SLA Information Technology Division Blog

LibX Firefox extension

Firefox launched a new extension just for libraries: LibX.

A fair number of academic and public libraries are already using it. It offers toolbar & right-click context menus, OpenURL support, Google Scholar support, Web localization via embedded cues, support for xISBN, etc.

NISO, Citation Software and Gutenberg

Here's another addition to interesting programming happening around the country:

NISO is holding a workshop entitled "Managing Electronic Collections: Strategies from Content to User" from Sept. 28-30 in Denver, CO.  From the description on the NISO webpage (http://www.niso.org/news/events_workshops/Collections-06-wkshp.html):

Get an "outside-in" customer-focused view on how to manage today's increasingly complex electronic collections. Hear solutions-based perspectives of librarians, publishers, and system vendors on usage statistics, ERM systems, repository management, digital rights and licensing, and systems integration. Learn the practical steps you can take today to maximize the value of your electronic collections from others' best practices and case studies.

Also, in software news, the Chronicle of Higher Education reports that Thomson plans to offer a Web-based version of EndNote called EndNote Web.  It will be released later this year, and will be free for all colleges that have purchased site licenses for Endnote or ISI Web of Knowledge.

Finally, for those interested in the topic of digital content, the Gutenberg Project is always looking for volunteer proofreaders.  Go to www.pgdp.net to find out how to sign up.  (Call me weird, but I find proofreading soothing!) 

Workshop on Virtual Communications

Christine Holmes posted the following to the SLA San Andreas Chapter discussion list, which may be of interest to members of the IT Communications Section:     "The CARL North IT Interest Group recently held a workshop on Virtual Communications, coverinng RSS, wikis, IM and podcasts.   For highlights of the presentations as well as photos see:    http://carlnit.blogspot.com   "

Posted by Libby Trudell

New Scope for IT Communications Section

In August 2006, the IT board voted to revised the scope of the IT communications section in order to update and better encompass the evolving technologies that apply to information transmission and delivery.  The new description is:

The IT Communications Section is concerned with the use of technologies and media for information transmission and delivery. The section's mission is to help members share knowledge and best practices for the effective use of these technologies in the provision of information services.

Although this is by no means a comprehensive list, areas currently of interest to the communications section include: Internet, Web 2.0, wireless, broadcast, RSS, podcasts, VOIP, RFID, text messaging, mobile phones, MP3 players DVD, portals, and web servers. In parallel, the IT Blogging Section addresses the use of social communications tools and technologies including blogs, Wikis and social networking-- as exmplified by this IT Division Blog.

We are looking for IT members who might be interesting in taking over a chair of this section under this revitalized scope. This is a great way to get more involved with IT. And, it could provide a reason (and some travel funding) to participate in the SLA leadership meeting in January or the annual conference in June 2007!

If you are are interested in these technologies and would like connect with others and help plan programming related to them, please contact me at Libby.Trudell@thomson.com.

Libby Trudell, IT Communications Section Chair 2005-2006

IT Division Discussion List

In addition to serving as a communication tool for news about the division, the division list is a low-traffic email discussion list  technology issues in libraries.  Recent topics have included taxonomies and drop-down menus.  A number of knowledgeable list members tend to respond to queries and occasionally a good discussion will ensue.  If you aren't a list member, consider joining by following these instructions on the IT division website.

August/September b/ITe Just Published

The August/September issue of b/ITe, the Bulletin of the Information Technology Division of SLA, is now available on the IT division website.  If you are interested in writing for b/ITe, please contact Patty Phipps, the new editor of b/ITe.  The next deadline for articles is September 25.

Podcasts from SLA2006 Available

SLA experimented with podcasting in Baltimore and have posted podcasts of six conference sessions to the SLA website.  The sound quality varies, but this is defintely worth checking out.  Hopefully we'll see more podcasting in Denver!