It’s often a hurdle to get library administrators and managers to listen to your concerns and views. But there are ways. And we believe this advice holds true for everyone on the desk, from reference librarians to support staff….. ….Tap into reports. Some 30 percent of folks polled for OCLC’s 2005 report Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources didn’t know what “electronic databases” were, and over 80 percent were starting their own information searches at a search engine. Pew’s December 2007 Information Searches That Solve Problems tells us that younger people really do use the library. Use this as a […]
Contributors Michael Stephens
4147 posts
My LIS Trading Card Originally uploaded by drdrewhonolulu Nice to see Dr. Andrew Werthheimer’s LIS Trading Card. It’s one of the first I’ve seen tagged “LIS Faculty Trading Card.” I’d like to see more. LIS professors – have you made a card?
Via Karen Schneider on Twitter comes this link to a job description at San Jose State University: The Associate Dean for Digital Futures, Information Technology and Technical Services will provide leadership for the development of San José State University Library’s digital initiatives & the utilization of emerging technologies to better serve students and faculty. The Associate Dean may be in charge of the Library in the Dean’s absence and work as a member of the Dean’s Senior Management Team. The Associate Dean will exhibit leadership, solid management skills, effectiveness in resource management, and the ability to build partnerships within the […]
TTW readers know I love a good “Ten Things” post! Run, do not walk to: http://infonatives.wordpress.com/ Ten great things an online academic library can do: Communicate with the academic community Get proper subject librarians who know their stuff to generate the content for the library website! Provide high-quality, easy to use tools to put the content the users created online in various formats (see 4) Keep the content updated Provide consistent interfaces, preferably a single consistent interface where possible Present users with the resources they use, making things one click away Structure information, making it customizable where this is appropriate […]
BATL shirt logo Originally uploaded by jefoto Looks like gaming is getting serious at Traverse Area District Library!
Some say that IM is on the verge of extinction and that forging into such territory for virtual reference so late in the game is a waste of a library’s energy. You can surely count me as one of those who agrees with that statement. I predict, as do many others, that virtual reference needs to fit in users’ pockets – in their cell phone. We need to look at the trends happening now (according to PEW, 2006): -47% can’t live without their cell phones -35% use SMS and 13% would like it added to their features The preceding stats […]
Don’t miss the new virtual tour of the Allen County Public Library. They really show of their lovely spaces with flair and the maps/guides are useful for finding out about library services, community spaces and such necessities as parking.
Jenny Levine and I are joining forces to run a fundraiser for good ole LISHost. Jenny just posted about it at TSL: If you’re a regular online, you probably know or know of Blake Carver. Even if you’ve never met him, you know his work. He’s been running and maintaining the incredible LISNews hub since 1999. This contribution alone is why many of us admire him for his dedication and vision. In 2002, Blake started LISHost, an affordable website hosting service for libraries and libraries. On the very rare occasion the LISHost server goes down, you can tell something’s amiss […]
Maybe most libraries think about it differently, but Darien Library is sending more staff members to Los Angeles for BookExpo America, the majority of whom will be Circulation staff, two of them part-time, than to any other conference this year. It’s a major commitment on our part, but for nearly all our staff, this is the most important event of the year. They love it! Now I wouldn’t expect many east coast libraries to follow suit, but how many libraries out there will be sending part-time OR even full-time Circ staff to BookExpo, and when it comes east next year, […]
Flickr on my AppleTV |Originally uploaded by mstephens7 The AppleTV update dropped today. There’s a lot of new features I’m trying out but I was immediately drawn to the inclusion of Flickr as one of the photo options. I added myself as a contact and suddenly my entire Flickr collection is available. In the photo, you’ll see my recent favorites scrolling by in classic Apple reflection on a slant way. Checkout: Searching for content Search results for Loreena McKennit Previewing a track for purchase. Rent a Movie (with HD option) And look at all the Stevie Nicks! As I finish […]