January 19th, 2010 Brian Herzog
Here are a few random notes from the weekend - the best part of the conference is talking with other librarians, and of course the free stuff.
Apps: Past or Future?
Despite not having a cell phone, I still ended up talking a lot about apps at the show. Gale has a great approach for AccessMyLibrary. Check out the Librarian in Black’s writeup, but what I liked about it is the geolocation authentication: it shows you all libraries within 10 miles, and lets you into their (Gale) database - no typing in library card numbers.
At the LibraryThing party, there was lots of talk about LT’s new Local Books app. Some people loved it, and some people didn’t (especially the Android user I talked to, who couldn’t find one for his phone). This also led to an interesting discussion on whether or not apps are even needed - one theory was that if the mobile version of your website is good enough, then you shouldn’t need a separate app. Therefore, a good app does some kind of mashup not possible on the website.
Then again, I also heard that apps are on their way out in 2010.
eBooks: Present and Future
This is an area I’ve been paying attention to, and I still learned a lot. The eBooks that Overdrive offers are in epub and pdf formats, and circulate just like their audio books. But the best part is that they work on the Sony Reader and Nook - I did not know that. Apparently they have lots of both fiction and non-fiction titles, so I’m going to explore this avenue for my library.
Gale also offers eBooks, but I forgot to ask about the format. What I did like was that they aren’t limited to one user at a time - they were more like a database, where anyone can log in, search and use them.
I also saw a demo of B&T’s new eBook software, Blio (pronounced blee-O). I kept hearing they were coming out with something great, but I thought it was a physical eBook device - it’s not, it’s just the software. But the software really was pretty great:
- will work on computers and mobile devices
- it does full-color
- videos embedded in books (so a book on the circulation system shows videos of how the body works)
- quizzes in books for review
- text-to-speech in multiple voices, so different characters have different voices
- can highlight words as it reads, or will pronounce words you click on (to help kids or ESL students learn to read)
- has full-spread view of kids picture books (so it looks the same on screen as in print, with all the pictures and text - the pages even flip as if you were holding the book)
They’re concentrating on the consumer version first - the software is free, but it sounded like books will be on the expensive end, due to the enhanced content. Whenever I asked a library-specific question, the answer I got was, “oh, we’re still working on the details of the library model.”
So, yay for a successful conference. And in this case, successful = two shirts, three books, earbuds, notebook, pencils, pins, and lots of candy.
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January 7th, 2010 Brian Herzog
Hey, ALA Midwinter 2010 is in Boston this month. Being so close, I can hardly pass up going, especially since I have a free pass to the exhibit hall courtesy of LYRASIS (steps for getting your own free pass below).
I went the last time it was in Boston, and was slightly underwhelmed. It’s definitely more of a business meeting for the various ALA committees, which I didn’t expect. But this year there are some vendors I want to talk to, librarians to meet, and LibraryThing is also planning an event. Please say hi if you see me.
If you’re not going, the hashtag for Midwinter 2010 is #alamw10 - look for it around the interwebs (twitter, flickr, flickr group).
And here’s the scoop on the free passes: my library is a part of MVLC which is part of NMRLS which is a part of LYRASIS. If you’re also somehow covered under their umbrella, here’s how to get your free pass:
- Go to http://registration.experient-inc.com/ShowALA101/DefaultExhGuest.aspx?CompanyId=2160
- You will be brought to the Midwinter website. Note the Exhibits times. Click “Next.”
- Fill in your contact information. Click “Next.”
- Click “Member” and complete your demographics information. Click “Next.”
- Leave “Your Events” empty. Click “Next.”
- Review your “Registration Summary.” Click “Next.”
- You’re done! You will have a confirmation number; your total will be $0.00. Print your confirmation.
Oh yeah, and exhibit dates/times are below, with the story on the ALA page:
Friday, Jan 15: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Saturday, Jan 16: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, Jan 17: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Monday, Jan 18: 9:00am - 2:00pm
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October 20th, 2009 Brian Herzog
This is the week* I would have been at the Ohio Library Council’s annual conference, had it not been canceled. However, before I knew that, I had printed a bunch of Swiss Army Librarian stickers I was going to give to the people who came to my panel discussion.
Since that is no longer possible, I thought I’d offer them here. I have 40 of them, so the first 40 people to email me will get them - free, but you will need to send me an stamped return envelope (I’ll email you back with more details).
My cousin and graphic artist Tom created the artwork (thank you again), and CafePress did the printing. I put the same artwork on shirts, too, but haven’t seen how those look - maybe I’ll get one for myself for Christmas.
And speaking of gift ideas, here’s a few other Swiss Army-related products I’ve had kicking around in my bookmarks folder for awhile:
And just because I thought it was funny, here too is a Swiss Army Knife FAIL comic:
*This is also the week of NELA09, which I attended and blogged Sunday and Monday. Yay for library conferences.
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October 15th, 2009 Brian Herzog
The 2009 annual conference of the New England Library Association starts this weekend in Hartford, CT.
I’ll be there for just Sunday and Monday, but I’m not sure yet which sessions I’ll attend. I’ll be blogging again this year, along with other attendees, so check out our notes at http://nelib.wordpress.com. Also, look for Twitter updates with the #nela09 hashtag*.
If you’ll be in Hartford, let me know or keep an eye out for me - I have no plans for Sunday evenings and always like meeting people.
*While searching Twitter to figure out what the hashtag would be, I happened to find
@NELAsecrets - anyone know about this? It led to
http://nelasecrets.wordpress.com and uses Twittermail for updates (a la
@alasecrets and
@alasecrets2009). I tried it, but it seems like
Twittermail is down and
unresponsive. Too bad - I’m full of secrets.
Also while searching, I found another NELA conference - but sadly, we just missed it.
Tags: 2009, annual, conference, libraries, Library, nela, nela09, nela2009, nelib, new england library association, public See Also
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July 23rd, 2009 Brian Herzog
Sadly, the Ohio Library Council announced Monday that it was canceling its 2009 annual conference. The reason:
OLC staff learned last week in a survey of library directors that very few libraries will have the funds to send library staff to this event. In light of the recent developments in the state’s public library funding and the drastic adjustments that all libraries have been making to their operations, the OLC made the most fiscally-responsible route for both members and the organization.
Considering Ohio’s financial situation, cancellation does seem the most sensible course. But it is still unfortunate, because meeting and learning from other librarians is very valuable in our profession.
But also unfortunate is that the “mainstream” library world still hasn’t adopted an alternative to the large conference. The OLC announcement states they are “exploring several different education alternatives, including regional and electronic options,” and this situation illustrates why these avenues are important.
Librarycamps and unconferences can be every bit as practical and valuable as big conferences - and far less expensive. RUSA has been investigating e-participation, and I hope it catches on.
I was slated to be part of a library blogger panel at the conference, and I’m sorry to miss an opportunity to spend time with Ohio librarians. The state’s budget is finally settled, but they’re still facing a challenging year.
Tags: camp, camps, conference, libraries, Library, librarycamp, ohio, ohio library council, olc, public, unconference, unconferences See Also
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