LISNews: Librarian News

The Desk Setup

Like many technologists, I may have had some vague notion that librarians had something to contribute to discussions about information and metadata and standards and access, but my concept of what librarians did and what they knew probably had more to do with stereotypes and anecdote than on an understanding of reality. Which is a shame. Although in the last few years I think we’ve done a really good job of making clearer connections between libraries and technology, I don’t think anyone is surprised when librarians are omitted from discussions about and between prominent technologists, such as the one facilitated by the Setup. (Note: by “librarians” I mean anyone who works in, with, or for libraries. Hat tip to Eli Neiburger for saying what I’d been thinking, only less clearly, for some time before he said those words out loud.)

Sign up for a day-long virtual conference to be held on Wednesday Sept 29 from 10am - 6pm EDT--eBooks: Libraries at the Tipping Point, a unique online conference that explores the way the digital world is changing books and how these changes are reshaping the way we produce, distribute, and consume them.

This event will offer librarians, technology experts, publishers, and vendors a glimpse into the future of libraries with keynote speeches, special tracks, and an exciting exhibit area. Don’t miss this opportunity to investigate the evolving role of libraries in the twenty-first century!

Librarians and library administrators will learn about current best practices for library eBook collections and explore new and evolving models for eBook content discovery and delivery. Publishers and content creators will learn how to effectively identify and develop the ‘right’ content offerings for each segment of the relatively untapped library eBook market. ebook platform vendors and device manufacturers will learn just what libraries need and want in this rapidly changing environment. It's a party and everyone's invited!!

FOUR SPECIAL TRACKS: -- Read More

Announcing a new(ish) podcast for librarians: The Knitting Librarian. The knitting librarian combines all things sticks and string with all things library and information science. Segments include: The Big News of the Day (show notes only), Knitting Update, This Week in LIS, Me me me me, and the Awesome Sauce. Episodes released biweekly.

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Latest episode recorded and released on September 3, 2010: Episode 9 - Are There Pants for This? (direct download) (show notes)

Chicago Underground Library's Guest Post on Museum 2.0: A Community-Based Approach to Collecting and Cataloging

Chicago Underground Library is a replicable model for community archives that accepts every piece of print media from a certain area without making quality or importance judgments, going back as far in history as possible. That means we collect university press, handmade artist books, zines made by sixth graders, poetry chapbooks from big names published in tiny local presses, and self-published poetry chapbooks sold for a dollar on the street. We have neighborhood newspapers, internationally-renowned magazines of political commentary, and three View-Master reels of Chicago hot dog stands, neon signs, and motor inns, respectively. -- Read More