Now presenting: Open Stacks #21

Also available via the podcast feed. I’ve added a few one-click options to the sidebar for your convenience.

This shows runs 30:54 and deals almost exclusively with my experience in D.C. at Computers in Libraries. Hope you enjoy.

Might as well take this opportunity to claim My Odeo Channel (odeo/9cd7e6b7e5620ee4).

And where are my Carnival submissions this week? Only two so far. I need your help!

[Technorati tag: cil2006]

Now presenting: Open Stacks #20.

Also available via the podcast feed.

Thought I’d clear out the backfile of things to discuss before I head off to CiL tomorrow. I’m not altogether happy with the sound quality, but not upset enough to re-record. Running time is 24:43.

Show notes:

1. Clubb battles Royal – Everyone loses.
2. An update on Jackson (not my son, who is fine, thanks)
3. On using large libraries to generalize about all libraries – a new report
4. Oklahomophobia – that was too obvious, right?
5. Trading Walden for Walmart

I had also meant to talk briefly about the new Waterloo Public Library podcasting initiative (as reported by Michael Stephens), but the press release speaks for itself. I must say that digitized “heritage walking tours” sound like a very compelling use of resources for the community.

Now presenting: Open Stacks #19

Also available via the podcast feed.

It’s amazing what I can get done with a weekday off from work. 19 minutes and 22 seconds this time around. I’ve tried a few new things, but it’s still just me.

Show notes:
1. Speed dating @ your library
2. SLA on the EPA
3. Pornland Security
4. I’m sorry there, Jackson. I am…for real.
5. Mace-book?

Update (Sunday, 2/26 2:02 PM): I was listening to a stream of this show and noticed that you could barely hear the music bed, if at all. So I upped the gain on the music track and exported it again. I also made the file size a bit smaller in the process. I’ve actually replaced the original mp3 with the new version, so if you’ve already downloaded it, you may want to take a brief listen to the new one to sample the difference.

Don’t call it a comeback. No really.

Now presenting: Open Stacks #18

Also available via the podcast feed.

Finally found the wherewithal to do a quick 12 minute recording using my new mic and mixer. I think I still have some work to do on learning how best to use them, but if you compare this recording with my last, the improvement becomes more salient.

So how did I occupy these here 12 plus minutes? Very loosely. Topics include where I’ve been, a very haphazard explanation of wikis with a referral to Meredith’s wiki presentation (note: it’s in two parts – you need both) and a muddled discussion of library podcasts inspired by a recent post, also by Meredith. So I beg your indulgence, but hope you enjoy the moderately improved sound quality.

Now presenting: Open Stacks #17

Also available via the podcast feed.

Today’s show clocks in at 12 minutes and 55 seconds.

Show Notes:
1. A brief note about the Carnival
2. LibriVox Project
3. Denver revisited
- CAIR letter demanding Ashton’s resignation
- Denver Post article covering protest
4. Librarians now responsible for actions of patrons?
- Gainesville Sun article
- Lengthy Slashdot thread

Now presenting: Open Stacks #16

Also available via the podcast feed.

This is a quick one. Nine minutes and seven seconds to be exact. I wanted to get something out about the Carnival, but that didn’t seem enough to warrant breaking out the microphone. Then I stumbled upon this article (courtesy of LISNews) about Denver Public Library’s plan to open branches with a Spanish-language focus. My thoughts are poorly formed and even more poorly articulated, but I made the difficult decision to live with the inadequacies and not re-record it. My apologies in advance.

Oops, I did it again: Open Stacks #15b

Also available via the podcast feed.

I thoughtlessly left out two thoughtful comments that had been recorded by listeners regarding previous shows. I present them both in this six minute addendum.

First, Daniel Cornwall comments on Rep. Walter “Freedom Fries” Jones, reminding us that the Congressman can sometimes, indeed, be a friend to freedom. Then, Miranda Doyle (whose very first podcast can be found here) defends the summer reading program as a genuine benefit to children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The site she refers to can be found here.

Don’t call it a comeback: Open Stacks #15

Also available via the podcast feed.

I’m warning you now: it’s 13 minutes of unscripted Greg. This is not widely regarded as a “Good Thing.” Any real news I had planned on talking about is already weeks old, so why bother? I didn’t really have anything substantial to say anyway. And Walt wouldn’t want me ramblin’ just to ramble, would he?

Show notes:
1. A compelling model for future conferences (Concept forwarded by Steve Dembo in a July 8th podcast. It looks like he generated a lot of feedback and discussion in the edusphere, so he returns to the topic in a new podcast that I have yet to hear.)
2. LISWiki and the Library Success wiki
3. And an audio call to start the Carnival of the Infosciences

Now presenting: Open Stacks #14

Also available via the podcast feed.

26 minutes and 42 seconds of egomania. I suspect the volume is a bit low on this one. If it’s really unlistenable, please let me know.

Show notes:
1. GLBT @ your library (St. Petersburg Times article)
2. On the “value” of summer reading programs (inspired by Rochelle)
3. Adults in the children section (NWITimes article)
4. “Dumbed down” by Michael Gorman (as motivated by Dorothea)
See also: Library opens its door to hip-hop
5. On the call to update the US News and World Report Rankings
- LJ article
- The ALA Council discussion (starting at message 14620 and peppered throughout)
6. On Ben Ostrowsky’s anonymous library cards