SLA Information Technology Division Blog

Who comments on blogs?

The Freakonomics blog just asked posed an interesting question.  The question is "Who comments on blogs, and why?"

They point out that there is always a much larger number of commentors than there is posters.  What drives those posters to take the extra time and effort (actual amount of effort varies from blog to blog, but it is always more than 0) to post rather than just reading and moving on?  My initial thoughts are entered in their comments section under the user name Sloar.

The more library specific question that the post brings up for me, is what are libraries trying to gain form our blogs?  This is probably a question all library blogs should consider as we develop our blog presence.  Are we looking for merely an electronic bulletin board where we can post notices online or are we trying to facilitate a place for discussion?  A discussion blog should make posting as simple as possible and should allow anonymous posting, or at least in my mind it should.  A bulletin board blog doesn't require such easy access, although it may not do any harm.

In any case, it might be worth following the Freakonomics discussion if you're interested in seeing why people do or don't bother commenting.

SLA Denver Conference Wiki

If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Denver Conference wiki.  The Rocky Mountain Chapter has done a great job putting together lots of useful local information.  I'm really looking forward to the trip!

I think this wiki is another example of how well that technology works for certain types of projects.  I'm involved in a planning project right now and have found a  discussion list to be problematic in brainstorming--no quick access to archives or easy editing of previous ideas.  I think a wiki will work much better for what we're trying to do.

Share your wiki experiences in the comments!

Library Journal article on Metasearching

Library Journal recently posted an article by Jonathan Rothkind on Google's role in the future of metasearch:

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6413442.html

I found the article to be fairly interesting and I have to agree that local indexing needs to increase for metasearching to be effective.  I, personally, have never had to attempt to get publishers and aggregators to release metadata for local indexing, but I suspect that it is a process that is often akin to pulling teeth.  Perhaps with Google Scholar leading the way in giving publishers a reason to want to release metadata, libraries may have an easier time asking for and receiving the same information.  At least that is my hope.

On a related metasearch issue, why doesn't science.gov (http://www.science.gov/) use local indexing?  I understand that it would be somewhat of an undertaking to put together the index, but it is searching publicly available information that shouldn't have many re-use restrictions.  I'm always somewhat annoyed by the sometimes minutes-long delay in receiving search results there.  I'm sure the reasons science.gov still uses "cross-search" techniques are the age-old answers of time and money, but if someone has a more specific answer I'd be interested in hearing that as well.

Outstanding Chapter Technology Programming Award - Call for nominations

The Information Technology Division of SLA is now accepting applications for the

Outstanding Technology Programming Award

IT is looking for the most inspired, cutting edge, and innovative chapter technology programming of the 2006 programming year. Because the best programming involves a great deal of time and energy, we'd like to recognize your chapter's accomplishments. Examples of great programming range from technology fairs to highly relevant presentations, innovative workshops and continuing education events. Programming will be judged on its creativity and impact on members.

The fifth annual Outstanding Technology Programming award will be presented to a SLA chapter or region at the 2007 Annual Conference in Denver, CO. The award is $500 to develop additional technology programming. IT will announce the award winner at our annual business meeting. The winning chapter president and program planner will be invited to the meeting to accept the award and check.

Send your program abstract, date, location and any program/publicity materials to Catherine Lavallée-Welch, Awards Committee Chair, at clw@lakeland.usf.edu (email preferred). Please include "SLA Chapter Technology Program" in your subject line.

***The deadline for submission is April 15, 2007.***

We are looking forward to your applications!

Grieg Aspnes Outstanding Member Award - Call for nominations

The Information Technology Division of SLA is now accepting nominations/applications for

The Grieg Aspnes Outstanding Member Award

The IT Executive Board would like to recognize a member's outstanding efforts on behalf of the Division. Do you know someone whose contributions to the Division should be recognized?

Please send your brief nomination describing recent Division-related activities to Catherine Lavallée-Welch, Awards Committee Chair, at clw@lakeland.usf.edu. Supporting documentation, like the nominee's vitae, are helpful and appreciated. Self-nominations are welcomed. Please include "SLA IT Member Award" in your subject line. IT will announce the award winner at our annual business meeting at the Annual Conference in Denver, CO.

***The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2007.***

Please note that current IT board members are not eligible for this award. Please see the Division's Web site for a list of current members: http://units.sla.org/division/dite/officers_new.html.

We are looking forward to your nominations!