23things - plus 5 - #2 VUFind

Clean, clear, user interface. Lots of white space. I particularly like the narrow search functionality.

VUFind looks great on the National Library of Australia website. I was really impressed with the cite this function. Woo hoo - it allows you to download a XML file that can be imported into Endnote (so cool).

I think that it has potential for use at our institution but I am not an expert in the area. As a user I like it.

Other features I like:

• similar items
• customisable
• RSS feed

23things plus 5 - #1 LinkedIn

LinkedIn the social networking platform for making business/professional connections has quite a following although I have a profile on LinkedIn I have not put much energy into building my connections. Like Tony I prefer Facebook as I feel more connected to the community I have created there.

I gave a talk last week on digital footprints after reading dana boyd and looking at the digital identity maps of likleafar and Fred Cavazza. In the presentation we discussed the importance of librarians having/developing a personal brand.

Tools like LinkedIn are useful for building your brand. Networking can be achieved in many ways f-2-f and online. We work in an industry that requires that we stay current with new technologies. However, I don’t imagine that LinkedIn will change the way I work like some of the 23 things we covered in 2007:

• igoogle
• google reader
• Facebook
• Blogging
• del.ici.ous

Norwegian Library….

Take a look at the apple garden in this library. It is stunning. The library: Norwegian School of Management. I love the clean lines, lack of clutter and beautifully designed furniture.

These are some of the design concepts I would like to use. Nice.

Display me…. more on signage

I have received some lovely snap frames. A low cost option for displaying posters/notices etc… and making them look professional. You may be familiar with snap frames the are often used on the backs of toilet doors in pubs and clubs.

They look like this. I have been rushing around the library showing people. They are so cool. I will post some before and after photos once they are installed.

I wonder if we could get away with promoting library stuff on the back of our toilet doors?

All aboard for morning town…

haiku #1

All aboard the train
Groove to your favourite tunes
Feet tapping in time…

haiku #2

random encounters
with faceless strangers exchanged
for a life with me

haiku #3

past passed security
throbbing bass in the darkness
you are the music

Inspired this morning to write three quite different haiku. Writing on the train is always a challenge. My thoughts are so random. Often the music I am listening too shapes the haiku. I might try writing to a theme as Scot does at Be Not Inhospitable to Strangers. He wrote a Jamaican Trilogy.

Last night I went to see The Future of the Australian Race. I can recommend it for you library types and those of you interested in ideas. Wonderful, set, performance and writing. Who knew a play about bohemian librarian and conservative judge could be so riveting. We donated about 300 discarded bound exam papers to the writers and they looked wonderful on set. We get a mention in the program.

Lovelorn in the time of 2.0 and Facebook

I had an idea for a poem about being lovelorn in the time of 2.0 and how social networking and online dating is dominating the scene. But I haven’t gotten past the initial idea. I will return to the theme though.

However I did attend a workshop on using Facebook in your library. Kat Clancy spoke about her experience creating a Facebook app that people could load on to their Facebook pages to search Deakin’s Library catalogue.

At the time 184 people had installed the app and it now has 28 fans! Karyn Siegmann from Bayside Public Libraries noted that it was important that librarians played with new technology and had a presence in Facebook but wasn’t sure how long the Facebook wave would last.

I wonder if we should consider it? It might be like ‘live’ chat with librarians - do our punters really want to chat with us? I guess with the app you can decide whether or not to put it on your profile.

Is Facebook like Second Life… you play for a while and then *bang* you are over it?

Any hoo - worth thinking about…

Unhelpful sign of the times…

Marylaine Block (2006) in her article User-intelligible has identified a disease spreading through libraries. The creation of unhelpful signs and instructions. She suggests are number of cures:

1. User evaluation of signs
2. Observe users using the space then put signs up
3. Use symbols
4. Ask users what the want to know

I have a few other suggestions:

1. Use a professional graphic designer - the result will be better
2. Intuitive layout and visual cues are important
3. Less is more!
4. Be welcoming
5. Colour and contrast important
6. We can learn a lot from visual merchandisers and retail

Stephen Abrams has a list of seven things to consider on his blog.

Signs, signs and more signs

I am starting my foray into the world of signage and wayfinding. One of my objectives for this year is to get the library signage under control. Not easy with 6 campuses. But today I found some useful resources to get the ball rolling. If signage and wayfinding is your thing feel free to send me suggestions/recommendations. I have a feeling this project is going to be a big one.

• Flickr Library Signs - from the sublime to the ridiculous you will find examples of both in libraries
• http://www.librisdesign.org/docs/WayfindingSignage.pdf - few years old now but filled with practical suggestions for signage
• Wayfinding design guidelines
• San Francisco State University - Signage Policy
• Library as place (2006)
• Great post on bad signs from the Swiss Army Librarian
• University of Manitoba Library - Signage Guidelines
• Useful starting point  - Library Support Staff.com

Theft in libraries… (@#$%)

I don’t want to have one of those libraries where the walls are covered in warning signs… Theives operate, Don’t leave your belongings unattended etc… But tell me what do we do. We constantly remind students to keep a watchful eye on their stuff.

There is a misconception by many of our punters that it is safe to leave personal belongings unattended. Unfortunately in the last couple of weeks one of our students lost a large sum of money and a laptop was also stolen.

It irks me that a social and community haven like a library is abused by a few. The theft here was brazen. The laptop was sitting next to the student at the time. Unfortunately we librarians tend to be reactive in these situations and we start to get the urge to want to lock things away.

We have security cameras and they will be reviewed by the appropriate people and hopefully the culprit will be captured. I wont let it destroy my trust but I am annoyed that I have to deal with this kind of behaviour. It certainly put a dampener on the day. Thankfully it doesn’t happen very often. But I feel for the students who has lost their work.

Peace out

I get the Primaries now…

As a Librarian I should have curiosity about about politics but I have always been quite apathetic. I tend to be left leaning as many are in education. In my youth I used to say I was an anarchist (well it was cool to when you were a punk) but I have since realised that some rules are necessary. I am a librarian for goodness sake.

But I do think we all should stand up and be proud that we live in a country where we can vote and can get involved in the democratic process. We are very fortunate.

In my short life I have discovered that human nature being what it is you can’t always rely on people to be altruistic. But I like to think the best of people and although I don’t always agree with the decisions made by our politicians I think they are a necessary evil. Bit like marketing.

Why am I talking about politics on this fine autumn day? I am going to publicly announce that I have discovered West Wing.

I know I am late to the fold. Yes - I have finally moved beyond my penchant for science fiction and comedy to the grown up world of the White House. It is intelligent and engaging television. I am addicted! I have added it to my growing list of obsessions… Facebook, Dr Who…etc.

After watching Series 6 I now understand what is going on with the primaries in the US and how hard it must be for the Democrats without a clear front runner for the nomination. The characters are complex - their drives, personal lives etc…. captivating.

It has made me consider that librarians actually have a terrific opportunity to get involved in national agendas and have their say. One of ALIA’s roles is advocacy. It is worth having a look at the issues that ALIA is taking an active role in.

However, there are other ways to stand up and be counted for example library blogs. Check out Libraries Interact they have put together a list of Aussie Library Blogs. It is a way you can add your voice to the dialogue around libraries, librarians and the work that we do. But the best way is to just get and there and get involved in the community around you.

Peace