OPAC Mashup

So, part of what I've been doing is trying (and trying!) to get caught up on some of the backlog of library literature piling on my desk (and in my inbox). Whilst reading Library Hi Tech, I came across an article I thought was just a nifty, nifty thing, so of course I wanted to share!

Michael Vandenburg of Kingston Public Library, Kingston Canada wrote an article in Vol. 26 No. 1 titled "Using Google Maps as an interface for the library catalogue." It caught my eye because of the other mashups I've been reading about - how neat, to have a systemic map of your catalog onto a world map so folks can choose resources based on clicking a country! Hopefully they'll be able to bring it online in the real world soon; the only bummer was that it's still in development so there are only the screenshots in the article, not a live URL to try out. Best wishes to Michael and his library!

Welcome to the Library

The UTNE Reader is introducing a new column, "Shelf Life", with the Jan/Feb issue. The UTNE librarian, Danielle Maestretti, writes a great introduction, titled "Welcome to the Library":

"My job does not include shushing. [...] The weathered image of the librarian as a grandmotherly, finger-waving bookworm has been defunct for quite some time. Librarians are more likely to be protecting civil liberties, promoting literacy, and guarding people's access to information than pursing their lips."

Yes! As a fan of not only libraries and librarians but also independent press and activism, I'll be eagerly watching this space for future columns from Ms. Maestretti.


found via MagicMommy