Library Stuff

The Web 2.0 drinking game is worth a read for a good giggle.

How about a Library 2.0 drinking game at Internet Librarian in Monterey this year. A few ideas. Take a shot whenever…

+ …Someone says, “Libraries should do this” when showing a Web 2.0 tool. I do this a lot.
+ …Stephen Abram says washroom instead of bathroom. You’ll be surprised how often this happens. Just hang out with him at the bar.
+ …Michael Stephens says “Hot”.
+ …A presenter shows screenshot of a library with a Flickr or MySpace. It’s going to happen alot.
+ …Jenny Levine says, “gets it”, when talking about a library or library organization does something very 2.0ish.
+ …I talk about my kids or show a picture of my kids. That’s going to happen alot!
+ …Someone complains about the wi-fi connection (two shots if someone takes a picture of the connection and posts it on Flickr. Three shots if someone else links to the picture on their blog. Four shot if…well, you know)
+ …Gary Price gets stressed out when he mentions Google.
+ …You see me with a drink in my hand.
+ …Someone says to you, “OMG! I Love your blog/wiki/RssFeed/FlickrPage/MySpacePage”
+ …Someone gives you a shot.

Any others?

It’s all in good fun. See you in Monterey.

The first issue of the Library Student Journal is out. Congrats UB!

Print out this article on librarians and search and make copies for the reference desk and public Internet stations. A few favorite quotes from two colleagues:

Gary Price: “”For some people, if the answer isn’t in the first few results it might as well not be there,” said Gary Price, founder and editor of the ResourceShelf blog and director of online resources at Ask.com. “No matter how smart and helpful search engines get, they’re never going to replace librarians.”

Sarah Houghton: “”The idea of the 1950s librarian, that’s outdated,” said Sarah Houghton-Jan, information Web services manager at the San Mateo County Library in Northern California. “You find people who are expert at searching the Web and using online tools; high-level information experts instead of someone who just stamps books at the checkout desk.”

See? Much better than picketing.

I really don’t think that picketing will solve the stereotyping issue. Maybe they should have invited the crew inside to show them what librarians really do.

Another missed educational opportunity. Will we ever learn?

A longtime friend and colleague, Marylaine Block (one of the first to link to LS!), sent me a note about the LJ Movers & Shakers for 2007:

“The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying the emerging leaders in the library world. Our sixth annual Movers & Shakers supplement will profile 50-plus up-and-coming individuals from across the United States and Canada who are innovative, creative, and making a difference. From librarians to vendors to others who work in the library field, Movers & Shakers 2007 will celebrate the new professionals who are moving our libraries ahead.”

Nominate the librarian (or library staff member) that wows you every day. In the past, many library bloggers have won this award, usually about 4 or 5 per year, which shows the power that blogs have in our profession. I love that.