Libraries are no longer just quiet places to read and borrow books. In a world where information is more online and digitized, librarians are changing to meet the needs of their patrons. They are called on to give technical support as well as deal with reference questions and assist patrons with online catalogs and social networking.
Physical books and electronic books are here to stay, but the role of the library will continue to change and develop. Read more about it at CNN.com/technology.
"Think of the changes as a Library 2.0 revolution--a mirror of what's happened on the Web."
Showing posts with label Librarians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Librarians. Show all posts
September 4, 2009
May 16, 2009
Tweeting the Tech UnConference at MSU
Along with some of my coworkers, I attended a Technology UnConference at Michigan State University Main Library on May 15.
What is an unconference?
You know how people say that the best part of going to a conference is the networking? Not that prepared workshops aren’t informative, but it is always valuable to make contact with a colleague from a different workplace who is dealing with a similar situation as you are.
Well, imagine an entire conference of networking. No prepared presentations. No main sessions with limited discussion. Just 50 or so librarians coming together and sharing ideas, in greater or lesser detail, depending on each one’s particular interest.
That was the Technology UnConference. And it worked surprisingly well.
At the UnConference, as is said, "there is no agenda, until we make one up." We spent a few minutes brainstorming technology topics of interest. Nine ideas were put forward, including using content management software for websites, teaching technology to the public, and integrating social network sites into our work. Then, for the rest of the day, we divided and redivided into different small groups at different times, to discuss these ideas. The main sessions – save one – consisted not of a panel of experts, but report backs from the groups and further discussion.
This structure – or unstructure? – allowed for a maximum number of voices, experiences, and lessons to be heard.
One of the most interesting things to me was that several of us posted our thoughts about the UnConference on Twitter, the microblog site, tagging our tweets with #techuncamp.
For me, this meant two things. First, by reading other attendees’ tweets in real time, I felt like I was in several side conversations. This meant that I didn’t have only my own reaction to what I was hearing, but I could read others’ reactions. Oftentimes, these were insightful, informative, or just plain funny. This enhanced my experience as I felt like I was constantly engaged at different levels of discussion.
Second, by using the tag #techuncamp – which is searchable in Twitter – we made sure that our tweets were kept together. I can now search #techuncamp and find a record of all the side discussions, packed with tips, websites, and good people to follow. Or you can search #techuncamp and do the same, almost as if you were there.
The Technology UnConference was time well spent.
If you use Twitter, follow The Tech Desk @tpltechnology or me @pjkwik.
What is an unconference?
You know how people say that the best part of going to a conference is the networking? Not that prepared workshops aren’t informative, but it is always valuable to make contact with a colleague from a different workplace who is dealing with a similar situation as you are.
Well, imagine an entire conference of networking. No prepared presentations. No main sessions with limited discussion. Just 50 or so librarians coming together and sharing ideas, in greater or lesser detail, depending on each one’s particular interest.
That was the Technology UnConference. And it worked surprisingly well.
At the UnConference, as is said, "there is no agenda, until we make one up." We spent a few minutes brainstorming technology topics of interest. Nine ideas were put forward, including using content management software for websites, teaching technology to the public, and integrating social network sites into our work. Then, for the rest of the day, we divided and redivided into different small groups at different times, to discuss these ideas. The main sessions – save one – consisted not of a panel of experts, but report backs from the groups and further discussion.
This structure – or unstructure? – allowed for a maximum number of voices, experiences, and lessons to be heard.
One of the most interesting things to me was that several of us posted our thoughts about the UnConference on Twitter, the microblog site, tagging our tweets with #techuncamp.
For me, this meant two things. First, by reading other attendees’ tweets in real time, I felt like I was in several side conversations. This meant that I didn’t have only my own reaction to what I was hearing, but I could read others’ reactions. Oftentimes, these were insightful, informative, or just plain funny. This enhanced my experience as I felt like I was constantly engaged at different levels of discussion.
Second, by using the tag #techuncamp – which is searchable in Twitter – we made sure that our tweets were kept together. I can now search #techuncamp and find a record of all the side discussions, packed with tips, websites, and good people to follow. Or you can search #techuncamp and do the same, almost as if you were there.
The Technology UnConference was time well spent.
If you use Twitter, follow The Tech Desk @tpltechnology or me @pjkwik.
April 24, 2009
New Role for Librarian in Today's Schools
In this age of information, the role of the school librarian is very different from what it used to be. Although they still hope to encourage a love of reading in their students, they are now also responsible for introducing them to new technologies and teaching them information literacy skills necessary for today's workplace.
An article in The New York Times, titled "In Web Age, Library Job Gets Update," demonstrates how one school librarian prepares her students for the 21st century.
An article in The New York Times, titled "In Web Age, Library Job Gets Update," demonstrates how one school librarian prepares her students for the 21st century.
April 22, 2009
Top 50 Librarian Blogs
Here, according to getdegrees.com, are the Top 50 Librarian Blogs.
I regularly read many of these, but there are several new ones I will be looking at for the first time.
Let us know if you see any of interest.
[via Stephen's Lighthouse]
I regularly read many of these, but there are several new ones I will be looking at for the first time.
Let us know if you see any of interest.
[via Stephen's Lighthouse]
March 17, 2009
2009 Movers and Shakers in Libraries
The Librarian by Day blog has posted information, websites and blogs for Library Journal's 2009 Movers and Shakers in the library profession.
If you are interested in the leading innovators and innovations in libraries today, take a look.
If you are interested in the leading innovators and innovations in libraries today, take a look.
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