LibraryThing iPhone App
Found via the CALIX listeserv, and via the LA Times article “Can Local Books iPhone app be a literary UrbanSpoon?”, check out the new LibraryThing iPhone app.
The PLA Blog | Official Blog of the Public Library Association
Write to the PLA Blog during ALA Midwinter Meeting!
Its conference time again, folks! The ALA Midwinter Meeting is going on Boston, MA from January 15-19th.
This is a great opportunity for you to do some writing for your favorite blog: The PLA Blog!
We would love to have you share your conference stories, pictures and videos here. Send us a message or a comment on this post and we’ll get you set up!
Social Web Involvement – on a global scale
Here’s an interesting infographic about social web involvement on a global scale from the Global Web Index. I recently read an interesting article in Exhibitionist by Nina Simon of Museum 2.0. She quotes a Forrester Research Technographics survey that divides social web users into six categories, and it offers a breakdown by percentage in the U.S. Those are:
- Creators – 21%
- Critics – 37%
- Collectors – 19%
- Joiners – 35%
- Spectators – 69%
- Inactives – 25%
Consider this information when you look at the infographic describing participation in other locations. I know I fluctuate between different types of ‘usership’, and I think it’d be interesting to see a study of how people participate differently over time as well as geo-culturally.
Mag+ Magazine E-Reader, an interesting interface for reading
After watching the user interface eyecandy on Avatar over the weekend, it was fun to find this promotional video for the Mag+ e-reader via Drawn. Here in the age of the graphic user interface (GUI), it’ll be interesting to see what attributes libraries embrace. There’s a lot of attention paid to format wars, proprietary coding, and file types in libraryland, but what of subtler battles, like the search for the best GUI for reading? Is there sense in supporting one interface type because it is better for reading and digesting information than another? Certainly. Is there good science supporting all of these interfaces? Yes. I rather like this one from the video clip, but I haven’t actually used it yet so we’ll have to see.
One of the more interesting points made here is the concept that a magazine reader likes to receive a concise, defined editorial package rather than an endless RSS feed. I like this, and I think its true. I don’t have an endless feed of the same type of content I like to read in print magazines. Do you?
PLA Blog is getting a whole new look-
Yep, we are giving the blog a facelift. So please be patient if you visit and things look a little funny, that is just because it is a work in progress. Please comment on this post of you have any feedback or suggestions.
Submit Your Comments on Enhanced Public Access to the White House
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting input on “enhancing public access to archived publications resulting from research funded by federal science and technology agencies.” The Administration, as part of its Transparency and Open Government initiative, is looking at public access as an opportunity to stimulate scientific and technological innovation and competitiveness.
We encourage you – as libraries, institutions, and individuals – to respond to this pivotal opportunity. Your input will be critical in helping the administration to form a deep and balanced view of stakeholders’ interest in ensuring public access to publicly funded research.
The initial deadline for commenting was January 7, 2010. However, as of this writing, the deadline is going to be extended for an extra two weeks. Respondents are invited to respond online via the Public Access Policy blog, where the discussion will center on a single theme for each of three ten-day periods.
* December 10 – 20: Implementation
* December 21 – 31: Features and technology
* January 1 – 7: Management
Email comments will also be accepted, but will still be posted to the blog by the moderator. General comments may also be submitted. See the full Federal Register notice for details.
PLA 2010 Early Bird Deadline Tomorrow
Register early and save! The deadline to receive the early bird registration discount for PLA 2010 is December 16, 2009. Register today at www.placonference.org.
PLA 2010 – EARLY BIRD DEADLINE DECEMBER 16, 2009
Also, when you register by December 16, 2009, you’ll automatically be entered into a drawing to win one of 25 complimentary tickets to an author luncheon of your choosing. If you’ve already registered, then you are already entered into our contest! Visit www.placonference.org for complete PLA 2010 information.
Looking for library-themed gifts?
Visit www.cafepress.com/librarystore to see more of PLA’s collection of premium library products.
PLA Launches New Facebook Page
The Public Library Association (PLA) has launched a NEW official Facebook page. The old PLA Facebook page and PLA groups will close on Dec 7, 2009. Please visit our new page and become a fan!
You’ll get the latest news about PLA and public libraries as well as connect with other fans! We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but look forward to seeing you on our new page.
