Last year, I blogged a talk that University of Michigan's John Wilkin gave to our staff during our annual staff training day. I found the talk to be very interesting as he covered the Google digitization process from the University's perspective. His thoughts are particularly useful because he's not a Google employee so he's not spouting the company line, yet he is, in every way, an insider to the entire digitization program.

At any rate, he's speaking again tonight at AADL. If you're in the area and have the evening free, I'd highly recommend his talk. From the AADL website:

What does the UM/Google partnership to digitize the UM Library mean; what significance will this have for libraries, researchers and the public; and why is this so controversial? Through this project, UM hopes to guide more users: to their local libraries; to digital archives of some of the world's greatest research institutions; and to out-of-print books they might not be able to find anywhere else--all while carefully respecting authors' and publishers' copyrights. This event is the Library Director's program for 2006.

Each year, AADL Director Josie Parker chooses a current topic of community, state or national concern to highlight at a special program during this national week of celebrating libraries.

His talk will be at the Downtown branch in the Multi-Purpose Room. Regretfully, I'll be missing it due to prior commitments.

[tags] Google, Wilkin, Books, OCR, Ann Arbor, AADL [/tags]

In the spirit of getting the ball rolling on some Library Camp session ideas, I'd like to toss out some topics that interest me. Being that the April 14th unconference follows open spaces guidelines, I'm not expecting to get to all, or even most of these topics, but the point is to start thinking about these things beforehand.

I've never attended a real open spaces event, so this is going to be a completely new experience for me (I've been saying that about a lot of things lately). I'm confident, however, that the format will be conducive to discussion and I'm expecting that we'll not only learn a lot but accomplish a fair bit as well. A number of great people are planning on attending--be sure to add your name if you plan to come. I believe that space constraints are capping registration at 40.

Some of my topics may overlap what Eli's already tossed out, but that's the idea--to find the overlapping topics and go from there.

I'd like to spend some time looking at Library 2.0. I'm wondering if the term itself is becoming a liability. My concern is that there is so much contention associated with it now that the great intellectual discussion it's intended to represent is being neglected.

I want to talk about ways that techies and non-techies can better communicate. I think there will be a good representation from both camps, if you will, that a candid dialogue could ensue.

I'd like to spend some time talking shop with other techies. Specifically, I'd like to get together with some other III users and see where that goes. I'd also like to cover/learn more about some of the stuff discussed at code4lib. XML/XSLT hacking would be fun too.

I want to talk about OPACs. Specifically, I want to talk about adding social software to the OPAC. I'd like to share some of the work I've been doing in this direction and invite others to do the same. I'd also like to gather ideas on getting buy-in for this sort of thing.

A general talk about trends in library websites. I'd really like to hear from the academic sector on this because the public library perspective can be very different and sometimes the academic library voices don't come through as well as I'd like. I'd like to find out where the similarities end and differences begin.

Because this is not an "in-industry" event, I'd like to talk with library users and get their opinions and perspective on many of the ideas behind Library 2.0.

I'd like to spend some time checking out all the neat gadgets people will be coming with--so bring your cool stuff!

I, too, would like to talk about IM virtual reference. AADL doesn't do it and I really think we should. I'd like to hear from others who may have successfully pulled it off. I'd like to talk about some other alternatives as well, such as web-based IRC clients/bots/etc.

I'd like to talk about networking in libraries. Perhaps cover different Wi-Fi solutions. I have some ideas on using bittorrent as a content delivery system for patrons I'd like to vet. General chat about networking/server infrastructure would be fun.

I think some discussion should go into whether an information clearinghouse should exist for L2 ideas and resources. The Library 2.0 wiki, perhaps? Maybe we can get a start on filling in some information.

I have a feeling I'll be updating this page post, but this is a start. I'll be cross posting this list to the possible session page on the Library 2.0 wiki. Be sure to add yours there as well. Even if you're not going, if you think of a topic, add it because there will be a number of bloggers present who will be interpreting events. Who knows, your topic might get discussed.

[tags] AADL, Library Camp, L2, Library 2.0, Library, Geek, Unconference, Open Spaces, Ann Arbor, AADL[/tags]

Mark April 14th on your calendars. Superpatron Ed Vielmetti has been quietly assembling a fantastic group of people to attend the first ever Library Camp--an "unconference" which follows open-space guidelines. There is no registration as it operates on the premise that whomever shows up belongs there (though an optional wiki sign-up gives us a good idea of how many/who is coming).

The 2006 Library Camp will be held here at the Ann Arbor District Library. Programs and discussions will continue throughout that day and may spill out into the stacks, computing centers and wherever else the participants deem a good meeting place. Of course, all your geek amenities will be provided.

Be sure to visit the wiki or tune into Ed's blog for more information.

[tags]L2, Mash-ups, AADL, Superpatron, Unconference, Library, Librarians, Geeks, Library Camp[/tags]

Through ALA's Adopt a Gulf Coast Library, Ann Arbor District Library has joined with Jefferson Parish Public Library to help raise funds for the rebuilding of their Belle Terre branch.

This press release was sent out today:

The Ann Arbor District Library, through the American Library Association’s Adopt a Gulf Coast Library Program, has been matched with a public library in Louisiana, with the purpose of providing assistance to a branch library severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Funds raised by AADL will go directly to the Jefferson Parish Library to help rebuild the severely damaged Belle Terre Branch.

Individuals who wish to donate may do so at any circulation desk in the Ann Arbor District Library system. Checks should be made out to the Friends of Jefferson Parish Public Library with ‘Belle Terre’ noted in the memo. AADL will forward the funds directly to this Louisiana Library which is so much in need. If individuals prefer, they may also mail checks directly to:

Friends of Jefferson Parish Public Library
P.O. Box 9391
Metairie, LA 70055

The Belle Terre Branch of the Jefferson Parish Library system closed after Hurricane Katrina ripped two large holes in the roof of the building. Before the damage could be repaired, Hurricane Rita occurred, dumping more rain into these gaping holes. The entire collection, as well as all computers, furniture, shelving, and content, was lost.

All sixteen locations of the Jefferson Parish Library system, which borders New Orleans on both sides of the river, suffered immense damage from Hurricane Katrina and the further ravages of Hurricane Rita’s winds. Nearly a quarter million items from the Library system’s collection have been lost.

Eager to offer assistance, the Ann Arbor District Library joined the American Library Association’s ‘Adopt a Library Program, which provides an opportunity for libraries of all types in the US to provide assistance to these libraries in need.

This is an excellent opportunity for the Ann Arbor Community to directly assist in rebuilding a library that is still suffering from this natural catastrophe.

The Downtown Library is located at 343 South Fifth Avenue in Ann Arbor. For more information, call the Library at 327-4560.

Superpatron strikes again!

Check out Ed's screenshot of his IM bot that performs searches against the AADL catalog.

From the comments:

Another evening's work produced this working (but buggy!) Google Talk robot that looks things up in the Ann Arbor District Library catalog.

Feel free to add superpatronbot@gmail.com to your IM list, but there is no guarantee this or any other service will be on it - it runs on my laptop right now.