EngLib's Mirror

EngLib

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2009 SLA All Sciences Online Poster Session starts today

Posted: 15 Oct 2009 08:30 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/vEoNr0rFZ2Q/

The 2009 SLA All Sciences Online Poster Session is starting today, Thursday
October 15. The conference features posters originally presented last June
at the SLA Annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The divisions sponsoring and
participating in this conference are Biomedical & Life Sciences; Chemistry;
Engineering; Food, Agriculture & Nutrition; Physics, Astronomy,
Mathematics; Science-Technology. The online conference will offer the
attendee the opportunity not only to view the posters, but to engage in
asynchronous conversations with the presenters for the duration of the
event. 

The event will last through October 29

2009 SLA All Sciences Online Poster Session starts today is a post from:
EngLib

EngLib

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STELLA Unconference

Posted: 09 Oct 2009 09:34 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/YpMGfs4luHI/

This sounds like a really interesting event: the STELLA Unconference in
Denver will be January 8-9th, 2010 at the University of Denver. This
meeting, organized by Joe Kraus from the University of Denver, is for any
person interested in scientific, technical and engineering resources. The
acronym stands for Science, Technology & Engineering Library Leaders in
Action.

Registration is free. Ideas and topics for discussion are welcome. There is
also a listserv in which non-attendees can participate as well.

STELLA Unconference is a post from: EngLib

EngLib

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Physical Science and Engineering Library closing at UC Davis

Posted: 03 Sep 2009 11:30 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/kbFuprWli_A/

Just a bit of sad news, the University of California Davis decided to
close down its Physical Science and Engineering Library. Budget cuts are
said to be the reason behind the decision.

400,000 items will be moved to other campus libraries as well as other
institutions. The library will close by 2011. The decision doesnt seem to
be favored by all librarians and students. Id be curious to know the
facultys reactions. And the actual future use of the building.

Physical Science and Engineering Library closing at UC Davis is a post
from: EngLib

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Virtual bookplates

Posted: 28 Aug 2009 06:24 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/wHYjCFJ31pc/

Ive been pondering bookplates as a fundraiser for a long while now. The
administrative hurdles and my lack of time are enough to not do anything
much about it right now. But could virtual bookplates be the solution?

Found via the Libology Blog, a program at the University of Florida
Smathers Libraries are doing just that.

An item with a Virtual Bookplate from the University of Florida Smathers
Libraries, which utilizes an 856 MARC field link to the virtual bookplate.
A search box on their Donor web page gives donors (and others) an easy way
to locate the donated items.
The virtual bookplate for the item.
A presentation on Slideshare (14 slides) providing an overview of their
process.  

Simple, elegant and more visible. Yes, some time is still needed to design
the bookplates and I would still have to work out the financial processes
with the administration AND the cataloging issues with the powers that be.
However, Ill keep this idea in mind.

Virtual bookplates is a post from: EngLib

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MyCopy service from Springer

Posted: 28 Jul 2009 07:07 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/VS7g8EUcWnE/

The Yale Libraries have debuted the new MyCopy service by Springer. Has
your library?

Library patrons can now order their personal soft cover books via MyCopy.

Following the successful completion of the MyCopy pilot project, Springer
has extended this eBook service to all academic libraries in the USA and
Canada that have purchased Springer eBook Collections.

All registered library patrons can now order a soft cover copy of a
Springer eBook for their personal use by simply clicking on a button on
springerlink.com.

More than 11,000 books included at $24.95 each

The MyCopy offer is currently valid for more than 11,000 electronic
Springer books published since 2005. The new soft cover format is branded
as a MyCopy book with a color cover and black and white book content.

All books will be sold at the same price, US$ 24.95. This price includes
shipping and handling within the USA and Canada.

Update: the University of Alberta is offering this service as well

MyCopy service from Springer is a post from: EngLib

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Ebooks readers

Posted: 05 Jun 2009 12:25 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/BPM-ImJaKF4/

I have a dream. And it could be easily enough achieved I guess. I would
love to have a few ebook readers to loan out to my users. I know of a few
libraries that offer Kindles in circulation, like Texas AM and Princeton.
Penn State and Sony recently announced a project where Sony donated 100
readers to the libraries.

I see three immediate advantages in my situation (small physical library,
small budget, no shelf space for fiction):

no shelf space used
possibility of download-on-demand for fiction or non-fiction titles. No
guessing work on the librarys part as to what fiction to buy. Users needs
are met quickly.
can serve advantageously the students who are visually impaired.

and a bonus one:

cool toy > nice PR opportunity

Now, are the younger generations (millenials) into e-readers? Ive tested
the waters with my local Student Governement. I think they were intrigued
but not completely sold. Ill keep working on it and prepare a good proposal
for their support. Maybe when e-textbooks are used more here.

Meanwhile, if Sony wants to do another project with a smaller university
campus with a polytechnic vision, Im available for a meeting

UPDATE Since Ive written this post, Brigham Young University Library has
decided to shelve their Kindle pilot for the time being, waiting for clear,
written approval from Amazon. See the Mormon Times and LISNews for more
details.

Ebooks readers is a post from: EngLib

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New Health Sciences SIG for ACRL

Posted: 26 May 2009 11:22 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/mJ1B_9uyVd4/

ACRL has just approved the formation of a new Health Science Special
Interest Group. The Interest Group will be added to the dues renewal
starting in September.

However, there is an existing Google Group. There will also be a meeting at
ALA Chicago, in the ACRL Suite. If you are interested (even if not a
ALA/ACRL member), it is requested that you fill out a survey in order to
find the best time possible for all.

New Health Sciences SIG for ACRL is a post from: EngLib

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Another library flash mob

Posted: 01 May 2009 08:25 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/0YcMWl7V_2Q/

I linked a few months ago to a flash mob at the University of North
Carolina Chapel Hill. More recently, several hundreds of students tried to
enter the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga library during finals week.
Two nights ago, it the was the William T. Young Library at the University
of Kentucky to be visited by, depending of what you read, 300 to 1500
students. Knowing the building, basically a large 6-storied tube, the noise
must have been deafening.

Is this a increasing trend or is it more covered by the media? While I
think the students have good intentions, the possibility of injury is
present (crowd surfing, jumping off the building like at UTC). And, how
does the event ends? At UNC, the crowd seemed to disperse rapidly on its
own. At UTC, security shot mace over the crowd. At UK, someone pulled the
fire alarm. Do you know of a library emergency plan that cover that
situation?

Another library flash mob is a post from: EngLib

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College students dont use Twitter

Posted: 21 Apr 2009 09:16 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/TqB2JJn4a7E/

In a report on a USF study, that I found a little disheartening, it was
concluded that, while college students do use social media, they dont use
Twitter much and remain unaware of its use for business/professional
purposes.

So, they use it to connect with friends, but couldnt care less about
businesses, brands or organizations trying to reach out to them that way.
Which could means that very few students would follow a librarys Twitter
profile, or if we extrapolate to other platforms, a librarys Facebook Page
for example. Discouraging when students are the main clienteles I want to
reach using those tools.

Rates of usage are very low:

Of the 250 Florida college students surveyed, 99 percent use social
networking sites. However, only 15 percent have an account with Twitter and
34 percent have never even heard of the site. Some 58 percent of the
students who have Twitter accounts never use the service or rarely log-on.

Is this only in Florida? Is this only for the lowerclassmen? If I look
right now at the followers of my librarys Twitter profile, I see faculty,
staff, other librarians and library organizations, an alumn and community
members. No one that I could really call a true-blue student. Im working on
more promotion right now so maybe that will change a bit. I need to
research what has worked elsewhere (because there are plenty of libraries
on Twitter.)

I still think Twitter is a great way to push news and content to users but
maybe those users need to be more educated on Twitter.

And by the way, my librarys profile is @usfplib

College students dont use Twitter is a post from: EngLib

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Help with research/publishing/presenting

Posted: 16 Apr 2009 10:08 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/98EBWPywUi8/

The Internet Resources column in the April issue of CRL News (vol. 70, no.
4) offers a useful list of resources to help academic librarians with the
research component of their workload. The column, by Laurie L. Putnam, is
entitled Professional Writing and Publishing: Resources for Librarians.

Help with research/publishing/presenting is a post from: EngLib

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OCLC and EBSCO partner for full text

Posted: 08 Apr 2009 10:54 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/mPyfgn6MoXw/

OCLC and Ebsco have announced an agreement that makes it possible for
libraries that subscribe to both WorldCat Local and EBSCOhost services to
provide their users with online access to the full text of electronic
content.

My system has a WorldCat Local beta installation (and several Ebsco
products). Users who have tried the beta have really liked the fact that
you can search both books and articles with the same search. Easy access to
the full text is a definite plus.

OCLC and EBSCO partner for full text is a post from: EngLib

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Twitter resources in Education

Posted: 03 Apr 2009 11:40 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/PcnRWK8QqzE/

An interesting list of tips, apps, and resources for teachers on Twitter
(100 of them). May be more geared toward K-12 but still some good ideas for
the higher ed crowd.

Im playing with the idea of a session for my faculty.

Twitter resources in Education is a post from: EngLib

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How librarians can use Google Book Search

Posted: 31 Mar 2009 10:46 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/RpN6WOkolj8/

Steve Ostrem at Library Journal wrote a nice article on how librarians can
use Google Book Search for reference, research and collection development.

Particularly interesting, and new, is the popular passages search, the
subject headings, the ability to clip and paste from public-domain works
and the personalization options now offered via My Library with a Google
account. Theres also the links to Worldcat (which I find myself using more
than my own library catalog now.) All in all, without mentioning the
copyright issues, Google Book Search does get better and better.

How librarians can use Google Book Search is a post from: EngLib

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Ada Lovelace Day

Posted: 24 Mar 2009 12:50 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/KVgKNPo_MZU/

Today, March 24th, is Ada Lovelace Day. It is an international day that
wants to draw attention to women excelling in technology.

I would like to highlight two women here that I admire for their
technological skills. I also have the pleasure of knowing them personally
and, bonus, theyre librarians!

Jill Hurst-Wahl is an expert on digitization and social web tools like
Second Life. She has her own consulting firm, Hurst Associates and is a
faculty member at Syracuse University at the School of Information Studies.
She blogs at Digitization 101.
Stacey Greenwell is an expert on information/learning commons. She is the
Universtiy of Kentuckys Information Commons Hub librarian and a former IT
support professional. She blogs at The Uncommon Commons.

With these spotlights, I do not wish to undermine all the other women I
know that make techology sing (and there are many of them) please ladies,
rock on!

Ada Lovelace Day is a post from: EngLib

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2, 000 000th document in IEEE Xplore

Posted: 19 Mar 2009 12:04 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/k4waeRoUZpw/

Brian C Gray shared this morning that the IEEE Xplore database reached two
million documents this month.

The two millionth article loaded into IEEE Xplore is Intelligent Packet
Dropping for Optimal Energy-Delay Tradeoffs in Wireless Downlinks,” by
Michael J. Neely from the University of Southern California. It appears in
the March issue of IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control.

You can download a copy for free.

I remember when IEEE made this database available. And I remember making
the case for it in a previous job. It was pretty much a no-brainer for us.
Kudos to IEEE!

2, 000 000th document in IEEE Xplore is a post from: EngLib

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Comments to libraries

Posted: 17 Mar 2009 10:00 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/myG6CGKDJ90/

I have seen two examples recently of libraries reaching out to their users
to gather their comments.

Concordia University Libraries, in Montréal, Qué is using a web form (?) to
gather comments and publishes responses via a blog. Questions/comments and
answers are coming at a good clip. The Libraries administration actually
uses the comments to improve services (as evidenced by double-sided printed
by default and a Working Group on Noise)
Western Washington University, in Bellingham, WA held a 14 Days to have
your say event this past spring. They open up a blog where students could
just say what they wanted about the libraries for a two-week period.
Students could also comment on other posts. The libraries provided input
and comment after the period and offered a report on what’s been acted on
and addressed.

Im interested in these initiatives because it has proved difficult to get
my users opinions (Im not naive enough to believe they dont have any
comments to make about the library). We have a webform that has basically
been unused. The Facebook discussion board is silent as well. Sometimes,
students will comment to the evening student assistant but do not wish to
put their comments in writing. Maybe turning the thing into an event could
bring the comments out, short of organized surveys or focus groups.

Comments to libraries is a post from: EngLib

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2009 AIA/ALA Library Building Awards

Posted: 06 Mar 2009 12:21 PM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/07b4m7hvd1Y/

The American Institute of Architects selected eight recipients for the 2009
AIA/ALA Library Building Awards. For each winning library, I tried to link
to the website and to project details, via the architects sites and/or via
the Architectural Record, if available.

Arabian Library, Scottsdale Public Library, Scottsdale, Arizona

richard+bauer architecture, LLC

about the project

C.V. Starr East Asian Library, University of California Berkeley

Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects

about the project

Chongqing Library, Chongqing, China

Perkins Eastman

Biblioteca Central Estatal Wigberto Jiménez Moreno, León, Guanajuato, Mexico

Pei Partnership Architects LLP

NYPL Francis Martin Library, Bronx, New York

1100 Architect, P.C. (not a direct link to the project)

Gentry Public Library, Gentry, Arkansas

Marlon Blackwell Architect

about the project

Minneapolis Central Library, Minneapolis

Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

about the project

Palo Verde Library / Maryvale Community Center, Phoenix

Gould Evans Associates + Wendell Burnette Architects (no direct links to
the project)

about the project

2009 AIA/ALA Library Building Awards is a post from: EngLib

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ARL Statement to scholarly publishers on the global economic crisis

Posted: 06 Mar 2009 11:35 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/4AHrOpO8C3A/

A little late, but interesting reading, ARL published mid-February a
statement to publishers regarding research libraries and the global
economic crisis. The document lists a few of the effects the economic
crisis has on research libraries:

current and future -possibly permanent -budget cuts
cancellation of ongoing commitments
bigger preference of electronic over print
shortening of long tail collection development
changes in pricing models, which affects mostly negatively the bigger
institutions.

ARL then makes recommendations to scholarly publishers about pricing,
contract terms and renegociation, swith to electronic only, archiving, open
access, and consultation with libraries.

ARL Statement to scholarly publishers on the global economic crisis is a
post from: EngLib

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Big changes for McGraw-Hill Digital Engineering Library

Posted: 06 Mar 2009 07:58 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/-nfnH7HnA_c/

McGraw-Hill announced a major revision of its Digital Engineering Library.
The new site will be called AccessEngineering and the URL
(http://accessengineeringlibrary.com) will be activated March 9th 2009.

The new site will offer new features and enhancements, including:

New graphical user interface: state-of-the art functionality streamlines
access to content and reader
New taxonomy book view: the website is now book-centric with faster
title-by-title access to our premiere engineering collection
Improved Advanced Search: faster search and access to more accurate content
that saves time and delivers exact results
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Engineering embedded on all search pages: search
and generate results from the world-renowned McGraw-Hill Dictionary of
Engineering, which contains more than 18,000 entries containing synonyms,
acronyms, abbreviations, and a pronunciation guide are included for each
term.

Unfortunately, no FAQ or advance views are available before March 9th.

Big changes for McGraw-Hill Digital Engineering Library is a post from:
EngLib

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Going underground for scholarly content

Posted: 05 Mar 2009 12:30 PM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/jzIlSs8RZ-g/

Brian Scott Mathews over at The Ubiquitous Librarian made some very
interesting looking into the underground market for academic materials via
illegal file sharing sites like bit torrent. Apparently, his fictional
research brought up big time reference titles like the CRC handbooks, the
entire Referex engineering e-book collection, Harvard Business Cases,
textbooks and tutti quanti.

Hey, does it matter where the students get it if they do use scholarly,
quality sources? At least, they not Googling everything? Well, theres the
thorny, ginormous issue of copyright. I cannot condone students downloading
illegaly but now, I cannot ignore it either.

Going underground for scholarly content is a post from: EngLib

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Harvard Libraries Provost calls for improved libraries

Posted: 04 Mar 2009 08:36 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/NcamNFKS6lY/

Harvard University Provost Steven E. Hyman created a committee charged with
improving the efficiency of the universitys library system. Since Harvards
creation in 1638, no less than 75 different units have been instituted and
have evolved organically. Some branches are autonomous, other services are
centralized. The desired outcome would be recommendations to improve the
strength and efficiency of the University’s library system. Economic
reasons are cited.

Because of the size of the system and its importance as a research library,
this should be a very interesting process for anyone who works in an
academic/research library system. No doubt a multi-year effort.

Harvard Libraries Provost calls for improved libraries is a post from:
EngLib

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Best Sci-Tech Books of 2008

Posted: 04 Mar 2009 07:58 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/dLfGaRyJzSI/

Library Journal just published its list of best 2008 sci-tech books.
Something for everyone.

(Thanks John Dupuis for the heads-up)

Best Sci-Tech Books of 2008 is a post from: EngLib

Home Theater | Plasma LCD Installation | Audio Visual | Austin TX

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Restaurant Sound System Installation

Posted: 09 Aug 2009 08:12 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/F81gzmYST0Q/

[View with PicLens]

Catamount just designed and installed new distributed audio system at
Justines restaurant and bar at 4710 E. 5th St. in Austin. This installation
has two stereo zones. One zone is for the inside bar and the other is for
the outdoor patio. We utilized the clients Yamaha stereo receiver and
incorporated a Phoenix Gold IH-VSS2 two-zone speaker selector with volume
control and impedance matching. The speakers are Atlas Sound SM52T-B.

The owners expressed a desire to play vinyl on their Technics SL1200
turntable as well as music from a laptop computer. Catamount provided them
with a Stanton SMX.202 DJ Mixer to be able to switch between inputs and
preview other sources on a cue monitor. I was delighted that the inaugural
song piped over their system was what is considered the first rock and roll
song ever recorded, Rocket 88 by Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm. It
seemed an appropriate beginning for an establishment that is so reflective
of its owners tastes.

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Cat5 and Coax Cable Installation

Posted: 07 Jul 2009 07:11 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/EIDfCGwvBlo/

Data Closet

I recently went down to New Braunfels TX to work on a grand home in the
picturesque hill country not far from the Guadalupe River. This home was
wired for internet, multiple phone lines, cable television and speakers.
My client had recently purchased this home and was understandably
overwhelmed by the sight of a patch panel overflowing with wires. All this
multimedia descended on a closet that housed Cat5, telephone and powered
splitter boxes for the coax cable. The coax cables (RG6) was being utilized
for both Direct TV and for the Cable Modem feeds. To make things more
difficult the cables were not labeled in any discernible way. Using my test
equipment I was able to identify the right cables and patch internet to the
rooms that he wanted. I also thinned out obsolete and excess cabling and
made sense of this control panel for the benefit of future configurations.

Plasma Install

In addition I hung a 46 plasma television on his mantle. I am very pleased
at the aesthetics of this installation. This HDTV is pictured on my my
Plasma/LCD installation page. In the same room I patched Direct TV from the
aforementioned panel to a location close to where his audio-visual
components would live.

Surround Sound

The new owner of the New Braunfels home also lucked out because the living
room was already equipped with five ceiling mounted speakers! They were of
greater quality than the entry level surround sound speakers he currently
owned. It was as easy as hooking them up to already existing wall panel. In
no time he was up and running with with room shaking 5.1 Surround Sound.

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Flat Screen HDTV Installation at Meuller Austin TX

Posted: 02 Jul 2009 08:53 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/zRyEEU8nKt8/

At Mueller

It has been a busy early summer for Catamount in Austin. I am happy to have
completed my first home theater installation in the new Mueller Community.
A customer wanted a plasma HDTV wall-mounted and JBL ceiling speakers
installed throughout the house. This installation was interesting because
this particular home was made-to-order with the walls and ceiling wired for
sound. I am looking forward to doing more home theater work in this urban
village now that I have acquainted myself with one of its homes.

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South Austin LCD Projector Installation

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 12:58 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/VDnUY6RrIYk/

Catamount AV just finished a projector relocation for a guest house/theater
room in South Austin.  The clients are very discerning about the look of
their home. We were happy to create a practical solution that is visually
consistent with the look of the room. It was harder than meets the eye but
the clients were pleased with the end results. We are especially pleased
with the custom mount.

EngLib

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Physical Science and Engineering Library closing at UC Davis

Posted: 03 Sep 2009 11:30 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/kbFuprWli_A/

Just a bit of sad news, the University of California - Davis decided to
close down its Physical Science and Engineering Library. Budget cuts are
said to be the reason behind the decision.

400,000 items will be moved to other campus libraries as well as other
institutions. The library will close by 2011. The decision doesnt seem to
be favored by all librarians and students. Id be curious to know the
facultys reactions. And the actual future use of the building.

Post from: EngLib

EngLib

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Virtual bookplates

Posted: 28 Aug 2009 06:24 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/wHYjCFJ31pc/

Ive been pondering bookplates as a fundraiser for a long while now. The
administrative hurdles and my lack of time are enough to not do anything
much about it right now. But could virtual bookplates be the solution?

Found via the Libology Blog, a program at the University of Florida
Smathers Libraries are doing just that.

An item with a Virtual Bookplate from the University of Florida Smathers
Libraries, which utilizes an 856 MARC field link to the virtual bookplate.
A search box on their Donor web page gives donors (and others) an easy way
to locate the donated items.
The virtual bookplate for the item.
A presentation on Slideshare (14 slides) providing an overview of their
process.  

Simple, elegant and more visible. Yes, some time is still needed to design
the bookplates and I would still have to work out the financial processes
with the administration AND the cataloging issues with the powers that be.
However, Ill keep this idea in mind.

Post from: EngLib

EngLib

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MyCopy service from Springer

Posted: 28 Jul 2009 07:07 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/VS7g8EUcWnE/

The Yale Libraries have debuted the new MyCopy service by Springer. Has your library?

Library patrons can now order their personal soft cover books via MyCopy.

Following the successful completion of the MyCopy pilot project, Springer has extended this eBook service to all academic libraries in the USA and Canada that have purchased Springer eBook Collections.

All registered library patrons can now order a soft cover copy of a Springer eBook for their personal use by simply clicking on a button on springerlink.com.

More than 11,000 books included at $24.95 each

The MyCopy offer is currently valid for more than 11,000 electronic Springer books published since 2005. The new soft cover format is branded as a MyCopy book with a color cover and black and white book content.

All books will be sold at the same price, US$ 24.95. This price includes shipping and handling within the USA and Canada.

Post from: EngLib

EngLib

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Ebooks readers

Posted: 05 Jun 2009 12:25 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/BPM-ImJaKF4/

I have a dream. And it could be easily enough achieved I guess. I would love to have a few ebook readers to loan out to my users. I know of a few libraries that offer Kindles in circulation, like Texas AM and Princeton. Penn State and Sony recently announced a project where Sony donated 100 readers to the libraries.

I see three immediate advantages in my situation (small physical library, small budget, no shelf space for fiction):

no shelf space used
possibility of download-on-demand for fiction or non-fiction titles. No guessing work on the librarys part as to what fiction to buy. Users needs are met quickly.
can serve advantageously the students who are visually impaired.

and a bonus one:

cool toy > nice PR opportunity

Now, are the younger generations (millenials) into e-readers? Ive tested the waters with my local Student Governement. I think they were intrigued but not completely sold. Ill keep working on it and prepare a good proposal for their support. Maybe when e-textbooks are used more here.

Meanwhile, if Sony wants to do another project with a smaller university campus with a polytechnic vision, Im available for a meeting

Post from: EngLib

EngLib

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New Health Sciences SIG for ACRL

Posted: 26 May 2009 11:22 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/mJ1B_9uyVd4/

ACRL has just approved the formation of a new Health Science Special Interest Group. The Interest Group will be added to the dues renewal starting in September.

However, there is an existing Google Group. There will also be a meeting at ALA Chicago, in the ACRL Suite. If you are interested (even if not a ALA/ACRL member), it is requested that you fill out a survey in order to find the best time possible for all.

Post from: EngLib

EngLib

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Another library flash mob

Posted: 01 May 2009 08:25 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/0YcMWl7V_2Q/

I linked a few months ago to a flash mob at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. More recently, several hundreds of students tried to enter the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga library during finals week. Two nights ago, it the was the William T. Young Library at the University of Kentucky to be visited by, depending of what you read, 300 to 1500 students. Knowing the building, basically a large 6-storied tube, the noise must have been deafening.

Is this a increasing trend or is it more covered by the media? While I think the students have good intentions, the possibility of injury is present (crowd surfing, jumping off the building like at UTC). And, how does the event ends? At UNC, the crowd seemed to disperse rapidly on its own. At UTC, security shot mace over the crowd. At UK, someone pulled the fire alarm. Do you know of a library emergency plan that cover that situation?

Post from: EngLib