Feb
26
Rebecca Darling (@darlingbec) created a Storify of all the tweets for THATCamp Libraries posted under the #THATCamp and #THATCampLib hashtags. It includes retweets. Enjoy!
-Your THATCampLib Organizers,
Beatrice, Hailie, Becca, and Laura
Raw Tweets from THATCamp Libraries sfy.co/fFOK #storify #thatcamp #thatcamplib
— Rebecca D (@darlingbec) February 24, 2013
Feb
23
As tech-savvy library folk, ebooks are naturally of direct professional relevance to us, and it can’t hurt to undertand a little more about how they are produced
I’ve been making eBooks for a few years and would be happy to share what I’ve learned about the tools and workflow involved in making an eBook and distributing it through the major commercial vendors.
Tom Dodson
Feb
23
Yesterday, as some of you doubtless know, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released a new open access policy that may have a drastic effect on scholarly publishing (unless, of course, it changes nothing). Discussion on Twitter with the hashtags #publicaccess and #openaccess was lively, and I thought we could spend some time talking in person about the policy generally, and specifically how it might affect libraries. One question I have, for instance, is whether projects that IMLS funds will come under this policy; another is how libraries can help with the increased requirements for data management mentioned in the policy.
Here’s some key links:
Feb
23
As distributed technology projects call for our collaboration with a more and more diverse group of people, what are some simple, day-to-day methods for working with folks from very different professions?
This is partially a project management question, I think, so I’d be interested in learning from others’ experiences in large, diverse working groups. When starting a project, what are some methods for information gathering and getting to know new departments? Determining best project roles and communication methods?
What do archivists and curators wish librarians knew? What do librarians need to learn about working with IT departments? What do educational technologists wish IT professionals knew about them? What about cultural differences when working with partners from the corporate sector? How do we incorporate diverse practices into a larger functional whole?
Feb
23
There’s been a ton of interest among librarians in learning to code, dovetailing with the advent of MOOCs. However, in my experience, many librarians have struggled with this approach. I’d like to facilitate a discussion on the obstacles we face in learning to code, and any techniques or support people have found for getting around them. Have you thought about learning to code, tried and failed, or tried and succeeded? Do you have opinions? Then this session is for you.
Feb
22
I propose a blue-sky dreaming session wherein we collaboratively imagine the best possible future for libraries, 2, 10, and 20 years from now. What kinds of cool innovations in tech and shifts in library philosophy will get us to where we dream of being? What secret projects do you (want to) work on that, given time and scale, could be transformative?
On my mind: machine learning, RFID, text mining, 3D printers, Raspberry Pi, virtual/augmented reality, quadcopters, privacy concerns, internet of things.
This is inspired by NISO’s Future Perfect virtual conference. I found some of the ideas proposed there really exciting (and scary).
Feb
22
Taking part in new faculty-driven digital initiatives is an exciting opportunity for librarians in academic/research institutions. What specific skills and competencies can or should a librarian bring to this kind of collaboration?
I’m involved in such a digital project right now, one that is developing an interactive framework for collaborative commentary on Dante’s Divine Comedy. The site is hosted by the college, being developed by an outside programmer, and imagined/driven by a group of faculty members and me. What specific value can the librarian offer?
Feb
20
Location: School of Management Building (SOM), Simmons College, Boston Once inside the building, follow the signs to the registration.
Parking and Directions: Simmons is graciously discounting parking for us in the garage on Saturday. Follow the signs for parking near SOM (School of Management) upon entering the Garage. Discounted parking is $6 with a coupon. $50 WITHOUT the coupon. Parking is paid with a credit/debit card at the ticket machine on the way OUT of the garage. EXITING the Garage: You will have two tickets when you exit, put the one you received upon entering the Garage FIRST, then the coupon. Then follow instructions for payment. It’s all very 21st century and automated. NO CASH…sorry. We strongly recommend using the T if you are traveling from within the greater Boston area.
Directions: www.simmons.edu/som/visit/directions.php
Wifi: There will be wifi. Instructions will be available when you register
Food: There will be coffee/tea and light breakfast goodies in the morning, a boxed lunch and snacks in the afternoon. Healthy and vegetarian options will be plentiful. Should we deplete our coffee supply, The Coffee Grounds Cafe at Simmons is open 8a-4p just across the quad from the SOM building for your (re)caffeinating pleasure and convenience.
The AfterCamp: We hope you will join us after THATCamp Libraries for more socializing and networking at the Squealing Pig, www.squealingpigboston.com/ It is a short walk from Simmons to there (about 10 minutes): goo.gl/maps/Oypf4
Feb
14
Like it or not, the typical “outreach session” for any GLAM institution is a single, one-shot, sixty minute workshop. I’ll set aside our desires to be better integrated into the semester curriculum, or museum summer series, or after school high school programs, and have more time. Instead, I’d like to focus on how to make the one-shot as meaningful as possible. (I’m taking on faith that we can can make it meaningful.)
I’d like to in particular talk about creating meaningful one-shot sessions focused on digital cultural heritage objects. In academic libraries, this might be a research session on primary sources. In state archives, an outreach session on genealogy databases. In museums, a digital art workshop for high schoolers.
However, the content is less important to me than the format — how do GLAMs create a short but powerful learning experience that will encourage participants to come back and see us again? How can online tools extend connections with our patrons, and create new spaces for public arts and humanities? I have a few thoughts:
However, I have a feeling that public institutions, archives, and museums are far out ahead of me and my fellow academic librarians! So I’d love to hear about what you’re doing and develop a set of recommendations to bring back for my own teaching and outreach efforts.
Feb
14
The more I teach infolit courses, the more I realize I have to teach little tricks of computer use, like ctl-F for find, or where the address bar is, or that you don’t have to go to Google, you can just type in the web address. When students use their own laptops or tablets, we have to spend class time getting them on wireless, and then there’s the general troubleshooting that comes up in any technology heavy class.
I hoe this will turn into a skill-sharing/problem solving session.
I’m coming at this from an academic library perspective, but I’d love to hear what public librarians are doing with this, too.
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