Archive for August, 2005
One in 10 Weblog Readers Personalizes Content with RSS Feeds
August 15th, 2005While the number of RSS “readers” is still low (for those who don’t read blogs, I’m sure the number is lower) we shouldn’t dismiss the importance of the technology itself and how we can improve library service with syndication. Sometimes, it’s just as important as what we do on the “backend” than what the [...]
iMeem!
August 15th, 2005imeem! looks like it could be useful in a library environment where sharing information across private networks is key. (link via Techweb)
Would You Like Fries With That?
August 15th, 2005The new Deluxe Librarian Action Figure comes with more books, a book cart (for all the books I guess), and a computer…(link via Megan Cohen’s Flickr)
The Structure of Collaborative Tagging Systems
August 15th, 2005Yet another big ol’ File….Print. Two researchers at IBM have written up their research on social bookmarking software. From the abstract:
“Collaborative tagging describes the process by which many users add metadata in the form of keywords to shared content. Recently, collaborative tagging has grown in popularity on the web, on sites that allow [...]
Encyclopedia Britannica - RSS Feeds
August 15th, 2005Eagle-Eye Peter Scott notices that the Encyclopædia Britannica now has RSS feeds. It might make for an interesting addition to a library site.
More Travel Therapy
August 14th, 2005As I menitioned last week, Barbie and I have decided to take day trips once a week to help us break out of the slump that both of us have been stuck in. On Saturday, we took Hallie to Fire Island. Hot, sticky, humid, and loads of fun. A picture set is [...]
Coming to a Library Near You? - The Ministry of Reshelving
August 14th, 2005“The Ministry of Reshelving is dedicated to the proper classification of fiction and nonfiction books. The current Ministry initiative focuses or relocating a total of one thousand nine hundred and eighty four copies, across all 50 United States, of George Orwell’s _1984_ from ‘fiction’ or ‘literature’ to more suitable sections, like ‘Current Affairs’, ‘US Politics’, [...]
RSS Creator
August 14th, 2005Ken Varnum does a great job manning Web4Lib for us and blogs some neat stuff he sees on RSS. Ken is my Web4Lib RSS Filter. Nice. We could all use a Ken in our lives.
Anyway, Ken mentions a really cool looking tool called RSS Creator, created by Dave Walker, a Web [...]
Shared, Trust, or Referral Library?
August 14th, 2005My concern with utlilizing social networks (online and off) in libraries continues as I read about their importance in the ever-changing world of how consumers relate and work with one another to locate information (online and off). Libraries shouldn’t fall behind. Take a look at the following quote from an an article from [...]
Librarians as Babysitters?
August 13th, 2005The story about a head librarian suspended because of what her patrons were viewing online has been “Slashdotted”. Some great comments, as usual:
“A librarian who walks behind peoples backs to make sure they don’t access forbidden pages might be complying with laws, but she is betraying her society by perverting her job into a [...]
And the Traveling Begins…
August 11th, 2005This morning, I took part in a panel in Minneapolis sponsored by Businesswire. The topic was on blogs and PR. While in Minneapolis, I took some shots. (Can you tell that I’m a Flickr addict?)
Walt Disects Librarian Blogs
August 11th, 2005I’m doing a big ol’ “File…Print” on Walt’s lasted C&I as he performs probably one of the first (if not most comprehensive) report on librarian blogs. I skimmed briefly through it tonight and was somewhat impressed. Skimmed. Briefly. I may not be as impressed (although I doubt that) after I brew [...]
LibriVox - Podcasting Public Domain Books
August 10th, 2005Hugh McGuire sent in a link to one of his new projects, called LibriVox:
“LibriVox is an open source audio-literary attempt to harness the power of the many to record and disseminate, in podcast form, books from the public domain. It works like this: a book is chosen, then *you*, the volunteers, read and record one [...]
Library Stuff in Smart Computing
August 9th, 2005Thank you Hope for the heads up that Library Stuff appears on page 46 of the latest issue (Sept ‘05) of Smart Computing. I took a shot of the blurb, but it came out a bit blurry (but still readable).
Welcome to the Party Google!
August 9th, 2005It’s about time. Google introduces feeds into their news (still in beta) feature. You can get ‘em by topic or customized search.
Library Humor - A Flickr Photo Set
August 8th, 2005The Library Mistress is collecting library comics in a Flickr set. I’m always looking for comics for my presentations so this is very useful.
Out East
August 6th, 2005Michael goes “Up North” and the Cohen Family goes “Out East.” Today, we spent a day in the Hamptons and Montauk. I took some pictures (something I’m trying to do a lot more of these days) and when I got home, I bit the bullet and bought a FlickrPro account. You can [...]
Unfortunate Childrens Books
August 5th, 2005Even funnier than the pictures of the books are the comments. Empty all liquid from your mouth before proceeding. (link via Populicio.us)
Web’s Wikipedia to Tighten Editorial Rules
August 5th, 2005News about Wikipedia:
“Wikipedia, the Web encyclopaedia written and edited by Internet users from all over the world, plans to impose stricter editorial rules to prevent vandalism of its content, founder Jimmy Wales was quoted as saying Friday. In an interview with German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Wales, who launched Wikipedia with partner Larry Sanger [...]
Library Stuff (5 Years Later)
August 4th, 20055 years ago today, I walked into my home office and started a blog. I didn’t have any intention of keeping it going this long (besides my marriage, this blog is the longest commitment I have ever made!), but I am thrilled that I did. If it weren’t for Library Stuff I wouldn’t:
1) [...]
July Stats
August 4th, 2005Here are some July LS statistics with links to the most popular posts:
Total Sessions - 155,715
Total Pageviews - 283,482
Total Hits - 399,571
Average Sessions Per Day - 5,023.06
Average Pageviews Per Day - 9,144.58
Average Hits Per Day - 12,889.39
Here are the definitions for the above, according to Urchin:
+ Session: A series of Hits to your site over [...]
More Canada Governent RSS Feeds
August 4th, 2005Gary Price sends word that the Canadian Government has released yet another RSS Feed (they lead the pack, IMO). The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces now has a feed, available in English and French.
Blogging and Fair Use
August 4th, 2005There’s an article on copyright and blogging over at E-Commerce Times. Librarians should be extra sensitive to the concept as we deal with copyright issues alot. Take a look at the four questions posed by Kaye Scholer on fair use standards.
Writers Will Get Library Royalties
August 2nd, 2005I wonder how this would play out in the US.
“A new Government scheme will pay writers royalties every time their books are taken out of public libraries. The payments system will be introduced next year, bringing Ireland in line with a European directive. At the moment, writers are only paid once - when libraries buy [...]
Attention Censors
August 2nd, 2005In the recent issue of Bookslut, Coleen Mondor discusses the recent increase in censoring of YA books in school libraries :
“Writers who are drawn to the young adult age group know, however, that they are mining troubled waters, and that their stories have the difficult task of addressing the emotional turmoil of teenagers without collapsing [...]
Impact of RSS on Open-Access Journals
August 2nd, 2005Dave over at The Industrial Librarian theorizes how blogs and RSS may bring more publishers into the open-access foray:
“The increasing popularity of blogs and RSS feeds will drive an increase in open-access professional journal publishing and will force many traditional, print-based publishers to consider offering at least some form of electronic distribution. The reason being [...]
Tagging for Teachers
August 2nd, 2005A fantabulous idea from the guy who created Scuttle:
“ScuttlEDU is different in that it is designed to make tagging easier for educators. When you register for the service, you are asked to provide your grade level and subject area. When you add a bookmark, these two pieces of information become tags. You have the option [...]
Dave’s Anniversary
August 1st, 2005Dave King is celebrating an anniversary too. Happy Anniversary, Dave.
I see blog people [revised?]
August 1st, 2005T. Scott Plutchak, the editor of the Journal of the Medical Library Association has an editorial titled, I see blog people (wait, keep reading!). A few quotes:
“Blog software makes it very easy to post your library’s latest news—but is anyone reading it? Is this the best way, or even a good way, to share [...]
Anniversary Banner
August 1st, 2005It’s going to be a big week here at LS headquarters. On Friday, we celebrate the 5 year anniversary of publishing to Library Stuff. To get the celebration started, the wonderful people at ITI have put up a 5 year celebratory banner. Thanks guys.