At Leisure with Joyce Saricks: Unlocking the Mystery of Mysteries. via Booklist Online - At Leisure with Joyce Saricks on 4/29/09
Some quotes (emphasis from Libraryland Roundup:
"of all the genres, this one seems to me the hardest to keep up with—there are so many new titles published every month, international as well as from the U.S., books for every taste. And if you’re like Bill Ott here at Booklist, and you lump thrillers, suspense novels, and espionage, along with mysteries, into crime fiction, you’ve created a monster!"
"a definition: mysteries are puzzles in which the author provides clues but attempts to obscure some information so that the puzzle cannot be solved too easily. Along with the detective, we’re drawn into the mystery and attempt to decipher the puzzle. There’s a crime, usually murder, and thus a body. There’s also an investigator—or perhaps a team—whose job it is to figure out whodunit."
"readers may not have thought very much about what they like about mysteries. When asked about favorites, most describe the detective first. The type—private investigator, police detective, or amateur sleuth—doesn’t seem to matter much."
"From this kernel of information about the detective, we have a sense of the type of mystery that might appeal."
Remember, dear Reader's Advisor, look for the kernel in any RA inquiry.
Top 10 Crime Fiction Audiobooks: 2009. via Booklist Online - Top 10 Lists on 4/29/09
And, finally, Will Manley's article about the mysterious and scary (and, in the opinion of some, criminal) Anglo-American Cataloging Rules:
The Manley Arts: Mysteries. via Booklist Online - The Manley Arts on 4/29/09
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Twittering
5 Ways to Get Your Questions Answered on Twitter from iLibrarian
Here's a way to promote your library's services. Is there a service you want to make sure people know about? Try searching the tags locally and put it out there.
There is also a way to twitter "blast" about a service or program in your area.
Here's a way to promote your library's services. Is there a service you want to make sure people know about? Try searching the tags locally and put it out there.
There is also a way to twitter "blast" about a service or program in your area.
E-books
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/12/09
Digital Future*Tim O’Reilly, the founder of O’Reilly Publishing, predicts that the Amazon Kindle electronic book reader will be gone in two years if Amazon does not make changes so that the content can be read on other devices.
Rumor has it that Barnes and Noble is working on an ebook reader of its own.
Protestors marched outside the headquarters of The Author’s Guild, which recently convinced Amazon to remove text-to-speech capablities form its Kindle reader, demanding that the robotic voices be put back so that disabled readers could use the device too.
Digital Future*Tim O’Reilly, the founder of O’Reilly Publishing, predicts that the Amazon Kindle electronic book reader will be gone in two years if Amazon does not make changes so that the content can be read on other devices.
Rumor has it that Barnes and Noble is working on an ebook reader of its own.
Protestors marched outside the headquarters of The Author’s Guild, which recently convinced Amazon to remove text-to-speech capablities form its Kindle reader, demanding that the robotic voices be put back so that disabled readers could use the device too.
Giggles
Everything Starts Somewhere via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 4/21/09. A 1977 LOL about something called "electronic mail"
For the Bulletin Board
via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 4/18/09
For the Bulletin Board
via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 4/18/09
Top Ten Challenged Books: 2008
Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008 via PLA Blog by Kathleen Hughes on 4/21/09
This year, as in many years past, it's mostly the kids. Congratulations to Kite Runner for representing adults!
The ALA’s Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008 reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:
1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group
2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman
Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, violence3.
3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, violence
5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, violence
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited to age group
7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
8. Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen
Reasons: homosexuality, unsuited to age group
9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper
Reasons: sexually explicit, unsuited to age group.
This year, as in many years past, it's mostly the kids. Congratulations to Kite Runner for representing adults!
The ALA’s Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008 reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:
1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group
2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman
Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, violence3.
3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, violence
5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, violence
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited to age group
7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
8. Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen
Reasons: homosexuality, unsuited to age group
9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper
Reasons: sexually explicit, unsuited to age group.
Update: #amazonfail
Amazon restores rankings for gay-themed books
via USATODAY.com Books - Top Stories on 4/14/09
"On Monday, Amazon spokesman Andrew Herdener called the deletions an "embarrassing and ham-fisted cataloging error for a company that prides itself on offering complete selection." He said that 57,310 books in categories ranging from gay and lesbian literature to health and erotica had been affected."
via USATODAY.com Books - Top Stories on 4/14/09
"On Monday, Amazon spokesman Andrew Herdener called the deletions an "embarrassing and ham-fisted cataloging error for a company that prides itself on offering complete selection." He said that 57,310 books in categories ranging from gay and lesbian literature to health and erotica had been affected."
Genre Talk
Romance via Library Journal - Genre Fiction on 4/14/09. Nice article about "Going Home" romances.
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/12/09. Harlequin is the leader in romance.
Under the Radar: Rule Britannia! Fiction and Nonfiction for Anglophiles
via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Sarah Statz Cords on 4/19/09
Savoring Genre Fiction
via Library Journal - Collection Development on 4/14/09
Under the Radar: April Showers: Wild Weather Fiction and Nonfiction
via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Sarah Statz Cords on 4/12/09
'Bosoms' Unleashes Passion For Romance Novels
via NPR Topics: Authors on 4/11/09
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/12/09. Harlequin is the leader in romance.
Under the Radar: Rule Britannia! Fiction and Nonfiction for Anglophiles
via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Sarah Statz Cords on 4/19/09
Savoring Genre Fiction
via Library Journal - Collection Development on 4/14/09
Under the Radar: April Showers: Wild Weather Fiction and Nonfiction
via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Sarah Statz Cords on 4/12/09
'Bosoms' Unleashes Passion For Romance Novels
via NPR Topics: Authors on 4/11/09
Monday, April 13, 2009
Romance Titles WIN!
From:
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/12/09
The Recession Gives Romance Reading a BoostAccording to the New York Times, romance books are showing about the only growth in the book industry these days. Is it because readers want to escape reality? Harlequin reported that fourth-quarter earnings were up 32 percent over the same period a year earlier, and the romance category overall is up 7 percent. Or maybe it’s because romance readers are voracious and see reading as a necessity rather than just a pleasure.
These numbers include not only category romance (like Harlequin), but a booming market for both series and stand-alone romances from mainstream publishers. Romance readers tend to need less RA in libraries.
Romance readers also still tend to lead in the use of e-books.
Romance: It's not just a formula anymore!
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/12/09
The Recession Gives Romance Reading a BoostAccording to the New York Times, romance books are showing about the only growth in the book industry these days. Is it because readers want to escape reality? Harlequin reported that fourth-quarter earnings were up 32 percent over the same period a year earlier, and the romance category overall is up 7 percent. Or maybe it’s because romance readers are voracious and see reading as a necessity rather than just a pleasure.
These numbers include not only category romance (like Harlequin), but a booming market for both series and stand-alone romances from mainstream publishers. Romance readers tend to need less RA in libraries.
Romance readers also still tend to lead in the use of e-books.
Romance: It's not just a formula anymore!
Collection Alert!
From:
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/12/09
"Lots of book news this week, including the announcement of the posthumous publication of two Michael Crichton novels, the first of which will be The Pirate Latitudes coming out in November, a year after Crichton’s death from cancer. "
"The really big news is that Stephen King has finally, after 25 years, finished a novel called Under the Dome. The book, which is said to be over a thousand pages long, will be published in November, and concerns a city that is suddenly isolated by an invisible dome that can’t be penetrated. King said, the new novel “deals with some of the same issues that The Stand does, but in a more allegorical way.”
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/12/09
"Lots of book news this week, including the announcement of the posthumous publication of two Michael Crichton novels, the first of which will be The Pirate Latitudes coming out in November, a year after Crichton’s death from cancer. "
"The really big news is that Stephen King has finally, after 25 years, finished a novel called Under the Dome. The book, which is said to be over a thousand pages long, will be published in November, and concerns a city that is suddenly isolated by an invisible dome that can’t be penetrated. King said, the new novel “deals with some of the same issues that The Stand does, but in a more allegorical way.”
Loss of Library Idol: Judith Krug
Judith Krug, 1940 - 2009 champion of intellectual freedom via librarian.net by jessamyn on 4/13/09
Amazon Attempts to Censor "adult" materials
Warning: Language is "ripe" at the link we swiped this from: Amazon Rank via Smart Bitches, Trashy Books on 4/12/09
"Amazon seems to be stripping the sales figures and accompanying rankings from GLBTQ books, erotica, and romance novels, particularly those with what they term “adult content.”"
This will drop sales for those items. And it looks like the metafilters they are using are not even accurate
Further: Amazon.com Delisting Books via Romantic Times BOOKreviews by RT Book Reviews on 4/13/09"
"The article shows how the policy seems to be uneven, even de-ranking one version of THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY but not another (and really? THAT book is unacceptable?). Authors are finding their books de-listed without even being contacted about it."
We here at Libraryland Roundup recommend online ordering from anywhere else.
"Amazon seems to be stripping the sales figures and accompanying rankings from GLBTQ books, erotica, and romance novels, particularly those with what they term “adult content.”"
This will drop sales for those items. And it looks like the metafilters they are using are not even accurate
Further: Amazon.com Delisting Books via Romantic Times BOOKreviews by RT Book Reviews on 4/13/09"
"The article shows how the policy seems to be uneven, even de-ranking one version of THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY but not another (and really? THAT book is unacceptable?). Authors are finding their books de-listed without even being contacted about it."
We here at Libraryland Roundup recommend online ordering from anywhere else.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Vampires May Not Be Immortal After All!
From:
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/5/09
"The Upcoming Burst of the Vampire Bubble?Matt Haber in The New York Observer says it’s time to bury all the vampires (sorry…and don’t forget the stake in the heart or it won’t work, you know?). As you do know, they’re everywhere nowadays, from books to movies to television. They’re bringing back Dark Shadows, the 60s TV series, for Pete’s sake. So what should take their place? Not zombies…too many zombies already. Freaks? Bigfeet? Vikings? Your nominations accepted here."
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/5/09
"The Upcoming Burst of the Vampire Bubble?Matt Haber in The New York Observer says it’s time to bury all the vampires (sorry…and don’t forget the stake in the heart or it won’t work, you know?). As you do know, they’re everywhere nowadays, from books to movies to television. They’re bringing back Dark Shadows, the 60s TV series, for Pete’s sake. So what should take their place? Not zombies…too many zombies already. Freaks? Bigfeet? Vikings? Your nominations accepted here."
Jordan's Wheel of Time Spinning Toward Conclusion
From
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/5/09
"Tor has announced the details on the conclusion of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. Jordan, who died of a rare blood disease in 2007 finished A Memory of Light: The Gathering Storm, Book 12 of the series, and it will be published on November 3. A Memory of Light, begun by Jordan, and finished by Brandon Sanderson is so long that it will be published in three parts. Books 2 and 3 will be released over the next two years. And if you’re a huge Robert Jordan fan, you may want to consider attending JordanCon April 17 - 19."
(title unknown) via The Reader's Advisor Online Blog by Cindy Orr on 4/5/09
"Tor has announced the details on the conclusion of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. Jordan, who died of a rare blood disease in 2007 finished A Memory of Light: The Gathering Storm, Book 12 of the series, and it will be published on November 3. A Memory of Light, begun by Jordan, and finished by Brandon Sanderson is so long that it will be published in three parts. Books 2 and 3 will be released over the next two years. And if you’re a huge Robert Jordan fan, you may want to consider attending JordanCon April 17 - 19."
A Recommended Approach to Knowledge Management
From:
The Cynefin Framework via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 4/6/09
Stephen writes:
"I am not as good as I'd want to be at explaining it but Shawn Callahan has created a sketchcast of how he explains the Cynefin Framework. He set the Sketchcast up on YouTube and you can find it here:
A simple explanation of the Cynefin Framework
David's Seven Principles of Knowledge Management are touchstones for me:"
Here are the seven principles:
1. Knowledge can only be volunteered it cannot be conscripted.
2. We only know what we know when we need to know it.
3. In the context of real need few people will withhold their knowledge.
4. Everything is fragmented.
5. Tolerated failure imprints learning better than success.
6. The way we know things is not the way we report we know things.
7. We always know more than we can say; we will always say more than we can write down.
The Cynefin Framework via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 4/6/09
Stephen writes:
"I am not as good as I'd want to be at explaining it but Shawn Callahan has created a sketchcast of how he explains the Cynefin Framework. He set the Sketchcast up on YouTube and you can find it here:
A simple explanation of the Cynefin Framework
David's Seven Principles of Knowledge Management are touchstones for me:"
Here are the seven principles:
1. Knowledge can only be volunteered it cannot be conscripted.
2. We only know what we know when we need to know it.
3. In the context of real need few people will withhold their knowledge.
4. Everything is fragmented.
5. Tolerated failure imprints learning better than success.
6. The way we know things is not the way we report we know things.
7. We always know more than we can say; we will always say more than we can write down.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Libraryland Inspiration!
From:
This will be a must read... via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 4/5/09
Once again we find a must fread on Blyberg.net.
The Darien Statements on the Library and Librarians
How does your library already meet these statements? What more would you like to do?
This will be a must read... via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 4/5/09
Once again we find a must fread on Blyberg.net.
The Darien Statements on the Library and Librarians
How does your library already meet these statements? What more would you like to do?
Libraryland Fun!
From:
YouTube Surfing via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 4/5/09
OK, this is what you get when you surf YouTube in your downtime:
The Dewey Decimal Rap
Catchy tune . . .
You'll be humming it all day.
Wooohahahahaha!
YouTube Surfing via Stephen's Lighthouse by stephen on 4/5/09
OK, this is what you get when you surf YouTube in your downtime:
The Dewey Decimal Rap
Catchy tune . . .
You'll be humming it all day.
Wooohahahahaha!
Trendwatching - April 2009
From
April 2009 SELLSUMERS via trendwatching.com by newsletter@trendwatching.com on 4/1/09
"It shouldn't be too hard to come up with at least one SELLSUMER service in the next few days: just go through the examples above with your colleagues and figure out how your brand can facilitate existing or aspiring SELLSUMERS."
...hmmm...what can your library offer SELLSUMERS? Business plans? How-To craft stuff? Gardening information? How do you promote it?
"The reward? Customers will be pleasantly surprised that just for once, you aren't trying to extract money from them, but actually helping them make some. And let there be no doubt that anything you do during these tough times will not be forgotten."
Libraries are both Green and places that need to be remembered by consumers in these times. How do you promote this?
"A recession-induced need for cash, and an ever-growing infrastructure enabling individuals to act as (part-time) entrepreneurs, are fueling concepts that help ordinary consumers make money instead of just spending it. "
Sellsumers defined: "SELLSUMERS: Whether it’s selling their insights to corporations, hawking their creative output to fellow consumers, or renting out unused assets, consumers will increasingly become SELLSUMERS, too. Made possible by the online revolution’s great democratization of demand and supply, and further fueled by a global recession that leaves consumers strapped for cash, the SELLSUMERS phenomenon is yet another manifestation of the mega-trend that is 'consumer participation'.'
Examples
"Parking Spots \"Parkingspots.com connects those who have parking spots to rent out with those who need them on a monthly basis. "
Storage "Los Angeles-based Homstie offers listings for excess storage space, collecting fees for featured listings and for providing custom lease agreements. Also check out Store at My House"
Other
Gift cards GiftCardRescue is a service that allows users to exchange their unwanted gift cards.
Jewelry Red Swan offers money in exchange for unwanted jewelry. For similar concepts, check out Ex-Boyfriend Jewelry and My Gold Party.
Gardening Based around the concept of cooperative gardening, Veggie Trader is an online marketplace offering the opportunity to buy, sell or trade homegrown produce. (This probably is a better use of time than Leave A Zucchini On Your Neighbor's Front Porch Day)
SELLSUMER-posterchild Etsy now boasts 200,000 SELLSUMERS and over 3 million products.
Much publicized Ponoko allows SELLSUMERS to make and sell everything from jewelry to furniture.
Magpie now inserts adverts into SELLSUMERS' Twitter feeds. "
April 2009 SELLSUMERS via trendwatching.com by newsletter@trendwatching.com on 4/1/09
"It shouldn't be too hard to come up with at least one SELLSUMER service in the next few days: just go through the examples above with your colleagues and figure out how your brand can facilitate existing or aspiring SELLSUMERS."
...hmmm...what can your library offer SELLSUMERS? Business plans? How-To craft stuff? Gardening information? How do you promote it?
"The reward? Customers will be pleasantly surprised that just for once, you aren't trying to extract money from them, but actually helping them make some. And let there be no doubt that anything you do during these tough times will not be forgotten."
Libraries are both Green and places that need to be remembered by consumers in these times. How do you promote this?
"A recession-induced need for cash, and an ever-growing infrastructure enabling individuals to act as (part-time) entrepreneurs, are fueling concepts that help ordinary consumers make money instead of just spending it. "
Sellsumers defined: "SELLSUMERS: Whether it’s selling their insights to corporations, hawking their creative output to fellow consumers, or renting out unused assets, consumers will increasingly become SELLSUMERS, too. Made possible by the online revolution’s great democratization of demand and supply, and further fueled by a global recession that leaves consumers strapped for cash, the SELLSUMERS phenomenon is yet another manifestation of the mega-trend that is 'consumer participation'.'
Examples
"Parking Spots \"Parkingspots.com connects those who have parking spots to rent out with those who need them on a monthly basis. "
Storage "Los Angeles-based Homstie offers listings for excess storage space, collecting fees for featured listings and for providing custom lease agreements. Also check out Store at My House"
Other
Gift cards GiftCardRescue is a service that allows users to exchange their unwanted gift cards.
Jewelry Red Swan offers money in exchange for unwanted jewelry. For similar concepts, check out Ex-Boyfriend Jewelry and My Gold Party.
Gardening Based around the concept of cooperative gardening, Veggie Trader is an online marketplace offering the opportunity to buy, sell or trade homegrown produce. (This probably is a better use of time than Leave A Zucchini On Your Neighbor's Front Porch Day)
SELLSUMER-posterchild Etsy now boasts 200,000 SELLSUMERS and over 3 million products.
Much publicized Ponoko allows SELLSUMERS to make and sell everything from jewelry to furniture.
Magpie now inserts adverts into SELLSUMERS' Twitter feeds. "
Lots of Fun 2.0 Tools Here!
From
2009: What’s Hot in RSS
via PLA Blog by KarenKeys on 4/2/09
Learn to search and create RSS feeds for YouTube tags for your library. What stories are being told about you?
Votes Database: from the Washington Post (and created by an intern). You can set up the RSS feeds for a particular member or all recent votes.Votes Database: from the Washington Post (and created by an intern). You can set up the RSS feeds for a particular member or all recent votes.
Ravelry: The social networking tools for knitters. (Trust us! We've been there and it includes crochet and fiber arts)
Open Congress: Taps into the Thomas page and features many different types of feeds. Cohen likes the issues option. After selecting on an issue, you can pick a feed option or choose “share this.”
Justia : Search and set up feeds for federal court filings.
compfight: a Flickr search tool that can also be limited it to Creative Commons. Still in beta. Once again, what story is your library telling?
2009: What’s Hot in RSS
via PLA Blog by KarenKeys on 4/2/09
Learn to search and create RSS feeds for YouTube tags for your library. What stories are being told about you?
Votes Database: from the Washington Post (and created by an intern). You can set up the RSS feeds for a particular member or all recent votes.Votes Database: from the Washington Post (and created by an intern). You can set up the RSS feeds for a particular member or all recent votes.
Ravelry: The social networking tools for knitters. (Trust us! We've been there and it includes crochet and fiber arts)
Open Congress: Taps into the Thomas page and features many different types of feeds. Cohen likes the issues option. After selecting on an issue, you can pick a feed option or choose “share this.”
Justia : Search and set up feeds for federal court filings.
compfight: a Flickr search tool that can also be limited it to Creative Commons. Still in beta. Once again, what story is your library telling?
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