A Wandering Eyre

MPOW is, sort-of, examining our web presence. I say sort-if because there is a committee that is looking at the web page and you all know what I think about committees in libraries. (Need to order pencils? Form a committee) I wish we could just all agree that we need to scrap the old page, which was good when it came out, but is no longer serving its purpose. Unfortunately, this is not the world in which I am the supreme ruler and we will probably have the old and not easily navigable site FOREVER. (to be pronounced like “forever” in The Sandlot)

On that note, web presence that is, here are three different librarians who are all very smart and who all have very good opinions about what a library’s web presence should entail. Jessamyn, Michael Stephens, and LiB (thanks to Jessamyn for the heads up)

There are two things which keep popping up on these lists that make me want to say “Amen!” The first: Design for your Users - This means as little jargon as possible and easy to find resources. If your electronic resources are buried under three pages of information, some of which mean absolutely nothing to your users, can you really say that your web structure is working? The second - “Blog your stuff” - Some library news sites are so rarely updated that they are worthless even when given prominent space. Is it really “news” if it is three months old? A frequently updated blog is a great way to let users know about anything and everything happening at the library.

–Jane, the revolution starts now

Wikis have brought us many great ideas and new ways of doing the same old thing. I like Wikipedia for its ever changing information and the sheer volume of content. I do not, however, turn to Wikipedia when I want reliable information. I do use it for quick look-ups and scans in the same way I use my Google Toolbar to find correct spellings and small bits of information. Karen over at Free Range Librarian has a nice essay on Wikipedia, information, and what it means to be a “gatekeeper” that does not keep the gate closed. She makes the point that reading, learning, and information can be anywhere or at any time. The user should be able to choose the subject and, because we all have distict origins, should be able to take information and make it our own. Start your short work week off right and read it. Go on.

Society says education is to be endured through endless hours in dolorous classrooms; librarianship says reading is a joy. Do it in the library, in your home, on a streetcar, on a blanket at the beach. Read novels and histories and joke books and newspapers and People and American Scholar. Read blogs all day. Write blogs all day. Read the last page of every John Cheever story. Play podcasts backwards. Read two books a day or one a year. Go for it!

–Jane, loves reading

I am off for a fabulous three day weekend. It will be spent in the company of family and friends doing what we do best, which is playing cards and drinking too much. Travel safe.

–Jane, progressive gin anyone?

This is my last post until the end of the day because, let’s face it, I have books to order people! Really, I am going to sit back, listen to some NEASIST podcasts and order stuff. Stuff!

I had to post this bit though. The wonderful bloggers over at It’s All Good are hosting a shindig at ALA. June 27th, Sunday 5:30 p.m. Location, TBA. I’m in.

–Jane, is closing Bloglines and will not look in there until all catalogs have been banished from her inbox

If you need some beefing up on your knowledge of Evolution, this article in Scientific American brings back many happy memories of Biology and Physical Anthropology for me. When will people realize that Evolution and God are not mutually exclusive? (link from Bookslut)

–Jane, wax on, wax off

I am not a big Dance Dance Revolution fan, but I do love Mario Kart. Jenny Levine has a great blog of the Tech Summit on Gaming session she held yesterday. I think it is an interesting and unique way to open the library up to a new set of users. Way to think outside of the stacks!

–Jane, can’t dance

I am a notoriously bad speller (my typing leaves something to be desired as well). My grammar and punctuation are much better. I am an English major whose favorite tool is the OED, but I constantly use Google Toolbar to check my spelling. Guardian Unlimited has a nice little spelling quiz, which I took, and got a 16/23. I am not really surprised. (link from Rochelle)

–Jane, spellz

Well, the second set of Serenity screenings was last night and the reports are great from Whedonesque. I am linking to the spoiler free thread in case any one cares. No spoilers! I can not remember the last time I was this excited about a movie. I do look forward to movies often but I am a quivering hunk of craziness about this BDM and it is still four months away!

–Jane, it’s gorram Friday!

Because I ragged on Louisiana earlier in the week. Here is an update. (link from Bookslut) I especially like how the newspaper has listed who voted for the ban and who voted against it. It’s at the end.

–Jane, off with their heads

In honor of Hump Day (pun very much intended): I give you Longmire’s updated romance novel covers!

–Jane, snorting is not ladylike