Is e-mail going the way of snail mail? Is your inbox maxed out? The answers to those questions might depend on how old you are and how many people share information with you in the course of a day.
Source: GCN
Archive for July, 2009
Collaboration: Farewell to E-Mail
Friday, July 31st, 2009Open Content Alliance: Questions for the Google Books Monopoly
Friday, July 31st, 2009Peter Brantley from the OCA Writes:
At the Internet Archive, we encourage people to listen to what Google Books has to say with a healthy dose of skepticism, and specifically, to ask the company and its partners about the following troubling issues:
+ Orphan Works
+ The Book Rights Registry Monopoly
+ Privacy
Source: Open Content Alliance Blog
Now Online: The Complete July Issue of the Journal of the Medical Library Association
Friday, July 31st, 2009Access the Full Text of the Issue (97.3) via PubMed Central
Articles Include:
+ Evaluation of PubMed filters used for evidence-based searching: validation using relative recall
+ Trends in health sciences library and information science research: an analysis of research publications in the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association and Journal of the Medical Library Association from 1991 to 2007
+ Digital audio lectures: a library’s path to sustainability
+ Making health literacy real: adult literacy and medical students teach each other
+ Health information disparities? determining the relationship between age, poverty, and rate of calls to a consumer and patient health information service
+ Review: Answering Consumer Health Questions: The Medical Library Association Guide for Reference Librarians
Source: MLA (via PubMed Central)
CrossRef Hits the Books—Deposits Grow, Guidelines Released
Friday, July 31st, 2009For the second year in a row CrossRef deposits for books are growing faster than any other content type in the reference linking system. As of July 2009, more than 1.8 million CrossRef Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) have been assigned for books. Each CrossRef DOI represents a citable book title, chapter, or reference entry that can be used to link references from scholarly content. Book deposits range from monographs with a single CrossRef DOI to massive reference works with tens of thousands of individual entries.
To encourage publishers to ramp up reference linking for scholarly books, and to explain how CrossRef DOIs for books work, CrossRef has published two documents. The first, Best Practices for Books, was created by CrossRef’s Book Working Group. The second is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document explaining the relationship between CrossRef DOIs and other DOI applications, such as the ISBN-A.
+ FAQ
Source: CrossRef
New Database on Pesticides, Food, and Health Risks
Friday, July 31st, 2009A new searchable database shows what pesticides are found on different foods, in what amount, and the health effects associated with exposure to each of the chemicals.
See Also: Where Does the Data Come From (Methodology)?
Source: Pesticide Action Network (via RTKNet.org)
Library Groups Advise DOJ on Proposed Google Book Search Settlement
Friday, July 31st, 2009The American Library Association (ALA), the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) sent a letter to William Cavanaugh, Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division yesterday, requesting the Division to advise the court presiding over the Google Book Settlement to supervise the implementation of the settlement closely, particularly the pricing of institutional subscriptions and the selection of the Book Rights Registry board members.
[Snip]
In particular, the library groups urged the Division to ask the court to review pricing of institutional subscriptions whenever the Division concludes that the prices do not meet the economic objectives set forth in the settlement. In order to evaluate the price of an institutional subscription, the groups believe the Division should have access to all relevant price information from Google and the Registry.
[Snip]
With an absence of competition for the proposed services, the settlement could compromise fundamental library values such as equity of access to information, patron privacy and intellectual freedom, according to the library associations who filed comments with the presiding judge on behalf of libraries and the public interest.
Access the Complete Letter (2 pages; PDF)
Source: ARL
U.S.: Federal Digitization Guidelines Update
Friday, July 31st, 2009The Federal Agencies Digitization Guidelines Initiative is continuing work on guidance for digitizing cultural heritage materials.
The article contains links to updated guidelines, a podcast, and conference presentation.
We also learn that the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Institute of Standards and Technologies have joined the digitization initiative.
Access the Federal Agencies Digitization Guidelines Web Site
Source: National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program
Should You Trust Health Advice from the Web?
Friday, July 31st, 2009If you regularly turn to a search engine to find out whether, say, you should put ice on a twisted ankle, you’re far from alone. Sixty-one per cent of American adults seek out health advice online, according to a survey published last month by the Pew Internet and American Life Project.
Around a third of those surveyed admitted they changed their thinking about how they should treat a condition based on what they found online. Yet a growing body of evidence suggests that much online health information is unreliable.
Several studies to be published in medical journals this year highlight the issue. Pia López-Jornet and Fabio Camacho-Alonso of the University of Murcia, Spain, found that information on oral cancers on the top websites gathered by Google and Yahoo searches was “poor” (Oral Oncology, DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2009.03.017). Among other things, the websites failed to attribute authorship, cite sources and report conflicts of interest. And a study by a team at the Charité University Medical Centre in Berlin, Germany, of googled advice on how to deal with heartburn found that “the evidence for most of the recommendations is weak to nonexistent” (European Journal of Integrative Medicine.
Source: New Scientist
See Also: US Doctors Rely on Wikipedia (via The Inquirer)
See Also: The Pew Internet & American Life Project Survey Mentioned in the Article
We first linked to the report on June 11, 2009.
State of Washington Signs Up to Use Bing
Friday, July 31st, 2009Even in the lead of a story about Microsoft/Bing, we have great example of “googled” used as a verb to describe all web search.
The State of Washington has googled its way to Bing. The authorities noted that after considering various search engines available on the market to power the search of their official website they ended up choosing Bing. Google and Yahoo were also candidates for integration, but the State of Washington made the decision to go with the latest search engine release from Microsoft. Bing was introduced at the end of May 2009, with the rollout complete by early June. Bing will power search on the Access Washington website.
Btw, it’s worth noting the Washington is home of Microsoft. Another article from TechFlash about the State of Washington selection of Bing has a bit more info.
“Of course we like that it’s a local provider,” said state DIS spokeswoman Joanne Todd, “but the bottom line was to get the best search engine we can get, and Bing was the best solution.”
Todd said Bing is providing the search function to the state internet portal for free.
Source: Softpedia
Arts: Louvre Launches First-Ever English Version of Online Collections Database
Friday, July 31st, 2009The Musée du Louvre today announced that it will launch an English version of its online collections database, Atlas, on July 30, 2009. This interactive research tool will allow visitors to access information on 22,000 artworks from the Louvre, view high-resolution images of masterpieces, and locate exhibited works and galleries throughout the Museum. Currently available only in French, Atlas is accessible free-of-charge via the Louvre’s website, www.louvre.fr, which receives more than 10 millions visitors a year.
Here’s a Direct Link to the Atlas Database (in English)
Source: Artdaily.org
Google Engineering Director Spells Out Vision for the Future of Digital Books
Friday, July 31st, 2009Google Books engineering director Dan Clancy spelled out the vision at a talk at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View last night. Here goes: Google will partner with all interested retailers, so you’ll be able to buy books wherever you like—at an online site or your neighborhood bookstore. [What about libraries?] The books themselves will be stored “in the cloud,” meaning out on some Google server, rather than on your computer hard drive or in a device you own. And you’ll be able to read them on any device you want—e-reader, phone, computer, or netbook.
This vision is different from the arrangement spelled out in the pending settlement with the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers. That arrangement mostly deals with the out-of-print books Google scanned at university libraries, Clancy said, “so it’s more about the past.” The new vision concerns the future, in which many books will automatically launch with a digital version (as many do today) and where digital rights and licensing will be baked into publishers’ business models.
Source: MediaBistro
UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register Grows with 35 New Inscriptions
Thursday, July 30th, 2009Anne Frank’s Diaries and the Royal Archives of Thailand and Madagascar are among 35 items of documentary heritage of exceptional value which have been added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. This brings the total number of inscriptions since 1997 to 193.
Source: UNESCO
Now Available: 2009 Consumer Action Handbook and Web Site
Thursday, July 30th, 2009When the economy is uncertain, it’s even more important to watch every dime. To help you get the most bang for your buck, avoid credit problems, and resolve shopping hassles, order the 2009 edition of the free Consumer Action Handbook from the Federal Citizen Information Center.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this year’s Consumer Action Handbook continues to provide top-notch tips and advice for common consumer issues like buying a car, building good credit and protecting your privacy. Now you’ll also find expanded resources for military personnel, the latest facts on buying a home and even more contact information for major companies.
The Consumer Action Handbook is also at your service online at www.ConsumerAction.gov. Search the website to easily access and download all of the information in the printed edition, plus keep up with the latest consumer news and product recalls.
Download the Complete 2009 Handbook (180 pages; PDF) or Only Print the Chapters You Need (PDF)
Order the Print Edition of the 2009 Consumer Action Handbook (Free)
Source: Federal Citizen Information Center.
Hat Tip: Stuart B.
Librarians Show Wild Side in Benefit Calendar
Thursday, July 30th, 2009So much for the stereotype. Texas librarians are baring their skin and revealing their tattoos—all to raise disaster relief money to help damaged libraries.
Photos of the librarians and their body art appear in a new calendar sold by the Texas Library Association.
[Snip]
The TLA says libraries thrive on promoting diversity and free expression and the calendar exhibits that spirit.
Source: AP
Learn More/View Two Sample Page Via this Texas Library Association Web Page
Impressive! OpenCongress Receives Comprehensive Redesign, Adds New Features
Thursday, July 30th, 2009If you or those you work with have any interest in the workings of the U.S. Congress and related matters, OpenCongress is one impressive (and free) resource. Today, they went live with a major update along with adding several new tools.
Here are some of the highlights via the OpenCongress blog post. We strongly recommend taking a look at it.
Besides the new design, we’re also going public with a bunch of new features today that make it easier for people to turn their browsing and research of bills before Congress into powerful political action, instantly.
Here’s what else is new today on OpenCongress:
+ Contact Congress…Now from any page on OpenCongress, you’re just one click away from sending an email to your Senator or Representative. For example, if you’re researching a bill in Congress and you decide that you want your Representative to sign onto it as a co-sponsor, just click the “write your Rep. button” on the right-hand sidebar and an email form will pop out that you can use to send them your message, as shown in the screen shot below. This kind of self-directed activism has a powerful effect on lawmakers. Try it out at this bill page, for example.
+ Watchdog Congress – Now you can track how every vote your members of Congress take on passing bills compares to your own personal votes, “aye” or “nay,” and how they compare to what constituents in your state and district support and oppose.
+ The OpenCongress API – All of our uniquely-aggregated data about Congress and user-generated content on the site is now freely available via API for web programmers to remix and share on their own websites.
+ RaceTracker – We announced this last month, but since then hundreds of people have added their knowledge and helped to make this into an incredible one-stop resource for every 2010 Senate and House race.
+ Social Tracking – We’ve added more helpful ways to find the things in Congress that are important to you. On the page of any bill, issue, or Member of Congress, see what other users tracking that item are also tracking, as well as what they are supporting and opposing.
+ More Data – We’ve added detailed new data on campaign contributions for lawmakers and bills from OpenSecrets and MAPLight, congressional scorecards from issue-based organizations on the OpenCongress Wiki, and more. You can see a big picture perspective of the money trail in Congress, or click the “money trail” tab on any bill, senator or representative page for details on which companies are funding the lobbying efforts and campaigns. For an example, here’s an overview of the money behind the stimulus.
+ RaceTracker – We announced this last month, but since then hundreds of people have added their knowledge and helped to make this into an incredible one-stop resource for every 2010 Senate and House race. The Racetracker is a crowd-sourced project that allows individuals to add information about who’s running for office in their district and state, as long as the info is referenced to an outside source.
Interactive Comparison Tool: Comprehensive Health Reform Proposals
Thursday, July 30th, 2009From the KFF Web Site:
The [Kaiser Family] Foundation has updated its interactive health reform comparison tool, which now includes 11 comprehensive proposals being discussed in Washington, including the major House and Senate bills. In addition, new detailed summaries of the Medicaid and Medicare provisions in the House Tri-Committee bill is now available.
Access the Side-by-Side Comparison of Major Health Care Reform Proposals
Source: KFF
Milestones: MedlinePlus Grows to 800 Health Topics!
Thursday, July 30th, 2009Congrats to the MedlinePlus team on this milestone.
The 800th health topic page with links and info about spider bites was placed online in the past day or so.
Btw, over 700 of the health topic pages are also available from MedlinePlus in Spanish.
Do you want to stay current with new health topics and other useful health information? Subscribe (free) to the MedlinePlus e-mail update.
New Web Site from NASA
Thursday, July 30th, 2009NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is introducing a new Web site that will provide a centralized resource for information on near-Earth objects – those asteroids and comets that can approach Earth. The “Asteroid Watch” site also contains links for the interested public to sign up for NASA’s new asteroid widget and Twitter account.
“Most people have a fascination with near-Earth objects,” said Don Yeomans, manager of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Program Office at JPL. “And I have to agree with them. I have studied them for over three decades and I find them to be scientifically fascinating, and a few are potentially hazardous to Earth. The goal of our Web site is to provide the public with the most up-to-date and accurate information on these intriguing objects.”
+ Access the NASA/JPL Asteroid Watch Web Site
+ Follow Asteroid Watch on Twitter
An RSS feed and E-Mail Alert (select asteroids) are also available.
+ Download the Asteroid Watch Widget
Source: AScribe
If You Build It, They Will Scan: Oxford University’s Exploration of Community Collections
Thursday, July 30th, 2009Key Takeaways from the Article:
+ Traditional large digitization projects demand massive resources from the central unit (library, museum, or university) that has acquired funding for them.
+ Another model, enabled by easy access to cameras, scanners, and web tools, calls for public contributions to community collections of artifacts.
+ Community collections involving the public benefit from reduced costs and access to an astounding wealth of hitherto undiscovered material and knowledge.
Source: EDUCAUSE Quarterly
