Best of Publib – January 2013 in Review

Best of PubLib – January 2013 in Review

Best of Publib Word Cloud
January 2013

This edition of Best of Publib covers the month of January 2013.  Hot topics for the month of January included:

• Cataloging Local Textbooks ~
  • Debra Bashaw of the McMullen Memorial Library in Huntington, TX asked:
  • How do you catalog cookbooks from local organizations?
• Lending E-reader devices ~
  • Lucien Kress of the Multnomah County Library asked regarding the DOJ settlements over e-reader accessibility queried:
  • Are you loaning only accessible e-readers, which readers do you loan and other pertinent questions.
• List Problems ~
  • Amy Mullin of the Austin Public Library wanted to know:
  • Are there technical problems with the list?
• Playaways ~
  • John Richmond of the Alpha Park Public Libray District in Bartonville, IL pondered and ruminated:
  • “I’m wondering if anyone Out There has changed policies re: what they/you provide with Playaways. And if you took something away, did people holler? (Which, of course, they shouldn’t do, because they’re in a *library*.)”
• Surveys for the Public ~
  • Elizabeth Thorson of the Laramie County Library System in Cheyenne, WY asked:
  • “Has anyone surveyed the public when facing budget cuts?”
• Requests by Parents for in loco parentis services ~
  • Beth Hudson of the Walla Walla Public Library in Walla Walla, Washington wondered :
  • “Does anyone have a written statement which they provide when a parents asks that you not check out certain items to their child?”.
• Worst Marketing Idea(s) Ever ~
  • Dierdre Conkling of the Lincoln County Library District reported on ALA OIF’s plan for a sweater vest day to support intellectual freedom:
  • “I think this sounds like fun but I don’t own a sweater vest. Just shows once again that I am not cool. “

On January 10th The ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom announced their ‘Wear a sweater vest on Sunday, Jan. 27, in support of intellectual freedom!‘ campaign.  If librarians attending Mid-Winter ALA would wear a sweater vest on that day, it would demonstrate their commitment and support of intellectual freedom.

In jaw-dropping, dumbfounded awe I asked:

I am trying to imagine how Judith Krug would have reacted to perhaps the worst marketing idea I have ever seen and the dynamics of a meeting where this idea was proposed and validated. Did no one dare to speak truth to power?

What does a ‘sweater vest’ represent? How the heck does a sweater vest  correlate to *any* form of ‘intellectual freedom’? Perhaps what is most appalling is the obvious lack of intellectual effort it takes to say you *support* intellectual freedom by wearing a sweater vest.

Maybe this will take off along the same lines as ‘Geek the Library’, which seriously detracts from the library mission. Bad ideas, once they are validated, tend to gain their own momentum.

Emperor’s New Clothes

This touched off two discussions on the list – one about the efficacy of sweater vests as statements of intellectual freedom and the other about the importance or impotence of the Geek the Library campaign administered by OCLC.  And, there were the anticipated reactions from some readers who were simply aghast that I would question poorly made decisions by established bureaucracies.

Emily Weak who had been promoting a librarian employment site/ blog on Publib asked:

Somewhat off your topic, but I am curious as to how “Geek the Library” detracts  from the library’s mission? Isn’t it about the diversity of resources one can find at the library (i.e. whatever you have a crazy passion for, you can find  materials about it at the library)? Is it that you feel geek has negative connotations?

The Side Show
Honoré Daumier

The Geek the Library campaign has evolved into its own bureaucracy supported by grants by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and administered by OCLC.  I have found no empirical evidence that Geek the Library is more effective than any other course of advertising or promotion. In fact, there may be many, much more effective methods.  Anna Cangialosi with the Chelsea District Library did provide a link to an anecdotal case study on Publib.  However, there appears to be no clear data regarding effectiveness. The press release branded by OCLC seems to be yet another self-serving validation for people who self-identify as being a ‘geek’.

Professional librarians have spent years trying to separate themselves from the stereotype of anti-social professional clerks.  The movement to create a new stereotype by branding librarians as Geeks may result in many more years of trying to live down that stereotype.  Why not continue what we were working towards => a stereotype representing professionalism along with informational and intellectual excellence?

Saving Our Public Lbraries

Rather than blindly accepting that a terrible marketing campaign is in your interest and the interest of your library – why not read a book about how you can promote your library? Why not do a critical assessment of what works and what doesn’t? Why not re-engage in library science as a fundamental set of skills?

Janet Jai has written an excellent book that investigates success stories, expert advice and innovative ideas that support library marketing. If you haven’t ordered it yet,  you should order it for your library today: Saving Our Public Libraries  Why We Should. How We Can.

Please join us on BestofPublib Facebook

The Publib Archives

The Publib archives from the former Webjunction listserve and the current OCLC service are available here: Archives

Publib Topics – A Graphic Retrospective – September 2011

Beware Graphic Content Ahead!

 

 This graphic image  or word cloud was created using Wordle. It is derived from the subjects and authors of postings in PubLib for September 2011. The size of the graphics is directly related to the number of un-weighted unique occurrences each month of the individual words represented. Most automated graphic processes that generate these types of word clouds use additional weight for H1 – H6 tags through feeds. These graphics are not processed with H1 – H6 tags. The titles and authors were copied to Notepad and stripped of all HTML before being run through the Wordle Java platform. The process is case-sensitive so Library is not the same thing as library.

 

The most prominent word without employing filters would have been Publib.  Publib and Fwd were deleted from the plaintext files before processing. In addition, the Wordle program automatically disregards articles, conjunctions, and prepositions.

 

Some of the more active threads include: a continued discussion of LSSI from August , Amazon in Competition with Libraries ,  Book or E-book,  Bedbugs ,  and an assortment of DVD Issues.

 

Publib Topics September 2011

Please join us on BestofPublib Facebook

The Publib Archives

The Publib archives from the Webjunction listserve are available here: Archives

Archives compiled after Dec. 7, 2011 are available here: Archives

Publib Topics – A Graphic Retrospective – August 2011

Beware Graphic Content Ahead!

 

 This graphic image  or word cloud was created using Wordle. It is derived from the subjects and authors of postings in PubLib for August 2011. The size of the graphics is directly related to the number of un-weighted unique occurrences each month of the individual words represented. Most automated graphic processes that generate these types of word clouds use additional weight for H1 – H6 tags through feeds. These graphics are not processed with H1 – H6 tags. The titles and authors were copied to Notepad and stripped of all HTML before being run through the Wordle Java platform. The process is case-sensitive so Library is not the same thing as library.

 

The most prominent word without employing filters would have been Publib. Publib and Fwd were deleted from the plaintext files before processing. In addition, the Wordle program automatically disregards articles, conjunctions, and prepositions.

 

Some of the major topics discussed included Personal Security,  Staff Name Badges,  e-book lending legalities,  and Urban – Street literature collection development.

 

Publib Topics August 2011

Please join us on BestofPublib Facebook

The Publib Archives

The Publib archives from the Webjunction listserve are available here: Archives

Archives compiled after Dec. 7, 2011 are available here: Archives

Best of Publib – Dream Teams 2011 Entry Forms

Best of Publib – Librarian Dream Teams – 2011

Dear Best of Publib Readers:

The Editor’s of Best of Publib want to know who you think should be on the first ever annual Best of Publib – Librarian Dream Teams.

We are looking for nominations for two teams:

Team 1: The Best of Publib Real World Public Library Dream Team – (anyone who has worked in / with a public library qualifies)

Team 2: The Best of Publib Fantasy Public Library Dream Team – (anyone living or dead or unliving)

Official Entry Form:  

 http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/BestofPublibRealWordDreamTeam_2011.xls

(forms do not need to be filled out completely – if you only want to nominate a Director, Trustee or Mascot – each entry will count)

Please return by January 8th to : 

bestofpublib@gmail.com

In this world of economic uncertainly and tough times for libraries – who would you want to fill the positions of:

• Director
• Assistant Director
• Marketing/Communications Director
• Head of Technology
• Head of Circulation
• Head of Cataloging / Technical Services
• Head of Reference
• Youth Services / Children’s Librarian
• three Reference Librarians
• two Circ Desk Staff
• two stacks
• 4 trustees
• Library Mascot

Fantasy Librarian

Think about who you would like to work for/ with. What personnel would represent the pinnacle of Librarianship and library services? Who rocks at reference? Who directs like no other? Which trustees are trustworthy? Who will be number 1?

The top five nominees for each position will receive recognition in January in a special edition of Best of Publib. Those top entries will be presented for a vote by all of the Best of Publib Readers to determine the ultimate 2011 Real World and Fantasy Librarian Dream Teams.

Please join us on BestofPublib Facebook

The Publib Archives

The Publib archives from the Webjunction listserve are available here: Archives

Please note: HTML is stripped out of archives. Compose in plaintext or richtext.

Best of Publib – Librarian Dream Team – 2011

Best of Publib – Librarian Dream Teams – 2011

Dear Best of Publib Readers:

The Editor’s of Best of Publib want to know who you think should be on the first ever annual Best of Publib – Librarian Dream Teams.   

We are looking for nominations for two teams:

Team 1: The Best of Publib Real World Librarian Dream Team – (anyone who has worked in / with a public library qualifies)

Team 2: The Best of Publib Fantasy Public LIbrary Dream Team  – (anyone living or dead or unliving)

In this world of economic uncertainly and tough times for libraries – who would you want to fill the positions of:

• Director
• Assistant Director
• Marketing/Communications Director
• Head of Technology
• Head of Circulation
• Head of Cataloging / Technical Services
• Head of Reference
• Youth Services / Children’s Librarian
• three Reference Librarians
• two Circ Desk Staff
• two stacks
•  4 trustees 

Fantasy Librarian

Think about who you would like to work for/ with.  What personnel would represent the pinnacle of Librarianship and library services?  Who rocks at reference? Who directs like no other? Which trustees are trustworthy? Who will be number 1? 

The top five nominees for each position will receive recognition in January in a special edition of Best of Publib. Those top entries will be presented for a vote by all of the Best of Publib Readers to determine the ultimate 2011 Real World and Fantasy Librarian Dream Teams.

Our next edition of Best of Publib will contain the official entry form. 

Please join us on BestofPublib Facebook

The Publib Archives

The Publib archives from the Webjunction listserve are available here: Archives

Please note: HTML is stripped out of archives. Compose in plaintext or richtext.

Librarian Bill of Rights

Librarian Bill of Rights and Ethical Librarians

 

There have been many excellent and intriguing responses so far regarding instances of unethical librarianship and untrustworthy trustees. Those responses will be aggregated  here on Best of Publib.

One of the interesting comments received was from Diedre Conkling formerly with the ALA Committee on Professional Ethics:

On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 3:58 PM, Diedre Conkling  wrote:

 There are many reason’s why the ALA Code of Ethics can’t be enforced on librarians, ALA members or the local level.  We, the Committee on Professional Ethics, recently studied this issue for about 3 years.  The study included open forums for input on the code, how to change it and how to enforce it.  We also looked at what is done in other organizations.  The only organizations that can enforce a code of ethics are licensing agencies.  ALA is not one of these.

 

 

So, even though ALA has eloquently and elegantly described how to be ethical, all of that work on behalf of the profession by professional librarians only has the authority of suggestion and consensus. On the other hand, unethical librarianship and untrustworthy trustees are the product of the powerful slippery slope.  In some environments the slope is much slippier and the pitch is much greater.

Maybe it just begins with a small compromise of ethics:

• Did the trustee lose a book? Don’t charge them for it. They are more important than the other patrons.
• Do you want a good evaluation?  Then hire the trustee’s cousin over a more qualified applicant. 
• Trustee wants you to give no-bid work to one of their friends or relatives –  go along with it.  
• Trustee doesn’t want you to provide access to public records about the no-bid work? Lose the info.
• Meeting minutes?  What meeting minutes? 

No real harm done and you generated some good will with your trustee.  Maybe the trustee likes what you did for them, gives you a raise and authorizes a trip from library funds for you to Key West.   Hey, it is just tax dollars, no one will miss it. Come on.  Everyone does it. Don’t rock the boat. Wink, wink – nudge, nudge.

On the other hand, hire the more qualified applicant, treat the trustee equally, make sure funds are allocated properly, support the First Amendment, equal protection under the law and provide lawful access to public records and as an at-will public servant you could lose your job.  There is no effective protection for your profession by your profession.

Justice

In Rhode Island – along with many other locations, the slope is just about as slick as it can get.  The political pressure to do the wrong thing can be enormous.  The way that another important group of professionals charged with providing equal protection under the law dealt with the ethical dilemma was the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights. The Fraternal Order of Police helped to promote the Bill of Rights to protect their members from political reprisal for doing their jobs.  Many other states have adopted similar laws.

I believe that a *Librarian* Bill of Rights (not to be confused with Library Bill of Rights) should be promoted and adopted by the States  as a method to protect the public interest by protecting public librarians in the commission of their lawful duties as administrators, information professionals, and managers of the public trust.

 

Librarians should  have the duty,  right, and protection under the law to act in their professional capacities to:

• Uphold U.S. Constitution/Federal/State laws
• Support the First Amendment
• Support FOIA and Open Meetings/Access to Public Records statutes
• Conduct library activities using standard principles of accounting
• Report to appropriate entity – elected officials – without fear of reprisal  – except for malicious intent – any misfeasance/violation of law -  by Board of Trustees or individual trustee
• Unless declined – right to have evaluations discussed in public
• Right to review credentials of Board of Trustee applicants – if  Trustees are required to *have*  credentials – prior to appointment

Please join us on BestofPublib Facebook

The Publib Archives

The Publib archives from the Webjunction  listserve are available here:  Archives   Please note:  HTML is stripped out of archives. Compose in plain text or richtext

 

Publib Topics – A Graphic Retrospective from January 2011 back to January 2010

Beware Graphic Content Ahead!

These graphic images or word clouds were created using Wordle. They are derived from the subjects and authors in PubLib from January 2010 to January 27 2011.  The size of the graphics is directly related to the number of un-weighted unique occurrences each month of the individual words represented.    Most automated graphic processes that generate these types of word clouds use additional weight for H1 - H6 tags through feeds.  These graphics are not processed with H1 - H6 tags. The titles and authors were copied to Notepad and stripped of all HTML before being run through the Wordle Java platform. The process is case-sensitive so Library is not the same thing as library.

The most prominent word without employing filters would have been Publib.  Publib and Fwd were deleted from the plaintext files before processing.  In addition, the Wordle program automatically disregards articles, conjunctions, and prepositions.

 

The first graphic represents the most current information for January 2011 and is followed by the normal sequence of January – December 2010.  

2011 appears somewhat ominous! 

January 2011 PubLib

PubLib January 2010

PubLib February 2010

PubLib March 2010

PubLib April 2010

PubLib May 2010

PubLib June 2010

 

PubLib July 2010

 

PubLib August 2010

PubLib September 2010

PubLib October 2010

PubLib November 2010

PubLib December 2010

Please join us on BestofPublib Facebook

The Publib Archives

The Publib archives from the Webjunction  listserve are available here:  Archives   Please note:  HTML is stripped out of archives. Compose in plaintext or richtext.

Best of PubLib 03.28.10

Best of Publib Current Topics and Archives

Provocative video suitable for all audiences coming soon

This edition of  Best of Publib covers  March 15th through March 28th 2010. This PubLib review and analysis includes questions about naming library rooms, thought-provoking discussions about new media archives , library materials security,  and our new poll on R-rated movie access. Some of the topics we will be reviewing include: 

• Topic   »    Dealing with no-shows    ♦  Nann Blaine Hilyard  in  Zion, Illinois seeks help dealing with library sponsored classes / workshops where people who are signed up fail to attend.  What policies can help deal with this?
• Topic   »    SirsiDynix Outreach Module   ♦   Nancy Laskowski  with the Free Library of Philadelphia  would like to know about PubLib readers’ reactions and experiences with the SirsiDynix Outreach Module.  How have you implemented the Sirsi product to serve homebound patrons?
• Topic   »    Renovation and Book Storage   ♦   Andrea Taylor   with the Fullerton Public Library in CA is looking at policies and procedures that help deal with books in storage during renovations.  If books are inaccessible, what circulation polices can help?
• Topic   »    policies for naming rooms or areas  ♦    Kelly Currie of Delphi Public Library IN would like examples of how to name parts of libraries after donors.
• Topic   »    Auction Sites?    ♦   Kimberly Francisco with  Huntsville Public Library TX  is pursuing a similar question but wants to know how to auction naming rights. Are there free tools such as E-bay that would lend themselves to online auctioning of library rooms?
• Topic   »    Law Enforcement Collection of Data From Social Media Sites   ♦   The Electronic Freedom Foundation  offered current information on how law enforcement utilizes social networking to investigate crime. 
• Topic   »    real people in fiction    ♦   Diane Hamilton  at the Cape May County Library would like examples of genres that represent fictional accounts of real people.
• Topic   »    Remembering ProQuest-SIRS State Intellectual Freedom Awards    ♦    Melora Ranney Norman presents a troubling study regarding Proquest  State IF Awards .  Is this good marketing?
• Topic   »    Posting guidelines    ♦    Sara Weissman - co-moderator for PubLib-L mailing list - reminds PubLib posters of  guidelines for content and avoiding the infamous PubLib spam filter.
• Topic   »    Magazine Theft Solutions?   ♦    Sheila Hammond-Todd with the  Mesa County Libraries  reports on a troubling increase in magazine thefts and asks PubLib readers how they manage. 
• Topic   »    Security trends, cases and techniques?   ♦    Dan Owens   with Enoch Pratt Free Library MD reports similar problems with thefts of AV materials.  What are the most effective AV materials physical security and processes?
• Topic   »    Record retention and social networking   ♦    Earlene Mokler at  Richland Public Library  WA investigates archiving social media such as Facebook and Twitter as public records. What policies and processes do you have to retain tweets ?  Judy Turner in Las Vegas offers the Archives and Archivists Listserv as a resource.
• Topic   »    Suggestions for foreign language books   ♦   Pamela Karr  with  A.K. Smiley Public Library  CA  seeks recommendation for Juvenile Easy books in Chinese and French. What vendors or book titles do you recommend?  Ce que les vendeurs ou les titres de livres recommandez-vous?  什么供应商或书名你建议？
• Topic   »    transcribing style guides    ♦    Hillary Theyer  wants to transcribe podcasts for the Torrance Public Library Blog  and would like to know if transcription standards exist.  How do you transcribe recorded media?
• Topic   »    ISBNs   ♦   Nann Blaine Hilyard alerts catalogers and searchers to ISBN duplications – Do not assume ISBN is a unique identifier.
• Topic   »    Consultant rates     ♦   Linda Dydo in Los Gatos CA is putting together a cost estimate for a Library Consultant. What advice do PubLib readers have to offer? How much should consultants charge?
• Topic   »    questions about tornado shelter    ♦    Cheri Nienke  with  Andover Public Library  KS would like examples of sign requirements for libraries serving as FEMA tornado shelters.
• Topic   »    Coffee House themed events?   ♦    Kim Braun with the  J. Lewis Crozer Library is orchestrating a Coffee House themed event for a poetry reading. What recommendations are there for a Coffee House theme?
• Topic   »    Packaging for ILLs   ♦   Eric McCarthy at the   European Regional Library Support Center seeks durable packaging solutions for intra-library loans between twenty-seven member libraries across 4 countries in Europe.  What durable packaging can sustain itself through the mail?
• Topic   »    language software inside the library    ♦    Elizabeth Fraser with  Kanawha County Public Library  WV would like examples of policies and procedures for in-house use of language learning software.  How do you quite the spoken word?
• Topic   »    Windows 7 and Steady State   ♦     Laura Hayden with   Beaufort County Library reports that SteadyState is not compatible with Windows 7 – What free or inexpensive alternatives are available to help secure public computers? Editor’s note: Comodo Time Machine  may be an alternative.
• Topic   »    Poster Maker    ♦    Miranda Hapner seeks recommendations for large-format printers suitable for full-size posters.  Cab Vinton at the Sanbornton Public Library NH recommends MakeUseOf.com website as a resource.  Notable MakeUseOf.com solutions include: The Rasterbator.
• Topic   »    Portland, PLA, and Publib  and Computer resource of last resort; words; tr.im ♦    Joe Schallan – Jurassic Librarian - treats PubLib readers to his observations regarding PLA , Urban Dictionary content , and url shortening.   Mix them all together and you have classic Jurassic.
• Topic   »    YA Patrons and “R” movies   ♦    Bob Farwell   at Otis Library CT wants to know if libraries  offer R – rated movies  to Young Adults under 17.  Mark Hasskarl with Danbury Library CT reminds us that “movie ratings do not legally apply to libraries, only to movie theaters”.  Shannon Hammock tells us the film ratings are voluntary even for theaters and offers This Film is Not Yet Rated as a resource.  The ALA Freedom to View Statement supports liberty of circulation.  Should R-rated movies circulate to Young Adults under 17?

Take our Poll!

Please join us on BestofPublib Facebook

The Publib Archives

The Publib archives from the Webjunction  listserve are available here:  Archives   Please note:  HTML is stripped out of achives. Compose in plaintext or richtext.

 

Best of PubLib 02.08.10

Best of Publib Current Topics and Archives

This week  in  Best of Publib covers the week of February 1st through February 7th 2010. This week includes questions about collection development, thought-provoking discussions about social reference questions , library website development,  and changes to library employment qualifications. Some of the topics we will be reviewing include:

• Topic  »  request for presentations ♦   Treasurer Edith Isele of ABOS requests presenters for the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services joint conference with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries  (ARSL) in Denver, CO
• Topic  »  President’s budget freezes library funding, omits school libraries from education increase  ♦ Dierdre Conkling reports on the budget freeze and failure to include school libraries in the education increase – Why are school libraries being devalued?
• Topic  »  Books by Mail  ♦ Verdie Richburg wants to know how other libraries distribute books by mail – What are the procedures?
• Topic  »  Sneaky Library Card Users  ♦ Wendy Wendt in Grand Forks, ND  wants to know what other libraries do about parents using their children’s cards to check out books, when the parents are blocked by fines – What is the best practice?
• Topic  »  Using stats  ♦ Nicole Pasini  in San Mateo, CA wants to know how others use traffic and circulation statistics to plan and promote – Michael Golrick at the State Library of Lousiana recommends the methodology offered by the Georgia Libraries 
• Topic  » Oversized books  ♦ Laurie McKee in Little Elm, TX is interested in learning how other libraries are arranging and defining oversize books – What is a big book?
• Topic  »  PC reservation and print management software  ♦ Victoria Yarbrough in  Douglas, AZ would like feedback on ALPS and Comprize software – What works for your library?
• Topic  » Reference policy  ♦  Kimberley A. Potter in Redford, MI is looking at ways to deal with patrons using reference services as a social contact – What is the best way to close social reference questions? At what point does social reference impede the library mission?
• Topic  » Call for Participation for A Reference Renaissance 2010  ♦ Justine Shaffner of BCR promoted the Reference Renaissance event in Denver, CO Aug. 8-10 2010
• Topic  »  Relative Use  ♦ Kathryn King in Fort Worth, TX is looking at how other library apply relative use  in collection development / management
• Topic  » Please sign petition to save Connecticut Law Library ♦ Paul Lohner - asks for help from the Library Community to stop the proposed dissolution of the Law Library in Bridgeport, CT
• Topic  » CMS question  ♦ Lisa Sheffield in Transylvania is researching redesigning library websites to include CMS -  What advice do other librarians have for working with web design contractors? What content management systems work the best?
• Topic  » Board Meetings  ♦ Miranda Hapner asked for recommendations on revising Library Board Meeting procedures - Should recording be required?
• Topic  »  Member photos on ILS records  ♦ Andy Richmond  in Rye,  NH  is trying to balance privacy and service with accountability – Do you use photo IDs for your library cards?
• Topic  » multiple copies second try ♦ Elizabeth Thorson in Laramie County Wy is looking at ways to get the most out of the materials budget – What strategies help match patron demand with supply?
• Topic  »  Vocera and other PCS systems  ♦ Paul Mills is investigating personal wireless communication systems such as Vocera – If you have a personal wireless system, what do you like about it?
• Topic  » Chatboards and message boards for librarians ♦ Margery is looking for recommendations on high traffic library communications similar to Teachers.net - Editors note : Although library lists such as publib have a large number of subscribers, the percentage of actual contributors is very low
• Topic  » dominant personalities in bookclub discussions ♦ Grace Peterson in Ohio is leading a book discussion group and asks how to make sure everyone can participate – What do you recommend?  Gigi Bane in Oak Ridge, TN has a great idea to pass the ball!
• Topic  »  Public program on southern plantations  ♦ Lisa Guidarini in Algonquin, IL is investigating how to balance a library event on Southern Plantation Living while being sensitive to historic implications of slavery - What balance should be offered? What is the responsibility of the library?
• Topic  »  Library Employment Trends  ♦ U of I Library Science student – Genevieve Henricks – asks pertinent questions about the future of the profession – How have qualifications changed over the past 10 years? 

Take our poll!

Please join us on BestofPublib Facebook

The Publib Archives

The Publib archives from the Webjunction  listserve are available here:  Archives  

 

Best of PubLib 01.25.10

Best of Publib Current Topics and Archives

Video coming soon

This week  in  Best of Publib covers January 10th  through January 24th 2010. This week includes questions about collection development,  library hardware and software solutions, politics, policies,  and the ethics of advertising and branding. Some of the topics we will be reviewing include:

• Topic   »    Shelving graphic novels - Phalbe Henriksen in Taylorsville, NC wants to know how many fit on a standard shelf – Graphic novel collections are growing! 
• Topic   »    Classics List for Small Public Library - Bridget Krejci in Bloomer, WI wants recommendations for Classics – Kevin O’Kelly recommends the Everyman 100 and Carl Long provides an excellent, concise list.
• Topic   »    Public Library System Organizational Structure: Request for information - Corinne Dickman in Sparks, NV is investigating alternative organizational structures – How is your library configured?
• Topic   »    The future of reference? – This new product from Intel may show the future of reference – Are hololibrarians the next step in automation?
• Topic   »    Recalled books - Justine Shaffner  in Aurora, CO forwarded this warning from CPSC of books that may cause a fire – Sometimes the books are on fire, sometimes the books cause them . . .
• Topic   »    Not Gadgets -  M. McGrorty  in Los Angeles brings us this article by John Tierney – The Madness of Crowds and an Internet Delusion
• Topic   »    library ethics vs local politics  - American Libraries reported on this troubling story out of Vermont  
• Topic   »    Iphone app - Georgia Bouda  in  Bloomington, IL discusses the phone applications that digitize patron bar codes and offer them as alternatives to physical library cards - What are the security and service issues? How else can they be used?
• Topic   »    Story time attendance dropping off? -  Janet Griffing  in Wadsworth, OH reports on diminished participation – Is it demographic changes or flu fears?
• Topic   »    posting for causes on a library blog? – Kevin O’Kelly  in  Somerville, MA wants to know if it is proper – Should causes be promoted?
• Topic   »    Flying candidates in for face-to-face interviews  - Matthew Pierce is looking at the cost - Is it still common to fly in recruits?
• Topic   »    Review - M. McGrorty challenges librarians to post negative reviews of books – Is the trend to only see the good?
• Topic   »    Branding in Libraries - Jane Genzel  at the  Muskego Public Library is investigating the appropriateness of branded donations – Does branding diminish services?
• Topic   »    Drop In computer labs - Tracey Reed  in Clearwater, FL is implementing unstructured classes – Where is this effective?
• Topic   »    Periodicals back issues - Laurenne Teachout   in Stephentown, NY has limited space for periodicals – What is ideal retention?
• Topic   »    Overdrive Download Stations? - Nilya Carrato   in  Washington, DC  is configuring dedicated PCs for audio/ebook download – What software works the best?
• Topic   »    Patron Counters - Cath Soffe   at  Ajax Library Services wants to know which products are the best
• Topic   »    CIPA and e-rate - Andrea Taylor  in  Fullerton, CA is looking for a definitive answers on bona fide research and adult access - Is there conflict between local and federal guidelines?
• Topic   »    libraries and local bookstores/resend - Robin K. Blum is writing on the subject – What collaborative relationships exist between libraries and bookstores?
• Topic   »    Laptop Checkout - Mindy Kittay - in Colorado at the Anythink Libraries is looking for exemplary policies and procedures – How do your laptops circulate?
• Topic   »    experience with outsourcing management of the library - Laurel Goodgion   in Wethersfield CT is investigating corporate profiteering on non-profits – When does outsourced management impinge on professional ethics?
• Topic   »    Clipping files - Faith Jones – in New Westminster  BC, Canada is looking for best current practices for clipping files – are they still relevant with digitization? Does digitization of clipping files infringe on copyright?
• Topic   »    Giveaways for silent auctions, etc. - John Richmond   in  Bartonville, IL wants to know what to offer other non-profits – Is there a great combination of that serves the library and external non-profits too?
• Topic   »    Self Check Out - Andrew R. Stehr   in  Rochester, MN is looking for examples where circulation is 80% or greater automated – What are the benefits?
• Topic   »    Expired Library Cards - Sue Reed   in  Jefferson City, MO wants to know how long you keep expired patron records before purging – Does your patron policy include privacy considerations?
• Topic   »    Museum type holdings - John C. Sandstrom   in  El Paso, TX is looking for examples of libraries that still keep art work and realia – What are the collection guidelines?
• Topic   »    Kevin Trudeau books - Becky Tatar   in  Aurora, IL investigates collection development policies – Do we offer what the public wants or what they should want?
• Topic   »    Friday reference question - Dusty Gres   in  Vidalia, GA started a new discussion on humorous and troubling reference questions – It looks like we are generating a new list!
• Topic   »    Book (etc.?) Awards - Diedre Conkling   in  Newport, OR  provided a link to ALA’s Book Award list in Cognotes.  The discussion truncated into contemplation of the effect of marketing and advertising on professional library literature. What do you think?

Take our Poll!

Please join us on BestofPublib Facebook

The Publib Archives

The Publib archives from the Webjunction  listserve are available here:  Archives