Internet

FTC’s Listening Session for Public Librarians

The Federal Trade Commission wants to hear from you – we’ve worked with libraries for many years to distribute free materials and tips for consumers to help them avoid scams, recover from identity theft, and make wise buys. We’re creating new materials especially for public librarians to use for patron advice and programming.

Please share this invitation with your staff and colleagues. You or they can get on the phone and tell us what you think during our 15-minute listening session.
What consumer topics are the most needed for patrons? (for instance, budgeting/money management, credit and debt; avoiding scams; recovering from identity theft; others?)
What formats work best for your patrons (for instance, bookmarks, brochures, short videos, webinars, podcasts, FB Live, Twitter chats, other social media content, other?)
What formats work best for the librarian as they research the topic for a patron or put together programming (perhaps an online list of links for a deeper dive on certain topics, a brochure, slide presentations, podcasts, other?)

Sept 19 11:00 am PT|2:00 pm ET

To RSVP and get the call-in number, email Carol at [email protected].
Can’t make a session? We would greatly appreciate any thoughts, however brief, you have on this – you can email me at [email protected].

“Do You Miss Me Yet?” – Reestablishing the Corporate Librarians

It almost never fails when I run into someone I used to work with. The conversation starts with “Hey… how’s the law library world? It’s gotta be tough with all those books being online now.” (The implication being “aren’t you worried about becoming irrelevant?”) I reply with “Yeah, that makes it a whole lot more difficult to manage with all that information in a dozen different places than it did when it was a book in the library.” I’m not sure who they think is managing the information which is usually behind a very expensive paywall. I would guess they either think that it is managed directly by the vendor, or worse, that the Information Technology department is now the de facto library managers.

Full article

September 5, 2017 by Bibliofuture Internet Legal Issues Librarians Libraries

Library Brings Drag Queens, Kids Together for Story Hour

It takes a certain something to be a good storyteller: enthusiasm, timing and a flair for the dramatic. Performers at a children’s story hour at a New York City library have all that and then some — they’re drag queens.

About once a month since last fall, the Brooklyn Public Library has been presenting Drag Queen Story Hour, where performers with names such as Lil Miss Hot Mess and Ona Louise regale an audience of young children and their parents.

From Library Brings Drag Queens, Kids Together for Story Hour – The New York Times

May 18, 2017 by Blake Internet Librarians Libraries

The Collector’s Fallacy: Why We Gather Things (like books) We Don’t Need

Buying books does not equal reading books. We all know that. Yet, so many end up victims of tsundoku anyway.
Why?
One problem, I think, is that collecting feels like learning. Each time we discover a new productivity toy, internet article or bestselling book, our brain sends us a jolt of dopamine (our brain’s “reward” hormone) for doing nothing at all.
Ahh, says our brain, a job well done.

From The Collector’s Fallacy: Why We Gather Things We Don’t Need

May 14, 2017 by Blake Books Internet

Why We’re So Hypocritical About Online Privacy

To address this question, a recent meta-analysis of 166 studies, including 75,269 participants of 34 countries, explored the so-called “privacy paradox,” that is, the puzzling fact that people’s concerns about privacy rarely appear to translate into protective behaviors. Contrary to previous studies, the findings of the meta-analysis revealed that individuals who are more concerned with and informed about privacy tend to use fewer online services, set stronger security settings, and disclose less personal information. However, when it comes to social media use, there is indeed a privacy paradox, as even individuals who express concerns behave quite carelessly, engaging in uncensored or inappropriate self-disclosure, making a great deal of their digital footprint public, and allowing a wide range of external apps to access their data. It has been estimated that nearly 40% of Facebook content is shared according to the (rather unsafe) default settings, and that privacy settings match users’ expectations only 37% of the time. Thus, it appears that no amount of privacy concerns will make social media users more cautious.

From Why We’re So Hypocritical About Online Privacy

May 2, 2017 by Blake EBooks Internet Privacy

Documentarian Says ‘Anarchist Cookbook’ Author Was Filled With Remorse

Excerpt: The information that is in the book is now out on the Internet and in many other places, and was even at the time. I mean, Bill himself got it from the public library, so it was out there in other forms and I think people who were determined to act out violently probably would have found that information or found ways to do it in any case. … So drawing sort of a direct, causal link I think is problematic. But my sense is that none of that has been any great consolation for Bill throughout his life. …

I think Bill has for many years wrestled with … feeling on the one hand that you deserve redemption, that you deserve a second chance, and on the other hand feeling that you have done something wrong and that you feel a sense of guilt over. And clearly I think Bill is a complex enough person to hold on to both of those emotions at once.

Full piece on NPR.

April 4, 2017 by Bibliofuture Authors Books Internet Libraries

Fall from Grace (well sorta) for Milo Yiannopouloss

From Mediaite, news that Simon & Schuster has cancelled publication of Milo Yiannopouloss book (after creating hell for all their other authors). He has also left the extreme right-leaning Breitbart News.

Here’s another piece from the Washington Post. And Ryan Lizza’s piece from the New Yorker.

February 21, 2017 by birdie Internet

Why these librarians are protesting Trump’s executive orders | PBS NewsHour

Librarians who spoke to the NewsHour said these orders touched a nerve, especially for those who work at public libraries, which often serve a diverse population that includes new immigrants. According to the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences, 55 percent of new Americans use a library at least once a week.

“We are huge resources for newcomers to this country, whether it’s for connection to this country, legal resources, testing preparation, citizen tests, services like storytimes or homework help,” said Elizabeth McKinstry, a public librarian based in Dedham, Massachusetts, who has been vocal in rallying librarians online post-election. “We are there for the most vulnerable folks in our communities, people on the other side of the digital or language divide.”

From Why these librarians are protesting Trump’s executive orders | PBS NewsHour

February 15, 2017 by Blake Internet Legal Issues Librarians Libraries

Top Hat Raises $22.5 Million to Go After Pearson, McGraw-Hill

That’s a weakness Top Hat Chief Executive Officer Mike Silagadze said he’s trying to exploit. He started by selling software tools to professors that help them engage their students, such as smartphone apps that let them tell lecturers if they understand new concepts in real-time. The company, which launched in 2009, has 2 million students using its products.

The next step is to go directly after the textbooks and digital course content made by Pearson and McGraw, Silagadze said in an interview. In November, they launched an online content marketplace, where professors can create course materials and sell it around the world. The idea is to cut out the publisher and let professors sell directly to students and each other, Silagadze said.

From Top Hat Raises $22.5 Million to Go After Pearson, McGraw-Hill – Bloomberg

February 15, 2017 by Blake Internet

The Internet Is a Lot Bigger Than Wikipedia

The Internet Is a Lot Bigger Than Wikipedia

“But we need Wikipedia for an overview of the topic!” the students yell from the back of the room.

I mean, sure. I’m a student too and I get it. Wikipedia is a great way to get a very brief overview of the topic and introduce key terms and topics.

You may find, however, that specific Wikis with different content guidelines provide better coverage of your specific topic. For example, individuals interested in sustainability studies may find Appropedia a better resource than Wikipedia. Try searching your general area of study + “wiki” to see if there is a similar online encyclopedia for your topic.

From Ugh, Still Using Wikipedia? These Alternatives Are More Reliable

January 25, 2017 by Blake Internet