Monthly Archives: July 2009

23 posts

Guest Post: Good to Great and Library 2.0, A Case Study

by: Claire Steiner Dominican University ———- During my days as a MLS student, I have heard the phrase “running a library like a business” too many times to count. So many times, in fact, that I have decided to examine what exactly this concept entails and the effects it may have on libraries and the inevitable implementation of Library 2.0 technologies. The reality is that many libraries are being run like businesses these days, however, they are still not living up to their potential. So it begs the question, how does running a library more like a business make it […]

Emerging Leaders Group Creates ALA Connect Screencasts!

I am totally knocked out by the excellent work ALA Emerging Leaders Team I did on creating screencasts to highlight all the wonderful features of ALAConnect. As Web Advisory Committee chair, I became the group mentor but my schedule and duties didn’t allow much mentoring – but I knew they were in good hands with ALA ITTS staff who offered support and guidance throughout the project. So please allow me to send them a public “WOOOHOO” on a job well done! Take a look at the screencasts. You’ll find a promo video, a video highlighting how to integrate Connect with […]

Dominican Students/Grads Contribute ALA Coverage to LJ

I’m happy to share that I put LJ in touch with some of our recent grads/current students to cover programs at ALA. Katharine Johnson, Carrie Straka and Bill Goodwyn all contributed short articles for online coverage. http://www.libraryjournal.com/microsite/49047/ALA+Annual+Conference+News.html Take a look: Bill: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6670769.html Katharine: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6671470.html Carrie: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6671137.html

One college library is handing these fancy cards out to students. What do you think?

One college library is handing these fancy cards out to students. What do you think?, originally uploaded by kenleyneufeld. Keep the library quiet, clean, & comfortable? How about empty too? Please see: https://tametheweb.com/2009/02/08/fitting-their-workflows-university-of-queensland-library/ Keith Webster writes: We recognised that the library needed to fit their workflows rather than have the students fit our rules and regulations. What do you think, TTW Readers?

The Visitors

Multitouch Microsoft Surface: Cultural Heritage Browser from Jaap van de Geer on Vimeo. I have a new post at ALATechSource about the Shanachie presentation at ALA. Check out the video above to see one of the projects they highlighted in action. http://www.alatechsource.org/blog/2009/07/the-visitors.html Late one February evening in 2007, I found myself sitting in my Oak Park, Illinois living room with two visitors, sharing wine and talking about libraries. It was late, I had to teach the next day, but I couldn’t say goodnight. I met the he two fellows with me –Jaap van de Geer and Erik Boekesteijn of the […]

TTW Guest Post: KidLit ReOrg 2008 at Darien Public Library

by: Gretchen Hams-Caserotti Head of Children’s Services Darien Library ——— When I joined Darien Library Head of Children’s Services we were building a new library. An opportunity to reorganize a library doesn’t come very often. The Adult collection was already being rearranged and Louise Berry, our Library Director, encouraged me to explore some ideas I had about how Children’s Libraries are arranged. I took a leap of faith and committed to the idea of reorganizing the collection with a user-centered approach by considering Function instead of Format. Our KidLit ReOrg was a huge project! In Children’s Services, we define the population […]

The Transparent Library: It’s Fine to Drop Dewey!

MS: Each semester, during an intro class unit on organization of information, we discuss these issues. Dewey designed a system that worked well for its time—and way beyond—but it has deficiencies we’ve tried to cover with Band-Aids, like more signage. We listen to Marshall Shore interviewed on NPR about the original project at Maricopa County Library District’s Perry Branch. Then the students share their views and personal experiences—and many echo what Michael mentioned above. Smith has an answer: “WordThink allows library staff the freedom and creativity to develop collocation relationships that could never happen in Dewey. [It] allows staff to […]