EngLib
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Twitter and conference meetings
Posted: 27 Feb 2009 11:58 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/XgTdx2oehGc/
As a collateral to my February 25th post, Peter Bromberg at the Library Garden blog, posts about Twitter etiquette at conference business meetings. The good and the (very) ugly. Although, sometimes I think new Twitter users dont always realize the permanent nature of their tweets. And how very public they are.
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EngLib
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Twitter and presentations
Posted: 25 Feb 2009 04:46 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/DGmhuEn-cdQ/
Very interesting post about the use of Twitter during presentations, by
both attendees and presenter, over at Pistachio. Which brings a host of
issues and interrogations: is it rude to look at a laptop instead of the
presenter? why are the attendees twittering? Are they interested or bored?
(enerving for the presenter) Should the presenter or moderator be on the
lookout for the back-channel during the presentation? What would be the
effects of that? And how to set it up? Is the back and forth enhancing or
hindering the live presentation content? Conferences usually have a hash
tag set up in advance, but should each session have one as well? Should the
presenter determine it at the beginning?
A few months ago, I gave a seminar using synchronous electronic classroom
software (Elluminate). While I was presenting my slides, the chat room was
full of questions and back and forth among the participants. It was a bit
distracting for me. However, it permitted some participants to answer
others questions without having to interrupt me to get access to the
microphone (and helped me in the process because I didnt have answers for
all of them). It permitted participants to create relationships and compare
their experience. I imagine a Twitter back-channel to be very similar to
this experience.
Post from: EngLib
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Peer to Patent Project
Posted: 24 Feb 2009 12:35 PM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Englib/~3/criauMe-06U/
The USPTO launched the Peer to Patent Project in June 2007. The Project
permits the public to actually take part in the patenting process by
submitting prior art and commentary relevant to the claims of pending
patent applications in certain classes. These classes are Technology Center
2100 (“Computer Architecture, Software, and Information Security”) or
Technology Center 3600 Class 705 (Data Processing: Financial, Business
Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination). Up to 400 eligible
applications will be reviewed.
Peer-to-Patent involves 1) review and discussion of posted patent
applications, 2) research to locate prior art references 3) uploading prior
art references relevant to the claims, 4) annotating and evaluating
submitted prior art, and 5) top ten references, along with commentary,
forwarded to the USPTO. The goal of this pilot is to prove that organized
public participation can improve the quality of issued patents.
The Project has already been renewed for a year, until June 2009.
Hopefully, it will be extended again because this is a great way to involve
the general public in the scientific process and the scientific discourse.
(Thanks to Nicole Engard for the link)
Post from: EngLib
EngLib
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List of libraries on Twitter
Posted: 20 Feb 2009 06:58 AM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Englib/~3/543960446/
Found via - where else - Twitter, a list of libraries that tweet (thanks @CanuckLibrarian for the heads up and Lindy Brown for the actual list.)
Post from: EngLib
EngLib
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More content into WorldWideScience.org
Posted: 16 Feb 2009 07:51 AM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Englib/~3/540968447/
WorldWideScience.org now searches 52 databases and portals from 56 countries. The three latest resources are Sri Lanka Journals Online (SLJOL), Indonesia Journals Online (IJO), and the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN Document Server.
WorldWideScience.org is a global science gateway connecting you to national and international scientific databases and portals.
More content is always good news (bis).
Post from: EngLib
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DoT added to Science.gov
Posted: 16 Feb 2009 07:45 AM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Englib/~3/540958828/
Just that, US Department of Transportation materials have been added to Science.gov. It comprises 14 government agencies, including the DOT National Transportation Library (NTL) Integrated Search and more than 30 DOT websites. Major subject areas of highway and transportation engineering, statistics, planning, policies, and research.
More content is always good news.
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EngLib
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AuthorMapper by Springer
Posted: 14 Feb 2009 08:30 AM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Englib/~3/539630533/
Springer Science+Business Media launched a new website called AuthorMapper.com. This free website is an analytical online tool for discerning trends, patterns and subject experts within scientific research.
Currently, AuthorMapper.com searches over three million journal articles to deliver a variety of useful information. The current searchable content is from all Springer journals, and metadata from other STM publishers will be included in the near future. The tool can provide a variety of analyses, such as keyword tag clouds and Top 5 bar charts for various important metrics, and includes an interactive world map of the results. AuthorMapper.com’s advanced search function also allows complex queries using keyword, discipline, institution, journal and author. The results can identify new and historic scientific trends through timeline graphs and bar charts of top statistics, allowing for identification of trends in the literature, discovery of wider scientific relationships, and locating other experts in a field of study.
Post from: EngLib
EngLib
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The dirty little secret of self-censorship
Posted: 13 Feb 2009 09:26 AM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Englib/~3/538944980/
Interesting article in the February School Library Journal on how school and childrens librarians self-censor themselves when it comes to buy potentially controversial titles for their collection.
Working in a public university, I dont have such qualms although I sometimes do wonder if some titles will elicit a reaction (so far, none). Im more concerned about the fit with our disciplines and research interests. I try to make sure I represent various point of views (still looking for solid titles on intelligent design though. Any suggestions?). I have the limitation of being careful not to duplicate titles found elswhere in my library system even though they could answer a need locally (its fair enough although sometimes it disappoint patrons - they dont want to wait for the intralibrary loan to come in.)
But I do know that it may not be the case for private college and university libraries, especially the church-based.
Post from: EngLib
EngLib
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ARL Digital Repositories Task Force releases its final report
Posted: 11 Feb 2009 12:58 PM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Englib/~3/537487115/
The Association of Research Libraries Digital Repositories Task Force released its final report earlier this year. The Research Librarys Role in Digital Repository Services is freely accessible on the ARL website. It does not concentrate on content or technology but simply on the services in general.
Important actions that research libraries should undertake include the following:
• Build a range of new kinds of partnerships and alliances, both within institutions and between institutions.
• Base service-development strategies on substantive assessment of local needs rather than blindly replicating work done at another institution.
• Engage with key local policy issues and stakeholders to encourage institutional engagement with national and international policy issues.
• Develop outreach and marketing strategies that assist “early adopters” of repositories to connect with the developing repository-related service system.
• Define a scope of responsibility to guide the development of repository services for varied forms of content.
It is part of my Librarys strategic plan to produce a repository prototype. Its a bit of a daunting task but I believe the benefits are real.
Post from: EngLib
EngLib
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Library cats
Posted: 11 Feb 2009 07:19 AM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Englib/~3/537271184/
Ive just finished Dewey : a small-town library cat who touched the world, loaned to me by my student assistant. Its a quick, easy read.
It made me wondered though about cats in academic libraries. So I started looking and found this map listing library cats around the world. Its produced by Gary Roma, who once filmed a documentary on the very subject entitled Puss in Books. Turns out most felines are in public libraries, but there are/were a few in colleges and universities.
As for my present library, it would not be a good environment for a cat, although it is small library - most likely too small. I wouldnt be too sure about the future either. Maybe an aquarium in a quiet study area would fly better. Where is the map for those?
Post from: EngLib
EngLib
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Revolution of the e-books
Posted: 09 Feb 2009 01:46 PM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Englib/~3/535861199/
Mike Elgan of ComputerWorld lists six reasons e-books are about to reach an unprecedented high.
the economy
the environment (or green living)
a publishing revolution (or self-publishing)
the rise in aggressive e-book marketing
a rise in books written for electronic reading
and the decline of the newspaper industry
Elgan also mentions the Kindle/iPhone effect, where, finally, some readers are really catching on.
Post from: EngLib
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Using Twitter in libraries
Posted: 09 Feb 2009 01:37 PM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Englib/~3/535853064/
Phil Bradley wrote a post on his blog about the possible uses of Twitter in libraries.
My library has an account on Twitter (@usfplib). I simply feed the RSS of the librarys blog into it. Since my blog covers events, people, new resources, hours, services etc. Im pretty well covered. Im wondering though if it would ever be used for reference by patrons. I see it as another way of reaching out to my users.
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EngLib
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NewsShow app installed
Posted: 06 Feb 2009 12:08 PM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Englib/~3/533552382/
Ive added the Google NewsShow app for a spin (right hand column, below the cloud). Lets see what it comes up with. Not surprinsgly, I specified keywords that have to do with academic/university libraries.
Thanks to my DH for his help with the installation.
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