ALA #7

Brace yourself. Today is going to be a long ALA post. Not only are there about a billion links for today (what a great week this newsletter was), but I have something to say about several of them.

Going green with vending machines. Ok, so the link itself isn't anything to brag about. It's more of an advertisement than anything. I think the thing that drew my attention to this one was simply that there is one more thing out there going green. I never would have imagined myself as much of a tree hugger (and I'm not really... don't worry, I shan't be glowering at anyone who doesn't recycle. Heck, I don't even recycle, really.... well, if it's there I do. I just don't go out of my way). Something about saving energy and going natural and such just speaks to me. I keep getting on eating healthy and food storage kicks.

To-do Tattoos. Wow. I might need these. Wedding present, anyone? :)

Facebook To Open Source Facebook Platform. For all of you programming nerds out there who might care.

Why don't you back up your computer? Michael, this one is for you. :) Also, for those of you who don't know how to back up, I have two words for you. Time Machine. (Yes, it requires you buy a Mac. I vote that you do it.)

Microsoft closes Live Search Books. This one speaks to me because it's exactly what my job entails. I digitize books. For years now, this has been my life. I have been interested in both Google and Microsoft trying to digitize the books of the world. Secretly I've been rooting for Google to win, just because it's Google vs. Microsoft. Is it really a question? The only part of me that cringes is that is because Microsoft had teamed up with Kirtas and they guarantee a much higher rate (90%) of accuracy than does Google (70%). Yes. 30 pages of your 100-page book can be missing and they will just smile and move on. Cross your fingers that it's not the last 30 pages of your Harry Potter 7. Anyway, looks like Google won by forfeit.

Using technology for balance instead of guilt. Ok, I'll be honest, as I read this one, I thought the guy was obsessed. Seriously, he has his friends' facebook status updates texted to his phone so he's sure never to miss one. Weirdo. But I liked his last paragraph about how just because you have a cell phone doesn't mean you have to be dependent upon it, and how you can choose to not answer. I think self dicipline is good here.

The 100 best tech products of 2008. Ok, sure, I haven't heard of many of them. (The #1 slot is for Hulu. I have no idea what hulu even is...) But there are a lot that I do recognize. Please laugh with me that Windows XP made it, but not Vista. Also, please note all of the Apple products on that list.

9 Firefox extensions to protect your privacy. Thank you Firefox for protecting us.


Google: Viacom lawsuit "threatens net" I had no idea Google even owned YouTube. Learn something new every day.

X-rated content infiltrates library's story line for kids. Seriously. It makes me sick that there are people like this in the world. There are simply no words for the disgust I feel about this.

This one doesn't have a URL. (Well, it did, but the URL doesn't work.) So here's the blurb I got:

Ministers launch PR campaign to stop Bush library
Praying for a last-minute miracle, some Methodist ministers are launching a public relations campaign to try to stop George W. Bush’s presidential library, museum, and think tank from being built at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Rev. Andrew Weaver said the goal is informing people about the partisan think tank, which won’t be under SMU’s control and will promote the Bush administration’s policies....
Associated Press, May 21

Which was followed by Archivist says Bush library will be an asset to SMU.

Library planetarium stalled by money concerns. I just think it's awesome that a library is getting a planetarium.

Group wants public library in area known for polygamy. Over the many, many years, when a government wanted to oppress the people, they took away literature. If people can't read, or can only read what the government says they can read, then the people stay ignorant and can't free themselves of oppression. If people have the opportunity to read, then they have the chance to make their own decisions. God has given us agency and we have no right to restrict it. I think everyone should have access to a public library. If they still choose their way of life after that, so be it. So long as it is their own choice. But no one, and I mean no one has the right to take away choice from another person.

STanford faculty weigh pros and cons of ebooks. Again, welcome to my job. For the record, I am pro digitizing the books of the world. And no, I don't think that will put libraries everywhere out of business. When I want to quote a book, or quickly look something up, I will use the digital book. When I want to find books of a specific topic or that contain a specific quote, I will use the digital book. When I want to read a novel, I will get the paper book from the library. When I am doing research and want "20 books open on my floor," I will get the paper books from the library. I will use the digital books to find what I need quickly, without having to leave my bedroom, then when I actually know what I need, then I will go to the library and check out those books. Think of this as an intense library card catalog.

In Google we trust--but should we? May I just say that I love Google? Favorite quote from this article: "Nearly all of Google's products from search to document storage are free. What kind of monopoly is that?"

Library theft suspect arrested... at the library. Seriously, why are people idiots?

ACLU files suit in Harry Potter librarian case. Ok, this one makes me mad. Really, really mad. Sure, I think people who think Harry Potter causes children to believe in the occult are idiots. However, it is their right to believe that. I love Harry Potter, but those who don't are allowed that right.... I don't care what their reasoning is. I may not agree with them, but I still respect their rights. "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." How could they possibly suspend her for asking to not work after-hours for a Harry Potter opening against her religious beliefs? The thought just angers me.

Parade of Bookmobiles held during 2008 ALA Annual Conference. If you're like me and have no idea what a Bookmobile is, turn to another favorite site of mine, Wikipedia!

Visit the Campaign for America’s Libraries exhibit space and write a personal thank you note to Julie Andrews. Just cuz I think it'd be cool to write a personal thank you note to Julie Andrews. :)

Congratulations. You have made it through the longest ALA posting of my life. I am so proud of y'all.