“YouTube search now has its own Wonder Wheel. The Wonder Wheel is a visual navigation tool which Google first rolled out on its main search page a month ago when it added some new search options to filter results in different ways.
If you do a search on YouTube, which on its own would be the second largest search engine in the world, you will see a new option under the search box on the right called Wonder Wheel…”
NO FEES – NO DUES – NO TRAVEL
ALL Librarians Can Support & Participate
OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries) is planning something special:
Thursday, August 13, 2009 beginning at noon Eastern Time, 11:00 a.m. Central, 10:00 a.m. Mountain, 9:00 a.m. Pacific, and 4:00 p.m. GMT:
Executive coaching and change management specialist Ed Batista has posted these additional “self-coaching” guides which he expains:
“…I don’t intend these brief guides to provide the definitive word on such expansive subjects, but hopefully they’ll allow anyone with an interest in a given topic to do some focused reading and to learn more about the thinkers and resources I’ve found valuable…”
Self-Coaching Guide #4: Change (PDF, 397 KB)
Self-Coaching Guide #5: Learning (PDF, 564 KB)
Self-Coaching Guide #6: Happiness (PDF, 363 KB)
TechCrunch today reports “Google Books Adds New Features and Tools“:
“…Google has launched 
a bunch of new features to Google Books in an effort to promote interactivity between readers and the online books.
1. Embeddable previews of books…
2. Ramped up in-book search…
3. Thumbnail view options…
4. Contents drop-down menu…
5. Plain Text Mode…
6. Page Turn Button and Animation…
7. Overview Page Overhaul… “
Thanks to Librarian X, Jason Puckett, for pointing to the following new video on media/information literacy from Cory Doctorow:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
There is a good post titled Who Are Your Competitors? in a series by David Lee King in which he concludes with the following:
“…OK – so libraries have competition. What can you do about that? Here are some thoughts – please add more:
What are you doing to compete for your patrons’ attention? And … since it’s a competition – what can we do to win?”
It is worth mentioning the Reference Site of the Day highlighting of the interesting Open Library project:
“The Open Library is a project of the Internet Archive and partially funded by a grant from the California State Library. The goal of the Open Library is to provide one web page for every book ever published. So far the library has collected over 30 million searchable bibliographic records (20 million are available), built a database to store them, and made available over one million full-text digitized books.
Book records come from a variety of libraries, publishers and other digital content repositories. Another goal of the Open Library is to create a new metadata schema for bibliographic records: the project has a working group for those interested in discussing the metadata to be included in the records beyond MARC data…”
This from Google Highlights Verticals with Explore Search Page at Search Engine Journal:
“So finally, Google does something to fight back at the mileage that Microsoft’s Bing has been receiving lately. Nothing fancy on the part of Google really. Just some plain old search verticals which are now being presented in a more organized manner through the Explore Google Search Page...
Take it however way you want, but we can’t escape the fact that intentionally or unintentionally this is Google’s first step towards reengineering its search vertical products and of course Google’s baby steps towards preventing Bing from expanding its userbase further…”
This is from The Handheld Librarian Conference website:
“The Handheld Librarian 2009 – An online conference about Mobile Library Services
More people than ever are using mobile devices for a wide variety of purposes including communication, internet access, text messaging, and entertainment. It is important that libraries provide services on these devices as use increases.
The first ever Handheld Librarian Online on July 30, 2009 is the place to learn about these and other topics related to using wireless and handheld devices in your library. The program — sponsored by Alliance Library System, LearningTimes and Infoquest — will include a variety of ways to collaborate, network and learn from a great group of experts in the field. In addition to live interactive webcasts, we will have a collection of available resources, discussions boards, and access to the recording of all live events for one year after the conference.”
Much has been written and said about the 3 new search options WolframAlpha, Bing, and Google Squared. Sometimes a visual demonstration is a good place to start. Check out this new video from the Disruptive Library Technology Jester blog:
Despite the controversy surrounding libraries lending Kindles to patrons, many are doing so. This is an excerpt from the post Libraries Lending Kindles from the Kindle 2 Review, Kindle DX Review, Books blog:
“…All these libraries, and the people in charge, deserve kudos for pushing the boundaries. This is based on just 1-2 hrs research so its just the tip of the iceberg -
[15 Kindle lenders in list as of posting]
Does your library lend out a kindle? Do leave a comment so we can add your library to the list.
There is also a Facebook Group of organizations and libraries lending Kindles…”
(Image source: www.icpsr.umich.edu/…/program/framework.html)
The DataShare blog highlighted MIXED for “migration to intermediate XML for electronic data” and explains:
“MIXED is a project of DANS, Data Archiving and Networked Services. MIXED is to contribute to digital preservation, by dealing with the problem of file formats. Over time, file formats become obsolete. When that happens, the information in such file types is no longer accessible. MIXED follows the strategy of converting files to XML as soon as possible, preferably when data is ingested into the archive. MIXED also converts these XML files to formats of choice by the archive user.”
Thanks to Chris Busch for pointing out some recent Nielson report figures:
“Nielsen has just released a public report on the video viewing habits of Americans. Here are a few highlights -
You can view a PDF copy of the complete Nielsen report here.”
The above is a great image posted today on the Unquiet Library blog showing how they use Google profile and various social media.
Friday, June 19, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, noon Central, 11:00 a.m. Mountain, 10:00 a.m. Pacific, and 5:00 p.m. GMT:
Host: American Library Association
Location: ALA OPAL 100 Room
FREE Webinar from Infopeople:
Open Source: “Free” is Just the Tip of the Iceberg
If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, then Open Source is something you should know about, and you should put this webinar on your calendar now!
Libraries now have the opportunity to move away from the proprietary integrated library system (ILS) model where the library contracts with a single vendor for the license, migration assistance, and support. The alternative is to move to an Open Source Library System (OSLS), which eliminates the costs associated with the licenses and maintenance contracts entirely. Sounds great, but what does that mean for the library that still needs migration assistance, ongoing support, and maybe even hosting from a “vendor?”
Fear not! There are many ways to get help evaluating the options, planning the migration, converting the library to the new OSLS and getting the support you need from service providers.
This webinar will help clarify the differences between the proprietary ILS model and the new OSLS model, including what it means for the library staff and budget.
During this presentation, participants will:
This free webinar is the first in an Open Source Series sponsored by Infopeople,Califa, and the Open Source Library Consortium. The first two webinars will be presented by Lori Bowen Ayre and will focus on Open Source Library Systems (OSLS). Subsequent webinars will be delivered by other instructors and will cover Open Source applications including Drupal, Flickr, and Open Office.
In the Wired interview Jeff Bezos: Why Is the Kindle So Expensive?, Mr. Bezos explains:
“…’We did consider [the cellphone model] for Kindle,’ Bezos said in an interview with Wired’s Steven Levy at Wired’s Disruptive by Design Conference in New York. ‘Instead of driving the cognitive complexity of a two-year commitment, [we] just tell people, “This is the actual cost of the device,” he said.
‘We sell a lot of cellphones for a penny, and you know, when you’re buying a cellphone for a penny, there’s got to be a catch — and there is’ in the recurring cost of monthly service which is free with the Kindle’s Whispernet service.
Still, if customers preferred smaller hardware costs and higher operating fees, he would still consider that approach. Bezos maintains that Amazon could have sold the DX for $99, but only with a required monthly subscription of $60 or more per month, or by forcing Kindle owners buy a certain number of books each month.
‘[The Kindle DX] is $489, and that is an unbelievably low price for something that has inside it a sophisticated computer, a completely new kind of display of that size, and a 3G wireless radio,’ Bezos said…
In addition to offering consumers a simpler value proposition, Bezos says charging a high initial rate without a monthly fee lets Amazon keep its Kindle hardware and eBook businesses separate, selling eBooks to Kindle owners as well as readers who use competing platforms such as the iPhone or competing standalone eBook readers, at the same prices it offers Kindle owners…”
Seth Godin has some relevant thoughts today for libraries and librarians in these exciting but tumultuous times in his post “What’s Off the Table“:
“No project is conceived in a vacuum, no decision in isolation and no negotiation with a clean sheet of paper.
But do you know what you’re not willing to consider?
If a newspaper company is planning its future, is shutting down the printing presses an option even being considered? Or is it off the table?
Plan a rabbi’s wedding and you probably shouldn’t even bother to pitch BLT sandwiches or lobster. It’s off the table. Not being considered.
Personal marketing plans run into the unstated table problem all the time. Is it off the table for you to quit your job, drop out of school, go back to school, speak up to your boss? I’m not asking if it’s going to work or not, I’m just wondering if the possibility is even on the table. If you’re not willing to consider it, you can bet you’re going to sabotage the thinking that goes into evaluating the choice.
Big marketing breakthroughs always come from doing something that everyone else says is off the table.”
Listen to the Brian Matthews, the Ubiquitous Librarian, podcast Libraries and the Inspiration Business: How Can We Make a Difference in the Lives of our Patrons at the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Boston, Massachusetts on the future of reference. You can also view the visuals from the presentation. The presentation was on April 17, 2009.
Kee Malesky from NPR reports on attending the 100th anniversary SLA conference:
“This week, some of the NPR librarians are attending the annual Special Libraries Association conference, here in DC. It’s the centennial of the organization and the 85th anniversary for the News Division — whose members work in the print, broadcast, and online news media, and who don’t have much to celebrate these days.
The conference kicked off with a tour of the NPR libraries on Saturday, and last night the keynote address was by former Secretary of State Colin Powell. He was funny and charming, and really spoke to the audience. He talked about bringing the State Department into the digital age and the importance of the human connection between leader and follower. He also told us that the work we do is essential — and sounded as if he really believes it...”
The FinderMind post 25 Free People Search Engines to Find Anyone in the World might be helpful in various circumstances during the often challenging task of locating someone. Before the list, the post states:
“I’ve been in this people search industry for over 2 years now and while researching, I found many free, high quality free people search engines to help you reconnect with friends, family, school friends or any other person from your past. So I decided to put them in one huge list…”
Pandia Search Engine News reports on a great feature from the useful Duck Duck Go search engine:
“If you search the web for information on almost any subject, your search results on Yahoo and Google will be littered with shopping info. Start-up search engine Duck Duck Go now separates shopping sites from information sites in your search results…
Duck Duck Go has uncluttered and appealing user interface, which is easy to grasp even with three search buttons. The search results are equally easy on the eye and easy to navigate.
You might also want to check out these articles:
New search engine Duck Duck Go has less spam and more content
How to block 44 million spam domains“
NO FEES – NO DUES – NO TRAVEL
ALL Librarians Can Support & Participate
OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries) is planning something special:
Thursday, August 13, 2009 beginning at noon Eastern Time, 11:00 a.m. Central, 10:00 a.m. Mountain, 9:00 a.m. Pacific, and 4:00 p.m. GMT:
Thanks to Peter Scott’s blog for information about the new USGS “Digital Map – Beta“ project descirbed by the United States Geological Survey as follows:
“The USGS’s new ‘Digital Map – Beta’ is an implementation and derivative of The National Map, celebrating 125 years of USGS topographic mapping. The ‘Digital Map – Beta’ is the quadrangle map of the future. Although it is not a Geographic Information System (GIS), it is a new kind of georeferenced map that is a synthesis and evolution of USGS’s legacy digital map data files, the Digital Raster Graphics (DRG). These maps are different from other available imagery or maps. They are a first step toward a comprehensive portrayal of the Nation’s landscape. The initial version of ‘Digital Maps – Beta’includes orthoimagery plus roads and geographic names in the traditional 7.5 minute quadrangle format. The ‘Digital Map – Beta’ is easily accessible, has reasonable file sizes and a common format with embedded tools, and theme-based layers.
Ultimately, in addition to a scale-corrected image base, the ‘Digital Map’ will include layers for contours; water, transportation, boundaries, andstructure features; geographic names; and vegetative surface cover or land cover in USGS’s customary 7.5-minute by 7.5-minute quadrangle format. When contours are added, the ‘Beta’ designation will be dropped. Accompanying each ‘Digital Map’ will be scanned files of previous editions of that topographic map. The quality and accuracy of the map depends on The National Map data that was used to make it. The file format is a georereferenced GeoPDF. The user can interact with the features on the map using free PC-compatible software. The map files will be available, at no cost, for digital download from the USGS Store…”
This cartoon from Hugh MacLeod represents something we need to remember:
Thanks to Stephen’s Lighthouse for drawing attention to Do You Suffer from Information Overload Syndrome – IOS?
Here are self-coaching guides from Ed Batista’s Executive Coaching and Change Management blog in his post Self-Coaching Guides: Communication, Leadership, Motivations:l
Self-Coaching Guide #1: Communication (PDF, 452 KB)
Self-Coaching Guide #2: Leadership (PDF, 301 KB)
Self-Coaching Guide #3: Motivation (PDF, 378 KB)
Helpful information about YouTube changes from Mashable!’s YouTube Just Became the TwitPic of Video ”YouTube has just added a small feature with big implications: the ability to link your Twitter(), Facebook(), and Google Reader() accounts to YouTube and automatically send out an update as soon as you upload a new video.
This means a whole lot more YouTube notifications in the streams of your favorite social sites. Similar to how TwitPic() has become the de facto tool for sharing pictures on Twitter, YouTube() has just positioned itself as the way to share video inside of status updates.
Granted, sharing YouTube videos is already immensely popular on these services, and not especially difficult, but now it can be done all in one-click, on a page that millions of people already visit every day to upload videos to the Web…”
