This Week in Best of PubLib 01.11.10

Best of Publib Current Topics and Archives

Video coming soon

This week  in  Best of Publib covers the week of December 31st, 2009 through January 10th, 2010. This week includes questions about insect extermination, thought-provoking discussions about the politics of library cards and communication , comparison of cataloging software,  and the effect of weather on library operations. Some of the topics we will be reviewing include:

• Topic   »    iTunes on Public Computers – Natalie Morgan in Boerne, TX asks how to accomodate iPod downloads  – Can privacy and security be expected?
• Topic   »    Braille – Michael McGrorty in Los Angeles provides this NYT article on the use of Braille  – Are there viable alternatives?
• Topic   »    Email Notification Complaint – Diedre Conkling in Newport, Oregon is investigating the efficiency of email notices – Does email notice content differ from paper?
• Topic   »    Buggy books – Karen Hiser in Charleston, West Virginia wants to know how to kill bug / insect eggs in library materials – What are the best methods for extermination?
• Topic   »    Quick (hopefully) question about Excel – Phalbe Henriksen in Taylorsville, NC  seeks tutorials on Excel chart creation
• Topic   »    Home Cataloging Software? – Tony Ross seeks reviews of cataloging software for collections >2500 without the social networking of:  Shelfari, LibraryThing  and Goodreads – What are your experiences with software such as:  Readerware  , Collectorz  and Delicious-Monster?
• Topic   »    definitions needed – reference vs. non-reference – Ellen Eyberg in El Paso, TX asks for guidance on the scope of reference questions – When does direction become an intellectual endeavor?
• Topic   »    Infopeople’s webinar “TEDx for Libraries” – Linda Rodenspiel of infopeople.org is promoting TEDx webinar to facilitate library programming – TED rocks!
• Topic   »    Library card needed for checkout? – Linda Fairbanks in Oak Brook, IL questions library card mandates – What are the politics of library cards?
• Topic   »    Wiki in the Library question – Kevin Clement wants to know how libraries are using Wiki’s as internal communication tools – How do Wiki’s work for you?
• Topic   »    Advocating for YA Librarian – Ryan Livergood in Dover, MA wants to show critical need for young adult librarians – What are some great examples?
• Topic   »    CD/DVD cleaning machines – Mary Hall in Bedford, IN would like to get ratings and opinions of CD / DVD cleaning machines – Which ones work the best?
• Topic   »    Open Source Newspaper Indexing Software – Jesse Higel in Mount Vernon, OH seeks examples of free / Open Source indexing software.  Sharon Foster in New Hampshire provides an excellent example  with Zoho Creator.
• Topic   »    Cameras – Debbie Winlock would like opinions on the use of security cameras in libraries – What works? What doesn’t?
• Topic   »    ebook readers – experience/success with the audio download – any personal or professional testimonials – Gail Preslar Kingsport, TN seeks evaluation along with ongoing technical reviews – Sony Reader , Amazon Kindle , Barnes & Noble Nook are market leaders.
• Topic   »    Expanded use OPAC – Joe McKenzie would like  optimal methods for utilizing OPAC computers as short-term web browsers – Does expanding internet access create more demand? If you build it, who will come?
• Topic   »    Position Open in the Beautiful NW – Regan Robinson in Lynden, WA  advertised this Web Coordinator position  at Whatcom Library System – Resident Arizonian PubLib humorist Joe Schallan takes exception to  ‘beautiful Northwest‘.
• Topic   »    Closing for weather poll – Linda Cannon – Joplin, MO wants to know when you shut your library down due to weather – What closes your library? 

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