In Missouri, school librarians need not apply for Teacher of the Year:
http://www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com/Articles-i-2009-10-02-166940.113118_School_Librarians_Need_Not_Apply.html

I am lucky to work in an academic setting where librarians are treated as professors - yes, we teach, and conduct research. I know it is not that way for everyone, unfortunately.

An Omaha-based group bought an ad in the Omaha World-Herald on Monday, proposing that all public libraries should be closed, since alternatives exist. They are garnering comments on their website as I write this: http://www.ideas4omaha.com/?p=324 .
Feel free to add your comment to the collection. This site might offer some great and wonderful discussion material for library school classes, too.
No one is certain about who is behind the site - the WHOIS registry information seems to be fictional.

New gadget - contact lens with LED capability - mentioned in this Wired article:
Digital Contacts will keep an eye on your vital signs
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/09/ar-contact-lens
This may give us yet another platform to promote our services/online catalogs/ejournal articles/ebooks... keep it in mind in your long long-range planning!

Recent decision on Fed's computer search activities may have impact for future library records seizures -
"Feds seizure of baseball players' drug tests ruled illegal" http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/26/steroids.ruling/index.html

Seems that the Feds had warrants and subpoenas for 10 players' database information, but they took 104 players-worth of drug test results.

To this non-lawyer librarian, it would follow that if the Feds were asking for records on a specific library patron, they had better not mess with the other patrons' information.

Example of a librarian's influence -
Librarian's Influence Remains With Jennifer Garner
http://www.dailymail.com/Entertainment/200908170940

May we all be remembered by those we serve.

Friday post - seen on yesterday's SFGate, the online home of the San Francisco Chronicle:

11 Things: Librarians not to mess with
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/19/NSTH197NOP.DTL

Which one fits you as a librarian? Or your coworkers? Happy Friday!

In case your library is planning new social media outlets to reach your audiences - this article may be of interest to you:

Healthcare providers plug into Facebook, Twitter, YouTube
http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/patient/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=219200127

Using social media to promote library services and resources is not without its drawbacks. And one recent event involved users when the target appears to be living in the Abkhazia region of Georgia:

Professor Main Target of Assault on Twitter
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/08/technology/internet/08twitter.html?hpw

From School Library Journal, August 1:
A 2.0 Toolkit: A hand-picked set of free Web programs to take to school this fall
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6674058.html?industryid=47061

The tools that Shonda Brisco writes about would serve any librarian well. They include: Animoto, Audacity, Delicious, Google Applications, Glogster, SlideShare, VoiceThread, Wikispaces, and Zamzar. Take a look at the article and check out these tools!

William H. Wisner asks us to "Restore the Noble Purpose of Libraries" in an Opinion piece in the July 17th edition of The Christian Science Monitor: http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0717/p09s01-coop.html . A reference librarian at the Laredo Community College, he is the author of "Whither the Postmodern Library?" , published in 2000.

Research And Markets announces this new report: "The Survey of American College Students: Student Library Research Practices & Skills" http://www.businesswire.com/news/google/20090706005565/en

Only 400 American college students were surveyed for this EURO 86 report - I ask any stats experts out there if this is a large enough group? Direct link to order the report, or to see more of the findings:

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/730011/the_survey_of_amer

The list of topics covered is extensive, and should offer some insight to those planning new programs:

Chapter One: Percentage Of Students Who Have Ever Been Required To Turn In A Paper Exceeding Approximately 10 Double Spaced Typed Pages In Length For Any Of Their Classes

Chapter Two: Percentage Of Information Needed To Complete Research Assignments That Comes From General Google, Yahoo And Other General Search Engine Searches

Chapter Three: Percentage Of Information Needed To Complete Research Assignments That Comes From Wikipedia Or Other Wickis

Chapter Four: Percentage Of Information Needed To Complete Research Assignments That Comes From Online Databases, E-Books Or Online Journals Offered Through Your College Library

Chapter Five: Percentage Of Information Needed To Complete Research Assignments That Comes From Books, Magazines Or Other Print Resources Offered Through Your College Library

Chapter Six: Percentage Of Information Needed To Complete Research Assignments That Comes From Other Sources Not Previously Cited

Chapter Seven: For The Last Research Assignment That You Received, How Did You Find Most Of The Information That You Needed?

Chapter Eight: Percentage Of Students That Within The Past Year Have Asked For Assistance From A Librarian In Finding Any Kind Of Information Resource Such As A Book, Database, Or Other Library Source

Chapter Nine: Which Statement Pretty Much Sums Up What Your Own Professors Tell You About Using The College Library

Chapter Ten: Percentage Of Students That Agree With The Following Statement: My College Library Helps Me Find The Information I Need For My Research Projects

Chapter Eleven: Percentage Of Students That Agree With The Following Statement: I Feel I Am Well Versed In What The Library Has To Offer And Can Use The Various Databases And Collections Easily Or Learn To Use Them Easily

Chapter Twelve: Percentage Of Students That Agree With The Following Statement: I Know How To Contact A Librarian Online When I Need Help

Chapter Thirteen: Percentage Of Students That Agree With The Following Statement: I Am Confident In My Ability To Research And Write A Research Paper For Most Of My Courses

Chapter Fourteen: Percentage Of Students That Agree With The Following Statement: I Know How To Prepare Reference

List Of Tables

A creative method to keep branch libraries open in Providence, RI -

City's Branch Libraries Go Their Own Way

http://www.projo.com/news/content/PROVIDENCE_LIBRARY_SYSTEM_07-01-09_K8ET0KM_v30.38ab2e9.html

If you want an argument for your next weeding venture, take a look at this blog:
Awful Library Books
http://awfullibrarybooks.wordpress.com/
I saw it mentioned on BoingBoing, and in this article on School Library Journal's site:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6666677.html?industryid=47078

Unfortunately, librarians already knew this:

How People Research Things (as seen on Graph Jam)
http://graphjam.com/2009/06/25/song-chart-memes-people-research/

Ray Bradbury is a fan of libraries:
Bradbury, Community Join Forces to Save Library [Ventura County Star]
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/jun/14/bradbury-community-join-forces-to-save-library/
The fundraising goals of the San Buenaventura Friends of the Library could offer a model for other library groups working to save their community libraries.

If your library is one of the rare ones that has open positions, where does privacy begin and end for your applicants? If you are in Boseman City, Montana, applicants for city positions are asked to give up their login information and passwords for social networks. This story showed up on BoingBoing today: Bozeman City job requirement raises privacy concerns
http://montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=10551414&nav=menu227_3

I expect to conduct myself accordingly online, in order to not bring embarrassment to my employer, my professional colleagues, or my family. (Crossing my fingers as I write that, actually.) I think the suggestion to solve the social network privacy issue is embedded in the article: the city should set up their own page on each network, and 'friend' any job applicants, so they would be able to view the pages that the people have created. But I think the city is being short-sighted in only seeking social network information. There are so many other places they could look to see someone's character. What about the backgrounds of all the people the person plays poker with each weekend or has coffee with down at the diner each morning? How about their tithing history at their church, or even if they belong to a church or not, and what type? Why not go into their genealogy, and see what skeletons live in the family history closet? Let's supeona their check-out list at the library, and even give them demerits if they don't have a library card. How about calling 3rd grade teachers to ask what their study habits were, if they tattled on their classmates, told falsehoods, and if they showed initiative?
As an academic librarian, I have done my level best to help the current generation of students (as well as my own children) to understand that what they put on social networks may come back to haunt them when it comes time to apply for a job. But I don't think that Bozeman City's method of inspecting the actual accounts on social networks in order to "ensure employees will protect the public trust" are that effective. For one thing, unless they have their skilled library staff hunting down the names of applicants, how will they know they have been told all of the digital goodies?
The most disturbing thing about all of this - when does a person get the chance to better themselves and overcome a possibly shady past? Are we all sentenced to be the person we were 20-10-5-1 year(s) ago forever? Really?
Update (6/22/09) the city has discontinued this practice: Bozeman to job seekers - we won't seek passwords http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10269770-38.html

Hospital Library Closes to Public, Goes Electronic
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2009/06/09/news/local/doc4a2dc49ab8929495705495.txt?show_comments=true#commentdiv

This article details the upcoming closing of the library at Rapid City Regional Hospital (South Dakota). I know the librarian from professional conferences, and she did everything 'they' tell us to do when facing a cut in library services. She is an outspoken advocate for access to information; she did any other job that was assigned to her (and some that she went out and tracked down); but after she served the hospital for 24 years, the hospital decided to cut the library anyway. They say they will have electronic resources available for their internal audience, but without a librarian to select appropriate resources, negotiate electronic licenses, remove network barriers and trouble-shoot broken links, I can't really call the pile of electronic url's a library. Take a look at the comments, and if you feel led to comment, make it stronger by keeping it focused and brief.
This story proves one thing - it doesn't matter how good a librarian you are (and Pat Hamilton is one of the very best!) - if the decision is to close you down, you get closed.

Update 6-15-09 - this story was featured in the Library Journal: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6665085.html

Libraries facing extinction? The weird world we live in at the moment has adminstrators and officials seeking to cut library operating budgets even more than they have been over the past 10 years, based on the bad economy. But the bad economy has thrifty customers coming in droves to the libraries, using the available services and looking for more. We are in the difficult position of turning away people that we have worked so hard to attract - which is why I call this a weird world. 

In this article about proposed Brooklyn Public Library cuts

there is a great quote that should be spread far and wide to all those in power over budgets, be they be public, private, health, special, education, or academic libraries:

"“Mayor LaGuardia kept libraries open seven days a week during the Great Depression,” [Brooklyn Councilman Vincent] Gentile noted at a recent Community Board 10 meeting. “The more the economy gets worse, the more important the libraries become.”"

Librarians in danger of extinction? A couple of items found on the web today:

A great Opinion post at the Toledo Blade: Who Needs Librarians Anyway?

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090516/OPINION03/905160356/-1/OPINION

Librarians Set To Be Stamped Out? (Camden News, UK)

http://www.thecnj.co.uk/camden/2009/051409/news051409_11.html

the author describes the makeover of the library, using technology to save money:

"It will involve the introduction of a service known as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), replacing front-counters with self-service machines like those kind already seen in supermarkets. 

Meanwhile, “information plinths” will allow library users to approach a member of staff for help."

According to the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, 2nd ed., a plinth is "2. a square base or a lower block, as of a pedestal" In my opinion, it sounds great to put all librarians on a pedestal, but I am not sure it leads to the best customer service in the end. 

Article on Wolfram Alpha on Reuters this morning:

Wolfram Alpha Up Today

http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS155624853320090518

Follow-up to the WolframAlpha story on the 13th - WolframAlpha computational knowledge engine is now live:
http://www.wolframalpha.com/

Wondering what you should put in your library's blog in order to best reach your customers and help them find more use in your collection? Here is a great example of how a promotion company is educating & entertaining their customer base:

The Giveaways Guru 

http://blog.branders.com/

Take a look at it, and see how your library could use this media format to reach new and existing readers.

(p.s.: I have used this company, and have found it to be a very good source of our library marketing materials. This is an unsolicited comment, by the way - just hoping it helps you if you are looking for a reliable company. -th)

Search engines are in the news this morning.

Here is a link to an article on the expected launch of a new search engine: Wolfram Alpha by Mathematica: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346226,00.asp

Homepage for Wolfram Alpha: http://www.wolframalpha.com/index.html . 

The current message on the site says that it will be launching this month.

Google is launching a new set of search tools that a poster on ZDNet's Education site says might be the edge of Search 3.0: http://education.zdnet.com/?p=2543

Here is an article in PC that gives more description of the Google tools:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346964,00.asp

Libraries are still facing tough times - since the Internet came up, I think libraries have faced tough times each year, bucking the perception by those that make budgetary decisions that information is just floating around, free for the taking. Now the "bad economy" is the underlying reason for cutting library budgets. (I didn't really see a great increase in budgets when it was a "good economy", though.)

Two recent stories define the latest "tough times":

1) Don't Rip Up Your Library Card Just Yet, by Jeff Ackerman, in Grass Valley, CA's The Union:

http://www.theunion.com/article/20090512/NEWS/905119964/1024/NONE&parentprofile=1056 

I like a quote in this editorial: "Jails never need to have bake sales to raise money."

2)I just learned that the librarian in the Rapid City Regional Hospital in South Dakota is being 'let go', and asked to create an unmanned digital library before they leave. The librarian is one of the hardest working librarians that I have ever met - taking on new and varied jobs within the health care center; promoting the specific time-saving and patient care-improving information services; eagerly seeking professional education opportunities to keep up with the changing library environment; and delivering on promises made. This health care center example joins the Wall Street Journal and EPA libraries example in causing chills for any librarian anywhere: it doesn't matter how good you are, or how hard you work to be all you can be to the team - city administration, college administration, hospital administration - your library or your position can be eliminated. 

They say we are due for Internet brownouts next year:

Beware surfers: cyberspace is filling up

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6169488.ece

And by 2012, the "traffic jam could last all day long."

In our library, we have planned for tornado, earthquake, pandemic, and other interruptions to our services, but we haven't planned for "no more Internet." Since more and more of our information resources are through online vendors, is it time to renew my CDL and become a trucker again? Is there a future for our method of reference and information delivery if the Net slows down to a crawl? (I would rather not relive the dial-up modem days, thank you.)

Managing digital information: the issues for libraries
http://www.iwr.co.uk/information-world-review/features/2241165/managing-digital-information
This article in Information World Review gives a world viewpoint on the issues surrounding managing and preserving digital content.

Saying Yes to No - Greg Cootsona, author of the book "Saying Yes to No", posted a guest blog at CNBC that I thought would be of interest to my fellow stressed out librarians:

The Urgency of Strategic Breaks
http://www.cnbc.com/id/29636690/

from the post: "The match in front of us is urgent, but there is nothing more urgent than strategic breaks. Because when we rest, we can go deep. And we need to dig down when the match gets tough. It’s at the depths that we find creativity and innovation. When we want a new insight on the pitch we’re about to make, the speech we want to write, or managing that challenging employee, we need to move into the deeper functions of our brain. When we are constantly pushing ourselves, it’s simply impossible to do our best work."

I wish you the best strategic break ever - boy, do we all need one!

In case your library is following the swine flu news:

HealthMap is a good site - it is a global disease alert map
http://www.healthmap.org/en

It also has a Twitter account which includes alerts and other useful links to news/resources:
http://twitter.com/healthmap

If restaurants can use Twitter to tempt diners
(according to this Reuters news item: http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE53I11Z20090420 ),
why not libraries?
A quote from the story gives a warning for already over-worked library staff who are considering adding this duty to their list:

"It does take time and effort and care and feeding," said Chris Brogan, president of New Marketing Labs, a new media marketing company. "If you go silent it shows. It's like not answering the phone."

The United Nations World Digital Library has launched:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/20/AR2009042001324.html?hpid=moreheadlines

This library, located at http://www.wdl.org/en/, currently has 1180 items from 8000 b.c. to present day from the world's cultures. 

This site promises to continue growing - keep checking back to see what else has been added. 

In addition to taking part in a Web 2.0 class, I recently created an online class for public librarians covering consumer health information:

Consumer health information resource service [CHIRS] & Go Local Nebraska

http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/scripts/training/eventshow.asp?ProgID=8982

CHIRS will be 25 years old in 2010, and is a fantastic resource for the citizens of Nebraska and their loved ones. If your state is considering expanding their consumer health information services, give the McGoogan Library a call to find out how to do it right. As far as I have been able to determine, Nebraska is the only state that offers full consumer health information service to EVERY citizen in the state. (If you know of another state, please drop me a comment -th)

The Go Local Nebraska directory is part of the national project to connect each state's health services contact information to the National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus.

Librarian was among victims of New York massacre: 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2009/apr/10/new-york-classroom-shooting-victim-story

see more Political Pictures

News in Information Today's Weekly News Digest from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL):
ACRL Issues New Strategic Thinking Guide for Academic Librarians [in the new economy]
http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/wndReader.asp?ArticleId=53121

Here is a direct link to the 9 page Guide:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/future/acrlguide09.pdf

Article in the BMJ: Google Needs Better Control of Its Advertisements and Suggested Links http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/338/mar18_1/b1083

The authors discuss the need for Google to strengthen its filters to better match ads to search terms.

If you have ever experienced searches on Google displaying inappropriate ads, please submit your comment as a Rapid Response to BMJ.

My personal aside - our job as librarians to teach our customers to be better human filters of the Internet is not over, not by a long shot.

We librarians don't get old and stagnate - we keep instructing others using the new technology, as this CNN news article illustrates:

Woman, 67, braves job search with online posse

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/03/19/online.job.search.older/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Go, Ms. Lindsay, Go! 

Can one stop customers from using web 2.0 technology to rate services? There are some doctors that are trying to do this:
Docs Seek Gag Orders To Stop Patients' Reviews
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090304/ap_on_hi_te/med_gagging_patients

I view ratings in Amazon when I am considering purchases of appliances, for example - but only for consideration, not as the final word. Personally, I don't trust rating sites, doctor or otherwise. Ratings can be skewed. Those that rate may have the best intentions, or they could be working for the competition, or simply be humans with a grudge. Maybe if the AMA and the AOA would develop an official site that showed evaluative material for physicians, the customer-driven sites would fade into the background.

What would our profession think of a new library/librarian rating site? If ALA and the Medical Library Association came up with rating sites for our customers to check out our scores, how would we deal with that professionally and personally? (note: academic librarians may already be rated on sites like http://ratemyprofessors.com)

Op-ed piece on value of academic libraries in March 4th edition of The Seattle Times:
Academic Libraries Foster Key Skills In Next Generation
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008812914_opinc05libraries.html

(as seen on the academicpr.ala.org mailing list-th)

Scholarly Communication 101 - a 2009 ACRL roadshow

CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is taking scholarly communication on the road in 2009 with “Scholarly Communication 101: Starting with the Basics.” Recognizing that scholarly communication issues are central to the work of all academic librarians and all types of institutions, ACRL is pleased to offer this free three-hour workshop to libraries across the country. Complete details on “Scholarly Communication 101: Starting with the Basics” are available on the ACRL Web site at http://acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/scholarlycomm/roadshow.cfm.

Led by two expert presenters, this structured interactive overview of the scholarly communication system highlights individual or institutional strategic planning and action. Four modules focus on new methods of scholarly publishing and communication, copyright and intellectual property, economics and open access. As a result of the workshop, participants will understand scholarly communication as a system to manage the results of research and scholarly inquiry, enumerate new modes and models of scholarly communication and select and cite key principles, facts and messages relevant to current or nascent scholarly communication plans and programs at their institutions. “Scholarly Communication 101” is appropriate for those with new leadership assignments in scholarly communication as well as liaisons and others who are interested in the issues and need foundational understanding.

Institutions interested in hosting “Scholarly Communication 101” should apply by Monday, April 13. Hosts must partner with, and invite staff from, at least one other institution. The ACRL Scholarly Communication Committee will review applications and select several locations for the workshop, based on the number of requests and capacity. The committee will aim for geographic diversity and notify applicants of their status by Friday, April 24.

The application form and complete details, including additional qualifications and hosting responsibilities, are available on the ACRL Web site at http://acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/scholarlycomm/roadshow.cfm.

##
ACRL is a division of the American Library Association, representing more than 13,000 academic and research librarians and interested individuals. ACRL is the only individual membership organization in North America that develops programs, products and services to meet the unique needs of academic and research librarians. Its initiatives enable the higher education community to understand the role that academic libraries play in the teaching, learning and research environments.

Check out this post on BoingBoing about the proposed H.R.801 by Rep. Conyers, which would allow publishers to charge for access to taxpayer-supported research:
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/03/proposal-to-allow-pu.html
The comments appear to include librarians, scientists, and a publisher.

I have added a widget from Open Congress on the right side of this blog so you can track the status of the bill.

The Dartmouth public library board is the latest group discussing if they should outsource their library. They began considering privatization back last August:

Library Board discusses privatization

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20080806/PUB02/808060412

Here are some recent op/ed pieces about the planning:

Library professional speaks out on possible library privatization

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20090128/PUB02/901280372

Private library may cost more, deliver less

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090131/OPINION/901310318

No "white knight" for our libraries

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20090218/OPINION/902180330

Bring facts to discussion of outsourcing

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090302/OPINION/903020309/-1/TOWN1001

And if you wish to see other posts in this blog about outsourcing, here is a link that should show them:

http://libeducation.blogspot.com/search?q=outsource

In the Library 2.0 world, it may not serve you well to appear like you are having fun while learning about new technologies that you teach to your customers... Here is a story from Nebraska on an audit that has been called based upon a YouTube video of state library employees assembling a Rock Band video game -

http://www.action3news.com/Global/story.asp?S=9900719&nav=menu550_2

Link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I84RvK7LuE

Link to the Nebraska Library Commission response: http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/blogs/NLC/2009/02/commission_response_to_state_auditors_report.html

And here is the grant application at ALA for the "Libraries, Literacy, and Gaming" program, intended to support literacy development in young people ages 10-18, due March 20th:
http://librarygamingtoolkit.org/rfp/

[Posted here as part of my continuing education participation requirements for the Library 2.0 class.-th]

Under the category of Challenge - the public library board in Topeka, KS, has voted to restrict 4 books on sex based on a challenge from the community:
From the International Herald Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/20/america/NA-US-Library-Sex-Books.php

Another news story on this event, with responses from the library community:
Library Peers Dismayed at Board's Decision
http://www.cjonline.com/stories/022109/kan_396302566.shtml

And on the Topeka ABC affiliate's web page, a local lawyer says that the ACLU may become involved. Check out the poll at the bottom of the page - it is currently ahead on "Yes, children must be protected from exposure to certain books" http://www.ktka.com/news/2009/feb/20/local_attorney_people_want_legal_action_against_li/

This week's assignment in the Library 2.0 class is to explore del.icio.us, the social bookmarking site. Since I am not one to use the bookmark feature on my browser, I was highly skeptical about the usefulness of this site. After exploring it, however, I can see some instances where it would be useful as a sharing tool for bookmarks in the library setting.

My account address is: http://delicious.com/biblioteks . I added the websites from the ABCs of DNA class that I took last Friday - I figured those would be useful to others, and I wanted to see if this would be a suitable sharing tool. I had to enter each url separately - too bad there doesn't seem to be a 'bulk upload' tool like Flickr has for photos! Since I was entering them off of a PowerPoint presentation handout, I would have liked to upload them all and sort out the tags later.

I also noticed that I can't put this set of bookmarks into their own category on the page - it appears that they will just be listed with all future bookmarks by 'most recently added', or 'alphabetically'. In the early days of browsers, one could at least create headers within the list of bookmarks (not sure if that is still the case - I really don't use the bookmark feature anymore). I will go back and add the class title to the tags so I can search and find/share the set that way.

It was interesting to see how few people had our library homepage included in their account. We have talked about adding a 'share this' feature on our web pages in the next generation of our web site - this may increase the number of folks that include our link.

After starting up the account, I will take some time during the rest of the week to check out other folks' list of links. I will also check to see what sort of archiving is available for users' accounts, after the crash last week of another bookmarking site.

Back it up - back it up - back it up. That rule holds for Library 2.0 tools as well. I know we are going to talk later in the class about social bookmarking, but I saw a story on SlashDot about Ma.gnolia, and how its users have lost their bookmark lists forever:

http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2009/02/19/magnolia-data-is-gone-for-good/

I have over 580 posts on this nearly 6 year old blog, and am looking for a method to archive the posts for my own use. Let me know if you can recommend an archiving method for a blog, so I don't have to depend on Google to hold my history. Thanks!

Not sure if this falls into the Challenge or Controversial category, but submitting it here for your consideration - yesterday's edition of The Telegraph has a story about British libraries responding to requests to place religious books on the top shelf:

Bible moved to library top shelf over inequality fears
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/4687077/Bible-put-on-top-shelf-in-move-to-appease-Muslims.html

[Note that the title of the article is different from the title of the link-hmmm. -th]

New document from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council in the UK:
Guidance on the Management of Controversial Material in Public Libraries
The link to the full document is on this announcement page:
http://www.resourceshelf.com/2009/02/19/uk-guidance-on-the-management-of-controversial-material-in-public-libraries/

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals [CILIP] has endorsed the document, and has developed a free training course they will deliver in 6 locations: http://www.cilip.org.uk/training/training/controversialstock_CILIPTrainingDevelopmentMLA.htm

ALA has links on its site pertaining to Challenges:
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols/statementspolicies.cfm#challenges
and workbooks to develop selection policy, as in this example: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/challengesupport/dealing/ALA_print_layout_1_231032_231032.cfm

Blogger has created a great set of YouTube videos on how to get more out of your blog experience, easily located on their channel here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BloggerHelp
This could be a great example for libraries to follow to create their set of support videos.

The McGoogan Library of Medicine has a wonderful set of support Flash videos, thanks to Heather Brown, MA, (she is now head of the ILL department) posted on our website:
http://www.unmc.edu/library/guides/index.html

I hope to learn in the Library 2.0 class if these are suitable to post on YouTube on the library's channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/UNMCLibrary
(I have embedded the channel on the right side of this blog for purposes and duration of the Library 2.0 class.)

For those of us in the NNLM 13 things online class, and dedicated library bloggers everywhere - the comic strip Non Sequitur may have us in mind. Check out Wednesday, February 18's comic at this site:
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/nonsequitur

I don't think any of us are ready for Bloggers Anonymous yet, or are we?? Let's blog about that...

To add to your library advocacy file:

A great story about the value of school librarians in the New York Times:
In Web Age, Library Job Gets Update
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/books/16libr.html?ref=technology

There is a good video on the 21st Century Librarian embedded in the article as well, following the story.

Naturally, don't miss the comments section at the end of the story:
http://community.nytimes.com/article/comments/2009/02/16/books/16libr.html

Also, Illinois has found an unusual method to fund libraries and library programs. They are issuing a special edition license plate with President Obama's image on it:
Obama Temporary License Plates Newest Collectors Item
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/02/obama_license_plate.html

Join me during the next 10 weeks as I work through this online class with fellow life-long learners across the United States (and other nations?): "Learning 2.0, or 13 Things to explore and learn about Web 2.0 tools"
http://nnlm-l2.blogspot.com/

I will be posting my homework comments to this blog, and linking to my classmates' blogs to showcase their comments, in addition to my usual postings about the library world in general. I hope you gain new insight on how you can use technology to aid your own lifelong learning. and maybe some tips that you can use in your library.

I welcome my classmates who may be new readers to this blog, and remind all readers that I enjoy receiving comments. (Of course, all comments to this blog are moderated, meaning they are read first before posting to the blog.) I look forward to much sharing of opinions and facts in future postings.

CDC has added African American media resources to its online newsroom:

http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/a090204.htm?s_cid=mediarel_a090204.htm_x

Here is a direct link to the new media resource page:

http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/resources/aaresource.htm

Please share this information resource with your community's media outlets. This gives you the opportunity to be viewed as a "source" for them - capitalize on it!

My mom in Missouri called me and said she had just read a great set of
essays in the March Woman's Day magazine on how libraries helped people with health issues, and that one of the essays mentioned an National Library of Medicine librarian in Colorado
(but not by name). I checked, and verified that the author of the essay
had been taught by Dana Abbey, the NNLM-MCR Consumer Health Liaison for
our region. Congratulations Dana on the international coverage for your
work! As a fellow educator, I always hope that what I teach sticks - you
now know for certain that you made a difference in another individual's
life. Well done.

I also learned that this story is part of an eight-year partnership with
ALA's "Campaign for America's Libraries". I congratulate all of our public
libraries on their work with their communities - you make a huge
difference, and it is wonderful that a professional organization like ALA
helps spread that message. Your very important work with your community
members impacts my academic and medical center audience as well. Thank you
for a job well done. I look forward to the next installment - how
libraries have helped individuals with finance issues.

Here is a link to the ALA press release:
http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/february2009/campaignwdhealth.cfm

and a link to the original Woman's Day article:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/publicawareness/campaign@yourlibrary/sponsorship/womansdaymagazine/health%20article.pdf

[message above originally sent out to the MCMLA discussion list on 11 Feb 09-th]

Article from Reuters on new recommendations that drug companies and doctors keep a bigger distance from each other: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5130ZZ20090204?sp=true .
What about the relationship between librarians, library associations, and publishers? What if we didn't have publishers' support for our conferences? Could be that our relationship with publishers is different than doctors with drug companies - for one thing, librarians aren't paid individually by publishers to 'push' their product to patrons. And in our case, when one is sitting at a conference lunch and receiving a gift from a publisher, usually libraries are the ones that paid the money to cover the bill - not the ones we serve.

Good news: ALA announces one-year reprieve from the Anti-Lead Law:
http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2009/January2009/leadlawstayed.cfm

(Thanks to Siobhan Champ-Blackwell for this news update.-th)

Broadband is mentioned in the stimulus bill. One explanation of what is included can be found in Yochai Benkler's article on the TPMcafe: http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/01/30/broadband_stimulus/

I can see possible roles for community librarians if the Senate version is passed:
"The Senate bill is also the first serious effort to invest in skills training and connecting the availability of physical infrastructure to programs to teach people how to use the systems. An incredibly important, and oft ignored, facet of the problem. "

(I found this article through BoingBoing: http://www.boingboing.net/2009/02/03/broadband-stimulus-p.html)

Of interest to smaller libraries:
Need help with handling your billing duties (overdues, Interlibrary Loans)? I just learned of this online service: FreshBooks http://www.freshbooks.com/tour.php?ref=631
They even send the invoices to your patrons - no more stuffing envelopes!

Great Britain proposes universal broadband - story from Reuters:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE50S35W20090129

After my tour of the great state of Nebraska a couple of years ago to visit public libraries across the state,
http://www.unmc.edu/apps/library/travelog/log.cfm
I came back impressed by the towns we visited, and saying that broadband should be deployed to rural areas just like they did the Rural Electrification Administration. People would still be hand-milking cows by lantern-light and using foot-pedaled sewing machines if that system hadn't come into being - no corporation was willing to pay for the extra costs to get electricity to rural areas. Currently, we have 60 million Americans living rural - they should have broadband to quickly access information and possibly to use to make a living right where they reside. There is good living to be done in rural areas - you shouldn't have to move to an urban area just to ditch the modem (or possibly to get Internet access at all).

C'mon, President Obama, sir - would you suggest that the United States also go for universal broadband? Think of the jobs that would be created, and the millions of citizens that would benefit from such a project! I know that the stimulus plan includes improving roads and bridges - this is also a road/bridge that needs improving. I would hope that somewhere in the hundreds of billions, there is room to include this project.

Before the 'net crashes due to the increased video load as we all try to see the history-making inauguration today, I wanted to post these positive news items about the value of libraries in this economy:
From the Wall Street Journal: Folks Are Flocking to the Library, a Cozy Place to Look for a Job
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123197709459483585.html

and from CNBC, a commentary about the article above: Unlikely Destination For The Successful Job Searcher http://www.cnbc.com/id/28751365 The really great take-away from this article: the author's company, Vault.com is "joining forces to provide free career coaching, research support, and information sessions next week at the library. " Are there any new partnerships you can create with your library's customers or higher-ups? Public libraries could join with the city/county administration... academic libraries could join with campus career centers - the possibilities are enormous, and benefits likewise.

I am proud to say that I have used the library while searching for every job I have ever had, way back to 1977, when I applied for a newspaper delivery job...

Is your library still considering adding social networking links to the services and/or collection? Does the committee in charge of looking at this new level of marketing/service wonder if there will be any patrons to use it after the hard work is done? Take a look at this new Pew Internet & American Life Project report: Adults and Social Networking
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/272/report_display.asp
Creating a MySpace or Facebook site for your library might not seem such a far-fetched idea, now.

"Audience development officer" That could be the new official title instead of "librarian" in Edinburgh, Scotland:
http://news.scotsman.com/edinburghcouncil/Strike-threat-as-librarian-title.4865123.jp

Take a look at the comments listed at the bottom of the story - patrons are patrons the world around.

Like your eyes haven't rolled enough today... here is a story about how the new law intended to keep lead out of children's toys may result in kids being barred from the library:

Congress bans kids from libraries?
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/74940-Congress-bans-kids-from-libraries/

Our library, at a medical university setting, could end up posting a sign saying no one allowed if aged 12 or under. None of our books are intended for children's use, but kids have come in here with parents before. Can't say as I know of ANY book chewing incident by humans or animals, though.

Maybe you could get city leaders or your academic faculty involved in your library before they start talking about cuts or outsourcing:
from Vineland, NJ, comes a story about an "adopt a shelf" volunteer program. Volunteers are being sought to do shelf-reading once a week:
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20081230/NEWS01/81230003

If you could get the leaders that are responsible for your library's budget involved, maybe they would see the value on the shelves and overhear the good work that the librarians do every day. Maybe you could take it one step further - name a range of shelves for each of your leaders, and highlight the contents in your next newsletter. Example: "On the Mayor's shelf this week, we have added ... to the already stellar collection of ..."
Feed that pride of ownership, folks!

Outsourcing/privatizing libraries again - only this time, in order to keep the buildings open without library service. Philadelphia mayor is planning to close 11 libraries to save money - but isn't stopping with closing the doors. He says the buildings will be turned into public centers that will be leased to new operators. Materials and computer access will stay, but librarians aren't promised in the new scheme.
From USAToday - http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/12/philly-to-close.html
From AP - http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ilv_H8ecm3B1EC1nnfnvLVpBqmcAD95CVKH00

No matter what type of library you work in or use - is your library next?

Here is a grant opportunity for your library:
For the sixth consecutive year, CyberAlert, Inc. (www.cyberalert.com) the online media monitoring company, will award a minimum of 15 public relations grants to not-for-profit organizations. Each grant consists of one full year of free news monitoring / press clipping services, ranging in value from $2,700 to $3,900. In the previous five years, CyberAlert has awarded 102 grants to not-for-profit organizations, including 29 grants in 2008, with a aggregated value of over $275,000. Here's the list of 2008 grant recipients.
All not-for-profit, educational and charitable organizations in the United States and Canada are eligible to apply for the grants, except previous grant recipients. CyberAlert is accepting grant applications until December 31 and will announce the grant recipients in January. More information and a simple and secure grant application is available online at https://secure.cyberalert.com/grants.html.
CyberAlert also offers a 14-day f.r.e.e. trial of its media monitoring services to public relations, marketing and other communications professionals in corporations, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. You can access the trial through an easy-to-complete secure online form at https://secure.cyberalert.com/ftorder_mmn.html. No credit card information is required or requested.
Contact:
CyberAlert, Inc.
Stratford, CT 06615
800-461-7353 X101
Nobody monitors the media better

A new blog for near-daily tech tips for librarians, currently authored by Michael Sauers of the Nebraska Library Commission, and joined by Janice Boyer, Linda Francois, Jean, Linda Parker, and Karin Dalziel:

ITART - Information Technology and Access Round Table
http://www.nebraskalibraries.org/ITART/

Massachusetts has announced that its libraries will serve as disaster recovery centers:
http://mblc.state.ma.us/mblc/news/releases/past-releases/2008/nr081107.php

I saw this mentioned on a new discussion list for librarians: DISASTR-OUTREACH-LIB.
You can check out the archives and join the list at this page: https://list.nih.gov/archives/disastr-outreach-lib.html

Very interesting library/librarian advocacy article. Please share this article and its accompanying report with current, future medical librarians, and library students of all types - our profession is still vital to health care and the world in general, folks. While you are sending messages out to fellow librarians and librarians-to-be, add policy makers to your Send list - those that hold the keys to resources should read this, too:

Librarians set to be NHS cure: Librarians have been put at the heart of an evidence-based NHS
by Laura Smith
http://www.whatpc.co.uk/information-world-review/features/2227780/librarians-set-nhs-cure-4246209

This is the link to the March report the article above refers to:
http://www.library.nhs.uk/rss/newsAndRssArticle.aspx?uri=http%3a%2f%2fwww.library.nhs.uk%2fresources%2f%3fid%3d281336

I sent both links to Carla Funk, Executive Director of the Medical Library Association, who quickly responded with the following good news about all of the advocacy efforts conducted by the Association (reprinted here with permission):

" MLA is working on advocacy for our members and their roles, most notably right now through the Vital Pathways Project http://www.mlanet.org/resources/vital/. I think I just received information about Sir Muir Gray who's cited in the paper from the group yesterday and his work in bringing NHS library services to their current position. There are certainly comparisons that can be made between UK and US medical librarians, particularly in the dedication to supporting evidence-based medicine, the importance of lifelong learning, and the importance of being part of the health care team. MLA has had several initiatives in this regard including the informationist, supporting research on the value of the medical librarian, and disseminating a variety of advocacy tools to help librarians promote their value. We continue to work closely with NLM on projects, included our current project of exploring and promoting the librarians' role in health information literacy.
I am going to pass these documents on to the Vital Pathways group as additional resource documents for their work. Thanks again.

Carla J. Funk, MLS, MBA, CAE
Executive Director
Medical Library Association"

Many thanks to Ms. Funk and all of the medical librarian professionals who are working hard to remind and inform others about the worth of librarians and libraries!

"I Love My Librarian" award is now taking nominations - go to http://www.ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian/home.cfm and nominate your favorite librarian!

From the site:

"Librarians in our nation’s 123,000 libraries make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans every day. Now is your chance to tell us why we should shine the spotlight on a librarian at your public, school, college, community college or university library. Nominate your librarian for the Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award!

Up to ten librarians will be honored. Each will receive $5,000 and be recognized at an awards ceremony hosted by The New York Times at TheTimesCenter in December 2008."

Now THIS is one event that I hope they get Oprah to visit! Deadline for nominations is October 15, so hurry. If you don't nominate that deserving librarian, who will?? Here's your chance!

From Mashable: Hakia Semantic Search Taps Librarians for More Credible Results
http://mashable.com/2008/10/06/hakia-librarians/
The post says that Hakia is working with the Medical Library Association. I saw that they list the consumer sites recommended by MLA on their HClub page. There is also a link for librarians to suggest credible sites on their HClub page http://club.hakia.com/lib/.

Librarians and libraries in the news:

Smith College had an Alumnae Panel yesterday on: Why Librarian is Among Best Careers
http://www.smith.edu/news/2008-09/librarians-015.php

Students Go to Court Over Library Policy http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/10/117_32129.html - Students at the University of Seoul have been leaving their belongings to 'save' their seats in the library. The University decided to ban the practice by suspending offending students from entering the facility for up to 30 days. A student has filed a lawsuit against the University.

Librarian: No Typical Day http://www.pioneerlocal.com/oakpark/news/1194278,op-librarian-100108-s1.article - a short article on why a librarian became a librarian. [An aside - this Internet news site demonstrates one of my major pet peeves - you can't tell where the news is from just by looking at the page. I think it is from Oak Park, IL, but not sure. Wonder why the newspapers hide their locations on the Internet?-th]

The Librarian Specializes in Terrorism and Extremism http://media-newswire.com/release_1074863.html - a librarian at Texas A&M is a professor and author on terrorism.

The $900.000 Librarian http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2008/10/01/collecting-auctions-art-forbeslife-cx_nw_1001librarian.html - no, this isn't an article about a lottery win, but a photograph that was recently sold for over $900k, showing the photographer/model posing as a librarian next to shelves.

Electronic Arts' Cellphone Librarian http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/10/electronics-art.html - story about the job of managing 15,000 cell phones that are used by employees at this company.

Westmoreland Libraries Finding Creative Ways to Raise Funds http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/westmoreland/s_591106.html - library in Pennsylvania (?) discussing creative ways to raise money and promote their services.

A new CLIR report -
No Brief Candle: Reconceiving Research Libraries for the 21st Century
http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub142/contents.html
[seen on LibGig -th]

Contents

Foreword

Conference Participants

Part I: A Continuing Discussion on Research Libraries in the 21st Century

Introduction
Prologue to a Fundamental Rethinking: Context and Topic Threads
Reconceiving the Library: A Vision for the 21st Century
Challenges and Constraints
Recommendations

Part II: Essays

The Research Library in the 21st Century: Collecting, Preserving, and Making Accessible Resources for Scholarship, by Abby Smith

The Future of the Library in the Research University, by Paul N. Courant

Co-teaching: The Library and Me, by Stephen G. Nichols

The Role of the Library in 21st Century Scholarly Publishing, by Kate Wittenberg

A New Value Equation Challenge: The Emergence of eResearch and Roles for Research Libraries, by Richard E. Luce

Accelerating Learning and Discovery: Refining the Role of Academic Librarians, by Andrew Dillon

Groundskeepers, Gatekeepers, and Guides: How to Change Faculty Perceptions of Librarians and Ensure the Future of the Research Library, by Daphnée Rentfrow

Leveraging Digital Technologies in Service to Culture and Society: The Role of Libraries as Collaborators, by Lee L. Zia

A quote referencing librarians from a fellow Omahan:
"If past history was all there was to the game, the richest people would be librarians."
Warren Buffet
Happy Belated Birthday, Mr. Buffet. His 78th birthday was yesterday. More about him at the North Platte Bulletin site: http://www.northplattebulletin.com/index.asp?show=news&action=readStory&storyID=15025&pageID=6&sectionID=5

Robots are not just on their way - they are here and gainfully employed. Two stories from California I saw recently on Google News:

About a robot doctor -
Interactive tool can make rounds
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20080815-9999-1m15robodoc.html


About a robot librarian -
First 'robotic rural librarian' will dispense books anytime
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1179682.html

Update on how libraries handle law enforcement attempts at seizing public computers. Just saw this article from the middle of July:
Library confrontation points up privacy dilemma
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gkUL0PQ5iLMW7yLj_sBdm3dbK1ewD9212FL00

You could share both of these articles with staff as case studies, and start discussion about how your library policies dictate that you handle such technology requests.

Compare and contrast the following news items that involve libraries. These articles were next to each other in my weekly search for news on libraries in Google News.

First:
'Libraries on borrowed time', from Camden in the UK: http://www.thecnj.co.uk/camden/2008/080708/news080708_11.html. A member of the Camden Public Library Users Group (CPLUG) has been worried that the number of books held in the libraries has declined. "Since 1999, Camden has reduced its books stock by 200,000 books which is “effectively closing five libraries by stealth,” according to retired engineer Mr Templeton, 70.
He added: “We did hope a change of regime at the Town Hall would have an effect, but it didn’t." (There is a comment section at the bottom of that article - please do comment.)

Now these two articles:
1. Libraries step into the age of iPod http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0729441420080807 . Reporting on the changing programs in libraries today, the article refers to one in Phoenix: "In Phoenix, for instance, branches have banded together to create a digital library that currently has about 50,000 titles of e-books, audiobooks, music and videos that can be "checked out" from anywhere." Tom Gemberling, the electronic resources librarian, reported on a recent audience reaction when he presented to a group of senior citizen RVers: "They were cheering and screaming by the end," he said. "They were so excited. They're RVers, so they can go anywhere on the road, find a computer, go into the Phoenix Public Library catalogue, download a book and play it while they drive down the highway."

2. Libraries shelve old ways http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=a8089d89-9eaa-4c08-8638-7f0fb0d0a665. A story in the Montreal Gazette covers the Navigating with Youth Conference for librarians. An excerpt of the article: "As libraries across the country try to reach out to people more at ease using search engines than hunting along bookshelves, some institutions are choosing to stock some unconventional material.
The Greater Victoria Public Library has turned to video games.
"Literacy has more than one meaning," says Kirsten Andersen, who works at the Victoria library. When one 16-year-old boy wrote to the library to complain about its decision to add video games to its inventory of books and DVDs, "I told him what we tell people who challenge our material: That everyone has the right to choose what they want themselves, and we provide a variety of materials and everyone makes their own decisions.""

Me again. Interesting contrast of articles. As librarians and library boards keep all users in mind, we need to also recognize that what some of our audiences consider a successful library program may no longer be considered successful by those running or accrediting the library (such as book count). What statistics mean more to you when you design programs or conduct collection development activities? People in the door and on your website? Hits to the database and eresource collections? Communicate those new statistics to all levels of your community - they need to know and understand that your library is doing well by new standards. Otherwise, they may think that the place is ready to close down if a traditional statistic (book count, door count) has been slipping over the years. Folks might infer your library is failing, when in fact it is thriving. Congratulations to Phyllis Christensen of the Marathon County Public Library in Wisconsin for doing just that, in this article: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com. /apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/WDH04/808070327

New information, as seen on HealthBeat, from Harris Interactive on: What percentage of US adults have searched for health information. http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2008/7/30/What-Percentage-of-US-Adults-Have-Searched-for-Health-Information-Online.aspx?dp=1.

Survey, conducted between July 8 and 13, 2008, found no increase in the number of "cyberchondriacs".

Direct link to the story on the Harris Interactive site: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=937.

From Slashdot: FBI seizes library computers without warrant http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/08/08/03/192222.shtml. Um, might be time for you to revisit your library's policy with your staff and board on who gets what when a demand is made, and what is the chain of command on a decision such as this. The way I understand the way things are supposed to go, a warrant is needed to get anything out of a library. I can't imagine just handing over something because a badged person asks for it. Maybe this librarian will be on the lecture circuit soon, offering their reasons why they did what they did?

If it wasn't for Dr. DeBakey and his skills, many people wouldn't have lived through their cardiac trouble. What I didn't realize was that his skills also brought about improved medical library service in the world, the establishment of the National Library of Medicine, and basically made it possible for me to work these last 16 years of my library career. Here is the tribute that the National Library of Medicine wrote about him:
Dr. Michael DeBakey, Medical Trailblazer And Longtime Friend Of National Library Of Medicine, Dies At 99
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/debakey_dies.html .

Libraries have influence over international relations. If that statement surprises you, take a look at this news article about a recent proposed change to a subject heading by the Library of Congress:

Korean Librarian Halts Library of Congress Move on Dokdo
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200807/200807170008.html

Here is the link to the LC Subject Headings Tentative (Unapproved) Weekly List 29, dated July 16, 2008: http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/tentative/twls0829.html

New report on library funding from OCLC. http://www.oclc.org/reports/funding
From their announcement:
"From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America
OCLC was awarded a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to explore attitudes and perceptions about library funding and to evaluate the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase public library funding in the U.S. The findings of this research are now available in the latest OCLC report, From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America.
Among the findings from the report:

• Library funding support is only marginally related to library visitation.
• Perceptions of librarians are an important predictor of library funding support.
• Voters who see the library as a "transformational" force as opposed to an "information" source are more likely to increase taxes in its support.

The report suggests that targeting marketing messages to the right segments of the voting public is key to driving increased support for U.S. public libraries."\

July 15, 2008 - Thanks to the comment by Krafty Librarian to this post, I am adding the link to the OCLC Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources report from 2005: http://www.oclc.org/reports/2005perceptions.htm
I linked to that report on this blog back when it came out. If you want to check out all of my posts that mention OCLC and their great reports and services, click here.

A story from Australia about a business shutting its library and making its employees become "self-service researchers": Fairfax's Business Arm Shooshes the Librarians http://www.crikey.com.au/Media-Arts-and-Sports/20080709-Fairfax-library.html

Fairfax Media is "Australasia's leading media company", according to their homepage http://www.fxj.com.au/ . One would think that they, leaders in media, would know the value of the librarians, and the strength they give to the journalists. (An aside - has anyone tracked the stock performance of companies that have disbanded their libraries?)

As I have said many times to those about to graduate and apply for their careers - find out who has to pay for access to information, and if you have expert guidance. If you don't, ask for more salary.

I welcome any and all comments.

A review of a great book in the LA Times: 'The Dumbest Generation' by Mark Bauerlein
http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-et-book5-2008jul05,0,3980465.story
The opening lines of the review hooked me pretty fast: "In the four minutes it probably takes to read this review, you will have logged exactly half the time the average 15- to 24-year-old now spends reading each day. That is, if you even bother to finish"
I have the feeling that, if you work in an academic library, you already know and have seen most of what the author is saying, but you might want to get the book to give weight to your reports to higher-ups.

I really appreciate my colleague, Brian Erb, for passing this link on to me.

Just learned about this post on the Teaching Tips.Com blog - 100 Unbelievably Useful Reference Sites You've Never Heard Of , by Laura Milligan. I don't want to challenge the great librarian readers to my blog with that title - but a few of the 100 sites they list might be unfamiliar to you, or simply remind you that you might want to add them to your library's web pages for your staff and customers to find and use. I didn't link directly to the blog - knew you know how to locate it, if you are interested, and the reason is listed below.
Now, about that blog - I am running into more like it, and not sure who or what is behind it. It has only been in existence since last month, yet calls itself a 'leading resource'. No contact information, other than a fill-in form for you to give up YOUR information. I tried to locate information on who the author of the post is - but Laura Milligan, if that is truly their name, doesn't hang her shingle out well. I located other posts that were attributed to her - but nothing on the author herself. Feel free to write to me, Laura - your readers want to know more. Same for the other authors listed. This blog could be the equivalent of the hotel 'fine art' industry - there is a warehouse somewhere in a remote village, with desks staffed by huddled writers, cranking out blog posts to be spread over the 'net. The information on the blog seems correct - someone in the teaching field would have to vet it for me - but not knowing who is behind the service leaves a big hole in any evaluation of the site.

Flickr is a great resource for your library, offering a great place to post photos from your collection, as well as photos of activities your library hosts. One library has even posted their library signage on Flickr - http://flickr.com/search/?q=mcgoogansign

Jessica Merritt has written a post on the CollegeDegrees blog about why libraries should consider using Flickr and other social networking sites:

How to: Make Flickr Work for Your Library - 50+ Resources
http://www.collegedegrees.com/blog/2008/06/24/how-to-make-flickr-work-for-your-library-50-resources/

ebrary results from the 2008 Global Student E-Book Survey
http://www.ebrary.com/corp/collateral/en/Survey/ebrary_student_survey_2008.pdf


A news article about the survey's findings at The Chronicle of Higher Education http://chronicle.com/wiredcampus/index.php?id=3115

It would be very interesting to conduct the same survey with only medical college/academic health center libraries, to identify use by health professional students - I think it is higher than "other major" college students.

An inspiring news story: It Takes a Librarian to Raise a Village of Teens , from The Globe and Mail -http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080614.LIBRARY14/TPStory/TPEntertainment/Ontario/


Read this article, if you are looking for more reasons to make your library over into a center for your community.

"Book a librarian to help". That is such a great slogan - we need to use it to remind our customers that librarians will show up at their elbows to work through whatever barriers to gain access to the information needed. Another slogan: "Barista of Information", one I came up with a few months ago. Still no t-shirts with either slogan on them, though.

"Book a librarian to help" is also the title of this news story from Pembrokeshire in the UK http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/latest/display.var.2339480.0.book_a_librarian_to_help.php , where two librarians were asked to step in as wedding witnesses. See, librarians DO eliminate barriers between you and what you need!

Fundraising information resources gathered and maintained by Tammy Flippen at Springfield/Green County library in Missouri: http://thelibrary.org/infolink/nonprofit/ . The news article where I first learned of this great resource:

Librarian can help charities get needed money: http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080615/COLUMNISTS08/806150354
Another news item dealing with economic topics and libraries:
----------------------
The Sacramento Public Library has created a page for their customers, dealing with saving money, finding work, dealing with mortgages: MoneySmart @ your library. http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter/showlist.html?sid=6730&list=CNL5

I saw this site mentioned in this news story: Library Web Page Offers Economic Advice
http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/370454 .

Twitter Ideas for Libraries (from The Wired Campus, in The Chronicle of Higher Education) http://chronicle.com/wiredcampus/article/3073/twitter-ideas-for-libraries

This article links to College @ Home's article: Twitter for Librarians - the ultimate guide
http://www.collegeathome.com/blog/2008/05/27/twitter-for-librarians-the-ultimate-guide/

If you are considering just how the new Web 2.0 tools can fit into your library, you will want to check out the great links to resources in the College @ Home's article!

OCLC announces new Web 2.0 features added to WorldCat:
http://www.oclc.org/emailcontent/articles/worldcat/updatesoffers.htm .
They have added user reviews and rating features, and cover art to user-created lists. Users can write reviews in their preferred language.

If your library has been discussing the addition of Web 2.0 features to your catalog, this may give your committee additional reasons to add the features to your own OPAC.

I have written before about Jackson County libraries' experience with privatization. Another story about library privatization:

Library will not privatize
http://www.wickedlocal.com/tewksbury/news/x65832249/Library-will-not-privatize


If there are any library schools discussing this topic, I would love to hear about them.

Other items on this blog about privatizing libraries can be found using this search string:
http://libeducation.blogspot.com/search?q=jackson

Steve Cisler, digital librarian - rest in peace
[from BoingBoing-th] http://www.boingboing.net/2008/05/22/steve-cisler-digital.html
I think it is safe to say that most of how we interact with networks as librarians has Mr. Cisler to thank.

Ask Oprah to have "The Hollywood Librarian" on her show!

Many of you have seen documentary "The Hollywood Librarian" at ALA
Conferences or one of the many showings across the country. If you have
not seen the film, you can see clips at
http://www.hollywoodlibrarian.com. The film has been called "brilliant"
"engaging" and "illuminating" and has been seen by thousands of people
in the US, Canada, Ireland, the UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany and
the Netherlands.

After showing the film in Normal, IL, the community where I live, I
think this is a film that needs to go beyond library audiences. I would
like the film to be viewed by Oprah. Copies have been mailed to her, to
help promote librarianship. And when Oprah promotes an issue, it gets
national attention.

I am asking every librarian to email Oprah asking her to at least view
the film and suggest she have Ann Seidl on as a guest. There is a form
that needs to be filled out at
https://www.oprah.com/plugger/templates/BeOnTheShow.jhtml?action=respond
&plugId=B2100004

In the "Tell us your story" box, please request that Oprah view the film
"The Hollywood Librarian" by Ann Seidl and have her on the show. The
form does ask for contact information, and the producers can contact me:
Toni Tucker toni.tucker1@gmail.com or 309-212-2407 for more information
about the documentary or Ann Seidl.

This could be a great campaign to get this film in front of Oprah and
really promote our amazing profession.
Please forward to other library listservs.

Thank you,
Toni Tucker
Illinois State University
Milner Library
Campus Box 8900
Normal, IL 61790-8900
Voice (309)438-7402
Fax (309) 438-3676

The Internet Archive won their fight against a National Security letter from the FBI, and can now talk about it: http://www.archive.org/iathreads/post-view.php?id=192021 .

"Quiet Revolution" -story in the Guardian about how librarians use Web 2.0 technology: http://education.guardian.co.uk/librariesunleashed/story/0,,2274841,00.html .

"Library to end dial-up Internet service June 30" http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-md.co.digest23apr23,0,6652844.story . This story from the Baltimore County Digest marks an end of an era. I remember the rush for libraries to provide Internet services in the mid-90's - it made a huge difference in many lives to have the access. Kudos to the library for knowing when to move on to other cutting-edge services. While they might have considered keeping it going for a little while longer during these times of economic downturn, since it brought in around $240,000 a year, they project that the service would no longer pay for itself after this summer.

Looking for some guidance for libraries today, I ran across Norman Ray Lambert's 13 Golden Rules: http://www.throwedrolls.com/golden_rules.html . Lambert started the Lambert's Cafe dynasty, which is known as "the only home of throwed rolls". (Trust me, if you can visit one of their restaurants, you will remember the experience, and come away full.) So Mr. Lambert's Golden Rules were written originally for his cafe, but I believe many of them should apply to library service as well. From the Cafe site, presented here for your consideration:

begin quote"

1. As the Bible says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
2. "Always offer our guest at least one service they can't receive anywhere else."
3. "You, our guest, are very important, you are the reason we are here! THANK YOU!"
4. "We need you, our guest, much more than we need ourselves."
5. "You, our guest, are always right."
6. "It's our job to take care of you, if we don't someone else will."
7. "If we make a mistake, we will correct it immediately!"
8. "Our simple but powerful rule: Always give you, our guest, more than you expect to get."
9. "You are our guest; guests in our home, not clients or customers, but guests."
10. "Good enough for some is not good enough for us."
11. "The difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary, is: give that little extra."
12. "Quality rather than quantity matters, we offer BOTH."
13. "We do simple things, but in exceptional ways!"

" end quote
When was the last time you thanked someone who emailed or texted a reference question? When have you told your patrons that you need them more than you need yourself? When have you instructed your staff to give more than what the customer expects? If you already follow most of these 'rules', great, and please let me know where you are - I would like to highlight the great service you are providing so others can model!!

The Library Morphs, by John K. Waters http://campustechnology.com/articles/60299/ , in the April 2008 edition of Campus Technology. Thanks to the planning that was done in my library, this concept was embraced fairly well here when we did a major renovation in 2000.

ebrary Honors National Library Week, Offers Complimentary Access to Library Science E-books

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In support of National Library Week, April 13 to 19, 2008, ebrary®, a leading provider of e-content services and technology, today announced that it will provide librarians as well as students and faculty in library science and related programs with complimentary access to its Library Center for one year.

Subsidized by ebrary, the Library Center includes more than 85 full-text e-books covering topics such as digital library development, general collection development, and the history of libraries and librarianship, as well as illustrated guides from the Library of Congress. Contributing publishers include Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Idea Group, Inc., Greenwood Publishing Group, Library of Congress, and MIT Press.

To receive complimentary access, students, faculty, and librarians may register at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=iLchAc260S528_2botn4tcig_3d_3d.