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Last week I had an interesting Twitter conversation regarding a popular rhetorical strategy surrounding maker-spaces, New Librarianship, participatory culture, and the other assorted "big ideas" for the future of libraries." "The common thread and the favored tactic in the literature surrounding libraries and maker-spaces is to draw a sharp distinction between the consumption of knowledge and the creation of knowledge. By ‘knowledge consumption’ most writers seem to mean reading; by ‘knowledge creation’ most seem to mean hacking, tinkering, building, making, or collaborating. And the way the conversation is being shaped by this rhetoric, it’s clear that knowledge consumption is old and in the way and what we really need is to forge ahead into a bright future of knowledge creation. Yes, some librarians make the case that we need both creation and consumption (e.g., “…in addition to knowledge consumption”), but the rhetorical device is still in play: knowledge can be either consumed or created, and the library of the future is weighted towards creation."
Yeah, this: “@theREALwikiman: Is it the end of an era for librarian blogging? http://t.co/DlbjoTEoSa”; Lack of time is the biggest reason given for not blogging these days, and that makes a lot of sense. But I think it might be a changing of the guard, rather than an overall slow-down – a bunch of new professionals becoming older professionals, and newer ones attacking the biblioblogosphere with a fervor in their place. If we interact online in loosely defined sets (in my case, it’s largely ‘the people who were new professionals in 2009 when I went to the new professionals conference’) then it stands to reason that there would be a collective ebb and flow in our activity. As we get up the career ladder we become busier and have less time to blog, and we’re on similar cycles of activity, commitments, and enthusiasm…
So if you blog, do you blog less now than you used to? Is it the end of an era for librarian blogging? And if so, to what do you attribute this – is it just lack of time, or are there other reasons too?
Advances in technology have transformed the methods of historians and other archival researchers, a change that carries both benefits and consequences. In just a few years, advances in technology have transformed the methods of historians and other archival researchers. Productivity has improved dramatically, costs have dropped and a world distinguished by solo practitioners has become collaborative. In response, developers are producing an array of computerized methods of analysis, creating a new quantitative science.
by Leigh Bunton Libraries and information professionals have been adapting to the impact of online resources for some time now. In my own academic library, we have a Mobile Technology Group to monitor developing trends and ensure that staff are equipped to create, access and advise upon anything from Blogs and Instant Messaging; QR codes, Wikis and RFID, to Smart phones and the mobile version of the library website. There is still a physical connection with our users, however, with a campus full of students attending lectures, accessing online resources provided by the library, receiving research advice, making enquiries at service desks, borrowing books and filling every library space when exams and deadlines loom.
James Bridle: New venture Librii is seeking to set up self-sustaining libraries with internet access in poor and isolated communities. A decade ago, Brewster Kahle, philanthropist and founder of the Internet Archive, created the first digital bookmobile: a complete printing press in the back of a car. With a power source, satellite internet connection, printer and binder, the vehicle and its descendants subsequently printed thousands of public-domain books where they were needed most, such as in rural areas without internet connection, including schools and refugee camps across Africa. In 2003, it was estimated that less than 1% of Africa's population had access to the internet. Since then, that figure has grown to just 15%. Private companies have been laying high-speed cables along the coasts, but it's slow to make progress inland: even where access is available, it is often low speed and unconnected to the facilities on the ground needed to make the most of it, particularly for education. (The vast majority of people in Africa who do access the internet do so via mobile phone.)
Real life accounts from library patrons whose lives have been changed for the better by libraries. Libraries Changed My Life (LCML) is the brainchild of two librarians from two parts of the country. Ingrid is a children’s and teen librarian from New York City. Natalie is a systems librarian from rural Florida. Together we’re hoping to create a place where people can tell their library stories, and those who are questioning the value of libraries can see their amazing impact. LCML is an independent, grassroots movement to spread library love across the country. Why we’re here:
Libraries are valuable—and valued. In addition to traditional services like book lending, research help and children’s programs (still the services Americans value most), libraries offer free wifi, technology training, free or low-cost public meeting spaces, affordable printing, access to music and the arts, and other services our neighborhoods need.
By Gary price: Report: Further Investigation into 3D Printing/3D Scanning at Dalhousie U. Libraries: Case Study http://t.co/sUAbligoso via @infodocket This paper will describe the author’s (Michael Groenendyk) own process in building and cataloging a collection of 3D models on the DalSpace servers at the Dalhousie University Libraries. This paper will then explore other methods for delivering 3D model content to library patrons, including 3D holograph and WebGL technologies. Following this 3D model repository discussion, this paper will describe how 3D printing technology, implemented as a service at the Dalhousie University Libraries in March of 2012, was used to deliver 3D model content to library patrons; the challenges faced in delivering this service; how this service was used; and finally how successful, overall, this service was.
Kim Tairi is the Associate Director, Information Management at Swinburne University. She loves her mobile. It has changed the way she works. Professional sharing and connecting is easier. Google her to find out more.
THINKING POINTS: How could your library use photographs to promote library services, events and activities?Does your library Twitter account use Instaweather to provide a daily update?Do you have a permission form available so that when you take photographs of clients or events you have their agreement for those images to be used and shared online?How easy is it for clients to contribute digital photographs to your library collection (eg. local history)?Could you use photography in library programming (eg. how-to classes or competitions)?The Getty Museum celebrates the Instagram photographs taken by museum visitors by adding them to their Insta-Getty Pinterest board
By Maureen Sullivan Libraries are laboratories for deep learning The increasingly digital context brings challenges and opportunities for librarians, library staff, archivists, and museum professionals. New roles and the competencies required to perform them are evolving. One overriding role for all of us is that of the leader. The complexity of the changes we experience leads to many unfamiliar situations in which deep learning is necessary to successfully work through the problems and challenges. Scholar Warren Bennis calls these “crucible” experiences.
ANZ 23 Mobile things Hangout with Jan, Mylee, Kathryn, Abigail and Kate #anz23mthings Jan, Mylee and Kathryn will be telling us a little bit more about the creation of the 23 Mobile Things and their involvement as well as sharing some tips about the best way to make the most of the course. You can read a bit more about the 23 Mobile Things Team here in their introduction. There will also be an interactive Q and A session at the end; where you can tweet us your questions using #anz23mthings & #hangout hashtags and we will answer them live! This is the moment to ask all your burning questions like “Why is Angry Bird one of the 23 Mobile Things???” and get answers live.
Benedicte Page: The implications of Open Access for libraries will be debated in Westminster at an event hosted by the Libraries All-Party Parliamentary Group. The date of the debate has yet to be confirmed, but it will include MPs and representatives from the library, publishing, university and academic fields. Annie Mauger, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals [pictured], said the debate was needed to flesh out the many questions around how the government’s Open Access policy might impact on libraries and ensure politicians understand the concerns of those employees working on the ground.
Among the more recognized and often repeated findings emerging from Ithaka S & R’s faculty research studies, including the recent 2012 report, is the revelation that faculty primarily perceive the academic library as their purchasing agent. [...] Four levels of user experience (column titled “Building Customer Communities is the Key to Creating Value“) and how to get there:
1. In Level One the organization is perceived by its customers as simply the supplier of some commodity 2. A Level Two experience would represent an improvement for librarians because it moves beyond content to a state where community members believe you help them accomplish something, but it’s more than just basic productivity. 3. At Level Three there is more engagement, emotional connection and relationship building. 4. the library achieves platform status.
Here are some images from numerous resources that typify something unexpected in a library. They draw attention to libraries and open up the idea of "library" to new understanding and new customers...
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The concept of a library is going to be re-invented in Texas with the launch of a public library with digital rather than printed books. Discussion from various quarters about the concept of paperless libraries!
Countless gorgeous libraries have appeared on screens large and small (if only there were set designers in all of our homes), whether old and dusty, shiny and modern, underground, filled with water, or, um, animated. After the jump, 20 of the most beautiful libraries on film and television. If you don’t see your favorite here, be sure to add it to the list in the comments.
HYPERLINKED LIBRARY MOOC What emerging trends are changing library services? What does the connected world of "continuous computing" mean for 21st Century libraries? The Hyperlinked Library MOOC offered by the School of Library and Information Science at San José State University provides a roadmap toward becoming a participatory, interactive, user-centered library. The Hyperlinked Library MOOC is a professional development opportunity designed for information professionals and those interested in the topic. The MOOC is not offered for academic credit. SJSU SLIS graduate students who participate in the MOOC will not receive credit toward their master's degrees. Course description here: http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/programs/moocs/hyperlinked-library-mooc?goback=%2Egna_2747909%2Egde_2747909_member_225190881
Linda Moore: According to the Australian Mobile Phone Lifestyle Index, 60% of Australian mobile phone users use their phone access emails at least once a week[1]. So there’s a fair chance that if you have a mobile device you’ve already set up your email and checked it occasionally. But as I discovered this week there is much more to mobile email than the email client your phone comes with. If nothing else I encourage you to download and try some of the email apps out there – after trying the Gmail app I won’t be going back to the iPad email app again!
A look at how America's central libraries are struggling to adapt their forms and functions to a rapidly changing world (RT @WSJ: The future of libraries isn't an open book. By JULIE V. IOVINE: "The relevance of these gloriously inflated book boxes is being questioned in an age that looks to the Internet for its intellectual resources."
NEWS: Free online learning courses available from Slough Libraries http://t.co/zb1UqFLtaI These exciting new learning packages, known as Universal Class and Transparent Language Courses, provides members of Slough Libraries access to over 350 online courses and 80 foreign language courses free of charge. The courses are available online 24 hours a day, so fit well into busy schedules, whether that’s college, work, childcare, or a combination of the three. Universal Class offers a fantastic range of topics, from hobbies to technology, business skills to health. As the courses are free, there’s no risk – members can try something they’ve always wanted to, or something they’ve never thought of. Members can register for up to five courses at once, and there’s no commitment on a course if you change your mind.
RT @ScrewyDecimal: Now THIS is how you write about libraries. Take note! "How I Use My Local Library" by Ben Hatke. http://t.co/2JY3QRZA5M
By Nancy Dowd: This is the fourth in a series of articles in which Nancy Dowd will examine the results of an exclusive survey of library professionals from more than 400 public libraries across the U.S. on public library marketing. The survey was sponsored by the NoveList division of EBSCO Publishing
"If there are over 1 billion people on Facebook and the Twitterverse can help topple governments, then it only makes sense that libraries would also be using these two social media channels to connect with their communities, right? Well yes and no. Libraries are using social media, that’s clear. According to Library Journal’s Survey on Public Library Marketing Methods and Best Practices, 86 percent of libraries said they were using social media. The top two social media platforms used by libraries were Facebook (99 percent) and Twitter (56 percent). Pinterest is making some gains, with 30 percent of libraries reporting that they are pinning. The problem is that 48 percent of libraries surveyed said they weren’t measuring their efforts at all. While the survey didn’t ask if libraries are getting fans to interact with them, most libraries I have spoken with lately have said they were still struggling with that." [...] Social media is not going away. As new platforms emerge, libraries will need to choose the channels that work for their communities. But whatever platforms they choose, they must have some kind of plan that outlines their goals and embrace philosophies that support interactivity with their communities. I think Bizzle summed it up best, “Successful libraries will determine what platforms most effectively reach their target audience and aggressively build sustainable presences there.”
Jeffrey Beall: "I declare that the serials crisis, the event that gave birth to the open-access movement, is over. I base my declaration on my observations as an academic librarian and on the scholarly literature,..."
direct link to pdf http://t.co/DOHgXo6AJY http://t.co/qfAPVaEJgx Catherine Sassen & Diane Wahl Abstract: "This study concerns administrative support provided to encourage the research and publishing activities of academic librarians working in Association of Research Libraries member libraries. Deans and directors of these libraries were asked to respond to an online survey concerning the support measures that their libraries provide, as well as their thoughts on support measures that academic libraries should provide. When compared to earlier studies, the survey results indicate
that most support measures have grown over time. Results also suggest increases in the requirements for publication in academic libraries, as well as in the number of libraries at which librarians have faculty status."
"Welcome to the 1st mobile thing: Twitter. As a long time twitter user, I was under the impression that I knew it all. All about how to use hashtags, search, messages and more. I was wrong. I found various things I didn’t know and am encouraged that it is a great sign for how much more I am going to learn over the next 23 weeks. Many of you will be using Twitter for the first time, welcome. We would love it if you would follow us on@anz23mthings and use the hashtag #anz23mthings on your posts. So let’s talk about twitter."
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Important for librarians to consider as well!