Web 2.0 and the Modern Library

Computers In Libraries

Coinciding with National Library week, the 22nd Annual Computers in Libraries conference was held in Arlington Virginia. This is a conference which highlights new and evolving technologies, and holds classes and exhibits for Librarians and Information Managers. This year, the emphasis was on "moving beyond Library 2.0" and some of the many different topics covered at the conference included:Mashups, Wiki's, Blogs, Podcastings, Game-based learning, and their possible application for Library Instruction.

The conference brought to light the evolution of technology and that social networking sites such as: Facebook and YouTube, blogs, wiki's,, and podcasts are here to stay! The key is to figure out how they can be used to enhance library instruction as well as promote learning in general. Is the thought of just learning in the classroom no more? Can learning, with the aid of new technology, occur anywhere at anytime using new technology ?

With a link to:

http://www.infotoday.com/cil2007/

If you are interested in further information on this topic, please check out the the IRC staff presentation on Social Computing.

Nikki Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni, poet, activist, and educator, has led an extraordinary life. She has written many books for both young and old and has received recognition for her variety of achievements. Ms. Giovanni was the guest speaker at the Harford Community College Library dedication ceremony back in 2000. To read this article.

Addendum:

Nikki Giovanni, is an faculty member at Virginia Tech and spoke to a very emotional audience after the recent tragic events at the campus. To read the full report, click here.

Bloggers, Journalist or Criminal?

Who would have thought that being a blogger could be such a dangerous job? Well, for one man it turned out to be that way. Video blogger Josh Wolf has been released from the Dublin Federal Correction Institution in California after seven and a half months for withholding a name of a person he was doing a video blog on. I pose this question, is it okay for journalists to be able to withhold names of their sources, and not Bloggers? What is the difference? What kind of distinctions need to be made to preserve freedom of speech.

To read this article