The Library Thingibob

Please feel free to inspect my list of good books for reading and relaxing.



I can see how the Library Thing could be used to promote new books in a library or for library patrons to share reviews of books and get ideas for other books they may enjoy.

The Fragile Internet

I've noticed that You Tube is very popular with our regular clients, mainly video clips of their favorite singers or bands. Frustrations arise when the people watching You Tube expect the same quality of video as film and television. They get annoyed when the online video slows down, or stops, or they get an error message.

I recently heard a radio interview with Frank Kelly (Professor of The Mathematics of Systems Master of Christ's College University of Cambridge). Among other things, he talks about the fragility of the Internet and how the technology is not as robust as we might expect.

Humanity's Final Exam

A wide range of video available online, even interviews with long gone dead people. I was very pleased to discover clips with Buckminster Fuller, a gentleman and a scholar, a radical and a visionary.

RSS feeding

An RSS feed appears to be an easy way to make a blog or home page look dynamic and timely.

Wikis vs Navigators

The more I look at Wikis the more I wonder why we are developing Navigators. If we want to produce online guides that people will find easy to use, why not use a structure that people are familiar with already. Why re-invent the wheel?

"I fell in the book deposit bin..."

On the Melvil's Retreat blog, there is an amusing video about the Dewey decimal system. The pros and cons, and a Deweyless public library in the USA. It's worth a visit just for the opening song; "... I fell in the book deposit bin, I could not swim... "

Wikis for projects

A Wiki looks like a useful tool for managing a project that involves a number of people that need to share information. For example, the proposed refurbishment of the State Reference Library Reading Room. The people who are actually coordinating the work would have rights to add and amend information on the Wiki. There would have to be some ground rules, or etiquette, established to resolve misunderstandings and mishaps. Other staff could be granted read only access so they can keep up-to-date with developments.

Energy and Teamwork

Here is a photo I found on Flickr that illustrates my idea of energy and teamwork. It is a small team, things are done thoughtfully and carefully. Infinite patience is the order of the day.

This is a hand-tinted photo found by Lovedaylemon who collects pictures of vintage gardens and gardeners. The name of the original photographer has been lost in the mists of time.

Flickr Tags

I've been looking at pictures in Flickr and it occurs to me that tags are like subject headings, but it's not controlled vocabulary like we're used to in the library setting. It's very much keyword - natural language - all over the place. Tags are rough, but charming.

I found a photo of a grey cat when I searched under the tag; small gardens. The owner of the grey cat was apparently standing in a small garden when the photo was taken and titled the photo; In the Small Garden. And perhaps that is the where the charm comes in, you never really know what you might find.

Blog as Guestbook

I was thinking that a blog could be attached to events, talks and exhibitions that we have here in the library, so that people who attend can leave their thoughts. The staff organising these events will probably get some very nice compliments. A bit like the old guestbook idea when you stay in a cabin or cottage on holidays. "Loved the home baked bread, a beautiful spot to unwind" Sylvia and Harold, Mortdale, NSW.

Other people's blogs

Have found looking at other staff members' blogs fascinating. Especially Sue Moir's and Helen Halfpenny's blog. You get a sense of the real person behind the blog.

Stephen Fry

In Week 1 I found the interviews with Stephen Fry very interesting. I listened to a few other topics as well as the one suggested.

Nandina Domestica

Exotic ornamental, originally from Japan. Drought resistant. Very hardy. Also known as Sacred Bamboo or Heavenly Bamboo, but not really a bamboo. Small white flowers followed by red berries. Makes a lovely hedge.

This photo is by Forest and Kim Starr, from a website called Plants of Hawaii.