Mod Librarian

Anythink is Possible

There is a public library system in Colorado that represents the future. The Rangeview libraries, known as the Anythink (TM) Libraries, have not only created a resonant brand personality, but also embody every aspect of their core philosophy of innovation, technological savvy and experimenting with new models for architecture and library spaces.

From the simple, usable website to cleanly designed staff t-shirts to the Anythink Tank, this library system which takes obvious cues from retail, is well poised for the future - in fact, they are the future. Emerging trends have emerged. And it all seems so effortless when executed so well.

DPI: Replacing Confusion with Clarity

I ran across a marvelous blog on digitization projects called No More Outsourcing by Misty De Meo, a digitization archivist from Ontario. This blog is chock full of useful information and I applaud Misty’s philosophy about archives embracing digitization projects and the technical responsibilities that go along with these projects, retaining control of the projects and thinking creatively about accomplishing digital projects with limited resources.

Anyway, the reason for this post is to highlight the simple and elegant guidelines presented for figuring out DPI (dots per inch) when using a camera to capture art and objects versus a flatbed scanner. I have never read such an easy to understand explanation. Check it out!

Hollywood Librarian

There is a new documentary about one of my favorite subjects - librarians in film. Hollywood Librarian is a documentary that debuted during Banned Books week featuring depictions of librarians in films like Desk Set and Party Girl.

Interspersed with the film clips, real librarians talk about a variety of issues including freedom of speech, intellectual freedom,the explosion of technology and the survival of civilization. There is a free screening in Seattle next week too. I will be there!

Do You Know the Way to Monterey?

I am envious of the attendees of Internet Librarian 2010. Not only is this conference small, intimate and targeted, but it is held in idyllic Monterey, California. Fingers crossed that I am actually an “internet librarian” by next autumn.

In any event, looks like there was some fantastic thinking and sharing going on at this year’s conference. Here is a link to an amazing slide show by Bobbi Newman “Libraries in a Transliterate, Technology Fluent World.” One of the key points is that transliteracy involves not only being able to read and write, but to also evaluate and synthesize information. People must develop the skill of flexibility to learn new things and then, as technology inevitably changes, to relearn newer things.

Who better to help people with information related transitions? Librarians. It’s not about the content. It’s a bit about the delivery. It is all about what we do with information and how we interpret, analyze and understand it. The future has been here. Go!

Welcome to the Book Hut!

Remember the little kiosks in the middle of parking lots in the 1970’s? Fotomat? Well, perhaps libraries can start renting those huts that have not been appropriated by espresso stands for Library Express book and media materials dispensers.

This troubling trend will not even require a person to say clever things like, “Would you like fries with that?” Patrons order online and then pick up at a nearby location at an attractive and welcoming metal locker.

I really try to remain neutral in writing this blog, but please. If library professionals think we can be neatly replaced by a metal locker…then we probably could be. It is up to libraries to establish and prove community relevance.

Containerless Content

It’s no secret that traditional libraries are having trouble competing with the vast glut of containerless content available freely to all that have access to the magical Internet. Sure, people can use iTunes, Hulu, and the Kindle book store for a price and from the comfort of the sacred couch.

What libraries need to do to remain relevant and move forward is to stop whining and start actively pursuing those pursuits that cement their intrinsic value as places for community, creation, collaboration, learning and - dare I say it? Entertainment.

Libraries like the Seattle Public Library and the Denver Public Library are doing a good job by integrating movie nights, free concerts, author readings, gaming events for teens, computer literacy courses, archives day and all manner of kids activities. Libraries have always hosted events, but the real challenge now is to step away from the obsession with content.

Aaron Schmidt, super user experience librarian, re-posted a great post on this very subject. I will link to it now as it offers more insight than I regarding some creative innovation in Scandinavian libraries and is full of food for thought.

Underground Library Speakeasy

You have to know it’s there. There is a branch of the New York Public Library nestled down a flight of stairs next to a subway turnstile on Lexington and 50th. I read about it in the New York Times. Commuters in the know use this branch frequently, stopping in for novels to read on the train. Befuddled tourists wander in, often asking about the location of a Barnes and Noble.

This branch is a great example of library services evolving to serve its particular niche of the community - in this case, the commuters. The collection is focused on business books, novels, leisure reads and some children’s books. One plus - it is easy to remember to return a book since it is conveniently located en route to the daily train. And the secret password is “read.”

Pick a Card, Any Card

Today’s topic is technical, but handy - how to perform card sorting exercises to assist with categorizing topics for web usability. Card sorting at the most basic employs simple index cards that potential users sort into piles that make the most sense to them. Ideally, the users should be selected because they represent the population that is the user group identified for the site. There are also high tech ways to card sort remotely, but I am a lifelong fan of index cards (I still use them when writing research papers).

In any event, here are some marvelous resources:

• Information and Design Card Sorting Page
• Boxes and Arrows Card Sorting: a Definitive Guide
• Jakob Nielon on Card Sorting Technique
• WebSort Remote Card Sorting
• YouTube Video on How to Card Sort

In addition, consider using card sorting for projects beyond just web design. For arranging materials in your library in a user friendly manner or for classifying information of any kind. Index cards are not the only medium either. A magnetic board might be helpful or even a traditional story hour style felt board. Have fun!

Cape Fear Library

Every time I read an ad for a librarian job in a prison library, I think about Robert DeNiro’s character in Cape Fear or Hannibal Lecter in the Silence of the Lambs. Would I really want to form a reading group with those guys?

There is a new memoir style book by an actual prison librarian. Notice I said memoir style - ever since Oprah lambasted James Frey, I am loathe to refer to anything as a memoir.

Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Librarian by Avi Steinberg sounds like a really interesting read. I will be adding it to my Seattle Public Library hold list post haste. For a taste, listen to this piece on NPR.

Library Anywhere

LibraryThing has launched the mobile app Library Anywhere. This is a super way for libraries to enable their mobile catalog without having to invent their own wheel. The app is free for users, works with most OPAC systems and features a simple interface. Libraries can instantly create a mobile presence (for a subscription fee) and users can enjoy the benefits of placing holds and searching for materials from anywhere. Truly amazing. Thanks LibraryThing!

Tag Clouds

Clusters of keywords. Seemingly random bunches of floating words. A tag cloud is a visual depiction of user-generated tags. Here are some interesting related sites. The first, TagCrowd, lets you make your own “tag cloud” from whatever words you enter. If you enter words more than once, the higher frequency is reflected in the larger size of the font.

Posts on Cloudalicious are a little infrequent, but paint a vivid picture of the evolution of the tag cloud concept. Interesting reading indeed!

Let’s Play Library Tag…You’re It!

Any kind of user-generated tags can suffer from a severe case of selfishness and lack of self-control. User tags are the ultimate in uncontrolled vocabulary. Ever notice how a search for the word ‘dog’ in Flickr retrieves some cute, furry dogs, but also hot dogs and some guys with the nickname Dog? People tend to apply tags that are very personal.

Someone who owns a dog named Blueberry might tag all photos with the word blueberry despite the fact that the canine in question is not blue, round nor a fruit. In this way, user generated tags are also fairly ambiguous.

That said, there are many advantages to allowing user tags in library catalogs. With some guidelines, tags can contribute greatly to personal rediscovery of items, a sense of community building, the tracking and displaying of item popularity, and if employed correctly, a potential reduction in cataloging costs coupled with enhanced metadata.

Libraries enabling user tagging should follow a few steps to ensure success.

• Policy: Prior to enabling user tagging, develop and post a policy on tagging similar to a policy on blog comments. Simple guidelines like no profanity, limit of number of tags, or formats will help users focus their efforts.
• Moderation: In conjunction with a clear user tagging policy, libraries should develop a plan to monitor tags periodically to ensure compliance.
• The Look of Tags: Tags should look different from the catalog record. Tag clouds, lists in the sidebar, or a different font or colors can help users distinguish the user-generated tags from the formal library generated subject headings.
• Keep It Simple: Users won’t tag if it is not easy, fun and beneficial to their use of the catalog. Too many steps, a complex interface and too many rules will be off putting. 
• “Tag-gregate” Content: Does your library have eight copies of The DaVinci Code – four regular books, one e-book, an audio book, a large print book and a movie? Find a way to cross-pollinate the relevant user tags on all related records.

 User-tags can complement and add value to library records and to the user experience of searching the online catalog. People like to contribute, which is one of the brilliant things about harnessing the power of collective intelligence. While it may be a while before the entire library collection is crowd sourced, the strategic integration of user content is here now. Let’s use it.

SPL: The Donation Link

As mentioned, the Seattle Public Library Foundation has been offered $500K by a donor if the community can match. Here is the link to donate. I do apologize for leaving this out of the earlier post today.

http://www.foundation.spl.org/home.htm

The Saga of the Seattle Public Library

Vanity Fair called the Seattle Public Library’s Rem Koolhaas designed Central library one of architecture’s modern marvels. For 2011, however, the challenge will be effectively running this remarkable library along with all the branches on an extremely tight budget.

A feature article in the Seattle Times details the challenges and explains how a community that loves its libraries plans to deal with the budget shortfall. One generous donor introduced a matching challenge offering $500K if the community can come up with another $500K for a cool million. Makes you think twice about that NPR pledge drive, doesn’t it Seattle?

Zombie Survival

What do you do if zombies attack your college campus? Well, the University of Florida librarians are always prepared. UF has a LibGuide to help you plan a survival strategy in the event of a zombie attack.

LibGuides are the handy subject guides on library websites that help with research of all kinds. From anthropology to tobacco advertising to music, academic and public libraries and some archival repositories provide subject guides and pathfinders for a wide variety of research topics. Available online from the convenience of your comfy, zombie-free couch, these guides are yet another valuable service provided by librarians to make research exciting and fun.

Madison Avenue on Social Media

Finally, the advertising industry has mastered the use of social media. Libraries that aren’t already on the “2.0” bandwagon should glean a few insights from this article in the New York Times.

There is a compelling case study of a campaign by Proctor and Gamble that seeped so far into the collective pop culture consciousness that Sesame Street did a spoof of the P&G Old Spice commercials.

Wouldn’t you rather see Grover talking about how much he loves his local library?

Social media - it’s cheap, it’s easy and it can generate buzz.

HELLO, My Name is Steve

What do you get when you combine museum collections and social tagging? The Steve Museum Project researches social tagging and museum collections; develops open source software tools for tagging collections and managing tags; and engages in discussion and outreach with members of the community who are interested in implementing social tagging for their own collections. An awesomely timely project with far reaching implications indeed…

1970’s East Village Style National Book Award

Evocative of a gritty time when New York City was not just one big Starbucks, Patti Smith’s “Just Kids” is a finalist for a National Book Award. This was one of my favorites from this year not only because I have been accused of being an aging hipster. For the record, I am too young to have participated in late 1970’s early 80’s CBGB crowd antics. I do, however, love a book that not only recounts experiences of a personal nature, but captures a moment in time, good or bad.

Pondering Taxonomy

Thank goodness there’s a blog on taxonomy with a lot of cool topics. I am about to start a project redesigning an e-commerce site that is sorely in need of some care (and facets). Before you think I have gone and turned into a supernerd, this is interesting stuff. All online shopping operates on some level using taxonomy. Taxonomy for e-commerce merges two things I love - words and products. Check it out!

Fight for Your Rights!

Everyone loves copyright. It protects the creators and helps keep us all warm and cozy in this brisk fall weather. Here are some super copyright resources for visual resources and libraries alike.

• Copyright Registry
• WorldCat Copyright Evidence Registry
• Best Practices on Copyright from ASPP

History in Pictures

Here’s a cool idea for your community library, archive, or special collections department: create a history of the community by asking people to bring in their photos. A rural Washington community did just that by hosting “History in Pictures” day and digitizing community photographs documenting life in the area over the years. With about 250 photos covering a variety of events, this idea created a digital collection of unique content and lasting value.

SPL: New Catalog

My very own Seattle Public Library has a nifty new catalog. Bibliocommons is behind it - a clean three column layout with options to add your own tag, connect with other users reading the book as well as icons allowing easy sharing via the usual suspects of Twitter, FB and email. All in all, a more social experience complete with a nice little thumbnail of the item itself. So you can judge a book by its cover virtually.

People Use Computers at Libraries

Shocking revelation, isn’t it? This article about the new president of the New York Public Library talks a lot about the continued relevance of the library in the communities it serves as a place for people to use computers. Also mentioned is a study conducted by the iSchool at the University of Washington that found that people actually prefer to visit the library to use the computer in many cases because they like the assistance they receive from library employees. Kind of makes you think that the public library still has a place in the world and perhaps reducing staff drastically may not be a viable idea.

Social Tagging Museum Style

Here is a great application of social tagging for a museum collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Users can add their own tags to the online collection. Each item has a base record of necessary information like the title, artist, date, collection, etc. However, by allowing users to add tags, the museum can find out how people really search for these items, encourage interaction with the collection, and make the whole experience a little social. The museum also has a nice FB page. Rocky Balboa would be proud.

Autumn Reading Club

Everyone loves summer reading club, but a new Seattle Public Library promotion offers kids the chance to enter a drawing to win a new bike when they read books. It’s a shame that getting kids to read more is like getting them to eat their veggies, but good books have a way of hooking people for life. Just don’t read and bike ride.

Garden Variety Library

Well, some libraries offer really interesting alternative services. Librarians lending their favorite recipes to a cross promotion with a local grocer, libraries in Baltimore helping customers in fast food wastelands partake of healthy organic produce delivery and now - heirloom seeds to grow beans like grandma used to make.

More on Aqua Browser

Turns out, the AquaBrowser interface is a Serials Solutions product. Coincidentally, their offices in Seattle are quite close to my house and to my internship location at Getty Images. I want to talk to someone about how extremely cool this tool is especially the “tag cloud” search and discovery feature.

DPL: Tag Cloud Catalog Madness

I love the Denver Public Library. Hands down, coolest and cleanest library website. Check out the catalog - dreamy! AquaBrowser seems to play nicely and allow customization. The tag cloud on the left is stellar.

Everything else is spot on. This is a perfect example of creating a destination website that provides users with an optimal experience. Aesthetics matter, but so does simplicity and intuitive navigation. So many libraries blindly accept the alleged limitations of systems that are no longer working in their favor.

Denver has seized the bull by the very minimalist horns. Why have they figured it out so effortlessly?

And, don’t even get me started on the sheer brilliance of their photo collection. Charging licensing fees like the stock photo industry to support library services. Let the revolution begin!