The Creative Librarian http://creativelibrarian.com The Creative Librarian is a hub for matters important to librarians/information scientists of today. There is a definite lean towards electronic issues, however it isn't restricted to only those. Hopefully this site will also be useful for informing non-librarians on these issues as so many of them affect us all. Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:33:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Why The Next Big Pop-Culture Wave After Cupcakes Might Be Libraries : Monkey See : NPR http://creativelibrarian.com/958/why-the-next-big-pop-culture-wave-after-cupcakes-might-be-libraries-monkey-see-npr/ http://creativelibrarian.com/958/why-the-next-big-pop-culture-wave-after-cupcakes-might-be-libraries-monkey-see-npr/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:33:45 +0000 Laura http://creativelibrarian.com/?p=958 wwlibrary

…a local news story skeptically questioning whether libraries are "necessary" set off a response from Vanity Fair, and a later counterpunch by Chicago's Public Library Commissioner won her support from such diverse, non-library-specific outlets as The A.V. Club and Metafilter, and from as far away as The Guardian. Call it a hunch, but it seems to me that the thing is in the air that happens right before something — families with a million kids, cupcakes, wedding coordinators — suddenly becomes the thing everyone wants to do happy-fuzzy pop-culture stories about. Why?
via Why The Next Big Pop-Culture Wave After Cupcakes Might Be Libraries : Monkey See : NPR. Excellent points and well worth the couple of minutes to read.]]> wwlibrary

…a local news story skeptically questioning whether libraries are "necessary" set off a response from Vanity Fair, and a later counterpunch by Chicago's Public Library Commissioner won her support from such diverse, non-library-specific outlets as The A.V. Club and Metafilter, and from as far away as The Guardian. Call it a hunch, but it seems to me that the thing is in the air that happens right before something — families with a million kids, cupcakes, wedding coordinators — suddenly becomes the thing everyone wants to do happy-fuzzy pop-culture stories about. Why?
via Why The Next Big Pop-Culture Wave After Cupcakes Might Be Libraries : Monkey See : NPR. Excellent points and well worth the couple of minutes to read.]]> http://creativelibrarian.com/958/why-the-next-big-pop-culture-wave-after-cupcakes-might-be-libraries-monkey-see-npr/feed/ 0 Online converter http://creativelibrarian.com/948/online-converter/ http://creativelibrarian.com/948/online-converter/#comments Sat, 14 Aug 2010 13:00:01 +0000 Laura http://creativelibrarian.com/?p=948 convert

Online converter does one thing really well. It converts just about any type of file from one format into another.]]> convert

Online converter does one thing really well. It converts just about any type of file from one format into another.]]> http://creativelibrarian.com/948/online-converter/feed/ 0 Hello world! http://creativelibrarian.com/1/hello-world/ http://creativelibrarian.com/1/hello-world/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:25:59 +0000 Laura http://creativelibrarian.imaginaryworld.net/?p=1 Welcome to Internet Brain Conglomerate. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

]]> http://creativelibrarian.com/1/hello-world/feed/ 1 Neil Gaiman says closing libraries would be a terrible mistake – Telegraph http://creativelibrarian.com/926/neil-gaiman-says-closing-libraries-would-be-a-terrible-mistake-%e2%80%93-telegraph/ http://creativelibrarian.com/926/neil-gaiman-says-closing-libraries-would-be-a-terrible-mistake-%e2%80%93-telegraph/#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:19:04 +0000 Laura http://creativelibrarian.com/?p=926

Closing libraries would be "a terrible, terrible mistake" akin to "stealing from the future", according to one of the countrys leading childrens authors.
"Children want stories. They want information. They want knowledge about the strange world they're in. Saying that the internet can be that is like setting a child free in a jungle and expecting them safely to find things to eat."
via Neil Gaiman says closing libraries would be a terrible mistake - Telegraph.]]>

Closing libraries would be "a terrible, terrible mistake" akin to "stealing from the future", according to one of the countrys leading childrens authors.
"Children want stories. They want information. They want knowledge about the strange world they're in. Saying that the internet can be that is like setting a child free in a jungle and expecting them safely to find things to eat."
via Neil Gaiman says closing libraries would be a terrible mistake - Telegraph.]]> http://creativelibrarian.com/926/neil-gaiman-says-closing-libraries-would-be-a-terrible-mistake-%e2%80%93-telegraph/feed/ 0 Why libraries should encourage users to leave Facebook http://creativelibrarian.com/920/why-libraries-should-encourage-users-to-leave-facebook/ http://creativelibrarian.com/920/why-libraries-should-encourage-users-to-leave-facebook/#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 06:02:38 +0000 Laura http://creativelibrarian.com/?p=920

There's a storm brewing among the knowledgeable Internet geeks about the problems with Facebook and privacy. Most Facebook members aren't aren't savvy enough and don't care to keep track of these issues but libraries have made privacy an issue and this is a natural extension of those concerns. Libraries have authority with these members and while Facebook isn't part of our traditional purview but the downsizing and closings make it pretty clear that we need to expand past those if we're going to survive. Passing out information most will be interested in (particularly the adults) and will have missed is a good start. ]]>

There's a storm brewing among the knowledgeable Internet geeks about the problems with Facebook and privacy. Most Facebook members aren't aren't savvy enough and don't care to keep track of these issues but libraries have made privacy an issue and this is a natural extension of those concerns. Libraries have authority with these members and while Facebook isn't part of our traditional purview but the downsizing and closings make it pretty clear that we need to expand past those if we're going to survive. Passing out information most will be interested in (particularly the adults) and will have missed is a good start. ]]> http://creativelibrarian.com/920/why-libraries-should-encourage-users-to-leave-facebook/feed/ 1 US government finally admits most piracy estimates are bogus http://creativelibrarian.com/913/us-government-finally-admits-most-piracy-estimates-are-bogus/ http://creativelibrarian.com/913/us-government-finally-admits-most-piracy-estimates-are-bogus/#comments Wed, 14 Apr 2010 02:39:05 +0000 Laura http://creativelibrarian.com/?p=913

We've all seen the studies trumpeting massive losses to the US economy from piracy. One famous figure, used literally for decades by rightsholders and the government, said that 750,000 jobs and up to $250 billion a year could be lost in the US economy thanks to IP infringement. A couple years ago, we thoroughly debunked that figure. For years, Business Software Alliance reports on software piracy assumed that each illicit copy was a lost sale. And the MPAA&;apos;s own commissioned study on movie piracy turned out to overstate collegiate downloading by a factor of three. Can we trust any of these claims about piracy? The US doesn't think so. In a new report out yesterday, the government's own internal watchdog took a close look at "efforts to quantify the economic effects of counterfeit and pirated goods." After examining all the data and consulting with numerous experts inside and outside of government, the Government Accountability Office concluded (PDF) that it is "difficult, if not impossible, to quantify the economy-wide impacts." via US government finally admits most piracy estimates are bogus.]]>

We've all seen the studies trumpeting massive losses to the US economy from piracy. One famous figure, used literally for decades by rightsholders and the government, said that 750,000 jobs and up to $250 billion a year could be lost in the US economy thanks to IP infringement. A couple years ago, we thoroughly debunked that figure. For years, Business Software Alliance reports on software piracy assumed that each illicit copy was a lost sale. And the MPAA&;apos;s own commissioned study on movie piracy turned out to overstate collegiate downloading by a factor of three. Can we trust any of these claims about piracy? The US doesn't think so. In a new report out yesterday, the government's own internal watchdog took a close look at "efforts to quantify the economic effects of counterfeit and pirated goods." After examining all the data and consulting with numerous experts inside and outside of government, the Government Accountability Office concluded (PDF) that it is "difficult, if not impossible, to quantify the economy-wide impacts." via US government finally admits most piracy estimates are bogus.]]> http://creativelibrarian.com/913/us-government-finally-admits-most-piracy-estimates-are-bogus/feed/ 0 PLA 2010 Conference: DRM-Free Downloadable (Sony) Music at the Library http://creativelibrarian.com/907/pla-2010-conference-drm-free-downloadable-sony-music-at-the-library/ http://creativelibrarian.com/907/pla-2010-conference-drm-free-downloadable-sony-music-at-the-library/#comments Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:06:09 +0000 Laura http://creativelibrarian.com/?p=907

In a significant step toward offering public library patrons DRM-free downloadable music, Library Ideas LLC, a new company that has previously hooked up libraries with Redbox video dispensers, has joined with Sony Music Entertainment to launch the Freegal Music Service, offering public library subscribers access to hundreds of thousands of songs in Sony’s catalog.

Sony includes more than 50 labels, in genres ranging from rock and country to rap and classical.

The libraries must pre-pay for a minimum number of downloads from Freegal, and each library user will be limited to, at most, 20 downloads per week. Libraries that see a spike in use can limit the number of systemwide downloads in a week or month to ensure wider access, and library card holders can also reserve downloads.

No download manager is required—a step that has complicated audiobook downloading. The songs are delivered as MP3 files and thus are compatible with iPods and other devices, some of which have not been compatible with library audio.

via PLA 2010 Conference: DRM-Free Downloadable (Sony) Music at the Library - 3/24/2010 - Library Journal.]]>

In a significant step toward offering public library patrons DRM-free downloadable music, Library Ideas LLC, a new company that has previously hooked up libraries with Redbox video dispensers, has joined with Sony Music Entertainment to launch the Freegal Music Service, offering public library subscribers access to hundreds of thousands of songs in Sony’s catalog.

Sony includes more than 50 labels, in genres ranging from rock and country to rap and classical.

The libraries must pre-pay for a minimum number of downloads from Freegal, and each library user will be limited to, at most, 20 downloads per week. Libraries that see a spike in use can limit the number of systemwide downloads in a week or month to ensure wider access, and library card holders can also reserve downloads.

No download manager is required—a step that has complicated audiobook downloading. The songs are delivered as MP3 files and thus are compatible with iPods and other devices, some of which have not been compatible with library audio.

via PLA 2010 Conference: DRM-Free Downloadable (Sony) Music at the Library - 3/24/2010 - Library Journal.]]> http://creativelibrarian.com/907/pla-2010-conference-drm-free-downloadable-sony-music-at-the-library/feed/ 0 Why you only need to test with five users (explained) http://creativelibrarian.com/900/test-with-five-users/ http://creativelibrarian.com/900/test-with-five-users/#comments Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:45:36 +0000 Laura http://creativelibrarian.com/?p=900

The five user number comes from the number of users you would need to detect approximately 85% of the problems in an interface, given that the probability a user would encounter a problem is about 31%. Most people either leave off the last part or are not sure what it means.  This does not apply to all testing situations such as comparing two products or when trying to get a precise measure of task times or completion rates but to discovering problems with an interface. Where does 31% come from?  It was found as an average problem frequency from several studies (more on this below). via Why you only need to test with five users (explained): Measuring Usability.]]>

The five user number comes from the number of users you would need to detect approximately 85% of the problems in an interface, given that the probability a user would encounter a problem is about 31%. Most people either leave off the last part or are not sure what it means.  This does not apply to all testing situations such as comparing two products or when trying to get a precise measure of task times or completion rates but to discovering problems with an interface. Where does 31% come from?  It was found as an average problem frequency from several studies (more on this below). via Why you only need to test with five users (explained): Measuring Usability.]]> http://creativelibrarian.com/900/test-with-five-users/feed/ 0 Twitter announces @anywhere platform http://creativelibrarian.com/891/twitter-announces-anywhere-platform/ http://creativelibrarian.com/891/twitter-announces-anywhere-platform/#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:21:31 +0000 Laura http://creativelibrarian.com/?p=891

Speaking at a keynote at SXSWi 2010 Twitter CEO Evan Williams explained how the new "highly anticipated" app platform would integrate Twitter into websites, so you could follow and tweet without having to go to Twitter itself. You will also be able to use Twitter to sign into the site…

Twitter promises that @anywhere will be simple for site owners to implement as rather than using APIs, site owners need only drop in a few lines of JavaScript.

via Twitter announces @anywhere platform | News | TechRadar UK. This would be a great way of integrating your website into your patrons lives.]]>

Speaking at a keynote at SXSWi 2010 Twitter CEO Evan Williams explained how the new "highly anticipated" app platform would integrate Twitter into websites, so you could follow and tweet without having to go to Twitter itself. You will also be able to use Twitter to sign into the site…

Twitter promises that @anywhere will be simple for site owners to implement as rather than using APIs, site owners need only drop in a few lines of JavaScript.

via Twitter announces @anywhere platform | News | TechRadar UK. This would be a great way of integrating your website into your patrons lives.]]> http://creativelibrarian.com/891/twitter-announces-anywhere-platform/feed/ 0 How much should ebooks cost? http://creativelibrarian.com/886/how-much-should-ebooks-cost/ http://creativelibrarian.com/886/how-much-should-ebooks-cost/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:17:25 +0000 Laura http://creativelibrarian.com/?p=886

The rise in popularity of ebooks has started a debate on how they should be priced versus the print editions. I've been interested hearing the viewpoints from the authors themselves (see the article below).
But publishers also say consumers exaggerate the savings and have developed unrealistic expectations about how low the prices of e-books can go. Yes, they say, printing costs may vanish, but a raft of expenses that apply to all books, like overhead, marketing and royalties, are still in effect. Math of Publishing Meets the E-Book
But I couldn't reconcile that information with the pricing structure of the Baen ebooks I've been buying (and pimping) for years. Finally an answer in the next article.
Given that Baen is frequently used as a counter-example whenever the matter of printing costs making up a small fraction a a hardcover’s total cost comes up, I thought it would be a good idea to hear from Baen about how it is able to keep its prices so low. Consequently, I arranged this e-mail interview with Toni Weisskopf, Baen’s publisher. via Interview: Toni Weisskopf, publisher of Baen Books | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home.
]]>

The rise in popularity of ebooks has started a debate on how they should be priced versus the print editions. I've been interested hearing the viewpoints from the authors themselves (see the article below).
But publishers also say consumers exaggerate the savings and have developed unrealistic expectations about how low the prices of e-books can go. Yes, they say, printing costs may vanish, but a raft of expenses that apply to all books, like overhead, marketing and royalties, are still in effect. Math of Publishing Meets the E-Book
But I couldn't reconcile that information with the pricing structure of the Baen ebooks I've been buying (and pimping) for years. Finally an answer in the next article.
Given that Baen is frequently used as a counter-example whenever the matter of printing costs making up a small fraction a a hardcover’s total cost comes up, I thought it would be a good idea to hear from Baen about how it is able to keep its prices so low. Consequently, I arranged this e-mail interview with Toni Weisskopf, Baen’s publisher. via Interview: Toni Weisskopf, publisher of Baen Books | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home.
]]> http://creativelibrarian.com/886/how-much-should-ebooks-cost/feed/ 1