Deborah Hotchkiss alerted me to a great posting on The Centered Librarian blog. It contains a link to a video on YouTube that provides one of the best representations of Web 2.0 and what it means to us (users) that I’ve ever seen.
My favorite line comes at the very end:
“The Web is no longer just for linking information. The Web is linking people. Web 2.0 is linking people….people sharing, trading, and collaborating.”
The video was created by Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Kansas State University.
Once again our neighbors to the north are providing the library community with concise information about staff development and training in today’s every changing environment. The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklinburg County (PLCMC) is a leader on Web 2.0 and public service. Take a look at the InfoToday article called: The C’s of Our Sea Change: Plans for Training Staff, from Core Competencies to LEARNING 2.0 by Helene Blowers and Lori Reed.
PLCMC has also invited neighboring libraries to their Rock to the Future session February 26, 2007. Not only will you get great information, you will get to see the ImaginOn in Charlotte. Speakers include George Needham is Vice President for Member Services at OCLC Online Computer Library Center and Patricia Martin is president and founder of LitLamp Communications Group. Library Development Services staff attended last year’s session where they introduced 23 things to the PLCMC staff. Michael Stevens and Michael Casey were the main speakers. Make your plans today to go to the session, you will not be disappointed!
Much of South Carolina is getting either snow, ice, or some nasty mix today. It’s become an annual event over the last few years. I know…..those of you who have come south from the colder climes wonder what all the fuss is about, but having lived here my whole life, I can tell you that you’re better off staying home. We can’t drive in this stuff.
What has this to do with libraries? Nothing really. It did inspire me to ask the following questions:
Have you evaluated your library’s disaster preparedness plan lately?
Do all members of your staff know what to do in the event of an emergency or inclement weather?
Have you had a fire drill or a tornado drill in the last year?
Today it’s not such a big deal. The weather is going to clear up, and we’ll be back in the 50’s tomorrow, but it won’t be long before spring comes, with its potential for tornadoes, and summer, with its hurricanes. Better to plan now than make it up as you go when something bad happens.
If you’re lucky enough to have the day off, do something that librarians almost never get to do. Curl up with a good book.
Patricia Martin is president and founder of LitLamp Communications Group. Library Development Services staff attended last year’s session where they introduced 23 things to the PLCMC staff. Michael Stevens and Michael Casey were the main speakers. Make your plans today to go to the session, you will not be disappointed!
