Nicole writes: This is so awesome!!! Introducing the LibraryThing Web Services API. The API will eventually do many things. For starters it includes all of the data in LibraryThing’s Common Knowledge project, our groundbreaking “fielded wiki” for interesting book information (see original blog post). It includes fields like series, important characters, important places, author dates, author burial places, agents, edits, etc. If you’re interested in building or enhancing book-data applications, this should be very interesting. Common Knowledge is always in progress, but the results so far have been quite impressive. Members have made over 500,000 edits, and certain data types have become exceedingly useful and […]
Yearly Archives: 2008
749 posts
Aurora (Part 1) from Adaptive Path on Vimeo. Via TechCrunch. Aurora is a concept video exploring one possible future user experience for the Web, created by Adaptive Path as part of the Mozilla Labs concept series. For more, visit adaptivepath.com/aurora
Kyle, a TTW contributor, blogs at The Corkboard: As I gear up to do the annual fall round of computer imaging/updates to all the public terminals it gives me time to reflect on MPOW’s approach to academic computing: if they need it, get it for ‘em. Our library has full control over our default setup for our machines, including: Operating system choices (XP, Vista, or, heck, why not both?) Browsers, we’ve got three! (FF, IE7, Safari, and we’d add more if requested) Open-source goodness (7Zip, Nvu, Open-Office, etc.) Office suite, we run ‘03 and ‘07 (and we’re the only place […]
I’ve been using Apple’s .mac service for years, since 2001 as a matter of fact. The recent upgrade from .Mac to MobileMe has garnered a lot of press for the problems, breakdowns and failures of the service meant to “push” data to my iPhone, my Macs and to the service itself, described as a “cloud.” Luckily I haven’t had much issue with the upgrade/switchover. I will say, however, that I think for a couple of weeks in July some emails I sent took a long time to get where they were going as did some I received. Compared to […]
http://www.udel.edu/smdc/ Spaces for students, faculty and staff in university and college libraries are evolving rapidly. Here’s another to add to the list: the Student Multimedia design Center at the University of Delaware Morris Library. From the site: Make your PowerPoint presentations come alive with video and animation. Practice your presentation skills in a studio. Create a custom sound track. Access a wide variety of computer hardware, software, and peripherals. This speaks to me about the need for coursework that emphasizes planning, implementation and staffing for digital creation spaces in libraries.
blogging policy fresh and new, originally uploaded by cambodia4kidsorg. I’m updating various presentations today and I’m adding this great resource: the Powerhouse Museum’ blogging policy. PDF: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/dmsblog/wp-content/powerhouse_museum_blog_policy_2007.pdf Blog post is here. Many organizations struggle with blogging because of many of the worries addressed in this document. I think a library can foster open, transparent conversation on many levels while still using a policy such as this to fall back on if problems arise. Take a look.
I am really looking forward to visiting Columbus Metropolitan Library to help launch their Learn & Play program next week. Get a load of the video the folks there made to generate interest and excitement. I’m impressed with the creativity for sure. Helene Blowers blogged it too and said: Hat’s off to the awesome team leading this effort. Gerald, Joy, Sam, Tonya, John & Tammy (hope I haven’t forgot anyone) You guys rawk!
Lori Reed writes: http://librarytrainer.com/2008/08/02/bill-to-ban-facebook-in-libraries/ What I am really here to say is that it’s important to educate children so that they can make smart decisions in any circumstance. From USA Today: Congress is considering a bill that would bar children who use computers in public libraries from accessing Facebook and other social networking websites without parental permission. This has to be one of the most ridiculous things I’ve heard recently. First, how will we define “other social networking websites” when pretty much every site is becoming a social networking site? Has anyone in Congress heard of Web 2.0? Second, how […]
Nice piece at CopyBlogger called “I Don’t Care About You” at http://www.copyblogger.com/who-cares/ There ate insights here for those who write blog posts for their libraries and all of us who blog. Good stuff. Egotistical Marketing We’re an egotistical bunch, aren’t we? We love to talk about ourselves. We want to tell people how wonderful we are and blather on about how much they need us. We ramble uselessly about our innovative products and excellent services. We’re all about us. Want a tip? They don’t care about us. They care about themselves. Let’s Talk About You For content to be effective, it […]
August 26, 2008. Sirsi Dynix Institute: Taming Technolust: Planning in a Hyperlinked World. September 8,2008. University Libraries/LIS Lecture Series, “Transforming Academic Libraries” UNC Greensboro. September 12, 2008. Mount Prospect Public Library Staff InService October 15, 2008. “Transparency, Planning & Change: See-Through Libraries” Workshop, with Michael Casey. Internet Librarian International, London. October 16, 2008. “The Transparent Library” with Michael Casey. Internet Librarian International, London. October 16, 2008. “What Constitutes a Next Generation Library” with Michael Casey, Gwenda Sippings and Patrick Danowski. Internet Librarian International, London. October 24, 2008. Endnote, 17th * Annual Conference on Libraries and Future: “Talkin’ ‘bout Y Generation,” Dowling College, Oakdale, NY. November 5 & 6, 2008. […]