Shelf reading made easy

Augumented Reality App for Shelf Reading

Another bit of technology for libraryland?  The AR shelf reading app can scan an entire shelf of books at one time and alert workers which ones are out of place.
This reminds of the days when we had to attach barcode labels to each book in the library collection when we became "automated."  With the Shelvar system, one would need to add a special tag (sort of like a QR code) to the spine of each book.  The QR-type tag represents the call number of the book.
This is a great way to check shelves and do inventory, but what happens with thin books?  Where do you put the tag?  Will the reader read around the spine edges?
I've never used RFID, but isn't this similar?

Perceptions of Libraries, 2010

The recent Perceptions of Libraries, 2010 study found really interesting results:

"College students use and value libraries.  Nearly three-fourths of college students have a library card.  College students who have been assisted by a librarian are overwhelmingly (90%) satisfied with their experiences with librarians, and eight out of ten agree that librarians add value to their search process."
Teens are using "Social networking, mobile technologies, Wikipedia and ask-an-expert services. Teens lead all age groups in the use of ask-an-expert sites (62%) and Wikipedia (88%). They are the heaviest texters of any age group, a substitute for IM, which declined significantly from 2005."
"Young Americans hold library cards: 75% of teens and 68% of young adults. Two-thirds of young Americans consider themselves readers. Their top piece of advice for libraries: add or update the content."


The above is just a smattering of findings of this report.  Various ages are covered:  college students, teens and young adults, Generation X, boomers and seniors.
Fascinating reading for all concerned and connected to libraries.

Joseph Finder book trailer: Buried Secrets

Oh, my, this one looks good!!  Buried Secrets coming out in June.

Books Best Read When a Teenager

"From Stephen King to George Eliot, the author of The Knife of Never Letting Go recommends books that are best read when people tell you you're too young for them....

"... 'there's more to adult books than adult material. There are a number of books that are actually rather better if read when you're a teen, some because they're entertaining contraband, some because it can never be too early to read something so wonderful, and some because, if you wait, you might have missed your chance forever.'"

Word Clouds

Do you use word clouds?  Here is a recent blog entry with Five Ways To Make Word Clouds From Text .

I've used Tagexdo and Wordle, but not the other three.  Word clouds have definitely added a little something extra to my newsletters and displays.  

A few cookbook reviews

You may remember several months back when I mentioned I had joined NetGalley.   Since then I have been able to review several cookbooks -- some okay and others just great.  I'm not a gourmet chef and evidently prefer the simple life.  Though some of the recipes looked really good, the preparation and needed time were just too much for me.  But I'm sure others will love these books.  Sorry, the pictures did not load.

		Cucina Povera By: Pamela Sheldon Johns Publisher Name: Andrews McMeel Publishing Imprint

Beautiful stories of the people, history, background of Tuscany and Tuscan foods and cooking.  I'm not sure I would make any of these recipes -- guess I'm too accustomed to American food, but I loved looking at the book.

Fine Cooking Appetizers By: Editors of Fine Cooking Magazine Publisher Name: The Taunton Press

This is a great collection of appetizers if you are looking for something different.  The pictures are beautiful and the directions plentiful.  If you want recipes for nut appetizers, this book offers several -- really caught my eye for some reason.   The recipes range from simple to a little more involved, many with normal pantry ingredients and other calling for items I would need to purchase just for one recipe.  The last chapter, Sips and Sweets, was my favorite. 

Perfect One-Dish Dinners By: Pam Anderson Publisher Name: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Imprint

The recipes in Perfect One-Dish Dinners look great in the pictures and the recipes appear to be enticing and easy to make.  The ingredients are common pantry items which is great so special grocery lists and trips aren't required.  This cookbook will go on list of books to purchase.

  

Quick-Fix Southern By: Rebecca Lang Publisher Name: Andrews McMeel Publishing Imprint

Quite an interesting collection of recipes.  It brings to mind my 3-ring binder, loose newspaper clippings and 3x5 cards of my favorite and my family's favorite recipes.    The variety is great - not only in selection but also in the number of recipes for over four people.  I like the book and will add it to my list of books to purchase.

Heartland By: Judith Fertig Publisher Name: Andrews McMeel Publishing Imprint

An interesting collection of recipes.  Being raised in Wisconsin, I was expecting to recognize more of the recipes, but only a few rang a bell.  That's not to say the collection is not good.  I think I was expecting more common recipes and meals and not so obscure.

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Cookbook:  Desserts

Publisher:		Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Pub Date:		07/01/2011

  

I am looking forward to July.  By far, Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbooks:  Desserts, is a favorite.  Many of the recipes I recognize (must be my German heritage) and others I have tasted over the years.  There are over 125 authentic Amish desserts (cakes, candies, cookies, pies, and cobblers).   One reason I really like this book is that many of my favorites are in one book – I won’t have to sort through ten cookbooks.  But the main reason I plan to purchase this book is the recipes just look fantastic and tasty!  I am not familiar with the author, but I do plan to check out her other books.  

Three Cups of Tea

Sad, very sad.  Even though I did not finish reading Three Cups of Tea, I feel annoyed and cheated.  The book was one of those that I started and never got back to finishing.  Friends raved about it, "Oh, you've got to read this book...." "It's such a great story...."  "You haven't read it????"

I thought I should read it since soooooo many people were recommending it and I thought my reading tastes were too limited (mysteries and thrillers) so I should branch out.  Well, now I am not going to finish it and that's that!

Kindle books at your local library

Amazon will make Kindle books available at public libraries.  According to a recent Amazon press release  'Kindle Library Lending, a new feature launching later this year that will allow Kindle customers to borrow Kindle books from over 11,000 libraries in the United States. Kindle Library Lending will be available for all generations of Kindle devices and free Kindle reading apps....


"We're doing a little something extra here," Marine continued. "Normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no. But we're extending our Whispersync technology so that you can highlight and add margin notes to Kindle books you check out from your local library. Your notes will not show up when the next patron checks out the book. But if you check out the book again, or subsequently buy it, your notes will be there just as you left them, perfectly Whispersynced....

Amazon is working with OverDrive, the leading provider of digital content solutions for over 11,000 public and educational libraries in the United States, to bring a seamless library borrowing experience to Kindle customers. "We are excited to be working with Amazon to offer Kindle Library Lending to the millions of customers who read on Kindle and Kindle apps," said Steve Potash, CEO, OverDrive. "We hear librarians and patrons rave about Kindle, so we are thrilled that we can be part of bringing library books to the unparalleled experience of reading on Kindle." '

Maybe all the negative comments about Amazon/Kindle not liking libraries made an impact.  A win-win for all.

Book Dominoes

     Great entertainment:         

        Bookmans does book dominoes
        Book dominoes
    Library dominoes
        Library Ireland Week 2011



..

Miniature Books

Amazing!  Jozsef Tari has collected over 4000 miniature books.  I've seen quite a few in the bookstores, but not anything close to this collection.

"I collect only books which are 76 millimeter long or smaller. The few bigger ones I have are smaller than 100 mms.

As for the topics: I am interested in everything. I have books about literature, arts, sports, politics, even cooking.

I also published 5 miniature books so far, and I would like to prepare more.

I have rather many books for exchange, around 400 pieces, so I can offer appropriate exchange for my partners. I also have a list about the books I would like to have."

Librarians: Masters of the info Universe


CNN honors librarians during National Library Week.  Great !!!!

Highsmith and Demco

The other day I called Highsmith as the website was not working properly. The customer service person kept saying the problems were due to their 'move.'  She must have said, "since the move..." at least four times.  I finally asked, "What move are you talking about?"  "Oh, Highsmith was purchased by a company named Demco."     What ???  She said the two companies will remain separate.  I wonder how long that will be?

2010 Book Challenges

The ALA released the list of the 10 most frequently challenged books of 2010:


"Each title is followed by the reasons given for challenging the book:
1. "And Tango Makes Three" by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson            
         Reasons: Homosexuality, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2. "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
        Reasons: Offensive language, Racism, Sex Education, Sexually Explicit,
        Unsuited to Age Group, Violence
3. "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
        Reasons: Insensitivity, Offensive Language, Racism, Sexually Explicit
4. "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins
        Reasons: Drugs, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit
5. "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
         Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group, Violence
6. "Lush" by Natasha Friend
         Reasons: Drugs, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit,
         Unsuited to Age Group
7. "What My Mother Doesn’t Know" by Sonya Sones
          Reasons: Sexism, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
8. "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
         Reasons: Drugs, Inaccurate, Offensive Language, Political Viewpoint,
         Religious Viewpoint
9. "Revolutionary Voices" edited by Amy Sonnie
         Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit
10. "Twilight" by  Stephenie Meyer
          Reasons: Religious Viewpoint, Violence

Quote: Super Librarian

"He's like Super Librarian, y'know?  Everyone forgets, Willow, that knowledge is the ultimate weapon."    
(Xander Harris in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer)

Great site for public domain photographs

Ken Thomas has made his photographs available to everyone (public domain).  In addition to great wildlife shots, he also has beautiful panoramic photographs, scenery and beautiful landscapes.

ebook sources

Lately I've been seeing more and more ebook sources (free and not free).  Below are a few:

         "The largest independent eBook store globally, BooksOnBoard - headquartered in Austin, Texas - opened in 2006 and offers eBooks and audio books in six different formats, including the industry standard Adobe ePUB format, available from all the major publishers and most of the smaller ones. With 7 day a week support, BooksOnBoard never closes for its customers, having thousands of unsolicited testimonials from happy support customers...."       $$$

 The World's classic literature at your fingertips. Over 1,000,000 free ebook titles available.

"LendInk is a free service that allows you to connect with other book lovers, loan your lendable eBooks in seconds and find new books to borrow."

When was the first school library?

Have you ever wondered when the first school library was opened?  American Libraries does not have a specific date, but assumes school libraries started with the Bible, chapbook and Bay Psalm Book on the corner of the teacher's [his !] desk.  


"... in 1740 Benjamin Franklin recommended school libraries as a key element in the ideal academy, and the Penn Charter School in Philadelphia designating a specially designed room as the library in 1744."


And "... In 1900, the first professionally trained school librarian, Mary Kingsbury, was appointed to manage the Erasmus High School library in Brooklyn. The second was Mary E. Hall, appointed in 1903 by the Girls’ High School in Brooklyn.  Hall went on to collaborate on the Standard Library Organization and Equipment for Secondary Schools of Different Sizes (ALA, 1920) with C. C. Certain, producing the first standards for school libraries, and she later was the the first chairperson of the School Libraries Section, the precursor to today's American Association of School Librarians (AASL)."

Book sculptures

I wonder how many hours were put into making these Amazing Book Sculptures.

15 Best websites to find and download ebooks

15 Best Websites to Find and Download ebooks   (many of these websites are technology related).