BookLamp is a service that analyzes different aspects of books and then compares those traits with traits in books you say you like. Kind of confusing, but if you’ve used Pandora, it works on the same principle. It looks at traits like pacing, density, action, dialog, description, perspective, and genre.
Be aware that BookLamp is still [...]
Google has introduced a set of protocols, Google Book Search API, that allow libraries’ automation systems to include Google’s scanned books into patron searches. Basically, if a library owns a title, they can provide a link to the full-text or to the preview, depending on its copyright restrictions. The University of Texas [...]
Jenny Levine at The Shifted Librarian posted about libraries that are starting to use instant messaging within their catalogs. When the patron is struck, it can provide an option to work with a real person. The Meebo Me widget seems to be quite popular for use at the end of a “no hits” search. Check [...]
Carnegie Mellon created a cute game for LC shelvers. You have a stack of books on the left and three shelves of books on the right. Shelve the books correctly and you’ve won. You’ll need Flash for this. I did pretty well — shelved all the books but two correctly. [...]
Marshall Breeding, who has written the Automated Systems Marketplace article for Library Journal for the past 6 years, has written an accompanying article — Perceptions of Integrated Library Systems 2007. He surveyed libraries on their satisfaction levels with their current system, the company, customer support, the likelihood of purchasing their next system from the same [...]
NISO has published a best practices document surrounding the implementation and maintenance of RFID use in US libraries (RP-6-2008). The recommendations include:
RFID tags should comply with the ALA/BISG Resolution on RFID Technology and Privacy Principles
Use 13.56 MHz High Frequency tags
Use passive tags, not active
Read range should not be substantially increased
Tags should use standardized AFI feature
AFI [...]
Some of you may remember WPopac, a proof of concept project from Casey Bisson. He wanted to see if it would be possible to run the public access catalog through blogging software, e.g., WordPress, thereby bringing some of the blogging functionality to the catalog.
Since then, he has been working with a few others to create [...]
If you’re familiar with blogs and blogging, you’ve probably heard of permalinks. This service creates a permanent URL for each post in a blog.
The Library of Congress now has created a permanent URL for each record that contains a Library of Congress Control Number — an LCCN Permalink. This should make it much easier to [...]
One of the reasons Dublin Core was created was to provide a set of access points that would work across any object. The result was a list of 15 access points, all of which are optional and repeatable. I didn’t think we could reduce this number.
The Kernel Metadata and Electronic Resource Citations scheme [...]
Marshall Breeding has written the current issue of Library Technology Reports. Next-Generation Library Catalogs focuses on the new terminology used, e.g., federated searching, faceted navigation, RSS, as well as the new public interfaces:
AquaBrowser
Endeca
Encore
Primo
WorldCatLocal
Polaris
Evergreen and Koha
LibraryThing
[from Tame the Web]
