A CD-ROM is available for purchase through The Digital Record (www.digitalrecord.org).
The CD-ROM features audio and supplemental materials (such as PowerPoint slides) for many of the sessions at Computers in Libraries.
Orders are shipped approximately 6 weeks after the event.
MODERATOR:
Mary Ellen Bates, Principal, Bates Information Services FACULTY:
Gary Price, Director, Online Resources, Ask.com & Publisher, ResourceShelf.com Mary Ellen Bates, Author, Super Searchers Cover the World & Super
Searchers Do Business Marcy Phelps, Phelps Research
Want to sharpen your skills? Learn from the experts? Join search veterans,
speakers, authors, and columnists from Searcher, ONLINE, and EContent
magazines and the “Super Searcher” series of books to learn the latest
strategies and techniques for searching online. This fast-paced, day-long
event introduces you to the experts who share their searching secrets and
expertise as they focus on the most current practices in the field of Web
research. There’s always something new to be learned from these leadingedge
panelists. Participants should have basic experience with Web searching,
but even searchers with extensive Internet background will find tips to
polish and advance their skills and will certainly come away with new
resources and tools. Academy topics will include:
Search Engine Review: Look at key features of general-purpose and
highly specialized search engines, specialized directories, and guides.
Searching the NEW Web: Learn about what’s new in searching podcasts,
tracking memes, social bookmarking services, and other portions of the
“new Web.”
Tips for Using the Top Search Engines: Get an in-depth review of the hidden
and undocumented features of Google and Yahoo!.
Cool Tools & Techniques: Learn about new resources and tools for
searching more effectively.
Workshop 2 — Web Managers Academy:
Survival Guide for Library Web Site Redesigns 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. [FULL DAY]
Darlene Fichter, Head, Indigenous Studies Portal, University of Saskatchewan Frank Cervone, Assistant University Librarian for Information Technology,
Northwestern University Jeff Wisniewski, Web Services Librarian, University of Pittsburgh Marshall Breeding, Director, Innovative Technologies and Research,
Vanderbilt University
Does your library Web site need a redesign? What are the signs? Where
do you start? One place to begin is by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses
of your current site. Learn how to use Web site analytic tools to discover
how the current site is used. Pick up new usability methods that can
help you test proposed revisions early so that the new design doesn’t just
“look” better, but also “works better” for the users. See how other libraries
are using content management systems, database-driven content, federated
search, and OpenURL resolvers to provide customized and personalized
content for users. Explore how social software applications including
blogs, wikis, tagging and RSS fit in the mix. Pack your toolbox and take
home tips, tools, checklists, and new design techniques that you can immediately
put to use. Learn about common pitfalls and success factors for
library redesigns. Topics will include:
Redesign process
Practical project management
Web content management systems
Usability and ethnographic methods: affinity mapping, photo reports,
and map diaries
Mary Auckland, O.B.E., Consultant, & former Director, Library and
Learning Resources, University of the Arts, London, UK
This half-day workshop explores the elements of successful project management
and how projects might best be planned, implemented, and monitored.
Aimed at anyone responsible for managing a project within their
library or information organization, this interactive workshop encourages
participants to share their own experiences and knowledge. It discusses
key factors related to successful project management, methodologies and tools, proven techniques and tips for managing projects, and examples
and case studies.
Workshop 4 — Social Tools for Your Library 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Aaron Schmidt, Director, North Plains Public Library & Publisher, walkingpaper.org
Socialize your library with the latest social software—instant messaging,
Weblogs, wikis, social browsers, Flickr, del.icio.us, and more. Use these new
technologies to create and cement your online presence within your community
whether you are part of a public, academic, special, or school library.
Filled with practical examples of libraries utilizing these techniques, this
workshop provides lots of easy-to-implement ideas for your environment.
Workshop 5 — Simple Solutions for Dynamic Web Services Using RSS 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Amanda Etches-Johnson, Reference Librarian, McMaster University
Content syndication through RSS provides excellent potential for turning
your static library home page into a dynamic resource for your users! This
workshop provides tips, tricks, and tools for using RSS to deliver targeted
content and Web services through simple syndication tools, OPML, and
other powerful (but easy-to-use) RSS applications. Participants have the
opportunity to discuss the potential applications of RSS tools within their
own library settings and walk away with concrete techniques and strategies
for implementing these tools to build dynamic Web services at their
libraries.
Meredith Farkas, Distance Learning Librarian, Norwich University
Wikis allow for unprecedented collaboration and knowledge-sharing and
have the potential to fill many needs within the library and information professions.
This half-day workshop by an expert wiki creator discusses the
basics of wikis—what they are, how they can be used, and how to successfully
implement one at your library. It covers wiki concepts and uses
many real-world applications to illustrate the power and ease-of-use of wikis.
Learn about the many ways wikis can be used in libraries and the information
industry. Gather lots of ideas and links to free resources for creating
your own wikis as well as tips for making them uccessful in your environment.
Workshop 7 — Web 2.0: A Users’ Guide 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ran Hock, Online Strategies, & Author, The Extreme Searcher’s Internet
Handbook
It is time to separate out the hype regarding “Web 2.0” and get down to
“What is it really?” and “What can it do for me?” After a brief look at the
technical side, including the terminology, etc., this workshop focuses on
what Web 2.0 is really about—the user—and looks at the central facets of
Web 2.0, including participation, publication, social software, sharing, “the
Web as platform,” and more. It is filled with examples of Web 2.0 in action,
including some things you may already be using but just don’t realize it,
plus things you should be planning to use, as well as a look at where Web
2.0 is headed.
Workshop 8 — Organization Charts & Structures for the 2.0 World 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Rebecca Jones, Dysart & Jones Associates
Traditional organizational hierarchies of “top down” or silo functions no longer
work when we’re working with social software; are under pressure to create
or change services at the speed of light; or are working closely with people
in different departments, time zones, or countries. Teamwork and “working
virtually” sound terrific, but the road to implementing them can be rocky.
Structuring today’s organizations isn’t easy, and neither is the change that
goes along with it — especially when it means giving up jobs, titles, offices,
and departments that we’re used to. This workshop leads you through types
of organizational structures to consider, how to choose one most suitable
for your situation, and ways to keep smiling and sane while you introduce
changes to your organization’s—and your own—working structures.
Workshop 9 — Tips & Strategies for Launching
an IM Reference Service 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Amanda Etches-Johnson, Reference Librarian, McMaster University
IM the library! If your users are on instant messaging (IM), your library
should be too! This workshop explores the potential for using instant messaging
to communicate with users and provides participants with a road
map for planning and launching an IM service at their library. Using case
studies and real-world examples, the workshop covers a range of considerations,
from planning and staffing to technological considerations and
best practices, for running an IM reference service at your library.
Workshop 10 — Integrating RSS into Your Web Site 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Michael Sauers, Technology Innovation Librarian, Nebraska Library
Commission
RSS feeds are an excellent way to receive information from the Internet.
What many people don’t know is that you can receive that information and easily repurpose and republish it on your Web site with little technical knowhow.
Imagine automatically posting up-to-date local or industry headlines
on your library’s home page. This is what you can do in just a few simple
steps. Our expert Internet trainer shows you how. This workshop also covers
additional RSS tools and services, including one that will create feeds
from content without its own feed and another that will turn your text-based
content into a podcast automatically.
Roy Tennant, User Service Architect, California Digital Library
To be effective libraries must adopt new technologies ever faster. But
libraries are often bureaucratic, slow-moving organizations that require staff
who are knowledgeable and effective change agents. How can you be such
a person? What skills, strategies, and methods can you acquire and employ
to help your organization move ahead quickly and effectively? What are
the pitfalls and barriers you can avoid or overcome? Learn what it takes to
be an effective advocate for change in your organization with practical tips
and guidance from a battle-hardened technology warrior. Tennant covers
planning strategies, sources for keeping up with technology, coping mechanisms
and more.
Jenny Levine, Internet Development Specialist & Strategy Guide,
American Library Association, & Publisher, TheShiftedLibrarian.com Aaron Schmidt, Director, North Plains Public Library, & Publisher,
Walkingpaper.org
If you don't know MMORPGs from DDR, this workshop is for you. It
addresses two related aspects of gaming in libraries: hosting gaming
events and gamings’ impact on learning. Learn how gaming can make your
library more fun and how you can use gaming to participate in this developing
form of literacy. Workshop attendees will also have the opportunity
to play some games, increasing their understanding of gaming’s appeal
and possible applications in their environment.
Exhibitor Survey 
