Wednesday, July 11, 2007

[23 Things] # 11 - LibraryThing

Some thoughts.
 
1) Consider adding "LibraryThing for Libraries" to your catalog.  Go to
2) I can see LibraryThing book discussion groups at the library. 
3) This has grown rapidly to include a variety of sources for book information.  I did not see OCLC WorldCat listed, however.
4)  You can even use it with a mobile phone that has a browser.  See
 
Well-done!

[23 Things] #9 - Twitter Terpsichore

Well, I can see the social "virtual" dance. It expands  beyond answering the most common cell phone text message (where are you?) to the next question (what are you doing?).  The 140 character limit on the size of a message gives me pause. I guess I have not yet heard  Twitter's siren song.  I better check to make sure my computer speakers are not on mute. <grin>  I am still thinking about a library activity use .  But then, IM has evolved to be used in some libraries for reference, so perhaps Twitter will as well.  

Friday, June 22, 2007

Amazon to Combine Rare Book Digitization and Print-on-Demand

from CNET News
 
 

Amazon.com's BookSurge subsidiary announced Thursday that it has partnered with book digitization company Kirtas Technologies on a project to archive and distribute hard-to-find books. This new initiative involves collaboration with public and university libraries to provide their collections of "rare and inaccessible" books; the titles will be digitized through Kirtas and then reproductions will be sold through Amazon through the BookSurge print-on-demand service.

In return, the partner libraries--initially consisting of Emory University, University of Maine, and the public libraries in Toronto, Ont. and Cincinnati, Ohio--will receive a cut of the revenue to fund further book preservation efforts, provided the titles are in the public domain or the libraries own the rights to them.

<snip>

Interesting development, especially the print-on-demand part.  Google already has a big lead in digitizing books from libraries.  I wonder if there will be any impact on Interlibrary Loan.

 

 

Vertical Mouse

I'm trying a new ergonomic mouse with buttons that are vertical rather than horizontal.  Think of it as using a mouse like you were shaking hands with it.  I have the lefty model, but I leave the mouse button settings in the Windows Control Panel set to right handed.  It works.  For more, go to http://www.evoluent.com .

Thursday, June 21, 2007

[23 Things] # 6 - Libraries Using Web 2.0 Effectively

Some thoughts on the libraries listed in the Infopeople 23 Things Challenge
 
1) Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County - good use of RSS by both category and location.  The other feature I like on this site is that you can pay fines and fees online using credit cards on a secure server.  And don't forget to put in your reservation for the Tricycle Music Fest.  Well done.
 
2) Ann Arbor District Library - Clean Web site design with the feel of a blog.  There are a wide variety of posts available by following the link on the lower right of the opening screen.  The one I like ties a news item about the rivalry between Boeing and Airbus to a new book.  See http://www.aadl.org/node/4575 .
 
3) Denver Public Library has news about the library in the center of the page, complete with a rotating series of images about different events.  The only way I could find the podcast link was to do a search of the site.
 
4) Seattle Public Library - Look under the  "Library Collection" tab for Podcasts, as well as Digital Books and Media.

[National Journal] FCC's Martin Wants to Subsidize Rural Broadband

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said on Tuesday that the concept of universal service needs to be substantially upgraded to encompass financial support for high-speed Internet services in rural areas.

In a live video presentation at the NEXTComm industry show here, Martin said broadband policies should be updated so rural consumers could receive the same services as their urban counterparts. "But there's a limited amount of funding to do this," said Martin, who responded to questions from industry leaders. "We need ... a policy that is technologically neutral."

 

Martin said the FCC should move away from "subsidizing multiple voice carriers in rural areas" to subsidizing broadband. He added, "It's critical that the concept of universal service stays in place -- and that everyone stays connected."

The full story is available at  http://tinyurl.com/2hg4cn 
 
It will be interesting to see how this fits with efforts underway in California through the California Emerging Technology Fund and the Governor's Broadband Task Force.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

[Book] Flickr Hacks

Database: CaliforniaCatalog
Query: ti: Flickr and ti: Hacks

Comment:
For those working on the 23 Things training, here are libraries in California that have this title.

Display All Libraries 

Libraries with Item: "Flickr hacks /"Record for Item | Get This Item )
Location Library Code 
US,CAA K SMILEY PUB LIBRSYY  
US,CAALAMEDA CNTY LIBRJQA  
US,CABEVERLY HILLS PUB LIBRBHP  
US,CABRUGGEMEYER MEM LIBRMEY  
US,CACABRILLO COL LIBRCC8  
US,CACALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIV, POMONCPO  
US,CACARLSBAD CITY LIBRCCP  
US,CACONTRA COSTA CNTY LIBRJQJ  
US,CAGLENDALE PUB LIBRCGL  
US,CAGLENDORA LIBR & CULTURAL CTRCGF  
US,CAHUNTINGTON BEACH LIBRHBL  
US,CAKERN CNTY LIBR SYSTKLC  
US,CALONG BEACH PUB LIBRCLB  
US,CALOS ANGELES PUB LIBRLPU  
US,CAMARIN CNTY FREE LIBRJRG  
US,CAMENDOCINO CNTY LIBRJTN  
US,CAMILL VAL PUB LIBRMLV  
US,CAMOUNTAIN VIEW PUB LIBRMVP  
US,CAMT. SAN ANTONIO COL LIBRSAA  
US,CAOAKLAND PUB LIBRJRK  
US,CAPASADENA PUB LIBRCPP  
US,CAPLACER CNTY LIBRAPR  
US,CARIVERSIDE PUB LIBRCRP  
US,CASAN BERNARDINO CNTY LIBRCBL  
US,CASAN FRANCISCO PUB LIBRSFR  
US,CASAN JOAQUIN DELTA COLCTO  
US,CASAN JOSE PUB LIBRSJP  
US,CASAN LUIS OBISPO CITY/CNTY LIBRSLO  
US,CASANTA BARBARA PUB LIBRJRW  
US,CASANTA CLARA CITY LIBRJRZ  
US,CASANTA CLARA CNTY FREE LIBRJRY  
US,CASANTA CRUZ PUB LIBR, THEJTA  
US,CASOLANO CNTY LIBRJTD  
US,CASONOMA CNTY LIBRJTH  
US,CASTOCKTON-SAN JOAQUIN CNTY PUB LIBRCSP  
US,CAYOLO CNTY LIBRYOL  

Record for Item: "Flickr hacks /"Libraries with Item )

Flickr hacks /

Paul BauschJim Bumgardner

2006 1st ed.
English  Book xxv, 335 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Sebastopol, Calif. : O'Reilly, ; ISBN: 0596102453 9780596102456
Get This Item
Access:  http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0715/2006280382-d.html
Availability: Check the catalogs in your library.
  • Libraries that Own ItemAll California Libraries: 36 Worldwide: 340
  • External Resources:
  •  Cite This Item
  • Find Related
    Find Items About: Bausch, Paul. (1)
    Title: Flickr hacks /
    Author(s): Bausch, Paul. 
    Bumgardner, Jim. 
    Publication: Sebastopol, Calif. : O'Reilly,
    Edition: 1st ed.
    Year: 2006
    Description: xxv, 335 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
    Language: English
    Contents: Sharing photos -- Tagging photos -- Viewing photos -- Community -- Maintenance -- API basics -- Custom applications.
    Standard No: ISBN: 0596102453; 9780596102456 LCCN: 2006-280382
    Access: Materials specified: Publisher description http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0715/2006280382-d.html
    SUBJECT(S)
    Descriptor: Photography -- Digital techniques. 
    Image processing -- Digital techniques. 
    Note(s): "Tips & tools for sharing photos online"--Cover./ Includes index.
    Class Descriptors: LC: TR267; Dewey: 006.686; 775
    Responsibility: Paul Bausch & Jim Bumgardner.
    Vendor Info: Baker & Taylor Baker and Taylor YBP Library Services (BKTY BTCP YANK) 24.99 Status: active
    Document Type: Book
    Entry: 20060403
    Update: 20070510
    Accession No: OCLC: 65429723
    Database: CaliforniaCatalog



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    Yahoo Flickers a Moment for Flickr

    Setting up a Flickr account is part of the 23 Things series of learning events. The hardest part was setting up a Yahoo account, perhaps because it was the middle of the afternoon and the site may have been busy. It took about three tries before Yahoo responded, and set up the account. After that, the Flickr part went smoothly. Uploading was easy. As you "catalog" your photos, think through how you want to describe the image.

    Using Email to Update in Blogger

    This is a quick and easy way to update your blog from any email program.  Here are the steps after signing in to Blogger.
     
    1) Click on the "Settings" tab.
    2) Click on "Email". 
    3) The second part of the screen will say "Mail-to-Blogger Address".  Put the name of your blog in the box before the @ symbol.
    4) Check the box just below it that says "Publish".
    5) Click "Save Settings".
     
    Very easy.

    Getting Started

    Recently, Infopeople in California created a Web 2.0 23 Things Challenge, and sponsored a webcast by Helene Blowers covering " Web 2.0: What Library Managers Need to Know." As a result, many library employees starting working on this effort. While this blog will cover other topics outside of this particular challenge, the long term goal is to have such topics and ways of working become second nature. Here goes.