Blog posts in "Community"

The future of libraries, with or without books

gina.persichini — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:28:02 -0600

An interesting article at CNN.com about the future role of the library. From the article:

Jason M. Schultz, director of the Samuelson Law, Technology and Public Policy Clinic at the University of California at Berkeley Law School, said libraries always have served two roles in society: They're places where people can get free information; and they're community centers for civic debate.

As books become more available online, that community-center role will become increasingly important for libraries, he said.

"It depends on whether we prioritize it as a funding matter, but I think there always will be a space for that even if all the resources are digital," he said.

What do you think? How is your library evolving for the future?

Google Voice & Libraries

amy.vecchione — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:07:54 -0600

If you sign up for Google Voice you can get an invitation to join - which means a bunch of cool beta features. You get a phone number, which you can use to see voice mail messages all nice and typed out for you. You get to text to individuals for free. You also get discounts on international calls.

So I think it's possible to use Google Voice to try out a free text-a-librarian service! Anyone else get an invitation yet? Have you tried it out?

Sunshine card lets users borrow from 5 libraries of multiple types

gina.persichini — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:42:44 -0600

Thanks to my friends at the Blah Blah Blah Blog at NEFLIN, I found this article in the Sun Sentinal (FL) about the Sunshine Card.

Five libraries launched the program allowing users to check out materials at any of the participating libraries and their branches. The participants include a university, a community college, 2 public library systems, and a school district.

From the article,

With so many items available in each library's collection, there is little concern about overlapping demand for any one source. Academic texts tend to elaborate on very specific topics, and public libraries order multiple copies of popular books.

and

FAU student and library patron Seth Christy, 27, likes the idea of having more books and other materials available. "The more easily accessible it is, the more educated people can get," he said.

Wolfram Alpha

amy.vecchione — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:43:00 -0600

Dylan Baker at Ada Community Library shared this in our last SPLAT meeting, and I loved Wolfram Alpha as soon as I started playing with it. I loved these results. This is like the genius-educational version of a search engine.

I was impressed to say the least.

Then I realized it understands chemical compounds and calculus. Then I just about fell over in shock when it computed a calculus integral for me.

And I had just read an article about the chemical compound P4 and entered that into Wolfram Alpha and got this incredible result.

It gives you source information, lets you download it in a pdf, and basically solve science mysteries, including genus species information, and more! Fun!

Bookmobile Stickers

Erin McCusker — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:50:04 -0600

For those with bookmobiles, this page - www.ala.org/bookmobiles - has not only bookmobile stickers that you can make, but also a list of resources for bookmobile service. From the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Listserv.

What do you geek?

gina.persichini — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:51:28 -0600

Check out the Get Your Geek On campaign over at http://geekthelibrary.org/.

According to the site, "Geek the Library is a community-based public awareness campaign designed to highlight the vital role of public libraries for individuals and communities, and raise awareness about the critical funding issues they face."

There's cool Geek items to buy, soon users will be able to customize their Geek the Library goodies. Download wallpaper for your computer. Share your story. More importantly, have your customers share THEIR stories. What do they geek at the library?

Compact OPAC

Anne Abrams — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:41:44 -0600

I saw this while attending Meridian's Silverstone Branch opening. Doesn't take a lot of space, and the price is relatively small too!

Immersive Internet and Libraries

Shirley Biladeau — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:43:00 -0600

Okay, just came across the term this morning -- Immersive Internet which is a collection of emerging technologies combined with a social culture that has roots in gaming and virtual worlds. ThinkBalm has two documents available -- one focuses on defining Immersive Internet and the other is a newly released report on the "business value" of immersive Internet.
Interesting concepts and looks like a tool with great potential for libraries.... let's hear your thoughts!

Unusual Items that Libraries Circulate

Shirley Biladeau — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:38:04 -0600

This has been an email thread that I thought I would share...unusual items that libraries throughout the US are checking out to their patrons:

Auto repair tools (Wyoming library)
Binoculars
Bones (medical school library)
Braille writer
Cake pans
Crafter glasses for people who work on watches and small crafts Drum pads Electronic devise that enlarges text on TV
Fishing rods Free tickets to museums and cultural events Frisbees GPS navigation units Guitars Jigsaw puzzles Keyboards Laptop computers
Framed art prints
Kindle
MP3 players, pre-loaded
Puppets
Record player
Slide projector
Tape deck, reel-to-reel
USB drives
Wheelchairs, walkers, balance boards and manipulatives for school psychologists, and occupational and physical therapists

What do you have to add?

Handheld Librarian Online Conference

Shirley Biladeau — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:06:55 -0600

First one -- Handheld Librarian Online Conference focusing on mobile library services.
July 30, 2009 -- $49 for individual -- $89 for group