Social Web technologies present an often confusing array of options for answering library users’ reference questions. In “Implementing Virtual Reference Services: A LITA Guide,” published by ALA TechSource, editor Beth C. Thomsett-Scott applies 20 years’ experience as a reference librarian to sort through the clutter of tools and technologies in the industry. Contributors from across the field lay out how libraries are using vendor services such as LibraryH3lp, LibAnswers and Text a Librarian, as well as free tools like Twitter and Google Voice, for their reference needs. Practitioners offer details on virtual reference services such as Twitter Search, instant messaging (IM) services such as Google Voice and Chat and collaborative services such as My Info Quest. Thomsett-Scott is currently the engineering librarian at the University of North Texas Libraries. In her previous role as reference unit manager, she assisted with establishing the libraries’ Meebo service, as well as their chat…
Category: News & Noteworthy
Cory Doctorow to present LITA President’s Program
Cory Doctorow will present “More than a book-lined Internet Cafe: LITA President’s Program” from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 30th in Chicago. Zoe Stewart-Marshall, LITA President, welcomes Cory Doctorow to present the LITA President’s program. Doctorow is a digital rights activist, science fiction writer, and, Boing Boing co-editor. Stewart-Marshall said “More than a book-lined Internet Café” promises to be a lively, thought-provoking talk on how libraries can and do stand on the front lines of the debate over the role of free information, and free information technology in ensuring the healthy maintenance of a free society. And yes, he will talk about DRM.” Cory Doctorow (craphound.com) is a science fiction author, activist, journalist and blogger — the co-editor of Boing Boing (boingboing.net) and the author of young adult novels like PIRATE CINEMA and LITTLE BROTHER and novels for adults like RAPTURE OF THE NERDS and MAKERS. He…
Jobs in Library Technology: March 7
New vacancy listings are posted weekly on Wednesday at approximately 12 noon Central Time. They appear under New This Week and under the appropriate regional listing. Postings remain on the LITA Job Site for a minimum of four weeks. New This Week Executive Director/System Administrator, Montgomery County Library & Information Network Consortium, Conshohocken, PA
Jobs in Technologies: February 27
New vacancy listings are posted weekly on Wednesday at approximately 12 noon Central Time. They appear under New This Week and under the appropriate regional listing. Postings remain on the LITA Job Site for a minimum of four weeks. New This Week Dean of Libraries, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, NY Head of Library Technology, McConnell Library, Radford, VI Librarian, Missouri College, Trenton, MO Metadata Librarian, Georgetown University Library, Washington, DC Open Source System Administrator/Programmer, Amigos Library Services, Dallas, TX Programmer I, Kansas State University Libraries, Manhattan, KS Visit the LITA Job Site for more available jobs and for information on submitting a job posting.
LITA HTML5 Web Course held March 4, 6, 8, and 11
Building Web Applications with HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript: An Introduction to HTML5, presented by Jason Clark of Montana State University Library, is now available for registration. Geolocation, native video, offline storage, semantic markup elements, responsive Web design, canvas elements, voice input, drag and drop, opacity, gradients… HTML5 (a generic term which includes new HTML tags, enhanced CSSstyles/behaviors, and new Javascript APIs) has been released and is changing the way Web developers work. With wide support in mobile browsers and the latest browser releases from Google and Firefox, HTML5 is poised to be the technology that will help build the next version of the Web. Building Web Applications with HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript: An Introduction to HTML5 will consist of four live lectures held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. CST on March 4, 6, 8, and 11, with additional self-paced modules in Moodle; lectures will also be recorded and posted to the course Moodle site. Participants will examine the trends and enhancements that HTML5, CSS3 and the new Javascript…
Online LITA Board Meeting: February 15
The LITA Board invites you to join this meeting online on Friday, February 15, 2013 at 3:15 – 4:00 pm EST. Join the meeting by clicking the following link: http://ala.adobeconnect.com/r5ox8uqzi5w/ View the meeting agenda: http://connect.ala.org/node/200509 Please note: the meeting begins with a closed Executive Session. The Board anticipates opening the meeting to all at approximately 3:15 pm EST. If you have any questions, recommendations, or wish to discuss any of this, please leave a comment or contact the LITA office, lita (at) ala.org.
LITA Forum Call for Proposals: Reminder
Due date for proposals: February 25, 2013 The 2013 National Forum Committee seeks proposals for high quality pre-conferences, concurrent sessions and poster sessions for the 16th annual LITA National Forum to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, November 7-10, 2013. The 2013 theme is Creation, Collaboration, Community The Forum Committee welcomes pre-conferences, presentations, and interactive programs related to all types of libraries: public, school, academic, government, special, and corporate. Proposals should relate to the themes of creation, empowering library users, collaboration, cooperation, and building or engaging communities. Proposals may cover projects, plans, ideas, or recent discoveries. We accept proposals on any aspect of library and information technology. The committee particularly invites submissions from first time presenters, library school students, and individuals from diverse backgrounds. The Forum Committee is especially interested in presentations highlighting projects that involve the creation of library spaces, the maker movement, and innovative solutions to pragmatic problems. It…
Jobs in Technologies: February 13
New vacancy listings are posted weekly on Wednesday at approximately 12 noon Central Time. They appear under New This Week and under the appropriate regional listing. Postings remain on the LITA Job Site for a minimum of four weeks. New This Week Assistant Professor- Science Librarian-pos#8657 , Atkins Library- UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC Records and Library Services Manager, Barr Engineering Co, Minneapolis. MN Reference and Instruction Librarian, Penn State Brandywine Campus, The Pennsylvania State University Libraries Philadelphia, PA Systems Administrator, State University Libraries, Manhattan, KS Visit the LITA Job Site for more available jobs and for information on submitting a job posting.
Jobs in Technologies: Februrary 6
New vacancy listings are posted weekly on Wednesday at approximately 12 noon Central Time. They appear under New This Week and under the appropriate regional listing. Postings remain on the LITA Job Site for a minimum of four weeks. New This Week Information Sciences and Business Liaison Librarian, The Pennsylvania State University Libraries, University Park, PA Project Manager, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, DC Research and Instruction Librarian, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT Visit the LITA Job Site for more available jobs and for information on submitting a job posting.
Jobs in Technologies: January 23
New vacancy listings are posted weekly on Wednesday at approximately 12 noon Central Time. They appear under New This Week and under the appropriate regional listing. Postings remain on the LITA Job Site for a minimum of four weeks. New This Week Assistant Librarian (213UC3358), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati ,OH Data Management Librarian , Colorado State University Libraries, Fort Collins, CO Library Technical Services Manager, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL Network Database Specialist, Anne Arundel County Public Library, Annapolis, MD Science Liaison Librarians, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO Visit the LITA Job Site for more available jobs and for information on submitting a job posting.