Monday, September 24, 2012

Library Cards

I just found this great link to the top ten list of people who need an online library account. I think it covers just about everyone.  Who doesn't need quick access to accurate information, a place to get movies and books for free, Ebooks, downloadable movies, music and audio books, book lists, reading suggestions, Weblinks, homework help ... ?

Get a library card.  The online account comes with it for free.  It really is the smartest card in your wallet. 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Pinterest Again


Just found another great link to another great post about libraries and Pinterest.  This one is from Stephen Abram at Stephen's Lighthouse.  Check out the post here.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Monday, September 17, 2012

Citation, Citation, Citation

Or how to slay that nasty dragon called plagiarism.

Or in other words, "Thou Shalt not Steal" (Exodus, 20:15, KJV).

There are lots of great resources out there to help students, and other writers, understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.  Here are a few quick links to help the average librarian get the point across.

For an all around writing course and citation how-tos try the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University.

If you need help formatting a citation correctly Son of Citation Machine will help you plug in all the information and generate full citations and parentheticals for all the standards citation styles.

Kate Hart has created a great info graphic on her blog that's geared toward helping bloggers cite and link to sources correctly.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

There are no stupid questions

Patron: May I ask you a question?
Librarian: Of course, what may I do for you?
Patron: Can you tell me who wrote Bram Stoker's Dracula?
       pause
Librarian:  Bram Stoker.  Would you like me to check to see if we have a copy available?

It was very awkward.

What do you do?  How do you help someone save face?  It happens almost everyday.  Someone can't find a book on the shelf and when they follow you back to the stacks you find it instantly ... right where it belongs.  Or they can't find the start button on the copier.  Or ...

I have several stock responses.  "Oh, it happens to everyone."  "Sometimes it just takes a second pair of eyes."  I want people to be comfortable coming to the desk.  But if they're embarrassed once, will they come back?  And how do we prevent it? 

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Makerspaces

I have been doing some reading on participatory librarianship and started learning about makerspaces.  I've found some wonderful information, but writing an essay that incorporates all the links I've found isn't going to happen so instead I've created a new page on the blog to include them all.

This is a somewhat unorganized, scattershot of links I have found about makerspaces. Makerspaces comes from the idea of creating community common spaces where people can come together to share equipment and tools that would be out of financial/practical reach of individuals.  I think it may have originated with hackers and gamers (so cool), but I'm still learning.

The whole idea is about sharing, creating, creativity, and community.  That's what libraries do, isn't it?

Practically speaking building a wood/computer/electronics shop in the library basement with space for arts, crafts and 3D printing might not be practical.  But the idea has potential.