Most of us agree that we’re charged with a deeper significance that goes beyond the distribution of popular materials and the provision of internet access. That’s because we exist within the context of the communities we serve. The difference now, as opposed to even five years ago, is that we also operate within a global context that empowers us to quickly recall data and assemble it into our own personal nebulae. In other words, information use has become an expression of self–that’s not something libraries ever accounted for. When I talk about this, I refer to it as the “information […]
Categories TTW Ephemera
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Via the Superpatron: http://vielmetti.typepad.com/superpatron/2008/05/mobile-versions.html If your library catalog has a special version optimized for small computer screens as seen on mobile phones or specially for the iPhone, I’m interested in a pointer to it. So far I’ve found these: American University Libraries Ball State University Library Boston University Medical Center Mobile Library Cal Poly Pomona University Library Hanover College, Duggan Library Harvard College Library University of Illinois Library LibraryThing New York University Libraries North Carolina State University Library University of Richmond Library St. John’s University, College of St. Benedict University of Virgina Library but where there’s this many there’s […]
What’s the library policy on blogging and social networking for staff? Can you maintain your personal/professional blog if you accept a position? We’d urge hiring librarians to encourage new staffers to continue their blogging or participation in social networks. Does the library employ vertical teams for planning and implementation of new services? Can new hires participate and share their voices from day one? Inviting new staffers to play a role in service creation signals a willingness to hear new ideas. Ask for examples. What mentoring opportunities are there? A recent job listing from Davidson College in North Carolina included this […]
The local NBC affiliate profiled SJCPL’s budget issues and building projects. It gives a little more backstory for Deb Futa’s speech. WNDU leaves their stories up and open so it’s a better place to link instead of the South Bend Tribune. http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/19796914.html It’s no secret that local governments are facing major budget cuts. The St. Joseph County Public Library is no exception. As we’ve been reporting, the library has been forced to cut $1.6 million dollars from its budget, each year. But despite the cuts, the library has new branches under construction. It has some residents wondering where that money […]
I had lunch last week with Debra Futa, the Assistant Director of SJCPL, my former library. I enjoyed it because we got to “geek out” a bit with discussions of library processes, workflows, etc. The library has a some building projects going full steam ahead, including a brand new branch library in a few years. We also talked about the budget wors facing many Indiana libraries. Deb shared with me part of a talk she gave at the library’s staff day. I found it inspiring and straight-forward. It might be helpful to other Indiana librarians. She’s graciously allowed me to […]
Don’t miss: http://librarygarden.blogspot.com..food-for-thought-….html Janie: Can you tell me about the background behind Food for Thought? In particular: What is your role? How did the idea get started for such a day? What were the original goals of the program for the organizing committee? Jon: The origins for Food For Thought (FFT) stem from two developments. First, a somewhat similar annual event for faculty has been sponsored for several years. The Faculty Institute on Teaching and Learning had been moving away from application specific training and more toward classroom pedagogy and educational innovation. Our library director had been attending and participating […]
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Via Lorcan Dempsey: From a news item on the library website at Prince Edward Island University announcing the introduction of the Evergreen library system …. The only permanent change arising from this transition will be a positive one: a brand-new Library catalogue! We’ll be making lots of improvements to the catalogue search and display over the summer, and your feedback will be critical in this process. We are the first academic library anywhere to adopt the Evergreen/IslandPines system, making UPEI a world leader in innovative, open-source technology, and giving us unprecedented flexibility in making repairs and enhancements to our catalogue and other […]
I was a little disappointed with the Apple news today. I was honestly expecting a 32gb iPhone. I like the idea of 3G, but right now Mishawaka and Traverse City are not part of ATT’s 3G areas. I am very interested, however, in the Apps for iPhone and MobileMe. MobileMe is the next incarnation of .Mac, which started as iTools back in the day. I’ve subscribed to .Mac since 2000! MacWorld reports: Thanks to MobilMe’s AJAX-enabled interface, users will have a similar experience using the Web applications as they do with desktop software. For example, you can drag and drop […]
Via a heads up from Evan T. Struble at Ohionet: http://www.usatoday.com…-starbucks-wifi_N.htm Thirsty for more business during the worst slump in its history, Starbucks will try to lure more customers by offering two hours of free AT&T Wi-Fi a day. The Wi-Fi freebie will be available starting Tuesday to customers who purchase a minimum $5 reloadable Starbucks Card, register online for the Starbucks Rewards Card program, and use the card at least once a month. The two hours must be consecutive. New members also receive a voucher for a free drink. Starbucks’ 7-year-old relationship with T-Mobile for Wi-Fi service is being […]