Briefly
+ Father of Wiki Speaks on Development (via eWeek)
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+ Bill Gates Talks Web 2.0 (via News.com)
Bill Gates talks Google (we have a lot to contribute in search), web-based word processors and the Google “office” and much more. Btw, if you haven’t tried Zoho Writer (another web-based word processor (free)), you should.

Professional Reading Shelf
Public Libraries
Source: Denver Public Library, OverDrive
Downloadable Video Comes to Denver Public Library
Beginning tomorrow (March 21st) the Denver Public Library will be the first library in the US to offer downloadable video for library card holders. Powered by OverDrive. From the announcement, “Films available include Academy Award nominated IMAX Movie ‘The Living Sea’ narrated by Meryl Streep featuring songs and music by Sting; Federico Fellini’s Academy Award winner ‘8 �’ starring Marcello Mastroianni; travelogue ‘Yellowstone National Park’; self-help titles including ‘Meditation for Beginners’; and cult-classics such as the surfing film ‘The Endless Summer’ are just a few of the titles available. The service launches today on this site.
See Also: Learn More About OverDrive Video (PDF)
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Librarians
Libraries as a Business
Source: ResearchInformation
Library science meets business
“Everyone knows the price of information, but its value is a bit harder to quantify. One of the reasons that the information industry continues to grow is that Michael Koenig put his considerable mind to this problem. He was one of the first academics to talk about the return on investment in information services rather than just what these services allow you to do. In this respect he can be thought of as the missing link between the academic world of library science and the business world. He has had a career that spanned the world of manufacturing, industry and academia, even starting a ‘dot com’ company long before anyone even knew what the term meant.”
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Libraries–United States
Source: NCLIS
President Bush Recommends Consolidation of NCLIS into IMLS (PDF)
“In response to the Administration’s proposal for the consolidation of the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) into the Institute for Museums and Libraries (IMLS) by FY 2008, the Commission had discussions at its recent meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Administration also proposes the merger of the current National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) programs for public and state library surveys into IMLS. The rationale for proposing the merger of the survey programs into IMLS is that consolidating grant making with data collection, along with the NCLIS role in policy advice, will strengthen federal library and information policy efforts and enhance our nation’s research capacity on domestic and international library trends. Further, the consolidation of NCLIS and the NCES programs for public and state library surveys into IMLS will create greater efficiency of operations.”

Resources, Reports, Tools, Lists, and Full Text
Information Literacy
Source: SLJ
New Information Literacy Publication: Educators’ Spotlight Digest
From SLJ, “The first issue includes a feature on how kids are using the Web, news about relevant information literacy projects and activities, successful motivational teaching strategies submitted by library media specialists, and resources available through the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). Educators’ Spotlight Digest is a collaboration between S.O.S. for Information Literacy, a project of Syracuse University’s Center for Digital Literacy, and AASL. It’s funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. S.O.S. for Information Literacy is a Web-based multimedia resource for educators.”
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Women–United States–History
Women–United States–Timelines
Source: Ken Middleton, Librarian, Middle Tennessee State University
American Women Through Time
Very impressive! “This site offers two approaches for the study of specific time periods in American women’s history.” First, a timeline and second, a collection of research resources. Middleton is also the compiler of the award winning, American Women’s History: A Research Guide.
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Science and Engineering–United States–Statistics
Source: NSF
Updated, Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2004
“This site provides data on the participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science and engineering education and employment. The data are organized by topic and are presented in tables, graphics, and spreadsheets for downloading.”
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Cities–United States–Lists & Rankings
Source: Milken Institute
Best Performing Cities 2005: Where America’s Jobs Are Created and Sustained
“The Milken Institute Best Performing Cities Index ranks 379 U.S. metropolitan areas based on their economic performance and their ability to create, as well as keep, the greatest number of jobs in the nation. The top positions in the 2005 index are dominated by Florida metros, which hold not only the index’s top three slots, but five of its top six and 12 of its top 30. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville is No. 1, followed by last year’s top scorer, Cape Coral-Fort Myers in second and Naples-Marco Island in third place.”
+ 2005 Best Performing Cities — 200 Largest Metros
+ 2005 Best Performing Cities — 179 Smallest Metros (via DocuTicker.com)

Library Databases
Here We Go Again: “Congoo to offer subscription content for free” (via News.com)
So sad. It’s not that Congoo.com is a bad idea but it once again shows that most people have NO idea that libraries (public, academic, etc.) offer access to most of the content Congoo offers for free (just get a library card) and without any limits. As the article points out, “users are allowed access between four and 15 articles per month per publisher.” Also, there is nothing to download vs. the Congoo toolbar. Access to these library databases is free, 24/7/365 with a library card. No need to visit the library. Many libraries in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and elsewhere offer tons of free databases containing fee-based content. Some even offer full text (new) books and others offer audio books for download. Here’s one example via the San Francisco Public Library. This article has more info and examples. Why aren’t libraries doing more to promote these services?
See Also: Some Archived Articles on the Open Web from Fee-Based Publications Are Available via FindArticles
The search interface allows you to limit to only free articles.
UPDATE: We contacted the writer of the News.com story and she added in a sentence about library resources and linked to an example.

Search Briefs
+ Clusty.com Launches Free Site Search for Nonprofits, Schools and Universities
Neat!!!
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+ Yahoo Launches Local News Beta (via SEW Blog)
See Also: Topix.net Offers Local News for Every U.S. Zip Code and Most Canadian Postal Codes. Culled from more than 12,000 sources.
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+ MSN Search Link Operators Explored (via SEW Blog)
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+ Google Launches Finance Portal (via News.com)
I’ve noticed that some articles say they are current but are not. Opening day jitters perhaps. One example. Note the article titled, “Cisco systems actively eyeing SMEs in RI.” It’s from 1/1/2006 and contains no text.
A few quick notes:
1) Google only includes US and Canadian listed companies, Yahoo and MSN list companies found on markets from around the world.
2) No info for insider trading. Yahoo yes, MSN yes.
UPDATE: Google does offer some insider trading info for top management but not all insiders. Mouse over the Management section and find a direct link to insider trading (via Yahoo). Looking for a great insider trading info service (free) check out SecForm4.com. Even export info in Excel. Example. They also offer an excellent watch/alert feature.
3) MSN and Yahoo offer industry pages with background, Google categorizes stocks but does not offer the additional background including industry profiles.
4) MSN offers the very useful “key developments” feature.
5) Both Yahoo and MSN offer stock screeners, Google no.
6) Yahoo offers bond prices
7) Several types of info on Google Finance link to other sites like MSN, Yahoo, and Marketwatch.com (they also power investor information on Ask.com), TheStreet.com. Option info is available from Google; however, they link out to another site, MSN and Yahoo offer their own sections.
9) Yahoo Alerts offers alerts, delivered via IM, email, SMS when stocks reach certain thresholds.
10) I’ve seen several stories touting the fact that Google Finance has info on private companies. Fyi: Yahoo, Hoover’s, and of course the Forbes 500 (Private Companies) and the Inc. 500. Also, many large and small private companies have Wikipedia entries that place prominently as Smart Answers on Ask.com.
Bottom Line: If it’s Google, it needs watching but Google Finance (although it’s a beta) appears to need more heavy lifting.

Briefly
+ Oracle Jumps into Enterprise Search Space

Professional Reading Shelf
Special Libraries Association
Stephen Abram Elected SLA President
Congratulations to this ResourceShelf friend, supporter, mentor, role model, and just one great guy on his election to this important and prominent position. Great news! Direct to Stephen’s blog. For those of you not familiar with the Special Libraries Association (SLA) you can learn much more here.
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Flood Maps–United States
Source: FCW, FEMA
GAO: FEMA must update digital flood maps
“The Federal Emergency Management Agency must modernize its digital maps of flood zones to improve the performance of its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the Government Accountability Office said in a new report.” Direct to FEMA Map Service Center.
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Academic Libraries
Source: LJ
U. of Florida Facing Massive Serials Cuts
“Faced with flat state funding and high inflation, the University of Florida’s Smathers Libraries is beginning a massive serials cancellation project that would trim a hefty $750,000 worth of journals, both electronic and paper, for the 2007 fiscal year.”
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ResourceShelf
Ask.com
Source: Library Journal
New, Gary Price Interview on Library Journal Web Site
A bit more on his new job.

Resources, Reports, Tools, Lists, and Full Text
Comics–Timelines
Source: Infoplease
New, Comics Timeline: The history of the funnies in America
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Unemployment–United States–Statistics
Source: BLS
Comparative Unemployment Rates
1) Unemployment rates in the European Union and selected member countries, civilian labor force basis (1), seasonally adjusted, 1995-2006
2) Unemployment rates in nine countries, civilian labor force basis, approximating U.S. concepts, seasonally adjusted, 1995-2006
Thanks to IWS News Service for the tip.
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Traffic–New York City
New, Beta, TrafficLand.com Comes to New York City
New one-stop access to live traffic cameras around the NYC metro. Registered users (free) can see up to nine cameras simultaneously. TrafficLand has offered a similar service (also free) in the DC metro area (and other parts of VA and MD) for several years including “Air Video” (fee-based) that provides live camera access to a Treo, Blackberry or other web-enabled mobile phones.
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Aviation–United States–Statistics
Aviation Safety
Source: NTSB
NTSB Reports Increase In Aviation Accidents In 2005
“The National Transportation Safety Board today released preliminary statistics for 2005 showing an overall increase in civil aviation accidents for both scheduled airline and general aviation operations.” Tables with statistics available here.

Search Briefs
+ People Search: UK’s 192.com People Search Updated With Material from 2006 Electoral Roll
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+ Ask.com and its Maps 2.0: A Delicate Balance (via Directions Magazine)
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+ Google: Dvorak Interviews Eric Schmidt
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+ Online tool reveals Google’s censoring of Chinese search results (via Pandia)
Direct to CenSEARCHip.

Video Hosting Services
GUBA Will Now Host Your Video Content for Free, Will Also Convert it to Different Formats Including iPod and Sony PSP (Free)
Direct to GUBA
Access and registration, free. They also plan to launch an e-commerce option (producers could charge to view clips) soon. More in this MacWorld article.
See Also: PodZinger searches video podcasts
Blinkx and Podscope also offer keyword searching of video podcasts. Podscope first began offering keyword search of video podcasts in May 2005.

Web Browsers
+ Firefox 2.0 Alpha Now Available

Professional Reading Shelf
Books
Source: Book Business
Creating the Perfect Title
“An Anglo-American research team for Lulu.com, a Web site for self-publishers, recently analyzed the titles of every novel that topped the hardback fiction section of The New York Times Best Sellers list from 1955 to 2004, and then compared those titles to the titles of less successful novels by the same authors. The study’s goal was to determine the perfect title for a best-selling novel. The computer model, designed by statisticians who analyzed the titles of fiction best-sellers over the past 50 years, found that “Sleeping Murder,” the last published novel by Agatha Christie, was “the perfect title” for a best-selling novel.”
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Digital Preservation
Source: DPC/PADI
DPC/PADI What’s new in digital preservation
A comprehensive look at what’s been going on in digital preservation. Compiled by Deb Woodyard-Robinson at the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) and Marian Hanley at the National Library of Australia.
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Access to Information–United States
Source: GAO
New GAO Report: Managing Sensitive Information: DOE and DOD Could Improve Their Policies and Oversight
“In the interest of national security and personal privacy and for other reasons, federal agencies place dissemination restrictions on information that is unclassified yet still sensitive. The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DOD) have both issued policy guidance on how and when to protect sensitive information. DOE marks documents with this information as Official Use Only (OUO) while DOD uses the designation For Official Use Only (FOUO). GAO was asked to (1) identify and assess the policies, procedures, and criteria DOE and DOD employ to manage OUO and FOUO information; and (2) determine the extent to which DOE’s and DOD’s training and oversight programs assure that information is identified, marked, and protected according to established criteria.” Direct to abstract and full text.

Resources, Reports, Tools, Lists, and Full Text
Companies–Lists and Rankings–United Kingdom
Source: The Sunday Times
+ The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2006
+ The Sunday Times 20 Best Big Companies to Work For 2006
+ The Sunday Times 100 Best SMEs to Work For (small firms)
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Costal Information–United States–Web Maps
Source: NOAA
NOAA Introduces New Version Of Nowcoast Web Mapping Portal Displaying Real-Time Coastal Information
” NOAA launched an updated version of the popular nowCOAST Web portal. NowCOAST is a Web mapping portal providing coastal communities with real-time observations and NOAA forecast.” Direct to nowCoast.
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Foundations–Philanthropy
Source: The Foundation Center
Highlights of Foundation Giving Trends (PDF; 568 KB)
“Among major subject areas, science and health experienced the fastest growth. Health’s share of overall giving reached a record 22.3 percent in the latest year, boosted by a $750 million ten-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Only three major subject fields failed to register increases in funding. Nonetheless, across all fields, growth in grant dollars continued to lag behind the dramatic gains realized in the late 1990s.”

Search Briefs
+ Microsoft Acquires Vexcel, an Aerial Photography and Photogrammetry Company. What’s Next For Virtual Earth and Live Local?
A bit more here.

Search Briefs
A9 Now Allows Users to Export Their A9 Bookmarks to Their Browser in Standard Netscape Format

Resources, Reports, Tools, Lists, and Full Text
Employment–United States–Outlooks
Source: BLS, Occupational Outlook Quarterly
New, The 2004-14 job outlook in brief
All files PDF.
+ Introduction
+ Table of occupations
+ Index to the “Brief”
+ Beyond the “Brief”
See Also: Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), 2006-07 Edition
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Telecommunications–United States–Statistics
Source: FCC
New, 2004 International Telecommunication Traffic
From the summary, “The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today released a report entitled 2004 International Telecommunications Data which reports traffic between the United States and other countries for international message telephone, private line, and miscellaneous services on a country-by-country basis.”
Summary/Key Stats (PDF) ||| Direct to Full Text (261 pages; PDF) (via DocuTicker.com)

REMINDER
Make Sure to Visit DocuTicker Today!
Docuticker is a daily update from your ResourceShelf team with direct links to new reports from government agencies, ngo’s, think tanks, and other groups. Looking for primary docs? This is the place.

Professional Reading Shelf
Institutional Repositories
Source: Richard Poynder’s Blog
Institutional Repositories and Open Access
“…the history of the institutional repository, and its relation to the OA movement.”
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Public Records–California
Source: CalAware
New, Public Records Act Compliance Audit Of California State Agencies
+ Background/Conclusions (PDF)
+ Grading Summary (PDF)
+ Essay about the Audit (PDF)
+ Individual Agency Reports Are Accessible on the CalAware Home Page

Resources, Reports, Tools, Lists, and Full Text
Country Profiles
Source: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress
Just Updated: Philippines
26 pages; PDF.
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United Nations–Security Council–Database
Source: UN
Security Council: membership since 1946
Search by year or country.
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Palestinian Election
Source: House of Commons Library, UK
New Research Paper: The Palestinian Parliamentary Election and the Rise of Hamas
28 pages; PDF.
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Transportation–United States–Statistics
Source: BTS
Recently Released, Pocket Guide to Transportation 2006 (Online Version)
“This report is a quick reference to the changes in the U.S. transportation system since 1970 and how they have affected the nation’s economy, safety, energy use, and the environment. The Print Version was released in January 2006.”
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Hurricane Katrina–Recovery–New Orleans
Source: RAND Corporation (Gulf States Policy Institute)
The Repopulation of New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina
“The population of New Orleans will likely reach about 272,000 in September 2008 — amounting to 56 percent of the population of 485,000 before Hurricane Katrina struck in August, according to a study issued today by the RAND Corporation.”
Summary (PDF; 0.1 MB) Full Document (PDF; 1.0 MB)
(via DocuTicker.com)