Technically Random

ACRL recently announced the launch of C & RL Preprints.

The addition of preprint articles gives the C&RL editor the ability to release important research articles online prior to publication in the print journal.

You have to be a member of ACRL to open or download the PDFs from the preprint site.  The first batch of preprints looks interesting with articles on information literacy, collection development, assessment and mentoring.

-Corey

The beginning of the new year and ALA Midwinter brings lists of top tech trends for the coming year. Here’s a short wrap-up of some of the trends being predicted for 2008:

Eric Lease Morgan (LITA Blog):

• Linux on the server and desktop will increase
• Open access will grow
• Social networking spaces maturing
• Blogging will continue to effect the way we communicate

Sarah Houghtan-Jan (LibrarianInBlack.net):

• Tough Budget, Tech Stays
• Widening of the Digital Divide and our Inattention to It
• User-Centered Content Production
• Virtual Reference Software a la Rest-O’-The-World?
• We Stop Being So Bossy
• Another Day of Open Source

Karen Schneider (Free Range Librarian):

• Interoperability
• Open systems, open data

Karen Coombs (Library Web Chic):

• Ultra-light and small PCs
• New uses of wireless
• Blogging ceases to exist as blogging
• On the Go Applications and Data

Then this from the publishing world, 15 Trends to Watch in 2008 by Mike Shatzkin at Publishers Weekly.

And, finally 10 Technologies That Will Transform Your Life, published by LiveScience during the Consumer Electronics Show last week.

Thanks to Nancy Huling for forwarding this announcement:

Interested in Web 2.0 stuff? This is a ALA Midwinter event not to miss!

Saturday, 1/12, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon
PCC (Pennsylvania Convention Center – PCC)
Room: 201 B/C

Tag You’re It! Midwinter Hot Topics Discussion Focuses on Web 2.0 Social Tagging Technologies to Increase Patron-Library Interaction

Jointly sponsored by MARS Products and Services and the Hot Topics Discussion Group, this Midwinter Hot Topics Discussion will bring three speakers to Philadelphia to discuss their library’s experience implementing Web 2.0 social software which enables “tagging” to enhance patrons’ interaction with the library and its resources. Jennifer Sweda, Cataloging Librarian for University of Pennsylvania Libraries will speak about the well-know PennTags project. Like del.icio.us, PennTags software allows readers to tag catalogued items and works as a social bookmarking tool for locating, organizing, and sharing favorite resources. Lauren Stokes, Virtual Library Manager at the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District will speak about how her library system is enabling the community to add reviews to resources in their catalog. Hot Topics third speaker Kate Sheehan, Coordinator of Library Automation at Danbury Public Library, will discuss how they have implemented LibraryThing and how it has increased patron interaction with the catalog.

Be sure to “tag” this event for your 2008 Midwinter conference calendar! This Hot Topics presentation and discussion, “Tag You’re It: A revolution in patron-library interaction” will take place on January 12th, Saturday, from 10:30-12 noon in Philadelphia at the Convention Center in room 201 B/C.