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§ionID=5
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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
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
Monday, August 11, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
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
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
Monday, August 04, 2008
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.
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?
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