Pre-job nerves and making an impression

Well, as I start my new role as a Learning & Information Officer tomorrow its quite nervy. I went down today to see where it is. I wanted to do a recon mission, so I could check the library, join the library (therefore checking what identification is required to join). Ironically, the library is closed on a wednesday. The library building though looks very nice, and a 100 years old this year. Roll on tomorrow. Its nice to know start my career as a librarian. I would also like to say thanks to well wishers who are presently enjoy the half-term.

Patron training article

There is an interesting article over MaintainIT called A commitment to patron training. Sarah Washburn discusses how they have got people to come to computer training by having a small charge of $5, which is then refunded to them once they start the course.
A very neat idea, as most people don't mind wasting time but hate wasting money. The person who started this Claire Stafford says of this scheme:-

“If they come to the classes they get their money back. We did start it as a free--non-gratis--service, but we were finding that if people didn’t make a commitment, that they were not coming in. And we had waiting lists that were just tremendous! And we couldn’t serve these folks that were waiting, and the folks that did sign up forgot, or had something come up, and failed to contact us and let us know. “

Excellent.

Libraryzen news

Garrett Hungerford over on Libraryzen has created a neat re-design of his website. For those who have not heard heard of library zen, its described as:-

LISZEN, powered by Google Co-op, was launched on October 27th, 2006 by creator Garrett Hungerford with 530 searchable library blogs. Since that time LISZEN has grown to over 750 library blogs and has been noted in School Library Journal, Google's Librarian Central, and other publications. Other Library and Information Science Programs have added LISZEN to their web resources for library students; such as University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of North Dakota, and Uppsala University.

Good news

Having finished my dissertation and job as a carer, I will start a new job on thursday at a library. As is usual, pre-first day nerves are setting in, but i'm glad to be back at work.

NYT article

There an interesting story in the New york Times called Libraries Shun Deals to Place Books on Web [may require sign in]. In the article it talks about the Open Content Alliance. this aims to :-
'Several major research libraries have rebuffed offers from Google and Microsoft to scan their books into computer databases, saying they are put off by restrictions these companies want to place on the new digital collections.'
Its very interesting read.

Library Game

Via librarystuff, is a library game using Flash. In the game one has to answer querys for clients and finding them as quick as possible. Kind of reminded me of Paperboy back on my old Spectrum.

Weirdness competition

I was interested watching the television, and the new Wii game called Britains Brainiest family. The game is against other 'families' in the UK. The prize for this is to Win university fees for your kids. Now with Britain going into a pickle about computer games. Now, I like gaming as many other librarians do, but I really am not a fan of paying for one's education by being able to afford a WII, the game and getting my family to play as well (getting my family to play seems hell too me).

Nancy Dowd article

Nancy Dowd from The "M" Word - Marketing Libraries blog has an interesting piece entitled Blogging for a purpose?. Although I have previously tried to get a blog started at a library, it provides some useful insights in whats needed.

Google's My library article

I noted from librarystuff article by Phil Bradley about Google mylibrary. Phil feels that :-

My advice - give this a miss entirely and don't waste any of your time on it. Use something like LibraryThing or Shelfari instead.

I think he is correct here as I have said before.

Walt Crawford meme

As some blogs have already indicated(1,2), Walt Crawford has a new job with Palinet. The full article on his job is here:-

Walt Crawford Named Director & Managing Editor of PALINET Leadership Network
10/4/2007
PALINET is pleased to announce the appointment of Walt Crawford as Director and Managing Editor for the PALINET Leadership Network. Crawford is an internationally recognized writer and speaker on libraries, technology, policy, and media, and the creator, writer and publisher of Cites & Insights: Crawford at Large, an ejournal on the intersections of libraries, policy, technology, and media published monthly since 2001. He also maintains a blog on these and other issues, Walt at Random. He was recently listed as one of the 31 most frequently-cited authors in library literature 1994-2004 (the only American writer on that list outside academic libraries.) Cathy Wilt, PALINET’s Executive Director, comments: “We are thrilled to have Walt direct the development of this library leadership community of practice. The PALINET Leadership Network and PALINET members will certainly benefit from his substantial experience, not to mention his editorial wit and wisdom.”

About the PALINET Leadership Network
Currently in beta release, the PALINET Leadership Network is an innovative online member service for library leaders designed to create a community of practice by sharing informative articles, forums on current issues, and collaborative discussions on cutting-edge topics. Designed as a wiki platform, the PALINET Leadership Network provides the latest innovations and most current leadership information in the library arena and beyond. Developed in partnership with the Library Leadership Network (LLN), it is an ideal vehicle for staying current with literature, blogs, and other leadership conversations, as well as a critical tool for mentoring staff.

See Walt Crawford at the PALINET 07 Conference + Vendor Fair, October 29 - 30, 2007 at the Tremont Grand Conference Center in Baltimore, MD. Register at www.palinet.org/2007conference.

Many congratulations to Walt and best of luck in the new role.

Database news

Found via Researchbuzz , a database of books with photographs and photograph covers. Researchbuzz writes about :-
Covering Photography, a site that indexes book covers with photographs (as opposed to abstract book covers or those with paintings, illustrations, etc.) ......... The site contains hundreds of book covers with photographs, browsable by date, photographer (Laurie Anderson??), publisher, author, or designer.

The site can be found here. An excellent site for photo libraries.

Inspirational bloggers

I was reading Jennifer Macaulay's blog entitled I Think I Have Blogger’s Block. In this she says why she hasn't blogged so much, that :-
It isn’t that life has gotten in the way, that school has gotten in the way or that I didn’t want to write.
I find it a shame. Jennifer has always been an inspiration whilst (and recently completing) do my own Master degree. It was interesting to watch her go through a similar course at the same time as I was and the problems she encountered.
I do hope she feels that 'I’m generally unhappy about my school experience' will be found soon.
Another blogger who I hope has good news soon is Walt Crawford. As those who read his blog know, Walt is 'between jobs'. I also find his blog excellent material to have a maturer attitude to libraries (thats meant as a complement). I do hope he has something to look forward to after his holiday.
Very divergent bloggers, but I do appreciate reading them on my bloglines.

Free range librarian article

I noted Karen Schneider from has released an interest article on Wikipedia entitled Wikipedia's Awkward Adolescence. If your interested in wikipedia, its well worth a read.

BL books go digital

Via the bbc it seems that the British Library is All books are public domain and often dating back from the nineteenth century. The British library is working in conjunction with Microsoft on the project by utilising its Microsoft's Live Search Books.
The article says:-

Digitised publications will be accessible in two ways -initially through Microsoft's Live Search Books and then via the Library's website.

The books will be fully text searchable, meaning users will be able to look for keywords within a publication, making research easier and enhancing interaction with the material.

Job hunting and blowing your own horn

I read an interesting blog found called blowing your own horn. Ahmed Bilal writes:-

Self-Promotion is something most of us are uncomfortable with - and it's not just the prospect of 'selling' that turns us off, in reality its insecurity (cleverly dressed as modesty) that holds us back.

Whether by nature or by society, we are programmed to sell ourselves short.

I was interested in this, as i have just finished my course, and working through my last few weeks at my present job. Therefore, application forms are presently my main source of reading material. Not the most interesting thing to do.

Therefore, when re-reading through a job application, how one needs to do it not only within application forms but also when working within a library.

In this point I mean the idea of advocacy. In the last few weeks I noted Meredith Farkas discussing the Mudflap girl,
who is now being used as an icon for Wyoming's libraries to indicate they 'are as expansive as the state, and as close as down the street.' I always find it interesting how libraries blowing there own horn.

Librarian movie

Via Lisnews about the documentary Hollywood Librarian. There is a review of the film of it in the Journal Times. I have talked about this film before, but it only seems to have a USA release. Any idea when it will be released here guys?

Siva Vaidhyanathan project

Siva Vaidhyanathan has written on his blog, about his new book and blog that will go with it, called The Googlization of Everything. This will look at the effect of Google on society. It seems to be a long way from completion, but sounds an interesting book. Siva say in his new blog:-

On occasion, I will post an open question on this blog. Please answer it.

So, check it out if you have time.

Dissertation is now freely available at my website

After constantly talking about my dissertation entitled Blogging and its impact on libraries and librarians I have published it here on my personal website. It has both my dissertations, but the blogging one is at the bottom. It is yet to be marked, so please don't inform me it not very good. Also my lecturer said wait for it to be marked, but I wanted to put it up. Anyhow, thanks again for all those who answered by questionaire and a special thanks again to Sarah Houghton and Meredith Farkas (the first for helping me get people to know about the questionaire, and the second for her research).
Anyhow, for those who want to read 80 pages of a pdf, enjoy.

At last.....the dissertation is done

I finally completed my dissertation today. I just have to hand it in. Its been a hard slog, but thankfully its done. I know how some other library bloggers have felt when jobs on top course work have made for a lot of work (1 & 2). I have sent this out to the people who took part before I put it up on my website for others to read (if reading 80 pages on blogging is your interest).
Anyhow, I would like to give a huge thank you to some people's whose research certainly helped. They are Michael Sauers and Meredith Farkas. I would also like to thank Sarah Houghton again for getting people to answer my questionaire.
That means I can start blogging more regularly. On top of looking for a job.

How addicted?

I found this via Thoughts from a Library Administrator, which is a test to see how addicted to blogging. I'm only 64%. I'm feeling a bit disappointed.