January 29, 2008
We’ve talked a lot about game technology this year, so honestly, I wasn’t a surprise when I read this on ars technica–
2007 was a banner year for video gaming, and the industry has the figures to prove it. The Entertainment Software Association announced today that total sales for 2007 were $18.85 billion, with $9.5 billion of that spent on games (both PC and console) and $9.35 billion on consoles.
January 25, 2008
Ok, I know some of you folks are yawning as I thought I would when beginning to read the NetConnect article called “In Search of a New Model”, but hold on, todays catalog is undergoing a transformation. We are all familiar with the current standards of cataloging using MARC, OCLC, etc. Robert Walven reflects on the current cataloging model is not meeting todays needs and looking for new model(s).Some of the issues presented in the article are:
Take a look here for this rather long article — it is worth reading!
January 22, 2008
A book glutton, that is…..
Book Glutton is now available in beta. What is it? It’s an online community for readers. You can read books online (mostly public domain stuff right now), join reading groups, or even upload your own work to share with others. One of the coolest features is the proximity chat function. You can do live chat with other people who are enjoying the same book, or even the same passage, at the same time.
Here’s what the creators say about the site in the “About Us” section:
Our intent: build an experience that is simultaneously a book group, a computer, and a book.
We believe firmly that people want to read, annotate and discuss, right there, immersed in the text. That’s the best time to talk about a book. We also respect the solitary side to reading: people should have the chance to tune out the community. We wanted it to be attractive, too; to be an experience.
Check it out at BookGlutton.com
January 17, 2008
This month, the State Library is launching SPLASH! workshops to encourage libraries to reach out to Spanish speakers. The issue of immigration has been in the local headlines for more than a year now and is a big topic in the presidential debates. Legislation pending in the S.C. State House may have implications for how we serve Spanish speakers. In the meantime, however, Latinos are coming to the library to use the computer, learn English, discover how to become Americans. Can we do more to welcome them? Yes, of course! Check out the SPLASH workshop schedule at http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/ , and join us in getting to know our Latino customers. I’ll be posting some facts, figures and thoughts about Latinos/Hispanics in South Carolina libraries over the next few months, as the SPLASH program moves forward. SPLASH is sponsored by WebJunction and is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
January 14, 2008
Looking for something new to offer to your youngest customers?
The Sesame Street folks have added a video player to their website, providing access to hundreds of short clips from the show. They feature videos of the major characters, including Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Ernie & Bert, Elmo, Zoe, The Count, and Grover, but you can also do a keyword search to find other characters or topics.
Go to Sesame Workshop to check them out, but don’t forget to spend some time checking out the educational games while you’re there!
(P.S. Do a search for “library” in the video player. There are some cute ones available. My personal favorite is the one of Elmo singing “Where are the computers in your neighborhood?” At the library, of course!)
Events at SCSL
|
