ITI Bloggers April 7th, 2008

• Get insight into what people are looking for by looking at popular searches listed on Google Maps.
• Create custom local search engines
• Identify local blogs, link to them, and add them to a local search engine
• Do their own local blogging and help define the community.
  Aggregate local data and provide a repository for local photographs.

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ITI Bloggers April 7th, 2008

Lee Rainie is director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, which tracks and reports on many aspects of the social impact of the Internet. Because of his clear understanding of the involvement of libraries and librarians in online life, he’s a frequently invited speaker to Computers in Libraries and other library-related events. And, this morning he certainly did not disappoint—he delighted and inspired the overflow crowd at the keynote session.

He reported on the recently released report on a major national survey that looked at how people used the Internet and libraries for their problem solving information needs—what pathways they used and the kinds of information.

The report is officially titled, “Information searches that solve problems: How people use the internet, libraries, and government agencies when they need help” (www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/Pew_UI_LibrariesReport.pdf). It was funded with a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (www.imls.gov), an agency that is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums.

Compared to their elders, Gen Y members (ages 18–30) were the most likely to use libraries for problem-solving information and for other purposes. 60 % of online teens use the Internet at libraries. Rainie reasoned that young people have experienced most closely the changes that libraries have undergone and are most aware of what’s possible.

There were some interesting numbers.
In 2000, only 46% of adults use Internet
In 2008 – 76% of adults and 93 % of teenagers use the Internet and 62 % connect to the Internet wirelessly
25% of teens help others online with their content
33% of college students keep blogs and post regularly

Once users get to a library they are active and happy – 69 % got help from library staff, 68 % used computers, and 58% used reference materials. Basically they take advantage of an array of library products and services. And, this is good news for libraries to tell!

Rainie urged the audience to think about the opportunities out there: 53% market share isn’t a bad market share. Increase your public education efforts. Focus on success stories and competence – you already have these stories, just work to get the word out. You have “people who love you and want to evangelize” – offer them more Web 2.0 tools to tell their stories. This is the era of user-generated content. Your “un-patrons” are already primed to seek you out – help them think more about libraries. Offer a comfortable environment for them – they may be a bit wary and may need a bit more tech support and hand holding.

This is the era of social networks—and these are tremendously important for information seeking and problem solving. He says we should aspire to be a “node” in people’s social networks.

Paula J. Hane

News Bureau Chief, ITI

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ITI Bloggers April 7th, 2008

The front table, complete with power strips (yes!!), was much appreciated by the bloggers.  That’s Marshall Breeding at the left.  He has the distinction of having attended all 23 CIL conferences.  Paula Hane, one of my ITI blogging colleagues, is 4th from left.

Don Hawkins
Columnist, Information Today and CIL 2008 Blog Coordinator

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ITI Bloggers April 7th, 2008

Tom Hogan, Sr., President of Information Today, Inc. (ITI), opened CIL with some fascinating statistics.  This is the 23rd CIL and 14th under ITI’s organization, and it’s the biggest ever.  There are 2,267 people here:  2,202 conference attendees, 283 exhibits only visitors, and 182 exhibitors.  They come from 49 states (all except Wyoming), Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The state with the largest increase in attendees is Iowa–72 this year, up from 5 last year.  Attendees also are here from 18 countries (including 7 out of 10 Canadian provinces).  There are 186 speakers and moderators and 65 companies exhibiting.

Welcome to all and enjoy CIL!

Don Hawkins
Columnist, Information Today and CIL 2008 Blog Coordinator

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ITI Bloggers April 7th, 2008

All is ready.  The bags are packed, badges printed, and staff in place, and here they come! 

Views of the registration area as the conference opens.

Attendees enjoyed breakfast before the opening keynote.

Don Hawkins
Columnist, Information Today and CIL 2008 Blog Coordinator

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ITI Bloggers March 30th, 2008

CIL 2008 is just a week away, and final preparations are in full swing.  The conference will be held in the same place as last year, the Hyatt Regency Crystal City.  For early arrivals, this year, there is a new Sunday evening session starting at 5:30–Gaming & Gadgets Petting Zoo.  If you need directions to the hotel or other information about it, click here.  And it’s not too late to register for a Blogger ribbon, just send me an e-mail.

See you there!

Don Hawkins
Columnist, Information Today and CIL Blog Coordinator

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ITI Bloggers March 3rd, 2008

Welcome to Information Today’s blog for the 2008 Computers in Libraries (CIL) conference!

If you would like to be included on the list of other bloggers, please send me an e-mail with the name of your blog, and its URL.  Not only will you gain increased visibility for your blog, but you will get a bright green Blogger ribbon

in your badge envelope, and you will have access to the Press Room and its Internet connections for composing and sending your postings.  (The CIL wiki also has a list of bloggers, so add your name to that list, too.)

The tag for all blog posts and Flickr photos will be CIL2008.

Be sure to check back here frequently as the conference approaches for further information.

I look forward to meeting many of you in Arlington.

Best wishes,

Don Hawkins
Columnist, Information Today, and CIL Blog Coordinator

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ITI Bloggers April 19th, 2007

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ITI Bloggers April 19th, 2007

Libraries have entered the virtual world of Second Life (SL)!  The Alliance Library System (ALS) in Illinois and the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) in North Carolina have established a library on the "Alliance Info Archipelago" in the adult area of SL and the "Eye4You Alliance Island" in the teen’s area.  They have been extremely successful, the Info Archipelago receives about 5,000 visitors a day, and Eye4You receives between 2,000 and 3,000 daily visitors.   Services provided include reference, programs, exhibits, collections (web resources, EBs, audio books), book and genre discussions, and training.

One of the questions that the ALS and PLCMC developers had was whether the SL avatars would want or need library services.  The answer was a resounding YES.  Over 400 librarians from around the world are therefore volunteering their services and bringing their expertise to the Info Archipelago.  They see the following advantages:

• SL is a new professional frontier and it’s where many users and non-users are.
• Attract new users to the traditional library through referral.
• They can investigate library services in virtual worlds and provide services 24/7.
• SL is an opportunity to meet and work w/librarians worldwide.
• They can learn and use the 3D web, emerging web interaction interface.

Surprisingly, even in SL, one of the more frequent requests is for books.

A major challenge in SL is that it is highly addictive and time-intensive, so the rate of burnout for the volunteers is high.  Another challenge is that colleagues or managers of the volunteers may be skeptical that they are actually working in SL.  Other lessons learned include:

• Virtual world residents DO want a library—they are coming in droves!
• Collaboration is very important
• The exhibits are very popular and the events draw crowds.
• SL is fun and is a catalyst for amazing growth.  The speed at which it is growing is unbelieveable.

As a result of their involvement with SL, ALS and PLCMC have received huge national and international attention and have become recognized as key innovators and leaders in the library community.

For further information, see the following two blogs:  www.infoisland.org, and eye4youalliance.youthtech.info.

Don Hawkins
Columnist, Information Today and CIL 2007 Blog Coordinator

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ITI Bloggers April 19th, 2007

What a buzz this week at the Crystal City Hyatt for the Computers in Libraries 2007 conference and exhibition!  Check the bloggers coverage (here’s an interesting feed of blog posts about CIL on PageFlakes).  Things are winding down today with a number of post-conference workshops.

Many people were overwhelmed by the facilities this year — yes, there definitely were issues here at the Hyatt.  Last year I posted the reason we were coming to the Hyatt  and yes, we are committed to a second year at the Hyatt – CIL 2008 April 7-9, Crystal City Hyatt.  We have many ideas of how to improve the experience for our conference attendees.  BTW the final attendance this year was 2612.

Bottom line, most people really enjoyed their experience here at CIL 2007 and are energized and excited about the future.  That’s what we value and work towards.  It is wonderful to hear from you and to start reading the feedback forms; thank you all for your comments and suggestions.  Thank you all for coming and we hope to see you next year.  Watch for the call for speakers for CIL 2008 in July of this year. 
Jane Dysart, CIL 2007 Conference Program Chair

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