Library Stuff

The indefatigable Peter Scott mentions that SAGE has announced that the TOC for their journals are now RSSified. While this is not “news” (we’ve seen some mention of this in the past), it’s still very cool.

Take a further look at one of their journals. Let’s look at Action Research. There are two feeds available here. One for the current issue and the other for recent issues. I had to think about why they would offer two feeds and after awhile, it hit me. If libraries want to display feeds on their web site, blogs, or catalogs, they have the choice for current TOC or recent TOC.

See, I think of RSS as stuff that only comes into my aggregator, not content that can be displayed. My brain doesn’t work that way sometimes. So, while this didn’t make sense to me right away, I’m now thinking that SAGE is ahead of many other publishers. Good on ya.

First, the Denver Public Library, now the Nicholson Memorial Library System joins in on the fun. Michael Sauers is apparently writing something up on the DPL initiative, so I look forward to that.

For more information on the NMLS downloads, see this article from the Dallas Business Journal.

The Youngest Podcaster?
Originally uploaded by stevenmcohen.

This afternoon, for no apparent reason, I signed up for Odeo. And then, for no apparent reason, I asked Hallie if she wanted to hear herself on the computer. She said yes, so I hooked her up to my headphones, asked her a few questions about school, her new baby brother who is coming in June, and (as Hallie says), Ta-Da!

http://www.odeo.com/channel/97910/view.

Her first podcast is a it ruffled, so bear with us as we perfect the media.

Garry Collum works at the Kenton Public Library where they not only have a site that says RSS at the bottom of their page, but a fantastic number of feeds. My favorite? The Newly Indexed Historical Newspaper Articles, which comes directly from their catalog.

Oh, they also have a blog.

In a post mainly about security issues, Thomas Brevik writes:

“The real issue here, apart form security, is that unless Library 2.0 involves all the various people who work in and around libraries it will fail from lack of support from the really important people. If the ICT-staff feels excluded from the discussion, I doubt that the technology part of Library 2.0 will ever lift off from the ground. Any library attempting to implement Library 2.0 without involving the expertise of the ICT-staff, support personell or any group (including users) have not understood the core concepts of openness, radical trust and communication that are the heart of Library 2.0.”

I’m seeing this in my research on community building. Getting buy-in from the major players in any initiative (online, offline, 2.0, 1.0, etc) is of major importance to the project. I recently read an article that said if you can’t get admin to buy-in, you might as well give up. To me, this is too fatalistic. Educating admin about new technologies is important. If they are not there yet, have a workshop, e-mail articles, be proactive. If you believe in your project, don’t give up.

Here’s an interesting piece of news from Business Week:

“A new scheme set to be announced in early April, dubbed the Caravan Project, calls for books to be delivered simultaneously in five formats — hardcover, digital, audio, print-on-demand, and by chapter. The initiative is the brainchild of Peter Osnos, a publishing veteran and founder of non-fiction imprint PublicAffairs. He figures that publishing’s ancient habits are holding it back, keeping it “some sort of relic to Gutenberg.”

I don’t remember where I heard about Playaway (I think it was from Brian Smith), but they seem useful for distributing audio books to users. The NYT has a piece on the company and the concept:

“Playaway’s MP3 players, about the size of a pack of cigarettes, each contain one unabridged audio book. Titles include “The Da Vinci Code” and “Anansi Boys,” with more on the way. The devices come with headphones and a triple-A battery. When you’re ready to listen, simply pull a protective tab to get the battery going.”

Update – Thanks Steve Lawson Newman for the URL fix.

It’s a social software day in my aggregator:

+ Blogspotting has a short piece on the benefits of social networking software in business. Remember, libraries are businesses and we should act like it.

+ The SF Chronicle has an article on safe social networking sites: “Concern over children being targeted by predators at online social networking sites or being able to access porn and other inappropriate materials through search engines has led to a demand for new laws and for more-secure, child-friendly networks. It prompted two companies, led by two moms, to create technologies for safer Web-surfing for kids.” (via)

The LOC has produced a report [PDF] on the changing nature of the library catalog. I took a glance at the TOC and did a big ol’ “File…..Print” (via)

I’m hosting the Carnival of the Infosiences next week. Send your submissions to stevenmcohen [at] gmail.com.

From my new favorite library blog ISHUSH, how to use a book: “Pick it up and feel of it. Turn it over in your hands. Thumb through it. Smell it, if you like. It’s an old fashioned “object”, but it’s still useful as hell.”

John Blyberg reviews Library Camp and writes: “Basically, I don’t think libraries will wither away to nothing if we don’t take advantage of emerging technologies and opportunities (the key being opportunity). I do think, however, that we run the risk of missing the boat and relegating ourselves to a myopic role in our communities that will be difficult to break out of if we don?t take advantage of emerging trends?that includes popular culture.” – I agree, with one caveat. I think it’s important for librarians just to know about emerging technologies, but implement them only if they see a need. Starting a technology initiative for the sake of being “cool” doesn’t cut it for me. Knowing, however, is half the battle. Great review John. It sounds like the Library Camp crew had a fun time in Ann Arbor.

Just a quick reminder that my SIRSI/DYNIX Institute is this Wednesday. The topic will be Libraries and Community Building.

I’ve just added a bunch of future presentations to the list on the right. They are close to home and not all to library groups.

Sabifoo – Post to your own customized page via IM. No signups. Easy as cake. Check out my page (or subscribe to the feed). I have IM open all day now so I can post quick notes here. No Skype integration.

I’m not a huge fan of press releases, but I love that the Palo Alto City Library put one out to tell users about their online databases. Good move. Now, let’s hope people use them!

I don’t know anything about Second Life, but I will following along with the development blog for Second Life Library.

A book forthcoming from Berkshire Publishing called “Heart of the Community: The Libraries We Love”. See the map of libraries included. (via)

From an article on ClickZ: “After searchers type in a brand-name query on a search engine, only 85 percent end up at that brand’s Web site, while the rest are diverted to competitor’s sites, comparison shopping engines and affiliates.” – This doesn’t surprise me at all, but I’m glad that they studied it. It should be noted that typing in a brand name in any search engine is NOT research. I’m just sayin.

Brooklyn Public Library is now offering e-videos online via OverDrive. (via)

Orangoo Spell Check – Yet another spell checker – Web 2.0 style.

I’ve been trying my hand at a different blogging technique (see the posts from this weekend) and I must say, I love it. Quick blurbs of content. More stuff for you to look at. I’d like for each one of the “posts” to have a separate permalink (working on that – very easy to do) and I think I’m going to do away with comments (also, very easy) so I can concentrate more on blogging. I’m working with a new blog software (the OPML Editor) and it does exactly what I need. We’ll see what happens.