Libraries and Life: March 2008

March 30, 2008

Celebrating Women's History Month at the SC Center for the Book

We Think

this is an interesting video about how we think and share ideas today. it is a future look at the economics and society of the coming years. we should pay close attention to the message. as libraries more forward with this concept, we can lead the way by bringing communities and ideas closer together thereby building upon the idea of the information commons. libraries have a unique niche in this evolution from information age to the new age of idea sharing and community building.

March 28, 2008

Welcome to Anaheim - ALA Conference 2008 Preview

If you're planning to go to ALA in Anaheim, check out this video!

Sheila Morris

Sheila Morris
Originally uploaded by scstatelibrary

We had a wonderful time yesterday at our SC Center for the Book's Speaker @ the Center - Sheila Morris talked about Women's History Month by highlighting portions of her book and reading about her two grandmothers and mother. These stories that make up her memoir, Deep in the Heart, are both warm and funny. Sheila did a great job of discussing how she got her first book published and answering questions from attendees. For more info: www.sccenterforthebook.org and www.writersheilamorris.com.

YouTube Launches Video Stats Package

This is very interesting! I love the way they refer to YouTube working like a Focus Group! Check it out.

YouTube Launches Video Stats Package - ReadWriteWeb

Written by Josh Catone / March 27, 2008 12:17 AM

Google announced this evening the immediate availability of a new video statistics package free for anyone with a YouTube account. The software, called Insight, gives users access to a range of statistics about the videos they upload to the site, such as where viewers are from, how often viewers in specific geographic regions viewed a video, or how long it took a video to become popular.

"Insight gives the creators an inside look into the viewing trends of their videos on YouTube, and helps them to increase views and become more popular," said YouTube Product Manager Tracy Chan. "Partners can evaluate metrics to better serve and understand their audiences, as well as increase ad revenue. And advertisers can study their metrics and successes to tailor their marketing -- both on and off the site -- and reach the right viewers."

Currently, the stats package does lack a few important metrics such as search engine referral information, being able to tell where users bail on a video, and general link referral info. Chan did seem to indicate that referral information would be available at some point, though.

According to Chan, Insight turns YouTube into "one of the world's largest focus groups." What it really does, though, is add another piece of the puzzle for YouTube to become what Google wants it to be: the place where all the world's videos are stored. We reported a couple of weeks ago on additions to YouTube's API that will enable YouTube to become more like a content delivery network (think: Akamai or Limelight for videos of your cat). As YouTube says, they are now "an open, general purpose, video services platform, available for use by just about any third-party website, desktop application, or consumer device." Adding detailed video stats simply makes YouTube that much more attractive to use as a video host.

March 27, 2008

Our Library, Our Choice

This is an interesting little video about Internet Filtering. What it boils down to is that it's a library decision based on community needs/wants. Many of the statements are very accurate, especially about how filtering just doesn't work well 100% of the time.

March 14, 2008

Great Opportunity for Future Librarians!

Library of Congress Blog » Still Time To Become a Treasure-Hunter! (Library of Congress)

Still Time To Become a Treasure-Hunter!

Posted on: March 14th, 2008 by Matt Raymond

The deadline to apply to become a Junior Fellow this summer at the Library is fast approaching (March 31, 2008). So there’s still time to get your application in!

This program, supported by the Library’s James Madison Council, is among my most favorite about which to talk with the media and the public. Every summer for the past few years, up to about 50 students descend on the Library, combing through our trove of copyright deposits and looking for previously unknown or forgotten gems. And every summer, their discoveries prove fascinating.

What’s not to love about that?

Technorati Tags: LOC intern summer librarian librarians

Women's History Month @ LOC

Women's History Month @ LOC
Originally uploaded by crr29061

Great resources and information!
http://www.loc.gov/topics/womenshistory/

March 12, 2008

TBS Art Gallery Ribbon Cutting

TBS Art Gallery Ribbon Cutting
Originally uploaded by scstatelibrary

The SC State Library held a very successful art gallery opening today. The Talking Book Services library now has artwork from K-12 students who are blind and physically handicapped. The artwork is displayed at 1430 Senate Street in Columbia, SC. If you're ever in town, check it out!

March 06, 2008

Flickr for GOOD! I The MaintainIT Project, a project of TechSoup

FireShot capture #8 - 'Flickr for GOOD! I The MaintainIT Project, a project of TechSoup' - maintainitproject_org_node_285
Originally uploaded by crr29061

maintainitproject.org/node/285

Flickr for GOOD!

Wed, 03/05/2008 - 18:51 — Sarah Washburn

Today, Flickr and TechSoup joined forces to offer a terrific program for public libraries and non-profits, called Flickr for Good.

What does this mean for public libraries? Well, it means you can buy multiple accounts at a reduced price, which is pretty cool. For more information, go to TechSoup's Flickr donation page to find out how you can join the denizens of libraries that tout their programs, their services, their librarians and staff, and the people who enjoy the library each day.

Here at MaintainIT, we have an active flickr page that includes MaintainIT contributors, events we attend, bookmobiles we drive, and even photos of librarians with their Cookbooks. Check it out!

Still not convinced Flickr is a great tool? Check out my friend Michael Porter's (aka Libraryman) impressive libraries and librarians Flickr group and you'll agree: Flickr is a powerful way for libraries to not just talk the talk, but show it, too.

South Carolina State Agencies & YouTube

Last week I had a meeting with Mike Sponhour, Director of Public Affairs of the B&C Bd, to discuss the SC State Library's YouTube channel which he had come across online. He said it was the only one he could find of a SC State Agency and wanted to know the particulars on how to start one because he has taken some videos of different things and wanted to post them to the web. At any rate, he just emailed me today to announce two new SC agency YouTube channels and said he is working on a flickr and MySpace account for the B&C Bd! This is great to see another SC State Government Agency begin using Web 2.0 tools to promote services and programs. Way to go Mike!

The Budget & Control Board:
http://www.youtube.com/BandCB
The Confederate Relic Room & Museum:
http://www.youtube.com/SCCRRMM