SLA Information Technology Division Blog

Three generations of librarians

It was pointed out to me today that we have in libraries not two generations of librarians, but three. We have those who:

• Have been using computer technology for all or most of their lives
• Remember what libraries were like before technology entered then
• Spent most of their lives in libraries before technology was introduced

Yes, there are still some practicing librarians that are pre-1.0 (assuming that nextgen librarians are 2.0).  Some of these librarians are in a position that allows them to impact the role of libraries.  How do we make sure that their ideas and policies help to created libraries that will service the next generation of users?

SLA IT Bulletin - Digital Focus Interviews

With the latest issue of the IT Division's Bulletin just published, I encourage you to take a moment or two to read it.  You can read James Manasco's tips on things to see and do while at the 2008 Leadership Summit.    You can also read two very interesting interviews with David Ruddy and Joshua Walters.   David is the Director of  E-Publishing Technologies at Cornell University Library and has been involved with library publishing technologies since 1999.  In the interview, he speaks about his involvement with the DPubS development project. 

The other interview with Joshua Walters is a great read for those interested in learning more about the role of technology within the special information environment.  His expert opinions shed light on the topics of Library 2.0 and the contribution of librarians to the innovation of the profession. 

Fighting Spam on Social Websites

An excellent article in the November/December issue of IEEE Internet Computing  provides readers with an informative look at the fight against spam on social networking sites.  The authors review the current mechanisms used to fight this type of spam and compare these solutions with prior efforts targeted at spam spread via email and the Web. 

Clever Hippo: Application Search Engine

An interesting post on the Read/Write Web blog details a site that allows users to search for applications found on a wide variety of platforms.  CleverHippo.org allows individuals to search over 30,000 applications found on popular sites such as Facebook and Myspace. 

Blog post: Google as a password cracker

An interesting read, even if you (like I) don't understand exactly what he did.  The bottom line is that Google can be used for more than what we think.

Information professionals outside of the library

I had an interesting conversation today with someone who wondered if librarians -- information professionals -- would work for corporations/businesses as business analysts.  He believes that librarians have the right skill set to be very effective analysts.  As it turns out, business analysts are in demand and the position pays well.

So, would information professionals/librarians who are coming out of library and information schools now be interested in pursuing careers in that used their skills, but are not "in" libraries? My answer was "maybe."  Some library school students really want to work in libraries.  And then the question became... How to do find those that would be interested in an alternate career?  And I don't know the answer to that.  Do you?

Lost drivers and Google

An article on CNN's website reports on Google's latest project involving gas stations.  Available soon at select gas pumps, lost drivers will be able to Google directions and print them right on the spot!  I wish this was around last week for my out-of-state drive.  It isn't fun trying to get directions from a gas station attendant when they don't understand the concept of an expressway. 

Marketing your library and its digital content

I came across a great article that provides marketing tips for the corporate library. With the article written several years ago, I've updated a few of the suggestions:

1. Implement a library blog to provide clients with regular updates on what the library is doing.  Advertise new resources, training sessions, and tips on utilizing the library's information sources.
2. Host an information fair.  Advertise the event with a few giveaways to increase interest (ask vendors to kick in a few promotional items for the event).  Use a few computers to display your digital content/databases.   Have staff attend to each computer to provide visitors with a quick demonstration of the resource.
3. Host brown bag sessions on topics of interest.  Give them an opportunity to associate your library with more than just books and journals.  Invite speakers to give lectures on how to tackle some of the more pressing issues faced by the departments within your organization.  Present on the latest technology and provide examples on how it can be used to improve communication and streamline tasks in your clients' lives.

In the same vein, I've included a link to a marketing post on the "Creating Passionate Users" blog.  In particular, pay attention to the table that contrasts old-school marketing and neo-marketing.  Also, take a look at the marketing presentation I found on the Rochester Regional Library Council site.  With library marketing being a never-ending task, these resources can help you develop your own successful strategy.