http://blog.nekls.org/index.php/archives/301 I do still see some libraries prohibiting the use of instant messaging (IM). One of the reasons libraries have prohibited it is because of the need to install the Instant Messaging client on each public access computer. That, however, is no longer required. There are web-based tools that allow you to use IM without having to install software. My personal favorite is Meebo. It allows users to access their AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ or Jabber accounts, without needing to install any software. And it’s free! When you access Meebo, you will frequently see interesting notes from the […]
Monthly Archives: December 2006
70 posts
http://youtube.com/watch?v=C9ct7fAj6zk
One of my students calls one of the large, urban local libraries doing research for group projects. He encounters this intriguing story: Librarian: Hello? ________ Public Library, may I help you? LIS753 Student: Hello, I’m working on a project for my library school class and I have a question. Librarian: Of course. LIS753 Student: Does the library have plans to start an IM reference service? Librarian: Oh God, No! Wow, not even a “We have heard of libraries doing that but we haven’t looked into yet..” or anything! Shame on you, large, urban Illinois-located Public Library system!
Well, technology has produced a new savvy information consumer among the masses. These patrons, have become accustomed to having information delivered to them in whatever format they desire – whether that be in an email, an RSS feed, or even delivered to the door. Disappearing are the days when people actually go the library to find out the acidic content of an orange (one of my first reference questions asked in 1996) or what paper money is made of (another old favorite of mine). I am proud to say that this library (and this Reference department) does deliver content in […]
It’s nice to be reminded of some of the “Getting Things Done” principles, especially since I juggle teaching, writing, presenting and life. The ideas and some of the methods speak to me. Here’s a great post about that elusive empty inbox: http://www.downloadsquad.com/2006/11/15/five-simple-rules-for-keeping-an-empty-inbox/ Five simple rules for keeping the inbox clean: If you don’t need to read it now, it shouldn’t be in your inbox. If you’ve already responded to it, it shouldn’t be in your inbox. If it comes from a known source (some person, retailer or mailing list that sends you mail more often than once every few months) […]
Take a look: http://www.davidleeking.com/2006/11/14/single-greatest-point-of-value-from-blogging/ Thanks for the pointer David Lee King!
First of the original ten cohort members to finish the degree! Well done!
A shout out to Jennifer Graham and her blog “jennimi” on her one year anniversary of blogging. http://jennimi.wordpress.com/2006/11/30/one-year-and-then-some/ It’s been an interesting endeavor. Sometimes it sucks me in and I have to leave for awhile to get things done. Sometimes I absolutely love it. But always I am cognizant of the fact that I am, in my tiny tiny lower case j way, participating in the web’s creation, not just observing or reacting to it. I also have begun to see how this process allows librarians to reach out to more people with our knowledge, curiosity, problem solving urges, welcoming […]
I don’t say it enough! Blake is the MAN for working so hard to keep TTW and the other hosted sites, blogs and wikis going at good ole LISHost, which turns 4 today! Thanks Blake! http://lisnews.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/01/1719209
One of the respondents of the OCLC perceptions survey urged libraries to look at ways to deliver books by mail. That person needs to move to Topeka and Shawnee! From the Superpatron: David Lee King writes in his article The Missing Piece of the Library Netflix Model Previously, I have posted a little about Netflix and how libraries could use the model in a similar way (mainly riffing off Michael Porter’s great posts about Netflix). And then I switched jobs. And guess what? In my first two weeks at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, I kept hearing things about […]