Contributors Michael Stephens

4147 posts

Librarian’s Book Club blog gets international attention

http://wplbookclub.blogspot.com/2006/06/librarians-book-club-blog-gets.html One of my favorite examples fr blog workshops and the Roadshow! Well done, Christine!! Waterloo librarian Christine Brown draws inspiration from a variety of sources for her online book club blog. The blog has been picked up by the American Library Association as part of a course on Internet technologies. Do you know what a washing machine, hot air furnace, privy seat and moustache adjuster all have in common? Probably not. But then you’re likely missing out on Christine Brown’s blog, an online publishing tool that offers a huge array of information, including hyperlinks related to “cool websites.”

iPods @ SJCPL

iPods @ SJCPL Originally uploaded by St. Joseph County Public Library. Julie Hill, my friend and colleague from SJCPL, announces the new SJCPL iPod program!!!! I am so happy to see this fly!! Here’s a post she sent me for staff: Books on iPod: Yours our Ours The library will begin offering downloadable audiobooks on iPods beginning Fall 2006! Bring in your own iPod or check out one of the library-owned iPods. We’ll download bestselling audiobook titles from the iTunes Music Store for use on your MP3 player, laptop, or in your car. Want to know more? Contact the Sights […]

“We’ll have Second Lunch”

Check out Steve Lawson’s “A biblioblogger visits the local branch library” http://library.coloradocollege.edu/steve/archives/2006/06/a_biblioblogger.html My favorite bit? BRANCH LIBRARIAN: We do have some online innovations here. We allow patrons to pay fines online via PayPal. BIBLIOBLOGGER: You still have fines? I’m sorry, my friend, but the Cluetrain is about to pull into the station, and you are looking like Anna Karenina, if you get my drift. BRANCH LIBRARIAN: Ah! A literary allusion! Yes, I understand perfectly, though I’m not flattered. BIBLIOBLOGGER: Hey, don’t take offense. Tell you what, I’m doing a thing in Second Life tomorrow called Exhuming the Paleolibrary that is […]

Congrats AADL!

http://www.aadl.org/node/2086 Launched on July 1, 2005, the new aadl.org has been selected by the American Library Association as the best library website in the nation for libraries with budgets of $6,000,000.00+. Skidmore Studio located in Royal Oak, MI worked with seven members of the AADL staff for five months in 2005 to determine the site goals, conduct usability studies with the public, determine a new site logo, and to develop simple administrative tools for maintenance. We wanted our site to be functional for all levels of computer proficiency, and we wanted to use interactive tools to facilitate communication with our […]

Comparison of Traditional & Web 2.0 Based Instructional Design

Louise Gruenberg posts a thoughtful look at instructional design in a 2.0 climate: http://louisegruenberg.alablog.org/blog/_archives/2006/6/3/2004307.html Let’s call it Archimedes’ (educational) law: Whether immersion in learning is in-person synchronous or online asynchronous, interaction supports engagement, and engagement eventually leads to learning. Eureka! And now for Gruenberg’s corollary: Instructors who do not engage learners interactively in person will not be able to do any better with advanced technology.

PayPal Mobile at the Circ Desk

Via an e-mail from Kate the Hoosier Librarian: I just signed up for PayPal Mobile, so then I was thinking, what is this good for? Here’s an idea: Your library has a PayPal account, a patron needs to check out materials, but has something he needs to pay. He doesn’t have enough cash on him, you don’t take credit/debit cards, and he doesn’t have his check book. He whips out his phone, PayPals you the money via text message, you instantly receive a confirmation email, the fine is paid, he gets his stuff and goes away happy. How awesome would […]

2.0 Job at Ebsco

Via Brian Gray at ALA L2: http://briangray.alablog.org/blog/_archives/2006/6/4/2005520.html http://careers.epnet.com/info.php?id=513 The basic function of the Wiki Analyst is to monitor information creation on TWiki, EP’s web-based collaboration platform. The ideal candidate will be responsible for tracking wiki usage, guiding and shaping it’s organization, and helping EP to get the most out of this powerful tool. Develop best practices. Other responsiblities include training and educating users, monitoring projects and activity, and linking content for maximum usefulness.

LIS753: Summer 2006 Readings for Session One

LIS 753: Internet Fundamentals and Design Summer 2006 Readings for Session One Cerf, Vinton G. “A Brief History of the Internet and Related Networks.” Available at http://www.isoc.org/internet/history/cerf.shtml Bitlaw. “Copyright Law in the United States.” Available online at http://www.bitlaw.com/copyright/ Kennedy, Shirley Duglin. “Web Design That Won’t Get You Into Trouble.” Available online at http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/jun01/kennedy.htm Bowman, Lisa. “Librarians Targeted in Latest Copyright Battles,” ZDNN, July 12, 2001. Available online at http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2784614,00.html Newsweek, The New Wisdom of the Web, Avaliable online at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12015774/site/newsweek/