LIS 701 Spring 2008 Discussion Blog


Photo Tours of Libraries from Discussion
March 27, 2008, 11:13 am
Filed under: Class Discussion


Games & Libraries
March 26, 2008, 9:21 pm
Filed under: Articles of Interest

From our discussion last week:

Our Public Libraries Are Being Turned Into Video Arcades: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/55624

Unfortunately, it appears that this country’s librarians have decided to do their part in the dumbing-down of America. What has happened to this country?…All of the librarians I have known were in love with the written word and truly enjoyed opening the door to their world to young people. Perhaps, today’s crop of young librarians would be better served answering their calling as arcade attendants and movie theatre managers.



Mishawaka Library Bans Social Networking
March 24, 2008, 6:20 pm
Filed under: Articles of Interest, Class Discussion

Via the South Bend Tribune and a bunch of folks who emailed me:

You can no longer use MySpace, Facebook or other “social networking sites” at Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library.

Fights, lewd language and cars being blocked in the parking lot by teenagers are among the problems Director Dave Eisen said have plagued the downtown library lately.

He told library board members that adults have complained about not feeling safe at the library. Eisen and his staff believe the teenagers are there to use MySpace, Facebook and other social sites.

Oh boy. This is my hometown library. It saddens me that the space between “social networking sites” to “not feeling safe” seems so short. The article notes the ban is probably working:

It might have worked, as there were few teenagers going to the computer room by 3:30 p.m. Friday, a half hour after it normally begins to fill up. There were few teenagers even coming in to the computer room at the library.

If anyone has thoughts , feel free to comment:

http://tametheweb.com/2008/03/18/no-myspace-facebook-at-mishawaka-library/

http://tametheweb.com/2008/03/19/an-sjcpl-librarian-responds-to-mishawakas-ban/

http://tametheweb.com/2008/03/22/stopped-by-mishawaka-penn-harris-public-library-to-see-for-myself/



Course Announcements and Schedule
March 22, 2008, 2:18 pm
Filed under: Housekeeping

Greetings LIS701!

GSLIS Placement Coordinator Lenora Berendt will join us briefly on April 2nd for some news and announcements.

We’ll meet April 23rd at COSI at Michigan & Monroe- 116 South Michigan Avenue Chicago for Book Discussion Night.

We will review the research paper assignment next week to make sure all of us are on the right track.

Thanks for a great class meeting at Columbia College!



Online Discussion Questions for the Week of February 25th
February 20, 2008, 10:18 pm
Filed under: Online Discussion Topics

This week you have three discussion questions to respond to:

1: Professions Do Not Stand Still

2: The Information R/Evolution

3: Perceptions of Libraries

Aim for 2-3 paragraphs per question and revisit the posts often to see what your 701 colleagues are saying. Respond to their opinions as well. Sign your name to your posts!



Association Assignment: Report on Your selected LIS Association Here
February 20, 2008, 5:00 pm
Filed under: Class Discussion, Online Discussion Topics

Week of March 12

Comment on this post with a minimum 400 word report on the association you selected in class. Write as though you are presenting the information to your colleagues at a future library job. Cover these points:

What is the Associations full name? When was it formed? What is its purpose? Who can join? What are the fees/dues? What are the benefits?

What type of conferences does it have? When and where is the next one?

What benefits does the conference provide?

Be sure to include appropriate stats, citations for your findings and any pertinent URLs

More Resources at our LIS701 Module



NYT: MySpace Hoax
February 17, 2008, 11:54 am
Filed under: Articles of Interest

MySpace Hoax article that we discussed in class.

Rose sent this to me. Take a look for follow up on the case.



Online Discussion 3: Perceptions of Libraries
February 15, 2008, 10:18 pm
Filed under: Online Discussion Topics

Please explore http://www.oclc.org/reports/2005perceptions.htm Here are some of the findings about libraries reported in the study:

Information consumers use the library.

They use the library less and read less since they began using the Internet.

The majority of respondents anticipate their usage of libraries will be flat in the future. (Parts 1.1 and 3.7)

Borrowing print books is the library service used most. (Part 2.1)

“Books” isthe librarybrand. There is no runner-up. (Part 3.8)

Most information consumers are not aware of, nor do they use, most libraries’ electronic information resources. (Parts 1 and 2)

College students have the highest rate ofl ibrary use and broadest use of library resources, both physical and electronic. (Parts 1 and Part 2)

Only 10 percent of college students indicated that their library’s collection fulfilled their information needs after accessing the library Web site from a search engine.

Then read about the new OCLC study here:

http://freerangelibrarian.com/2007/10/24/oclcs-report-on-privacy-and-trust-the-nut-graf/

http://www.personal.psu.edu/esc10/blogs/E-Tech/2007/10/the_state_of_the_library_web_s_1.html

As a new librarian, what might you make of these findings? What should librarians DO to improve perceptions and use of their institutions? What core values are threatened? How might we change our list of values to balance these feelings?

Respond with two – three paragraphs summarizing your thinking on this data.



Online Discussion 2: Information R/Evolution
February 15, 2008, 10:18 pm
Filed under: Online Discussion Topics

Watch the video again:

Considering our readings and class discussion, how should librarians and libraries respond to the evolution of information? How might we enhance our definitions of the core values of librarianship to reflect a new info landscape.

Please compose a response and post it here. Sign your name and feel free to comment on other replies.



Online Discussion 1: Professions Do Not Stand Still
February 15, 2008, 10:18 pm
Filed under: Online Discussion Topics

Please read:

http://blogaboutlibraries.com/2007/02/i-didnt-get-mls-to-do-that.html

In light of our readings and discussion last Monday about technology and library service, how would you respond to this post:

 To me this is the most important reason. Even if we don’t like computers, our patrons do. Libraries have established themselves as the place to get on the internet. We market this. We brag about it. We get federal funding for it (well, a little…). It is not responsible to provide access to computers without also providing the staff training necessary to make sure our people have the competencies to help patrons with them.


Furthermore, the line between information tools, social software, games and productivity tools is thoroughly blurred by now. To expect that we can choose what part of the technology we will help patrons with is simply unrealistic.

Please compose a response and post it here. Sign your name and feel free to comment on other replies.