Finding creative ways to promote the special library seems to be getting easier with new bargain online tech tools. One of my favorites is making tag clouds.

Two free tools for generating tag clouds that you can use for promotion are: Wordle and Tagxedo.  I’m sure there are other great generators available for marketing purposes (as opposed to navigational purposes), so please leave comments here about the ones you recommend.

Wordle is fun to play with for beginners because it is easy to just insert the text of any article related to your company or library, and create the tag cloud. These step-by-step instructions for formatting and manipulating your image can help you get started quickly.

Tagxedo “turns words — famous speeches, news articles, slogans and themes, even your love letters — into a visually stunning word cloud, words individually sized appropriately to highlight the frequencies of occurrence within the body of text.” [taken from Tagxedo's website] There are beautiful examples on their Facebook page to get your creative juices flowing and an instructive piece on “101 Ways to Use Tagxedo” on their blog.

Have fun with your marketing in 2013!

Mary Odom
KWM Blog Editor

P.S. Make sure to participate in the today’s poll.

Hiking in the Berkshires. "Look Ma, no tech!"

It seems to me this would be a good time to bring up vacation plans. It is that time of the year where you are or will be on a  family vacation and getting away from work for a few days or a week. May I suggest you do it, unplugged?

That is, do not take your computer on your vacation with you. If at all possible, keep your contact with your cell phone to a minimum. I know that a lot of smart phones double as your camera, and your means of an emergency phone, it may include access to data such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Fine, use the phone as needed and the camera, but resist that “need” to check your twitter or FB account. Spend some real “face” time with your family, your friends, with nature or where ever the road takes you.

I took some time off and traveled to the Bershires (Western MA) in May with a friend. I did not bring the computer, and the first advantage was I didn’t have to schlep that extra weight around, nor unpack it for security at the airport, nor try to find space for it on the plane. If I truly needed computer access for anything, the resort we stayed at had the old business center, but I didn’t need it. I did bring the phone, but it stayed in my backpack or my purse. Last year my phone was our alarm clock when I took a vacation with my sister who was an instructor at Philmont Scout Ranch and needed a wake up call  for breakfast before her class. I went to breakfast with her, but afterwards I was doing other activities during the day and meeting up with her in the evening.

And you know what? I didn’t miss them. I went hiking, saw museums, ate at interesting restaurants, tried some local wine, met some locals and had interesting conversations with them, and most of all enjoyed time with my friend. I sat out on our balcony with a cup of coffee in the early morning and looked at mountains and smelled the fresh air. I am already relaxed just thinking about those mornings.

Those of you that have access to my FB page will know when I am on vacation for I will post : “I will be on vacation for the next week. Just assume I am having a good time.”  Take my advice; go on your vacation, unplugged.

Meanwhile, it’s back to work until my next vacation!

Your Traveling Librarian, Carol

Sixteen information professionals gathered for the presentation on E-Readers by the South Central Kansas Library System. The speakers, Tram Nguyen, Scott Lee, and Tom Taylor covered 4 types of devices: Kindle, Nook, Sony E-Reader, and Kobo. More photos of the event are available in our Flickr feed in the right hand column.

For information on using these 4 devices in libraries including comparisons of each device’s advantages & disadvantages, sample policies, free sources of content, and paid sources of content go to the SCKLS E-Content Resource Page.

Also, make sure to take the poll on our blog “Has your library offered e-books yet?” so we can see the trends in the Kansas/Western Missouri special libraries.

Special thanks to Mallory Owens and the Program Committee members for hosting this outstanding educational event!

Libraries of all types are having trouble getting e-books from the largest publishers. There is a way you can help. Visit the website ebooksforlibraries.com and watch the short video. And the most important step – fill out the petition on their website today!

The signatures will be sent to major publishers when we have 10,000 reader names. We’re almost halfway there. You can share this post on Facebook or embed it on your blog/website too which will help us reach more people.

Thank you!

Mary Odom
Past President

I decided to take a break from the job related discussion on my blog. It is sort of fitting. I have wanted to discuss this on my blog since I purchased a kindle late last year. I was planning to post this earlier, but as it turns out, this will be a great tie-in to our KWM e-readers program at the end of the month. So there is a shameless plug for our program is at the bottom of my post.

What got me interested in e-readers.
My adventures with e-readers started with a few of influencing factors:
1) EBSCO introducing e-books on the EBSCOHOST platform last year. I was getting more questions about e-books from our clients and I became more curious about trying out e-books because of those discussions;
2) I also had read a review of the new Kindle Fire and Nook Color in the Wall Street Journal, which added to my curiosity; (See: “Kindle Fire, a grown-up e-reader with tablet spark.” by Walt Mossberg. Wall Street Journal, November 16, 2011 and, finally
3) I just started a Staples reward card after my purchase of a box of paper and ink jet toner. When I purchased those two big items, I received $30and a $20 coupon to spend at Staples good until December 31st. They did have in “tiny” print that some items may not apply for the coupon, so I called to see if I could use the coupons for an e-reader. I was told yes they could, so it was pretty much a done deal that I would be buying one. It was just a question of what kind?

Doing my homework
To be honest, I was thinking of purchasing a low end Kindle and not the Fire. The Fire sort of had mix reviews, it was suggested that if you really wanted an Ipad, to spend the money and buy an Ipad. The Fire wasn’t bad, but to be honest, I just wanted something for reading and I still didn’t want to spend $200+ for ‘just reading’. Of course the advantage of being a librarian is that I could do a search for e-reader reviews. I came across this article from CNET that was perfect. “Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad: Which e-reader should you buy?” By John P Falcone, CNET. com. What made this article perfect was the focus on what YOU want in the product, and then he makes the recommendations. The article asks if you are just interested in doing reading or other things (e-reader vs. tablet), what about weight and/or size of screen? How about e-ink vs. LCD? Or do you need an always on (3G or 4G) or Wi-Fi?

Based on answering the questions from the article, I realized my gut instinct for lower end Kindle was spot on. I was really only interested in having this as a book to read when I am on the road. (And no, I don’t mean while I am driving; that is what audio books are for!). I ended up with the $99 model minus $30 and the Wi-Fi with ads. I didn’t think I would need the wireless on all the time,  only when I wanted to “retrieve a book.” I was a bit concerned about ones with ads, for I hate intrusive advertising. But I found that the ads are on the screen saver, they do not pop-up in the middle of my reading. Plus I have actually taken advantage of some free books or .99 cent books that I would not have been aware of otherwise. Also I opted for Kindle over a Nook, only because it looked like I had more book options with Amazon.

My experiences: The good, the bad & ugly
I only had a minor glitch getting my Kindle set up. It would not connect to my wireless at home. But before I took it back to the store and claimed defective product, I tried it in another location with free Wi-Fi. I was able to download my first book from the public library which seemed somewhat appropriate. I did end up having to call Kindle help line to find out what the problem was. After a few tries of trying to get it to access my security code to use my wireless, we did the “turn the book off and reboot.” Yes, that technique still works on any computerized device, including e-books. I haven’t had a problem since.

I have to admit the download from a book purchased from Amazon is pretty slick. I was generally pleased by that part of the Kindle. I decided to try ordering books from my public library which I could do at KCMO public library. However every book I was interested in that there was Kindle version available had a waiting list. If I wanted the book in print, there were multiple copies at the branch of my choice. The Kindle books apparently could only be loaned one book at a time. The irony was not lost on me, and I found it sort of funny. However because I wanted to see how that process worked, I went ahead and put a couple of books on hold. My only complaint has more to do with the library web site in finding e-books. Apparently Overdrive is in a separate area and not in the same catalog as the rest of the materials. It is not very intuitive and I had to hunt around to find the Overdrive link on the web page. But once the book is on hold, you do get an email notice when the book is available with a grace period (five days) to download it. Also their loan period I think is generous, allowing the user three weeks to finish the book. Well unless you are a very slow reader, I think it is generous.

I have to admit, I have enjoyed reading on the Kindle. The e-ink is easy on the eyes and it is light and thin which makes it idea for travel, I am not loaded down and it fits easily in my purse, back pack or computer case. Probably my biggest disappointment is I cannot “share” a book as easily as print. I had read in the reviews you can share, what they did not say is that the majority of the books cannot be shared and I find that frustrating. If I purchase a print book, I can loan that to my friends, but with a Kindle, if another friend has a Kindle, the odds are I will not be able to “share.”

So there you have it, my experience in “e.” I encourage you to come to the lunch/educational program on May 31st. You will get a chance to see and touch various e-readers and tablets. Find out for yourselves what will work well and what formats are right for your users at your library. Details are below:

Meanwhile it is time to get back on the road…

Your Traveling Librarian, Carol Doms

Are You Ready For the E-Revolution?
Join us for the upcoming educational event:

How eReaders & Tablets are Impacting Library Services

This is a catered brown bag luncheon where Tram Nguyen, Lee Scott, and Tom Taylor of the South Central Kansas Library System (SCKLS) will provide an introduction to the most popular electronic readers, address library applications for such eReaders and demonstrate several of these tools in a 60 to 90 minute session with possible hands-on time.
WHEN: On Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 11:30am

WHERE: At the Johnson County Public Library, Central Resource Library Conference Room – 9875 W 87th St. Overland Park, KS 66212

COST: $12 for SLA-KWM members, $15 for non-members (payment must be received prior to event by check or through PayPal)

RSVP: To Mallory Owens at mallory.owens4@gmail.com with your name and preferred email, as well as method of payment requested (Mallory will contact you with information on how to provide that payment) and lunch choice preferred – Turkey, Ham, or Vegetarian Sandwich or Caesar, Greek or Classic Salad – all meals come with chips and a cookie

Please pass this invitation along to colleagues, other relevant listserves, and all other parties you think may be interested!

Although there are ways to configure Google search to avoid the “filter bubble” (see previous posts), there are also alternative search engines that do not track your search history nor personalize your results accordingly. In a recent Google Search Survey,  45% of respondents said that they think results should not be personalized. In a separate Google Privacy Survey, 57% of respondents said that Google’s practice of collecting and keeping data from users is a violation of privacy. I agree with the majority of users that research results should be pure, meaning the same results for everyone, but unfortunately that’s not the direction that Google is headed. Be sure to read Google’s new Privacy Policy that goes into effect on March 1, 2012.

DuckDuckGo is a search engine that takes pride in their Privacy Policy. It is a metasearch engine that was recognized by PC Magazine in their Top 100 Websites of 2011 for those who “like their privacy.” DuckDuckGo touts “way less spam and real privacy” as their claim to fame. They don’t track search history or collect any personal data. By following this basic principle, there is no chance of personal information being sold, shared, hacked, or otherwise obtained by third parties. There is also no danger of entering the filter bubble.

In my own user experiments with DDG, I found it refreshing to have only one advertisement and nothing else cluttering the screen. My results had some overlap with Google’s results, but lacked video and image results. Give it a try yourself and let me know about your experience. If you’ve tried other search engines that are anonymous, share them here as well for the rest of us to try.

Mary Odom

If you’re like me, one of the things that drew you to librarianship (and to the Internet) was the constant access to information. The constant impetus and opportunity to learn. Often, I don’t even care what I learn – hence the wild variety of books on my personal shelves, from earthworm farms to mythology, cookbooks, origami, quantum physics and all those dictionaries. (Yes, that list is for real). But I admit, I get extra excited when I can learn anything about libraries.

That’s one reason I really like the 23 Things program I recently stumbled across online. It’s a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunity created for librarians, by librarians. It seeks to familiarize us with the wide world of Web 2.0, while sneaking in networking and professional involvement along the way! And, it’s entirely free.

The Things are both informative and interactive.  For example, Thing 1 starts off with an introduction to blogs and encourages you to start your own.  Thing 2 runs you through finding, reading, and subscribing to other people’s blogs.  Thing 3 discusses personal branding, and offers some exercises and ideas to get you started.  Things 6 and 7 explore networks, online and in person.  A few of the Things direct you towards specific sites or tools.  Some of them work you through more general sorts of solutions.

Some of the Things, I am already familiar with, and you will be, too.  Some of them, I have heard of but never used. Many  of them, I could use an excuse to do more with.

The best place to participate is through Cambridge University’s CPD23 blog. They started a-Thing-a-week in June, and are currently on Thing 9. 23 Things is primarily self-directed, though, so you might want to start here, at Thing 1. An introduction and outline of all the Things can be found here.

23 Things has been both popular and useful for a couple of years now. It originated in 2006 at the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (PLCMC), in Charlotte, NC. Helene Bowers dreamed it up as a way to familiarize a large, change-resistant staff with new technologies. Here is the original PLCMC site. Bowers explains her idea and offers suggestions for creating a successful 23 Things program in this 2008 School Library Journal article.

Also in 2008, in Seattle, everyone’s favorite library association, the SLA, offered their own version of 23 Things. They revisited it again last year, updating their 23 Things wiki and reinvigorating our interest. And, as they say, it’s never too late to participate!

Is it time for you to jump on the 23 Things bandwagon? If so, let us know!

Post by Julie Timmins, MLS. Part-time medical, part-time public, but all-the-time Information Professional.

Remember when you read 1984 in high school?  You were outraged that freedom of information could be so curtailed.  You knew in your heart that you would stand against Big Brother if it ever came to that, and you swore that you would doggedly protect intellectual freedom so that it never would.  You became a librarian.  An Information Professional.

And you’ve done a fine job protecting our rights and freedoms from a government that might restrict them for our own good.

In the mean time, though, private companies have silently stepped into the role.  Two giants, Facebook and Google, now offer Personalized Results.  You may have noticed, Facebook has filtered the information you see in your newsfeed.  They do this so that we won’t be overwhelmed by too much information, so that we can focus on the people who matter most and tune out the rest.  However, a growing percentage of people (a recently estimated 35% of people in their 20s) get their news information primarily from this social site, and that information is filtered as well.

Even more significant, Google quietly announced in late 2009 that they would be rolling out Personalized Search for all users.  This means that your Google search results are now tailored to you, based on IP address locations, previous searches, and the results you chose from those searches.  Consider the example of three people searching the same phrase, "Joplin tornado."  One is an environmentalist, another an investment banker, the third a medical librarian (like me!).  With Personalized Search, each would get different results.  The environmentalist could read about the environmental impact of natural disasters and green rebuilding.  The banker would get results geared toward the economic repercussions of the storm and the estimated costs of rebuilding.  The medical librarian would get results about casualties. The first two examples are supposition, but this last is true.  I was surprised to see such gruesome results, especially when I compared my medical-librarian-Personalized-Results with an un-filtered search that retrieved general news, updates from the Red Cross, and even a pet rescue site.  I could have used some of that information.

On one hand, Personalized Results can be very useful.  If you are a car enthusiast who searches for Jaguar, you won’t have to sift through results about wildlife. 

However, and here’s where the fear comes in, you may gradually lose touch with opposing view points.  As Google targets your search history and builds a profile of your beliefs, you will see fewer and fewer opinions in your Google results list that vary from your own.  And, as in the Joplin example, we don’t know what we are missing until we look at it from another perspective.  This personalized Google feature can be worked around (add the string “&pws=0” to the end of your search query), but you have to know about it to be able to change it. 

What is the significance of this for special librarians?  In the hands of a professional, Personalized Search could save time, if we are able to use it to work for us, rather than against us.  If I Google a word I am unfamiliar with, it would be nice if the results included medical dictionaries and definitions. 

But I abhor the idea of my searches being filtered, even through my own perspective.  As a librarian, I know the value of balanced information.  If I am doing research about a new procedure, I cannot miss out on information just because Google’s algorithms don’t think I would be interested.  I cannot avoid a second or third view point, especially if it’s a dissenting view.  The times when I turn to Google, when I need a general starting point for an unfamiliar topic or if my databases have yet to index something really new, are the times when I most need an un-limited breadth of information.

This Personalization phenomenon is still relatively new.  But it’s also still prevalently silent and unknown, and it is affecting our (and our patron’s) information consumption more than we may know.  What will we do about it?  And how will we let it affect our Information Profession?

By Julie Timmins, MLS

For more about this topic, checkout:

Filter bubble, by Eli Pariser (2011)

The Googlization of everything: (and why we should worry), by Siva Vaidhyanathan (2011)

Republic.com and Republic.com 2.0, by Cass Sunstein (2002 and 2009)

The Control Revolution: how the Internet is putting individuals in charge and changing the world we know by Andrew Shapiro (2000)

The Information: a history, a theory, a flood, by James Gleick (2011)

Google News, News For You! and more on personalized, socially shared news

Pros and Cons of Personalized Search

And for a wholly dissenting opinion, see The Technology Liberation Front

More on how to un-personalize your search, including how to trick your location