LIS 701 – Fall 2007 Discussion Blog


Holiday Mixer Before Book Discussion
November 28, 2007, 9:45 pm
Filed under: Housekeeping

Hello 701 folks! Thanks for a full and rich presentation night!

Don’t forget about the LISSA Holiday Mixer THIS MONDAY from 4-6pm in the Springer Suite on the Lower Level of the library. Please plan to swing by before class for some Holiday treats and mingling with students, faculty and staff. I’ll be there until right before 6pm.



Article: What’s Still Wrong with Reference
November 22, 2007, 5:51 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

 In May 1984, William Miller published a comprehensive critique of reference service entitled “What’s Wrong with Reference: Coping with Success and Failure at the Reference Desk” (American Libraries). Some 24 years later, I wish I could say things have improved, but, in fact, they have gotten even worse.

Indeed, the major problem with reference service today remains much as it was in 1984: we still cling to the idea that our mission is to provide a wide array of sources when our real mission ought to be educating users to distinguish between their information wants and needs.

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6497259.html 



Article: The Future of Reading
November 19, 2007, 11:19 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

http://www.newsweek.com/id/70983/page/1

This week Bezos is releasing the Amazon Kindle, an electronic device that he hopes will leapfrog over previous attempts at e-readers and become the turning point in a transformation toward Book 2.0. That’s shorthand for a revolution (already in progress) that will change the way readers read, writers write and publishers publish. The Kindle represents a milestone in a time of transition, when a challenged publishing industry is competing with television, Guitar Hero and time burned on the BlackBerry; literary critics are bemoaning a possible demise of print culture, and Norman Mailer’s recent death underlined the dearth of novelists who cast giant shadows. On the other hand, there are vibrant pockets of book lovers on the Internet who are waiting for a chance to refurbish the dusty halls of literacy.

Thoughts? Opinions? What does this mean for libraries?



Association Assignment: Report on Your selected LIS Association Here
November 7, 2007, 4:15 pm
Filed under: Online Discussion Topics

Comment on this post with a minimum 400 word report on the association you selected in class. Write as though you are presenting the information to your colleagues at a future library job. Cover these points:

What is the Associations full name? When was it formed? What is its purpose? Who can join? What are the fees/dues?

What type of conferences does it have? When and where is the next one?

What benefits does it provide?
Be sure to include appropriate stats, citations for your findings and any pertinent URLs



Online Discussion and Subject Bibliography Alert
November 5, 2007, 12:18 am
Filed under: Uncategorized

Greetings! The online discussion is going well. I’ve enjoyed reading the conversations as they flow. If you haven’t posted, please post by tomorrow at 6pm!

ALSO: A note about the subject bibliography. I had a couple of questions — which I am glad folks asked. Do not use articles for your bibliography. The assignment is intended as a collection building exercise for physical materials and Web sites. If you have any questions, please email me!