ExtraLibris
May 22nd, 2006I had an interesting e-mail exchange with Moreno Barros today. Moreno is a library school student in Brazil and he had submitted his blog to the librarian list.
He told me about a library blogging network that he started with a few of his colleagues called ExtraLibris. Here is the translation he sent to me:
“ExtraLibris is an association that converges initiatives focusing on the dissemination and production of knowledge in Librarianship/Library Science and related areas, determined to stimulate studies, research, debate and critical thinking among its readers. We aim to contribute with a non-formal education focusing on diverse themes of interest, in search of professional excellence and a critical library community. The first step was to gather people to run free online publications. Right now we have four journals with independent editorial structure - Academical, Professional, Technology and Politics.”
Moreno is worried about the state of technology innovation in Brazil libraries. He writes in an e-mail:
“Having that in mind, a bunch of students started some initiatives…ExtraLibris being one of them, not forgetting to mention the BSF blog, which is turning 5 years old soon, and the Professional of Information Portal, managed by the student of a federal library school.”
Considering what Technorati announced today, the library profession in this country (US) should continue to seek out international collaborative partners. It would seem to me that library bloggers and those associated with any social software movement can get this going. Maybe IFLA can help bridge the gap between us. Or maybe we can do it ourselves.
In ExtraLibris, there are many bloggers who are trying to get their thoughts out, and we all need to listen. I’m going to add their blogs to the librarian list to start.