November 19, 2008
Information in the Age of Google
I recently read an article in Duke Magazine, Brave New World: Reference librarians in the age of Google , by Jacob Dagger. Steven Bell from Drexel University in Philadelphia is quoted a number of places in the artlcle. Steven predicts the quick demise of the reference desk since the internet has changed how people communicate as well as how people collect, store and search information. Many see the positives of these changes, one of which is the fact that librarians are spending more time on creating online subject content, which in fact reaches a greater number of users. The article which conveys a positive look at the future covers an array of ideas from obseleting desks, using mobile devices, and using instant messaging. If you read far enough you will even see a reference to OCLS. : )
Posted by Kathryn Robinson at 10:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
November 14, 2008
Budget Woes
There have been a rash of announcements and discussions about possible library closings in the last week. A proposal was made to cut 17 libraries in San Diego due to funding shortage of $43 million. Phoenix has proposed budget cuts that would result in greatly reduced library hours and the Free Library of Philadelphia has announced the forthcoming closings of 11 of 54 branch libraries. The newest American Libraries Direct (Nov. 12, 2008) has two related articles. The first article is on the closings in Philadelphia as well as about a number of libraries with budget concerns. The news is not all bad. The second article reports on a number of bond issues which passed. A notable example is the $275 million bond approved to update the branches and build a new Central Library (see photo) for the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
Posted by Kathryn Robinson at 6:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
October 27, 2008
Seesmic, Wordia and Pollock
In the interest of Learn 2.1 and staying up with and sharing new things and in the spirit of learning is fun, here are a few newer cool things.
Seesmic is positively seismic in the area of video microblogging. It has been called the Twitter of microblogging. Click here to check it out. There is a welcome video on the center of the Main Page which explains the functions.
Wordia; Search,Define and Share. You record a video as to what a word means to you. Even if no one has recorded a video on the word of your choice, you still get the definition and synonyms. On the home page of Wordia you can simply browse through the words that have had recent videos made for them. The company is backed by online entrepreneur, Michael Birch. (Photo above)
Desire to create a masterpiece painting? No experience? No talent? Never fear. Check out out the Jackson Pollock site.
Posted by Kathryn Robinson at 1:44 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)