Professional Reading Shelf
Web Search–Google
Source: Google
First Issue of Google’s Newsletter for Librarians Released
More than two months ago Google said that they would begin publishing a quartely newsletter for librarians. Today, the first issue became available. Unfortunately, not much there in terms of content except for an intro article by Jodi Healy and an interesting article about how Google works (and most other web engines for that matter) by one of our favorite Googlers, Matt Cutts. That said, the article, although interesting and well written (Cutts is a great writer), will be, for the most part, known by many of the information professionals and and library school students who read it. Info pros who have read books by Chris Sherman, Ran Hock, and Tara Calishain (books held by many libraries) and other IR titles, talk about much of what’s written here.

Btw, both the books by Chris and Ran are full text searchable via Amazon’s “Search Inside the Book” program but not accessible via Google Book Search. Tara’s, latest book, Web Search Garage, is not available (search wise, that is) from either service. Her 2003 book Google Hacks is searchable via Google Book Search.

However, Matt’s article will serve as an excellent review by an expert. The sidebar with an exercise for students about the concepts involved in an inverted index is also a great idea. I was surprised not to see more, being this is the first issue, like the latest from Google’s perspective on the Google Library Project since its first anniversary was last week (here’s a review I compiled) and this would have been a logical time for an update, more search tips, and intros to Google’s lesser known servics like the just launched (synergy) music search. Personally, I would have also enjoyed learning more about an exchange from a recently held Google Print/Library debate that took place at the NY Public Library. In a discussion with a leader from a publishing trade group, Google’s General Counsel said it would be “horrors” if people only went to libraries to gain physical access to new books found via Google Book Search. I blogged about it here. Bottom Line: ResourceShelf welcomes the Google Librarian Newsletter to the growing number of publications serving the info community. Welcome!
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Digital Libraries
Source: Corporation for National Research Initiatives
The December Issue of D-Lib is Now Online
Articles include:
+ Five Views of the Archive, Ingest and Handling Test
+ Harvard’s Perspective on the Archive Ingest and Handling Test
+ Parallel Worlds: Online Games and Digital Information Services
+ The Archive Ingest and Handling Test: The Johns Hopkins University Report
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Emergency Responders–Databases
Source: NLM
WebWISER makes WISER available on the Internet
“The National Library of Medicine announces that WISER, the Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders, is now available on the Web. This new version, WebWISER, joins the existing PDA and desktop (PC) applications. WISER was developed by the Library’s Division of Specialized Information Services.”
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Public Libraries–New York City
Map Libraries and Collection
Source: NYPL
The Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division Opens After Extensive Renovation
Wow! Interested in the info technology available? Check this fact sheet.

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