inch full touch screen and an intuitive design with 2 GB of onboard memory. In addition, it offers dual expansion slots for up to 32GB of additional memory, and the ability to play MP3 and AAC audio files. It's available in black, silver or red for $249.99.

· Additional New Features Across the Entire Line

o New features allow for easier reading of PDF or personal documents. Intuitive content zoom, adjustable contrast and brightness control, as well as automatic multiple page creation will make documents designed for a standard sheet of paper easier to read on a smaller screen. Also, personalized standby screen options will allow users to use their favourite photos as a screen saver and the collections functionality will allow them to group their favorite reads.

o In addition, the new Reader line is more global than ever, offering users the ability to look up words and phrases with the built in New Oxford American and Oxford Dictionary of English eDictionaries, as well as 10 translation dictionaries in languages such as French, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch. Wordsmiths across the globe can now create "word logs" to track the words they've looked up in both chronological and book order, while quickly switching between dictionaries.

· More Content on More Devices

o In addition to announcing a new generation of Readers, Sony has also made several changes and improvements to Reader™ Store. More than 1 million titles are available in Canada. The store's Library Finder application continues to provide easy access to local public libraries to borrow eBooks for free. To make choosing a book easier, the New York Times Bestsellers list will be featured alongside the Reader Store's bestsellers. Sony remains committed to providing an extensive offering of periodical content for single issue purchase or subscription within the newsstand area of the store.

By next month, integration with Goodreads will permit the inclusion of reader reviews from that site.

o With Reader™ Desktop Edition for Apple's Mac OS X and Microsoft® Windows® and Reader™ Mobile Edition for Apple iPhone and Google Android-based smartphones, users can now synchronize their reading among multiple devices. These free applications, available later this year, will offer an intuitive digital reading experience with an elegant interface and access to Sony's Reader Store for browsing and purchasing content. The desktop application also includes the ability to easily manage content directly on the Reader Pocket Edition and Reader Touch Edition models.

The Reader Pocket and Touch Editions, as well as available accessories such as AC adaptors, cases and covers with reading lights, are available now at SonyStyle.ca, SonyStyle stores, and selected retailers across Canada.

Sony of Canada Reader Revolution 2010 - Who is that Man in the Window?

Starting September 7th, Sony of Canada is hosting an extended "read-in" with speed reader and two-time Guinness World Record™ holder for memory Dave Farrow, who will serve as a designated reader in the newly renovated Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in downtown Toronto. Dave will be reading digital books on the new Reader Touch Edition™ and setting new speed reading records for 17 days. Mr. Farrow will be living in the Sony Centre vestibule beside the box office from September 7 – 24th. For each book he reads during this time, Sony will donate two Reader™ Pocket Edition models to public libraries across Canada through the Sony Canada Charitable Foundation.

Farrow, a speed reader and a two-time Guinness World Record™ holder for memory is one of the foremost experts in the field of memorization. On September 7th at 11:00am, Mr. Farrow will be attempting a world record for the fastest reading of one of Shakespeare's works to kick off the 17 day event.

Beginning September 7th, consumers are invited to view Farrow's progress and additional world record attempts online at http://apps.Facebook.com/ReaderBySony. They can also visit the newly renovated Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in person at One Front Street East in Toronto at the south-east corner of Yonge and Front Streets, where Dave Farrow will be reading and living from September 7 through 24th. Consumers who visit the Sony Centre can receive an in-person demonstration of the new Reader Pocket and Touch Editions, "relief-read" for Dave Farrow, enter to win great prizes, and enjoy free frozen yogurt bars from 10:30-1pm daily.

About Sony of Canada Ltd.

Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in High Definition. Sony provides end-to-end solutions through products that include the market-leading Blu-ray Disc™ players, BRAVIA® televisions, Cyber-shot® digital cameras, Handycam® Camcorders, VAIO® computers, broadcast cameras, IPELA security cameras and video conferencing and many more products that deliver the true entertainment experience.

Sony is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world with a portfolio that includes electronics, music, movies, games and online businesses.

With headquarters in Toronto, sales offices in Vancouver and Montreal and distribution centres in Coquitlam, British Columbia, and Whitby, Ontario, approximately 1,000 employees support a network of more than 500 authorized dealers and 62 Sony Style retail locations across Canada.

Sony Canada is devoted to the betterment of children, the environment, and the community. Through the Sony Canada Charitable Foundation (SCCF), Sony Canada aims to maximize its support of charitable and philanthropic organizations, including Make-A-Wish® Canada, the United Way of Canada and Earth Day Canada.

For more information contact:

Tony Smith
VP- Marketing Communications
Sony of Canada Ltd.
Tel: (416) 495-3707
Tony_Smith@sony.ca

Elaine Nichols
Corporate Communications Coordinator
Sony of Canada Ltd.
(416) 495-3229
Elaine_Nichols@sony.ca


*Optical touch screen technology customized for Sony and licensed from Neonode Inc.

Educational and Public libraries are mentioned in the 'Proposed Accessibility Requirements' in regards to access of information and materials both in the physical space and electronically. The 'Proposed Compliance Timelines' are also listed. See release message below.



Proposed Integrated Accessibility Regulation

The Government of Ontario is proposing a new Integrated Accessibility Regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

From September 2, 2010 to October 16, 2010, a summary of the Integrated Accessibility Regulation will be available for public review on the government's Regulatory Registry.

The Regulatory Registry can be accessed through the following link:
http://www.ontarioca...chType=current. All comments on the proposed regulation must be directed through the Regulatory Registry.

Thank you.

Toronto, August 26, 2010 — TVOKids, Authors at Harbourfront Centre and the Ontario Library Association are asking Ontario’s young writers what they would do to make the world a greener place with the second annual Super Stories Contest. Kids in grades K-8 in Ontario can submit a story for the chance to read their story on stage at the Young International Festival of Authors in Toronto!

The contest takes its cue from The League of Super Citizens, the TVOKids’ program for grade school children about a group of superheroes who promote good citizenship. To enter, kids must write, in 75 words or less, a story with the following story starter and it’s up to them to write the ending:

The Super Citizens were wondering what they should do with the garbage that had piled up around them when Enviro Girl said…”

Participating public and school librarians throughout the province will be on hand to give kids help and guidance with their entries.

The contest is open to all children in Ontario and is divided into three categories: Grades K-1; Grades 2-3; and Grades 4-6+. Entries can be submitted online at tvokids.com, handed to a school or public librarian, or mailed in. The address for all mailed submissions can be found at tvokids.com.

The contest carries two types of prizing: the first type is a random draw held Tuesday, October 5 in which three winners, one from each category, will win an electronic reading device. In the second, a Harbourfront/OLA committee will judge entries based on imagination, spelling and punctuation and select three young authors to win a trip to Toronto to read at the YoungIFOA in Toronto taking place October 26, 28 and 29. The three random draw prize winners plus the three YoungIFOA winners will be announced online at TVOKids.com on Tuesday, October 12.

A random selection of all entries will be profiled on Super Citizens Story of the Day on tvokids.com.

For complete rules, submission requirements and prizing info, visit tvokids.com.


About TVO
TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive
educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision
is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. For more
information, visit tvo.org.

About YoungIFOA
YoungIFOA is the offshoot of Canada’s premier literary festival: the International Festival of Authors (IFOA). It offers school groups grades K–8 a full-day programme including one author reading/Q&A event and one book-making workshop. This year’s YoungIFOA runs October 26, 28 and 29 at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto as part of the 31st annual IFOA (October 20–30, 2010). Programme details are available at www.readings.org.


About OLA
The Ontario Library Association (OLA) creates programs, advocacy and promotion for its more than
5,000 members in college, public school and university libraries across Ontario. The mission of the
OLA is to foster free public access to information and to promote Canada’s history and culture
through the programs and services of the libraries of Ontario. For more information about the OLA, please visit www.accessola.com.

Where to find TVO
Cable channel 2 (channel may vary in some areas), Rogers HD channel 580 (in the GTA), Bell TV channel 265, Shaw Direct channel 353.


Media Contacts:
Andrea Fraser
TVO Marketing
416.484.2600 x 2080
anfraser@tvo.org


Lindsay Gulin
International Festival of Authors Communications
416.973.4395
lgulin@harbourfrontcentre.com

2011 Canadian Library Association National Conference & Trade Show, May 25-28, 2011, Halifax, NS
CLA is now accepting proposals for papers to be presented at the upcoming CLA National Conference, to be held in Halifax next May.

Detailed instructions for submitting proposals are available on the CLA website at: http://www.cla.ca/conference/2011/

The deadline for submissions is 1 October 2010.

The run or walk is Sunday October 3, 2010. Team members are in place in Edmonton, Ottawa/Gatineau, Thunder Bay, and Toronto. Be the first to start a group at your run site! Gather a group from your workplace!

Register and select "Join an Existing Team" and search for "Librarians" during the registration process: http://tinyurl.com/2cz4n6j

You can register now and choose to pay the registration fee later. If you raise $150 in donations, the $40 registration fee is waived. All library staff and library supporters are welcome to join the Team.

Join the Facebook Group: http://www.facebook....68208421&ref=ts

Premier Dalton McGuinty today announced changes to his Cabinet and government to "help drive results in Ontario's economy, schools and hospitals". Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Education has been assigned to a priorities and planning committee struck by the Premier to deliver these results.
http://www.news.onta...ew-cabinet.html

Nominations for the next two institutes must be received by October 1, 2010.

The eleventh (11) Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute (NELI) will be held in Emerald Lake, British Columbia, from December 2-7, 2010.

The Institute’s mission is to assist professional librarians aspiring to leadership roles to develop, strengthen, and evolve their leadership potential so that they may be better equipped to lead Canada’s libraries or information service organizations or programs in the 21st century.

Based on the premise of experiential learning, the Institute includes group and individual learning experiences, and the opportunity to learn in conversation with mentors, who have been chosen for their own accomplishments and their leadership skills.

Northern Exposure, at this call, will be targeting seventy-two (72) librarians, with the successful participants chosen from the nominees and assigned to participate in one of two Institutes each with a cohort of thirty-six (36) participants. The first will be held, as noted above, in December, 2010 and the second will be held in the latter part of 2011.

Nominees must: (1) have a desire to develop their leadership potential and aggressively aspire to visible leadership roles in library and information service organizations; (2) have received their library degrees, generally, within the past seven years; and, (3) have a minimum of two year’s professional library experience and a maximum of seven years.

Individual nominations will be welcomed from a variety of sources, including employers, associations, library and information studies programs and the corporate information services sector. Nominees will be asked to supply a résumé or curriculum vitae, a one-page synopsis of achievements, a prospective career development program/path and their expectations for the Institute. Those chosen as participants must secure funding to cover the registration fee and transportation to Calgary, Alberta including any pre- or post-NELI accommodations in Calgary. Meals, accommodation as well as program and learning materials will be provided while attending the Institute.

Complete details at:
http://www.ls.ualberta.ca/neli/

New festival reminds kids of the joy of reading just in time for school

Toronto (August 9, 2010) – Just before kids go back to school, Toronto Public Library will host a fun-filled children’s festival featuring an all-star cast of Canadian children’s authors, including some of the most talented and inspiring writers of books for boys. The stellar line-up of authors coming to town includes Eric Walters, Kenneth Oppel, Barbara Reid, Robin Muller and Sarah Ellis. Book Bash also features lots of free entertainment for kids of all ages including storytelling, puppet shows, face painting, and fun crafts and activities.

Book Bash is being held at North York Central Library and Mel Lastman Square on Saturday, August 28, 2010, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Sarah Ellis will also provide a talk Friday evening to dish out some advice for hopeful authors and insight into the world of publishing children’s books.

What: Book Bash, the first annual Canadian Children’s Literature Festival

Where: North York Central Library (Concourse) and Mel Lastman Square
5120 Yonge Street

When: Sarah Ellis - Friday, August 27, 7:00 – 8:00 pm (refreshments at 6:30)
Book Bash - Saturday, August 28, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm


The Canadian Children’s Literature Festival is supported by an endowment fund honouring Lawrence Muller, retired president of Scholastic Canada, gifted to the Toronto Public Library Foundation earlier this year. The annual Canadian Children’s Literature Festival aims to promote reading, and recognize the wealth of Canadian talent writing for children.

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 17.5 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow more than 31 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.

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Media Contact:
Michelle Leung, Communications Officer, 416-397-5936
mleung@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Deutscher Bibliothekartag (German Library Association Conference - 100th Anniversary)

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the German Library Association Conference, the Goethe-Instituts in North America welcome abstracts from Canadian and American librarians who are interested in participating in the conference. For those whose papers are accepted, an application for financial support can be made to the Goethe-Institut as well as Bibliothek & Information International (http://www.bi-international.de/english). If you care to submit an abstract, please send it to:
Shawn Whatley
Head Librarian
Goethe-Institut Toronto
library@toronto.goethe.org
Tel: +1 416.593.5257

Abstracts should be no longer than 2000 characters and presentations should be 15 minutes in length to allow time for discussion. Abstracts may be submitted in either German or English. Abstracts must be submitted by 15 September, 2010.

CALL FOR PAPERS
Translated from the German

Topics:
Suggestions for presentations are as follows:
Overview of the Information Landscape
• Does society still need libraries? / How are libraries viewed by both users and non-users, how can we react to this? / What are society’s and scholars’ expectations of libraries? / What should libraries offer?
Societal and Political Framework
• Library legislation, copyright / Open Access versus data protection / Libraries coping with the financial crisis / Libraries and publishers / Libraries as cultural and educational institutions, but also the partner of other cultural and educational institutions / Library work involving multicultural populations
Library Careers: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
• Continuing and further education / Changes in skills and tasks
Professional Relations
• Team motivation / Collegial relationships / Information ethics / Privacy
Libraries as a Destination: Real and Virtual
• Interior design / Library buildings / Library as a ‘place of learning’ / Library as a ‘place of communication’ / Library presence on the Internet
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
• Digitization projects: cost and use / Collection development / Cooperation with other libraries
Concepts and Strategies in times of Change
• Acquisition and processing concepts / From the sign out desk to 24 hour chat / Target group-specific collections
Library Management in the 21st Century
• Reorganization models / New demands, skills and tasks for librarians / Demographic changes / Personal management / Accomplishment-based pay
Libraries X.0
• New information and communication technologies / Social networking / Innovative forms of ‘catalogue enrichment’

The Access 2010 Conference is in Winnipeg October 13-16.The program includes keynote speakers Hal Niedzviecki and Michael Geist and topics like mobile technologies, social media, user experience and scholarly publishing. Details at:
http://access2010.li...ca/registration