ResearchBuzz

Learning about RSS feed by visiting blogs written by librarians was certainly eye-opening. I didn't know there were so many chatty librarians out there! I have read some of them before, of course. I've loved Annoyed Librarian since I first read it a few years ago. She seems to be annoyed by all the same things that annoy ME and it's always great to read someone you agree with. So I subscribed to Annoyed Librarian and another LJ blog called In the bookroom about new books, award books, etc. Useful, but not too exciting.

My favorite so far is Research Buzz:

ResearchBuzz is designed to cover the world of Internet research. To that end this site provides almost daily updates on search engines, new data managing software, browser technology, large compendiums of information, Web directories — whatever. If in doubt, the final question is, “Would a reference librarian find it useful?” If the answer’s yes, in it goes!In the last few years an effort has been made to build tools relevant to researchers and make them available on this site.

I found some great new links browsing this blog. I will definitely keep reading it.

School's Out! Merry Christmas!

Fulton Schools let out at one o'clock this afternoon and the library was full by 1:20. Boys and girls were sitting on each other's laps at the tables, with social groups gathered around. No caroling - but cherry enough with giggling and squeals. All twelve internet computers were filled, of course, with a waiting list as long as Santa's. It was busy and hectic and once again we were thinking how nice it would be to have special teen space where the kids could cut loose without scaring off the older patrons.

It has quieted down, now, and I expect it will be a little quieter than usual in the late afternoons for the next week or two. When school is out the busy times are more evenly spaced throughout the day.

Lulu.com

I had fun exploring all the Web 2 Award winners. There are some great sites out there! Several of them I plan to go back and spend more time exploring.

I picked Lulu.com to blog about because it has been my favorite for a long time. I LOVE lulu. This site allows anybody with a modicum of technical know-how to become a published author at absolutely NO cost. If you have ever tried to publish a family history, a cook book, or a collection of poems, you know how totally amazing that is. Traditional self-publishers or printers have always demanded loads of money up front and required a commitment for a print-run of hundreds of copies.

Lulu.com is a print on demand publisher. Your book is published and made available for sale online for free. You don't have to buy a single copy if you don't want to. Pretty amazing.

Yes, I can see Lulu being used in a library setting. In fact, I already have! In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Callaway County Public Library in 2007, we sponsored a writing contest. The winners were collected in an anthology called "Callaway: 100 Years" and the book was published on Lulu.com. I priced it at the moderate printing cost: $8.96, so the winners were able to order copies to give to family and friends.