I went to the FD Toys and played around with www.bighugelabs.com/flickr/onblack.php. It was fun changing the backgrounds.

I found that the subject that you search has to be very narrow. Most of the subjects I wanted to find had a huge list of sites that were not pertinent.

I am very pleased that staff is reading the blogs and that comments are being made. Same holds true with Ask Away. Obviously, we are filling a niche.

Apple's announcemt yesterday that they are no longer a computer company confirms what we are thinking. People will get information in a way that is convenient to them. Handheld devices is the tool people are now using. We hear the discussion about video vs dvd but what we are seeing and what is being reported is that downloads will probably win out over both formats. It is unfortunate, to me, since it will be harder for people to be able to keep memories is a long lasting medium. I have had to transfer vhs of my kids to 8mm video and now dvd and I can't imagine what is next.

I met with a group of librarians today at the Martin Luther King Library in DC. We are going to be part of the local arrangements committee for the ALA conference this summer. We will be looking for volunteers to work the local exhibit booth, the Scholarship bash and other activities throughout the conference. I will let you know what opportunities are available if you wish to volunteer. The chair of the committee will be gathering how many people are needed for each event shortly. This is a great chance to meet folks and attend some of the stuff at the conference.

There is an on going discussion in the library that has taken a very strange, and to me disturbing, turn. Believe it or not a couple of libraries have decided to close between the hours of 3:30 and 5:30 because of the disruptive kids who come to the library after school. Here is a demographic we want to attract and we are providing all kinds of programs and resources to do just that. What a weird message to send.

This was a fun task. I am very happy some folks have already taken the initiative to set up group blogs and wiki's. I am looking forward to seeing what pictures people post.

ph-10003

ph-10003
Originally uploaded by eagle220132.

Here is my flickr picture. It is me hang gliding at Cedar City, Utah

The Washington Post article about the Fairfax Library weeding policy was very interesting and very timely. Some could say that the public library has become modern, popular collections. We rely on Universities and ILL to provide specialized materials that are not of interest to a large group. The comments were mixed and the solutions suggested highly innovative.

All libraries are facing the same dilemma. We know that a large portion of our service is print oriented. We also know that we a large number of our users have become media oriented.

An interesting situation. What are your thoughts?