SLP Update from Barb Huntington

Map Added to the Performer Web Page

We have had numerous requests in the past few years for a map that would help people identify performers in certain areas. When I last checked on having a map developed I was told DPI did not want that mounted on the state Web page because of the space it would take. But times and technology have changed, much faster than I realized. Jamie McCanless who manages the Performer Directory for me has developed the map people have been wanting.

Public librarians and staff from other organizations who want to hire performers for their children's programs can now use the new Performer Map to locate potential candidates in their area. This map uses the free Google Maps service. On the map, every city with at least one performer in the Performer Directory has a location marker. Clicking a marker displays its information window, which includes:

* The city name
* An alphabetical list of performer names
* The primary directory category for each performer
* An underlined link to each performer's main directory entry

In the full-size map, the location markers are also listed in order by city name on the left side of the window. Clicking a marker in the city list scrolls the map to the city and displays its information window. The markers are color coded for Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In performer entries of the directory pages, the city/state of the contact line is linked to the Performer Map. Clicking the link displays the city on the map and it's information window.Note: Performers who are represented by a booking agency that is listed as their contact are not included in the Performer Map.

From: April 2008 Monthly Posting for System Youth Services Liaisons