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Monday, July 30, 2007
LibraryThing vs Shelfari
As defined in their about pages LibraryThing is a cataloging tool where as Shelfari is predominantly a social networking tool. They both are striving to provide a platform where people with similar interests can connect and communicate. The biggest difference I felt was in the website – LibraryThing is more text based where as Shelfari is more visual.
One day, when I have more time (between being a working mom and a student) I would love to explore these sites more. :-)
One day, when I have more time (between being a working mom and a student) I would love to explore these sites more. :-)
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Brown Reading...
Lessons for libraries from the Brown reading:
It is true that libraries are institutions that have existed for a long time and have policies and procedures in place – but they need to adapt to changing times – they need to be able to attract the newer generation that believes internet is the answer to all questions – libraries need to embrace Web 2.0. Having said that the flip side of this lesson is that libraries should strive to become knowledge providers rather than just knowledge repositories.
I liked how Brown mention “we have answers” or “solutions” – it seems we spend too much time answering and too little time understanding what a user needs – lesson learnt in last semesters reference class seems especially relevant – the libraries need to ensure that the reference interview is an integral part of the interaction with the patrons.
It is true that libraries are institutions that have existed for a long time and have policies and procedures in place – but they need to adapt to changing times – they need to be able to attract the newer generation that believes internet is the answer to all questions – libraries need to embrace Web 2.0. Having said that the flip side of this lesson is that libraries should strive to become knowledge providers rather than just knowledge repositories.
I liked how Brown mention “we have answers” or “solutions” – it seems we spend too much time answering and too little time understanding what a user needs – lesson learnt in last semesters reference class seems especially relevant – the libraries need to ensure that the reference interview is an integral part of the interaction with the patrons.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Library Blogs
I really had fun searching for library blogs - this assignment made me evaluate multiple factors that come into play to make a successful blog .
For example, the Waterboro Public Library has a nice blog with lots of information about local events, famous personalities, book reviews etc but it is updated infrequently and had no link to the library home page. That totally put me off the site - the least a library blog should have is a link to the library home page.
So, I decided to look father and I found another site where they had white text on a light blue background - need I say more - it was too much strain on eyes to even consider reading the blog.
Then I found the Marin Country Library Blog - really liked it - the background was nice and soothing to the eyes, information was current, archives were provided and the blog had a link to the purpose of the blog, allowed subscriptions to RSS and Atom XML feeds (more importantly explained what they were and how they could be used). Well!! before I could post my entry to the blog I decided to see what other people were doing - and I see Sharon's posting and she already reviewed this blog :-( - needless to say I decided not to view anymore postings before finished updating my blog .. and my pursuit of an interesting blog continued and I found...
Binghamton University Libraries Science Library Blog - Like the look of the blog - it is catering to a science clientele - the page is uncluttered, frequently updated with relevant topics, has a calendar on the right highlighting update dates for the month, allows search and sorting by categories, information about contributors, archives, RSS. I believe if I was a science student I would have frequently used the blog to get latest information which I guess fulfils the purpose the Science Library Blog - its users like it and want to visit it for information!!
For example, the Waterboro Public Library has a nice blog with lots of information about local events, famous personalities, book reviews etc but it is updated infrequently and had no link to the library home page. That totally put me off the site - the least a library blog should have is a link to the library home page.
So, I decided to look father and I found another site where they had white text on a light blue background - need I say more - it was too much strain on eyes to even consider reading the blog.
Then I found the Marin Country Library Blog - really liked it - the background was nice and soothing to the eyes, information was current, archives were provided and the blog had a link to the purpose of the blog, allowed subscriptions to RSS and Atom XML feeds (more importantly explained what they were and how they could be used). Well!! before I could post my entry to the blog I decided to see what other people were doing - and I see Sharon's posting and she already reviewed this blog :-( - needless to say I decided not to view anymore postings before finished updating my blog .. and my pursuit of an interesting blog continued and I found...
Binghamton University Libraries Science Library Blog - Like the look of the blog - it is catering to a science clientele - the page is uncluttered, frequently updated with relevant topics, has a calendar on the right highlighting update dates for the month, allows search and sorting by categories, information about contributors, archives, RSS. I believe if I was a science student I would have frequently used the blog to get latest information which I guess fulfils the purpose the Science Library Blog - its users like it and want to visit it for information!!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
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