I feel cheated.....

I've just been looking at filling out a job application for Kingston University, which is 73rd in the Guardian University league. I tried to open the job description but to no avail. Then I noted the following message on there website:-

If you are using a Mac computer you may experience compatibility issues. The issues could result in you not being able to submit your application online. We strongly recommend you click here to request an email pack.

How ridicolous is that? Are we still in 1999 in Surrey then?

What is web 3.0?

(Found via ilibrarian) a good explanation of what web 3.0 is. Worth a check if you get chance.

UCL opens up

(Found via Library & Information Update blog). It seems UCL have announced saying the following inthere press release on June 3rd :-

UCL (University College London) has today announced the establishment of a UCL Publications Board that will implement the university’s Open Access policy and be responsible for ensuring that, subject to copyright permissions, all UCL research is placed online in the university’s institutional repository, freely accessible to all. This move places UCL at the forefront of academic institutions who are pioneering the move to Open Access, as the first European university ranked in the global top ten in the THE – QS world university rankings to do so.

UCL has already given all of its PhD students the option of making their theses available in its online repository, open access, giving these far greater visibility than they would enjoy as paper copy on library shelves. In academic departments across UCL there is already a broad take-up of Open Access, and the records of the whole of UCL’s 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) return have been loaded into the repository, with links added to the relevant version of the full text where copyright permissions allow. The creation of the UCL Publications Board extends this situation to the whole of UCL’s published research output. The Publications Board will oversee the rollout of UCL’s Open Access mandate, and promote Open Access both within UCL and beyond as an important scholarly medium for the dissemination of research.

This will be interesting, especially as UCL are a premier university. I wonder if the other UOL are big enough to follow suit?

Zotero case dismissed

(Found via Disruptive Library Technology Jester). Having mentioned previously that Zotero was being sued by Thomson Reuters it now seems the case has been overturned. Well, i'm glad about that, i really like Zotero.

Crowdsourcing for job applications

Since starting my own Wiki I have been interested in what I could add to it. I have thought of practical and web 2.0 idea's I could also add to it (i'm so last year I know).
Anyhow, since reading Tapscott's Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything. This book along with Jeff Howe's Book Crowdsourcing: Why the Power of the Crowd Is Driving the Future of Business and his Wired article. I was wondering how to use this practically, the crowdsourcing and wiki.
Therefore, my idea was whilst looking for jobs, to put my application forms up, give feedback and recieve updates from other people. The items could then be tagged, reference and used by other people and companies to use. I reckon it could be a winner (unless all my applications are rejected, no one gives feedback etc). I wonder why no one else has done it.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure if some people might see it as either a free dinner or plagarism to a degree. What do others of you think?

My own wetpaint wiki

I decided to centralise all my social media information into one wiki, that can be found here. I've put my dissertation up there, which I previously said was on my website (but is no more). Anyhow, hope to add more features before long.

Using Twitter at academic conferences

(Found via ilibrarian). I was pointed to How People Are Using Twitter During Conferences in which the report says:-

“Microblogging at conferences seems to be an additional way of discussing presented topics and exchanging additional information. It is not limited to the face-to-face audience or the location of the conference. Microblogging rather allows virtually anyone to actively participate in the thematic debates. Our research shows that several conference speakers and attendees are using Twitter for various purposes. Communicating and sharing resources seem to be one of the most interesting and relevant ways in which one microblogs.”

I'm not a fan of twitter. I see the advantages, but find the noise to perplexing, but when I went to the Mash up at Birkbeck, I was surprised at how many people twittered at the conference. As the Oop north mash up is soon, I can see i'll ne twittering there myself.

Messing around with Yahoo Pipes

I have occasionally talked about Yahoo Pipes since the Mash UP in October I went to. I've been reading Tony Loton's Book and looking at other mash up. I have now tried creating my own (but really using the source code from here, and taking out the Connotea,Delicous and flickr tags and just putting my own blog in. Wasn't quite successful, but I did get this running.

Google tries to pacify libraries with piece meal offerings

(Via lisnews). The New York Times has an article entitled Google Book-Scanning Pact to Give Libraries Input on Price. In the article the author says:-


'In a move that could blunt some of the criticism of Google for its settlement of a lawsuit over its book-scanning project, the company signed an agreement with the University of Michigan that would give some libraries a degree of oversight over the prices Google could charge for its vast digital library.'

How can a company that has a monopoly of those market be 'blunting' its approach to libraries and users? Sorry, Google is a public company, out for a profit (as I said previously).

By the way, I do note the irony of using blogger in my Google bashing.

New Design

As some of you may have noticed, I have changed my blog design. Sorry for any inconvenience, but after 3 years I needed a change to the site.

Wetpaint is some wiki software

I was recently introduced to wetpaint via a new blog I've subscribed to. I know its been reviewed previously, but I had never heard of it.
As I had been working on PBWorks for a work, and although I liked it, wetpaint was really easy and had a great advantage. The accessibility of users was great. You can allow different user access. It also looks prettier.

Google Doing evil towards librarians and authors

Ok, I'm being sensational. but Google seem to want to have the library cake, eat it, take over the building and replace it as another server farm. I've been reading Randall E. Stross Planet Google: How One Company is Transforming Our Lives. Stross points out how Lawrence Lessig felt that using snippets of books was like a card catalogue at a library and therefore fair use. Others have disagreed.
Brewster Kahle has today felt that Google are taking advantage of the libraries digitalising there books. Kahle says of google:-

The promise of a rich and democratic digital future will be hindered by monopolies. Laws and the free market can support many innovative, open approaches to lending and selling books. We need to focus on legislation to address works that are caught in copyright limbo. And we need to stop monopolies from forming so that we can create vibrant publishing environments.

We are very close to having universal access to all knowledge. Let's not stumble now.

But will anyone say anything? I am doubting it.

Mash oop north Areas of interest to explore on the day

The Mash oop north is certainly looking more interesting everyday. Dave Pattern has indicated on the ning site Areas of interest to explore on the day. It looks extremely good. Unfortunately works not paying like I had hoped. Oh well, have to pay for myself I suppose.

Freedom fighter gains recognition at Hospital library

The above sentence is a fallacy. I just love lisnews story on a Hospital library in Yemen naming it after a suicide bomber. The irony of it.

"US NOW" available free online

Wikinomics informed us via their blog, that US NOW is free available online. I have seen it previously, and if you get chance, check it out.

Web 2.0 in Higher education

Over on Information Literacy meets Library 2.0 they have an article Higher education in a web 2.0 worldin which it discussed JISC Web 2.0 in Higher education report. The part I liked is when Goodwin says:-

At present use of Web 2.0 is patchy in HE and tends to be driven from the bottom up. Web 2.0 technology has not yet been fully exploited for student learning yet. As this develops in HE it will challenge some students who expect traditional delivery. Surely the role of HE is to challenge and provide opportunities for adapting - that's what tomorrow's students will require. This is where the usefulness of Web 2.0 for supporting constructivist educational practice comes into play.

Its totally true. I've often tried to implement these technologies at Senate House (1, 2 & 3. But thankfully some projects have come off. This has only been internally, but this has happened only internally. Small steps, but all in the right direction.

Free is no longer the profitable business model

With the recent discussion by the uber media god, Rupert Murdoch, in which the guardian say:-

"The inchoate days of the internet will soon be over," Murdoch pronounced, citing an "epochal" debate in the industry. Having flirted with the idea of turning the Wall Street Journal website free before realising he had bought one of the world's few newspaper sites that makes money, Murdoch has come down in favour of online charging.

Murdoch seems to feel he can get people to pay. Its certainly been tried, and as knowledge worker points out 'business model for online news is broken.'

I reckon people will certainly not want to pay much, and as some journalist and Writers perhaps feel 'Free: The Future of a Radical Price: The Economics of Abundance and Why Zero Pricing Is Changing the Face of Business'.

I reckon Murdoch is correct in his assumption. Some payments have to be made, but they need to micro payments or items that can subscribe to them (like the Kindle). Unfortunately (for Amazon), Murdoch has rejected this idea of using the new Kindle.

It will be interesting how Murdoch's plan works. He's rarely backs a bad idea.

Mashed Library UK 2009 tickets released

Mashed Library UK 2009 tickets have gone on sale. I've put in my request, I just hope I don't have to pay and Senate House do.

Wolfram Alpha talk.......

I know the Wolfram Alpha talk has been a talking point on the blogosphere, but today there is a sneak preview. I am unable to see it as i am working, but I can't wait to see what they have to say.

My lucky break......

Having worked at Senate House for over a year now, it seemed my time working there might have been soon over. Fortunately for me though one person from my team broke his leg in 5 places. Oh well, thats me sorted for a couple more months and perhaps a chance to go to the mash up as a senate house representative.

Mashed Library UK 2009 - Mash Oop North! Can I go?

Dave Pattern has indicated that Mashed Library UK 2009 - Mash Oop North!. I went previously to the one at Birkbeck, and I have asked if i can go as a representative of Senate House. Not sure if i'll get to go. But hell, I asked and sounds fun.

My new project at work

Working at Senate House, I heard that are interlibrary loan group were going to set up there own wiki. I therefore asked if iI could help in anyway and have started working on one with them. Quite enjoyable to.

My Brother's killer given life.....

Last week I pointed out the Killer of my brother was to be sentenced to life in prison. But can appeal after 13 years (minus 252 days). The assault on my brother (read here was awful. That he got such a low tarif makes me sad and wonder what he needed to get a higher one. His Excuses that he had ADHD, had a bad upbring etc disgust me. I mean, his mum and step-father were there for him and he says that. This guy was a violent thug, on the sex offenders list and with a history of violence and a police record. This was always likely to happen. His so called feelings of remorse went so far as to saying he had not done it for three months, even though the police had his bloodied trainers and socks.
I really hope he is never released, as this will happen again with this 'person'. He's unstable and a menace to society. If he came out and did this again my family would be tormented forever, as we would feel responsible we had not made it longer. I don't say this through hatred (I have enough), but find out his history.
He has put my family through hell. My parents miss my brother so much. Its like a bomb has landed on them and there looking through the emotional rubble. They did everything for him and everything with him.
I miss Jody so much. He was a lovely guy, sweet natured, hard working, his own man and most importantly my brother. How I move on is hard at the moment, but I thanfully have the support of many friends and the concerns of my parents.
Jody, i'll always love you but miss him even more.

I hope he rots in hell.....

I was infotmed today that Dean Grainger has pleaded guilty. He will be sentenced tomorrow. He has put my family through hell and what he did to my brother was sickening. He should be not on the streets like other thugs and scumbags that ruin peoples lives. Grainger was going to pleaded diminished responsibility, but changed his plea. I won't see the scumbags face as I don't go until wednesday night. I hope his sentence is long.

My Brothers trial

On monday the 30.03.09 the murder of my brother begins. I don't go down until the Wednesday, thankfully missing what my brother endured. I pray the 'person' who did this stays inside a very long time,

Cilip blog disregards legitimate arguments......Again

Having read and posted about the Observer article on sunday, it was great to see the Cilip blog discuss it. Whoops, I mean disregard it. The article entitled Stop talking to each other, start talking to the media, or expect more bad headlines again disregards what librarians are saying about how we should enhance our profession (nothing unusual there then).
I am astonished at what Elspeth Hyams says of the article. Actually she says nothing of the article and its core content. Her opening gambit is this:-

Frustrating headlines like 'Time to go into battle to save our world of books' in the Observer newspaper or '‘MLA and DCMS “increasingly anti-book” on the Bookseller’s blog are a consequence of librarians talking to each other – but not to the national media.

Does she mention Cooke discussing the loss of service at the Wirral ? Or the utter vapidness of the Idea Store? The Library Minister idea on making libraries the '3d facebook' with noise to accompany it?
Nope, none of these are mentioned at all.

She does point out her problems with not being able to get a book from Haringey libraries even though they thought they had it. But the irony of her statement was as follows:-

Middle class people are passionate about libraries. But unless they are pensioners (preferably, white female ones) or middle aged, they don’t use libraries much, say most public librarians in my circle.

She's discussing Haringey and feel they are like this? Well, I think that maybe due to her live here or here and not here or here as these where very diverse in age and race (I worked there before you retort).

Elspeth also forgets Cooke's arguments 'Expenditure on books in our libraries is below 8% of the total public library funds, and in inner London that figure is just 5.7% (across the country, councils spend just 1.6% of their funding on children's books; several councils, Hackney and Doncaster among them, spend less than 1%). ' Her response to this is the laudable conclusion that:-

I’m one of the chattering classes myself, so the moral of this story? Think ahead! Friends of libraries like me will comment when the service doesn’t meet our expectations. So don’t ignore your well-heeled media-savvy champions (let alone journalists). And insist on training for staff!

Training? Pray, who should we go to for training? Oh, Cilip perhaps? I mean thats WHO YOU WORK FOR.

You seem to feel that there is no quality staff in libraries, but at Marcus Garvey and North Library I was inspired by great managers and staff, who gave a great service. Ironically too, none of them belonged to Cilip, so perhaps its not just libraries that need to be better at promoting themselves, perhaps it should be Cilip. But then when do they listen ?

A must read for Public libraries in the UK

Rachel Cooke has a great article in the Observer. Described as :-

One of the glories of our cultural heritage, Britain's libraries face an uncertain future. Many are threatened with closure, others seem more interested in yoga and coffee. Rachel Cooke argues we should fight to keep reading at the heart of our culture.

Worth checking.

Hi ho.....its off to work we go.....best uk library work websites

With the economic downturn in the uk, and those looking for jobs there seems little data on library job related websites that I know of. Therefore I thought i'd give my ratings and view on library related websites. First off, these are my opinions and that only.
1. Sue Hill. Based in London and Birmingham, I also thing they are a very good agency. Sue Hill did get me a job at Senate House, but this is not the only reason I thing they are good. They have a good search engine, they have a blog and provide a very good team of people to assist in getting a job. They'll look over your CV and give good advice. They also provide events like Credit Crunch lunches.
2. TFPL has a very corporate feel about its website. Its unfortunately not the easiest to navigate (unlike Sue Hill). Like Sue Hill he does have options on roles, but unlike them it does not allow to choose area's.
The website does have a blog, which is regularly updated, and it does give its temps courses to go to. Like Sue Hill, very good company.
3. Lisjobnet is part of Cilip, and is updated every two weeks. Again, another site thats easy to use and area based search. It does really have much of a social media like the two above. Again, very friendly company.
4. Aslib. The company says of itself 'Aslib is renowned as the world's leading corporate information management organisation.' It has an area search for jobs. Like the other three it also provides training courses. But no blog or social presence.
5. For Academic libraries there is Jobs. Again, it has a general search engine but not a pull down menu for areas. Regularly updated. No blogs or social media, but a useful site.
6. Weekes Gray is a northern based agency. Spoken to them and very nice. No social media on the site or a pull down menu for area search though.
7. Glen Recruitment is a london based job agency. Can search via amounts paid and not via area. No social media to speak of.
8. Jobs for information pros, is a search engines that adds major companies results (it uses Sue Hill, Glen Recruitment, Weekes Gray, and Tfpl amongst others). Has a good search engines, looks via different roles, area's and pay. Pretty good, but again no blog or social media.
9. Infomatch is again part of Cilip. Not the greatest search engine, and looks via temporary or permanent roles. I've been to there offices and very friendly. No social media.
10. Lisjobtemps is another Cilip based agency. Very new to the block and not really opened yet.
11. Reed is a good general search for library jobs.

Anyhow, anybody want to add anything it would be much appreciated.

I read it in The Guardian.....

Found via Library & Information Update blog about an article in the Guardian which discusses what academic librarians really do at work.
What I did hate about the article was the line:-
'Indeed "information management", as the field is also known, has become increasingly important - much more important, in all likelihood, than you thought. And the reason, of course, is technology.'

Many Congratulations to Brian Matthews

For those who don't know Brian Matthews, he has an interesting blog called Ubiquitous Librarian. He has been working at Georgia Tech libraries, and his blog is always a really interesting read. Yesterday on his blog he announced he has a new job as Assistant University Librarian for Outreach and Academic Services at the University of California, Santa Barbara . Many congrats.

Upcoming events at the RSA

Next week i'm off to an RSA event entitled 'The Public Domain: Enclosing the Commons of the Mind'. The event is headed by James Boyle discussing his new book The Public Domain. The tickets are free and Bill Thompson is also there. Coolio.

Lee Siegel's book review

Having read Lessig's new book Remixed, which was good if not a bit like his previous books. I felt a need for a change and got Lee Siegel's book Against The Machine: Being Human in the Era of the Electronic Mob. Its a very short book, but in many ways similar to Andrew Keen's Cult of the Amateur. Certainly some people might not enjoy the book. The book was enjoyable in that he criticised some of the web 2.0 outlooks and technologies. I was especially impressed in the debunking of Gladwell's tipping point book. He points out that the story of connectors and The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere was untrue and historically incorrect. I really liked the book, even though I can't always agree with it all, but then as Fitzgerald said :-

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.

So I highly recommend this book.

Hollywood librarian DVD for sale

Ann Seidl has informed us that she has released Her film the Hollywood Librarian as a DVD release. Hope it sells well. It deserves to.

Ebooks, reviewed and abused......

It the ubiquity of the ipod touch and iphone. Along with the news of the new Kindle 2, and release of the Sony eReader at Waterstones, there has been some debate about ebooks. Two interseting reviews have been described in some detail by library bloggers. Joeyanne in her review talks about one of applications she has used on apple's products, being Stanza. There is also Classics that has been released free as well. There is also a new one called beam it down. This new one has a few free books as well as some to download you pay for.
These reviews could be added to an interesting podcast I heard on Guardian Technology, which discussed the ereaders and ebooks would take off, in it author and games writer Naomi Alderman discusses her hopes and fears for ebooks as Amazon launch their new gadget - the Kindle 2. There's some interest outlook on the financial repercussion and who would the market be.
Thankfully, there is some criticism about ereaders to.

[Just Tweet It] New Listing On: Librarians.....the only emails I know seem to get

Since David Rothman informed us of the librarian twitter feed, I went and joined. I am know getting constant updates of new joiners. I am actually quite enjoying adding new feeds to my bloglines. Its been good to discover these new blogs. I love serendipity.

Oh dear, haven't I been here before?

oh my. I was reeding David Rothman's blog entitled Directory of Librarians Who Twitter. Its very good, and I obviously joind but I do feel I take these things up (note ning). Lets hope I can keep it going.

Death of the book, birth of the E-reader is upon us.....

The Guardian had a interesting story entitled Are real books nearing the end of their shelf life? Some gave it a good review saying:-

Another executive from Penguin Books, a company that has issued Sony Readers to all its editors, described hers as a godsend. "I now download virtually all my submissions on to my eReader. In some cases, it means the script is never printed out. The agent emails it and I download it."

Whilst one said :-

"I can't say I enjoy it very much. Using it at home feels too much like looking at a computer screen."

With ereaders, iphones and kindles filling this area, its an interesting topic of discussion (1,2,3).

Paul Miller Podcasts on the Big Switch author

Paul Miller was talking to Nicholas Carr on his podcast. Carr was the author of Big Switch. If your interested in cloud computing, Carr's book or IT history. Well worth a listen.

Emergent web2.0 tools: a seminar with TFPL

I got an email from TFPL which was offering a session will be:

a) Interactive: “Twitter generates mostly trivial chatter.”

In groups: you will form arguments using your own opinions and experiences to support and rebut the above statement in the following contexts:
Personal use.
Work use.

Arguments will then be compared and contrasted to those already gathered in the course of our research.

Its free too. Hopefully I will get to go.

Time for me to start reading again

With my recent acquisition of my Ipod, I have been watching so many films on it, listening to podcasts and gaming. I have therefore restarted reading. So I have bought the following (1, 2, 3 & 4).

Podcast for the macintosh 25th anniversary

The Guardian has a great podcast on the 25th anniversary of the macintosh. They discuss with such appe luminaries as Steve Wozniak and Andy Hertzfeld. Being a user, fan boy of Apple its worth a listen, and was nice that Jeff Raskin gets a mention as the creator of the Macintosh. If you have ever enjoyed some of the great books or films on Apple I would highly recommend it.
By the way it would have been interesting if they had discussed where Apple are going now that Steve Jobs is ill in more detail.

Bowker claim a minority share of librarything

Having written extensively about Librarything, I noted that they have just obtained a minority investment from Bowker, part of the Cambridge Information Group. Richard Wallis covers this in more detail here.

is this the reason I fear for libraries?

I know this is funny, but its so futile. Perhap the register is also being over the top in quoting the scottish sun as a primary source.

US NOW film review

I recently wrote a film I was going to see called US NOW. I went to see this last week. The film dealt with the web 2.0 economy. They interviewed people like Clay Shirky and Don Tapscott and other organisations that are part of the web 2.0 economy. The film was ok, nicely shot and everything, but yup the wisdom of crowds being the saviour of the world is slightly irksome and cliqued. Obviously other writers have criticised this view. I really despise this idea that the web is making people able to join groups and create new communities. The mumsnet look liked a middle class mothers union
. Only people with internet access can join and this is what this documentary skirted over.
There have been other review of the film. There is also a video report including an introduction to the film. I am found on the video report 97 seconds in.

I love my ipod touch

I am loving my Ipod Touch. I am on the Applications all the time. Downloaded Classic books application, which is fantastic. I'm off to read Huck Finn. I am also enjoying being with my girlfriend.

Facebook continued from David Lee King

David Lee King has another interesting article on how to use facebook. He has some really great ideas on there.

Online information starts tomorrow

Due to a busy work schedule (and not having £600), Online information starts tomorrow. Clay Shirky is talking and there seem many interesting events that are occuring.

A free film at Nesta

Found via Wikinomics, there is a film being shown at Nesta next week called US NOW (10.12.08). For those who have read wikinomics its well worth going (i'm there, is that not reason enough?) The film looks at the affect of the collaborative economy brought about via the web.

Mash up continued

Having briefly discussed the mash up at birkbeck last week, I was great impressed and frustrated in equal measure. Impressed in Owen Stephens organising the event, with some great talks, especially from Tony Hirst discussion and use of Yahoo pipes and google docs and how to utilize them.
My disappointment comes in not staying for the afternoon session to utilise what I had learnt from the talks beforehand. Unfortunately I had not booked time off work to do this. For those who went, I had a very enjoyable time (and a lot of coffee). For those who diddn't, here are a few links from those those who went (1, 2 & 3).
Also, thanks to David Flanders, who went and informed us about JISC's developer Happiness Days in London Feb 9-13 2009‏.

Library Mash up

I am presently at the library mash up I had discussed before. After get through signing in to the network and having 6 power points between 30 persons and we are off. I know i'm using this like twitter, so apologies.

My great gran passed away

I had some sad news when my Great Gran Vodden (bottom right), passed away in her sleep in hospital. She was aged 107 and had only recently been to hospital, caring for herself in the same house for over 60 years. She was going blind and deaf, but her mind still sharp. She had 3 children, 12 grandchildren, numerous great and great grandchildren. She also had a great,great,great gran child born 101 years exactly after her own birth. Although it was time for her to go its still sad to hear the news, and doubtful i'll make the funeral to give her the good bye she deserved. I'll always think of you fondly gran.

What I read was great

I've just finished Steven Levy's book The Perfect Thing: How the iPod Shuffles Commerce, Culture, and Coolness. Levy provides a wonderful insight into the ipod and apple and its affect on society. Steven has previously written about apple and also touches on Jobs 'hacking' days in the 70's with Captain Crunch. He is able to ask Jobs anything. The book is well worth a look.

I got my ipod touch

I final got it. Thankfully i'll get my wi-fi friday and be able to use it. Also next week is the library mash up i'm going to. I'll use it there to blog etc.

Clay Shirky interview

Clay Shirky of famous Power Laws, Weblogs, and Inequality and the book Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations, is interviewed by Richard Wallis over on Panlibus site. Worth a listen (if only I had internet at home......just 16 days to go).

Brothers court case

Most of may know of my brothers murder. Well the accused has pleaded 'not guilty'. I can't say much more on the because of due process. We know await the trial. this will be the 30th of march (3 weeks after my brothers birthday and the day before my mums). Tomorrow will be the first anniversary of my grandfather passing away. Life don't seem so good. Thank god I have my girlfriend.

Facebook in libraries? Can it ever succeed?

I recently discussed David Lee King's article looking into facebook in libraries. Well a few other bloggers have been discussing this article (1 & 2).

I then went back to the original article and looked at the comments Kings comments had got and at the relevant libraries that had been using it (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6).

In looking at this I noted that the highest of these facebooks pages was 349 and lowest 25. My question is, will facebook ever be able to replace the online catalogue? I mean, with figures these (fairly) low, how would we get are patrons to go to this site and make people comment on our services?

My idea for facebook libraries is to offer something free that the catalogue does not. I think search skills video's on youtube or something along those lines. Without people visiting the facebook page its just a dead link in my opinion. We have to offer more for less in these days of credit crunch.

Lib Democrats show the decline of UK Public libraries

I have not mentioned public libraries recently (as I don't work in them anymore), but I found via lisjobnet, that Lib Dem culture spokesman Don Foster said a survey showing that 35 branches were lost in the last financial year "demonstrates the severity of the crisis facing library services across the country".

This seems a shame that public libraries are getting so little support (excluding the support of some personages and blogs). Hopefully the powers that be might see that culture is not just football and opera, its allowing the young and old to advance there own minds in a library enviroment, and not in google or second life

Unquiet History podcast

Librarian.net introduced me to an interesting podcast [whoops error, digital recording], entitled Unquiet History, which follows on from Matthew Battles book of the same name. When I finally get my ipod touch might even get to listen to it.

Saying good bye

I went down to Cornwall this weekend. Since my brothers death I have not been as much as I had hoped with other commitments (like weddings and house hunting). We (my niece and parents that is) had to pack his so few belongings. It brought home I have no future with this person, just cherished memories. I some times feel this gets better, but it always comes back. Hopefully some day the loss might not be so sharp.
On my journey home I started using his photo's in Imovie. I loved doing it, but just so few photo's of one I held so dear. I think of what one blogger wrote previously to me:-

I also lost a brother. He was 24; I was 26. At 53, he's still as alive in my heart and in my head as ever, though we will never get to compare wrinkles. His birthday is coming up: August 7. I will be celebrating it with him in my dreams.

I miss you everyday Jo.

Google-publishers settlement

Google has settled its publishing rights row. I've not really had time to review it but two eloquent bloggers have (1,2). I'm hoping to blog over the weekend, as I was initially going for my brothers murder trial. Thanks to the great british judical service that is not, we were informed there is no trial as there is no judge.

Owen Stephens interview on Panlibus

Owen Stephens on the library mashed library '08 at Birkbeck which I had mention before, has been interview By Richard Wallis on Panlibus about the event. Seems like the Mashed library looks a very interesting event.

Itouch and tools to use

Having written previously (or poorly), about my new acquisition I noted this article on interesting things to do with the ipod touch. All I need know is the toy and the internet connection.

I break rules not follows dem.....itouch is mine

Although some people have indicated how many dots should be used in a sentence (3 allegedly, I like to Agree with Lou Reed and walk on the wildside of grammar and diction. Anyhow, I have ordered myself an itouch (another incorrect pronunciation), but i'm a rebel innit! When the baby arrives I'll reveal how great it is.

Dis lookz da bomb........

Having moved house (no it did not go well), I was checking my bloglines, when I came accross this found via Self-plagiarism is style. Its in England and its free (which one is rarer). I'm going to go to what they describe as :-


This informal event is a chance to meet others involved in Library Technology and related fields such as metadata, search, etc. Inspired by the Mashed Museums event, the day will give the opportunity for you to discuss ideas, share visions, and hopefully actually develop some stuff. All you need to take part is some enthusiasm for exploiting technology in the Library and Information world.

Mash it up.

Richard Wallis on youtube video

After listening to Richard Wallis podcast on Panlibus, Alan Choo pointed out Wallis interview explains how Talis can easily integrate its APIs into applications.

Another library documentary

Following on from the success of Hollywood librarian news is coming through that an amercan film crew are making a documentary about Latvian libraries. The article says of the film:-

The film is being shot for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which plans to show the film to librarians and library administrators from many countries where similar projects could be implemented.

"Tresais teva dels" is the foundation's pilot project in Europe; before that, the foundation supported the development of libraries in North and South Americas.

Last week the film crew visited Preili Library, Kastire Library and Riga Central Library branch "Vidzeme", where library visitors were interviewed. The goal of the documentary is to show the role of modern libraries, provided with latest technologies, in the improvement of the quality of life.

Apple Itouch wins T3 gaget award

Boys with toys mag T3 has revealed the Apple Itouch as gadget of the year. Ummm, I so wish I had one.

Its a bit late.....

But today was Open Access day. Anyhow Walt has already written about it. Anyhow, i'm moving house an need to pack.

Facebook aricle of interest

David Lee King has a great article on how libraries can use facebook. He discusses:-

I’ve done into three sections - Basic Info, Facebook Functionality, and Social Stuff.

I've passed it on to my manager to see if we maybe able to use it on our facebook page.

E-books tested as British Library

(Via lisnews). Seems the BBC has been testing out E-books at the British Library. The technology reporter Simon Gompertz was :-

Working lunch's Simon Gompertz has visited the British Library and asked Librarians to give their opinions on electronic readers which have been designed to replace paper books.

Check the video, it has some interesting feedback. With the talk about the kindle, sony e-reader and the itouch/iphone

Annoyed Librarian creating havoc in the librosphere?

Annoyed Librarian has joined the ranks of the library journal, and created some dismay to David Lee King. David has said:-

Yep - that’s right. The same organization that publishes the Transparent Library column is now giving voice to … an anonymous blogger.

Other Bloggers haves commented on this (1), well one. Oh this has been added too.

King goes on to say:-

'And now that same juvenile, irresponsible behavior has been paid, and has been given a voice … by “the oldest and most respected publication covering the library field.” Hmm… another irony noted.

Don’t get me wrong - I’m all for tearing down bad ideas, pointing out inconsistencies, sharing what I think.'

Why the upset? I always find the annoyed librarian quite funny. I can't take his/her rants seriously or the talk about 'twopointians'. Anyhow, on most blogs do we not allow anymous responses? I think it just gives the annoyed librarian more ammo.

Story via Panlibus

Panlibus has an interesting article that the itouch and iphone has a new piece of free software to make it into a portable ereader.

It says:-

As reported by Forbes.com, a free to download software add-on for a mobile phone is already outstripping the potential of Amazon’s flagship eBook Reader. Stanza from Lexcycle is freely downloadable from the Apple App Store:

Wow, I can't afford it but i'm so tempted. The article looks at the effect on the Amazon Kindle. Well worth the read. I real want one.

Malcolm Gladwell tour tickets in London

Malcolm Gladwell will be touring London for his new book out called Outliers. Popbitch has a reduced price for tickets for his tour. I am not sure £20 is cheap enough though.

Congratulations to Michael Stephens

Michael Stephens of Taming the Web fame has his Dissertation Bound. The dissertation is entitled modelling the role of blogging in librarianship. Looks a really good read. I wish mine was still online, I have to sort this out.

Zotero. Is it here to stay?

I have not really been keeping up to date lately with the blogosphere. but have heard a fair bit about Zotero (1, 2 & 3. Which is described as :-

Even though it is still in its toddler-hood, Zotero’s idea of being a bibliographic manager that runs in your browser and grabs citations on your command from lists of books or journals is still appealing. Plus, the ability to make folders for your citations from particular topics is something that EndNote (via EndNoteWeb) is finally giving in to.

Unfortunately the might of Thomsons Reuters is suing them(via Panlibus as:-

Thomson Reuters demands $10 million and an injunction to stop George Mason University from distributing its new Web browser application, Zotero software, an open-source format that allows users to convert Reuters’ EndNote Software. Reuters claims George Mason is violating its license agreement and destroying the EndNote customer base.

I better get a move on and use it then.

Sue Hill and Hollywood librarian

I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff at Sue Hill who were so supportive in the recent months. They've been top to me.

I was sad I couldn't make there viewing last week of the Hollywood librarian. Loving the Blog to.

My sisters wedding

My sister yesterday was married in Scotland. t was a lovely day and I was supported by my lovely girlfriend. It was hard to be happy with my recent loss but I'm glad I went.

Senate House Library opens up to facebook

Senate House Library (where I work) has started a facebook page. Please join us, join us.......

Why no comments article via ttw

Taming the web has linked to an interesting article entitled 'why no comments' (via here). In it, TTW says (sorry this is poor practice but still):-

One of the stumbling blocks for libraries when we talk about blogging is the fact that so many library blogs never get comments. This article - focused on associations - might be very useful for strategic planning for the library blog.

I especially like this one:

2. Open and easy. If you really want to build comments, you have to be open and make commenting easy. Limiting your blog content or commenting features to members also limits what you can achieve with your blog. A members-only strategy may be appropriate in some cases, but not if your goal is to engage a vocal audience. In fact, to truly be open, try setting up a blog with

No login;
Easy to find comment links;
No captchas—those annoying things that make people spell out letters to prove they are human;
No moderation. (You can always be notified of new posts and moderate after the comments are posted.) The instant gratification a new commenter feels when they see their name and content post to your site is not to be underestimated.


I totally agree. So many times i've spoken to libraries and ease of access is such a stumbling block. It could be I don't sell it well enough, but I think any blogger feels content when they recieve comments.

Please feel free to comment ;)

Public library survey for masters degree

Sarah Hammond has a questionaire for any public librarians. If you got the time to assist this Masters student please do.

The funeral

On friday we buried my brother. In a moving ceremony we celebrated my brothers short life. I keep strong for my family, but the void he leaves is irreplacable. I'll always miss you Jody and thankful for the time you gave me and promise to stay strong for you and mum and Pete. You would have done so for me.

A question

I am interested in doing a Phd in librarianship. Does anyone know what universities would cover this area in the uk?

New blog release

For those short story writers a new has been released called small stories. The blurb on the front says of the site:-

Read. Write. Share.
Small Stories - social storytelling.

Share stories with other people
Read and comment on other peoples’ stories
Guidelines:

Stories must be submitted by the author.
Stories have to be 300 words or less.

Sounds an interesting format and not covered in adverts. Sweet

Funeral

As you may know, my brother was murdered. This friday we will finally lay him to rest. I miss him terribly, but i'd like to say thanks to some lovely comments left behind and the support I have had, especially Phil Bradley's. I will always remember the good times. But always hoped for more......

Innocent blood

My step dad left this poem as a tribute to my brother. For those who feel my actions are wrong for this site, then I apologise, but am using this as I can't make sense of much at the moment.

INNOCENT BLOOD

Innocent blood, poured out on the sand,
innocent blood from an innocent man,
Life taken, lives ruined, by mindless attack,
life taken, lives ruined, AND NO TURNING BACK.

No smile, no joy, no memory now,
no smile, no joy, no crease of the brow,
no laugh, no shout, no jokes \in the night,
no laugh, no shout, ``Dad, mum, you alright ? "

No future together, no son to hold,
no friend through the years as I grow old,
How much you have taken, you may never have known,
The love of a father, for his son that has gone.

DAD

Jody the Junglist

This is for my brother, who passed away. Here are 2 links. One from the BBC and video a great friend made of him. Thanks for everyones thoughts. Its appreciated.

Bad day

Had the worst news when I was told my brother was murdered. Still numb.

The Google storm rages on........

I recently discussed the fall out from Google Librarian central, which Steven Cohen had pointed out, had not been written in for 1 year. Well, they have finally responded, and told us there back. But only as a newsletter.
As one critic said:-

They've been thinking about how best to communicate with us, and this apparently is best done by closing the weblog and reverting to a newsletter. Is this one of the first examples of a company dumping Web 2.0 technology in favour of 1.0?

Meredith Farkas has been defending the Google line, saying:-

Some people are up in arms because they feel that Google has some obligation to libraries beyond the contractual obligations to those they’re working with. Some people feel like librarians have been used. I must be missing something, because I don’t feel anything of the kind. Marketing is designed to make you like a company or product. Their marketing worked.

Fair point Meredith, but as a company there making a profit of everyone's culture, there not doing this so we can access information. Google have said that:-

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.

ut I'd agree with another view point, that :-

Google's real mission is to organize the world around advertising.

If there doing it on the back of being the only company making books available online, they have a monopoly to decide what goes up and what gets hits. But hell, Marketing is designed to make you like a company.

Interview on my other blog

As you may or may not know, I've recently started a new blog called SAVE SENATE HOUSE. Anyhow, two students have started a successful facebook campaign. I have just interview one and put it up on the site, so please check it out.

New book I have been enjoying

I've always been a big computer fan, since my first one back in 1982. I have also often thought about writing a book on the ZX Spectrum. Seems someone has got there before me, when I picked up Jack Railton's book 'The A to Z of Cool Computer Games'. Though not totally based fully on the Speccy, many games are discussed.

I'd still like to see a book or article on the 80's Politics of Spectrum and its games (for example Monty on the Run was a game about the coal miners strike and how the mole was trying to escape miners, flying pickets, or the game Morris Meets the Bikers', which was a game which was made by automata, who tried to make the games 'non confrontational', how 80's pc is that?_

An indepth look at Google library blog, or what happened

As many bloggers (1, 2, 3) and especially Steven Cohen deliberate the impact of Google Librarian Central blog and its disappearance, it seems little has been said why? Expecially from Google, but other sources. Perhaps google never got around to reading.

Firstly, Steven was not the first one to point out the demise of the blog, as it was discussed way back in January.

Secondly, Google now no longer has any competition from Microsoft in this area any longer. Therefore, the competition has disappeared in May of this year. But this does not still explain why they went 10 months without mentioning it?

In my opinion, Google was always a company and companies there are to make profits, and not to help society live a fruitful existance (unlike librarians). As Charles Arthur had pointed out :-

Google gets the book contents free, gets to sell adverts against them, and the publishers get ... what? The promise that they might sell some more books. It certainly sounds like something for nothing. And once again, it's Google that gets the something, and everyone else who is left scrabbling for the scraps.

Google should at least address this error. If they make a blog for librarians and then dump it, you'll really annoy people (as Steven has shown).

Also, it might make us look less uncritically at Google, and agree with one critic who says google is White bread for young minds

Encyclopaedia Britannica Debate - Do schoolchildren and students know how to research?

The RSA in London has an interesting talk called 'Encyclopaedia Britannica Debate - Do schoolchildren and students know how to research?' Sounds like an interesting panel especially with Stephen Heppell. As its free i'll have to go, even though I fly out the next day.

Who needs a library when Tesco's is just as good?

I read with interest Pete Smith's blogs discussing how one councillor in Doncaster, the Director of Customer Services (sic), Stuart Hall, has had this to say about cutbacks that will materially damage the library service[whoops, Pete pointed out it was an officer not councillor]:-

“What is the point in buying new books? Tescos sell them cheaply and everything you need to know is on the Internet.”


Ummmmm. Now i'm not sure if I'd really like to see Stuart Hall's book collection, but is this guy for real? So, whats he saying? That libraries are dead? That a dumb terminal will give us the answers? That Jackie Collins new novel will show us the meaning of life?

How Google Used Librarians…and Got Away With It

A few blogs have been discussing Steven Cohen's blog on How Google Used Librarians…and Got Away With It (1,2).Steven, David Rothman and Siva Vaidhyanathan, gicve a good platform why this has occured. I was astonished when they pointed out Google hadn't even enter a blog entry for a year.

Phil Bradley (the english voice of reason) has some salient points also on the matter. Phil, like Steven Cohen has argued we should not just use (or is it BE USED) by Google. But to use other sources.

Anyway, all too sad and all to predictable.

Youtube librarianship

This is via Librarian in black, about Videos on YouTube for Librarians. It has 100 Awesome Youtube Vids for Librarians. I think I might have to bring this up in the Web 2.0 thing we're doing about at the library I work at and discussed before (1,2).

A new blog I started

Having discussed the possible closure of Senate House, I have started a blog to discuss what is occuring, and to create a conversation on the blogosphere.

Save Senate house appeal

Obviously as some of you may know I work at Senate House. Well, it seems HEFCE (the governing body for higher education) has slashed the funding of Senate house by £716000. This could possibly mean the closure of Senate house, and the splitting of the marvellous collections it has. Though I doubt London would agree to have a great early twentieth century building made into posh flats would they?

Anyhow, some students have set up a facebook page to save senate house. They have also set up a petition. Anyhow, if you have time please sign it and join this group.

Is Print dead?

I have just finished Print Is Dead: Books in our Digital Age, which discusses the future of books in a digital age. I was interested in seeing what Jeff Gomez had to say. I was not that impressed. Firstly, if your writing about books check your quotes, because in a digital age any idiot can check this. So do not quote that Growing Up Digital: Rise of the Net Generation was written in 2006, that was another Tapscott book.
Then he goes on about how the millenials are turned off by magazines, books and newspapers, and turning to there sony readers and Amazon Kindles. The idea of the pleasure of using the text is discussed and rubbished. But, if the death of print is occured, why does he not discuss childrens books? Kids love the visual quality of books, the learning of colour on the page and the numbers and they also love being read stories. Gomez just paints over this issue. Wow, what a waste of my time, I even wished print was dead after reading this.

300 not out and Web 2.0 strategies

This is my 300th entry so a little marker in the sand. As I off work yesterday with a dodgy stomach , I had some time to read some blogs. I therefore discovered to that Web 2.0 strategies. It all sounds very interesting, especially as its in Covent Gardens.

New blog

I was introduced to a new blog recently (well it's my boss'). It his blog, which discusses his recently released short stories book called The Revelation: And a Hundred Other Stories. Anyhow, I hope some people will take a look, i've still yet to read the book myself yet though.