LibraryTechtonics

This should be a totally natural fit for librarians, but I know some of my not-librarian readers out there might be hip to this.

Answers.com hosts WikiAnswers, which is sort of like a super low scale, training wheels version of MetaFilter, where anyone can post a question, and anyone can answer a question. It’s way simple to use, you just create an account, pick a question, and answer it using the super simple rich text editor. Answers aren’t meant to be long, academic diatribes, it’s really like answering ready reference questions. Your answer can be built upon or changed by anyone, so even if you start with a little answer, it could turn into something pretty cool with a little help from whoever wanders by. The questions are categorized into general categories, so that you can pick and choose where to start, or you can search by keyword for questions in your areas of interest (you might be out to learn something new) or expertise (to share what you already know).

I must say, it’s really, really easy. I created an account, browsed the question categories, picked a question, and answered it. I also have a simple bio page, so people know who I am.

WikiAnswers is hosting an AnswerThon midnight March 1 until midnight March 3. Over the course of 48 hours, the goal is to answer as many questions as you can. The person who answers the most questions during the AnswerThon will win a $500 Amazon.com gift certificate. Second place is a not-too-shabby $250 Amazon.com gift certificate, and third place is a still honorable $100 gift certificate.

Sadly, my login timed out when I submitted my answer to the “What is Boston brown bread?” question, so it’s not attributed to me, and since I changed it when I was logged in, it looks like I scammed off someone else’s answer. *sigh* So, for the purposes of the contest, be sure that you’re logged in when you post your answer.

I think this is a nice option for people who aren’t sure how to use a wiki, aren’t really too hip to the crazy moon language that is wiki code, but still want a way to get their feed wet in the ways of the wiki. And, there’s an added incentive of, say, prizes! I might try to get some answers in this weekend, we’ll see. If you end up competing in the contest, let me know what you think, how it goes, what problems you’re having, I’d love to hear about it.

I recently the February edition of the Libraries@Random Newsletter, which features an interesting section of Oscar nominees inspired by Random House books, and a section of fantasy titles to help you escape the toils of February inspired S.A.D.

I’d show you if, as I’ve said before, the newsletter was actually viewable online. The one downside of an otherwise useful email newsletter that’s worth the email subscription because it’s a quick and happy read.

However, the most interesting bit was their announcement that Random House will feature a Reading Guide of the Month. The page shows the featured guide at the top, along with a list of other guides offered by other Random House group publishers. You can also subscribe to their Reading Groups@Random Newsletter, which I think is new, offering information on book group ideas, discussion guides, information on author chats, and more. I wish there was a link from the Reading Group page to subscribe to the newsletter, since that would be super smart. I think I’ll send them an email about that… done.

I’ve subscribed to the newsletter, so we’ll see if it’s just as interesting and useful. Usually book group books are current and popular, so it’ll be a good way to find books to recommend. It’s like a backsolving method for improving my reader recommendation (readers’ advisory) skills. ;D

I keep seeing the emails to buy Teen Tech Week promo materials, and it got me thinking. This is the description of Teen Tech Week per the site:

Teen Tech Week is a national initiative sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association and is aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of the initiative is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of technologies, especially those that are offered through libraries such as DVDs, databases, audiobooks, and videogames. Teen Tech Week encourages teens to use libraries’ nonprint resources for education and recreation, and to recognize that librarians are qualified, trusted professionals in the field of information technology.

What about just… Tech Week? I know teens use technology differently, and focusing on teens to make them more “competent and ethical users” is great. However, I’d feel a little less like librarians were stereotyping technology use as relegated to teens if there were just, say, a Tech Week for, say, everyone.

You know, librarians could show off the tech and online resources in their libraries available to everyone, there could be computer/gadget petting zoos, local tech speakers, classes, explanations of what the hoopla is about with Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and whatever else has been in the news. I think it would really beneficial for the entire profession, so that it doesn’t look like the young adult librarians and systems librarians are the only ones who know anything about technology.

I think I’ll run this by my supervisor, and add the project to my burgeoning list. ;D

Are you a librarian already doing something like this? What have you done? How’s it working for you?

Are you a non-librarian reading my blog? Would you go to something like this, and what would you like to see?

Autodesk, Inc.
610 Lincoln Street 1st floor, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

I recently joined the Boston Chapter of the Usability Professionals’ Association, “a highly active community for persons with individual and professional interests in usability, user experience design, and their many related fields.” This Thursday’s monthly meeting, presented by the good folks and excellent user experts at AutoDesk, will be my first interaction with the group in person:

The Autodesk Revit Product Design team will present a series of short talks, interactive exercise, and case studies on design and usability as practiced at Autodesk. The Product Design team at Autodesk is an eclectic group of user researchers, architects, engineers, designers, and human factors professionals who are merging and morphing techniques from multiple disciplines to develop world class design software. During this presentation, members of the team will present talks ranging from 5 to 15 minutes.

I’m excited by this opportunity to reconnect with my past life, as well as bring some new knowledge to my current field as a librarian. If you are genuinely interested in really understanding what “user-centered design” and “usability” are outside of the buzzword hype, I would recommend that you find your local chapter of Usability Professionals’ Association and go to a meeting or two, ask questions, listen hard, and meet people. Or, at least look over the information on their site.