LJ highlights some features of the new Darien Library: New technology, new design RFID for self-check and materials handling is just a tip of the technology infused throughout the building. There are also 21 wireless access points, large LCD flat displays for community information, a ten-foot rear-projection screen for the community room, and a touch-screen tabletop Microsoft Surface computer for the children’s room on the main floor. A “Power Library” in the basement is filled with public access computers and includes a room dedicated to office needs. The teen room nestles right next to the Power Library, in a serious effort, according to Blyberg, to “couple teens […]
Monthly Archives: January 2009
44 posts
Ten Trends & Technologies for 2009 by Michael Stephens Download a PDF of the post here. Welcome to the 2009 version of TTW’s annual look at the trends and technologies that I believe will impact what we do in libraries and information centers. This post ties in with several presentations I will be giving this spring. I was remiss last year – prepping to take “The Hyperlinked Library” to Australia, I just couldn’t get the 2008 post going. Another reason was many of the same discussions and trends from 2007 had carried over into 2008. If you’re curious, here are […]
I’m gearing up for my Education Institute presentation tomorrow with a presentation and a big blog post. I’ll be speaking to the group via the phone and encourage participants to check in via Twitter as well so we can have some chatter as well. Here are the details: http://www.thepartnership.ca/partnership/bins/calendar_page.asp?cid=85-2304&lang=1 In fact, use this mark so I will be sure to see your messages: #TTWtrends 🙂 The slides are here.
HeyJude writes: So from the history of the internet to this refocussing on learning – a great interview from Michael Wesch about harnessing collective intelligence rather than teaching content. He is an advocate of ‘anti-teaching’, seeking too inspire with god questions. Google becomes a tool for testing possibilities. Social media is also about learning possibilities. But don’t get it wrong – it is also about more work! more commitment! more active involvement in collaborative learning. He also raises the use of RFID on a campus, for creating learning opportunities. This I like!! “We learn more when we are sharing information…” […]
As a soon-to-be graduate of Dominican’s GSLIS program and in need and want of a new job, I watch the job lists pretty closely. My interest was piqued quickly as I came across a posting for a “Creativity Library Manager” at the University of Nebrask at Omaha. Part of the post reads: This newly created position is responsible for developing and operating a unique, experimental library to support creativity in all fields of endeavor. The successful candidate: will identify and select library materials that inspire new ways of thinking; will assist users with materials and extensive, leading-edge technological resources; will […]
http://libraryalchemy.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/technology-with-heart/ Leigh Anne Vrabel writes: Thought for the day, from Thich Nhat Hanh’s recent work, The World We Have: Technology has to be supported by brotherhood, sisterhood, understanding and compassion. In other words, it’s not necessarily the tools you have, but how you use them. When you staff virtual reference, are you merely searching for the fastest answer, or are you giving the best possible answer under the circumstances? How do you handle a question that simply cannot be answered in 5 minutes or less (there are many that can’t)? If your library has a blog, does it simply have a […]
Read all about it here! Not everyone is able to participate in and ask questions of the candidates at the presidential candidates’ forum held annually during the ALA Midwinter Meeting. Anyone who can’t be there can still participate by submitting YouTube videos to ask the candidates their questions. The purposes of the YouTube Candidates Forum are: To give those who cannot attend the face-to-face forum at Midwinter an opportunity to ask the candidates questions To complement the face-to-face forum To increase members’ interest in the election and, we hope, stimulate greater voter participation The face-to-face forum and the YouTube […]
The Princeton Public Library is in the home stretch weekend of their 3rd annual Princeton Environmental Film Festival – an 11 day event that has touched upon many topics relating to the environment. What started as 5 day program in 2007 via an idea brought to the library by Kai Marshall-Otto (a student involved with the Environmental Club at Princeton High School) has grown in to an 11 day extravaganza with numerous films, panels, and speakers that touch upon many important topics. Close to 2,000 people have attended lectures, discussions and screenings in the first 9 days and some of the largest events […]
Webcam chat at Ustream I can’t be in Darien this weekend, but I can certainly tune into BlybergTV. Nice use of Ustream!
I’m prepping classes and presentations right now and my eyes fell on this OLD link from walkingpaper: http://www.walkingpaper.org/106 Aaron lists some things libraries can do to improve techie stuff. How many have you done? How far have we come? Here’s just a few of his ideas: 3. Have CD burning available for patrons at your workstations. Patrons with slow connectivity at home may want to download large files with fast library connections. Also, they may be working on large documents not easily fit on floppies. Cost = The hardware is not expensive and not too difficult to install. If you’re replacing computers […]