Scopus/Bloglines Assignment

Click here to see my public Bloglines subscriptions, including the LIS2600 folder of my Scopus search results.

The URL is http://www.bloglines.com/public/mpolymenakos . (I added the URL here on July 2. While going over my notes, I thought this might be necessary. The rest of this post was created on June 22.)

My Scopus search included 48 items; however, only 20 seem to have been included in my LIS2600 folder. I am able to view all of them by selecting that option; they just aren't in the posted list. I'm not sure why, although the Scopus help information states that an RSS feed can not be created for all searches. Does that pertain to individual items within a search?

Both Sides of the Issue

Some of the ideas we shared in our second formal asynchronous discussion question (about the changing roles of librarians) for Understanding Information are covered in this article.


33 Reasons Why Libraries and Librarians Are Still Extremely Important - Technology - RedOrbit

Bill Gates' Harvard Commencement Speech

My pastor's daughter graduated from Harvard this month. He told me that this speech was very inspiring.

I'm having a hard time believing that she's already out of college. I hired her as a page (shelver) in my library when she was a high school sophomore.


Microsoft’s Bill Gates: Harvard commencement speech transcript - Network World

One Step Forward, One Step Back...

In yesterday's post, I referred to an article in my local newspaper. Were you wondering why I didn't use Scribefire? I'm sure you were. Rushing to make my third required post by the stroke of midnight on Saturday, I forgot how to use it!

In the interest of using my blog to keep track of my progress, here is proof that all was not lost. In a calmer moment today, it all came back to me.

Library is given a $2 million donation Inquirer 06/16/2007

Role Models

The Philadelphia Inquirer included an interesting article today about the announcement of a large donation to the restoration project of the Free Library of Philadelphia. On hand for the event was Phillies infielder Jimmy Rollins,who admitted that he "hasn't been to the library in a few years, unless you count Barnes & Noble as a library." However, he did offer helpful comments on the gun violence in the city and how libraries can be "after-school safe havens for teens."

Even if Mr. Rollins hasn't been a regular library user, his influence can have a big impact on young people. He has the right idea.

Mission Accomplished

Happiness is finishing your first assignment for Introduction to Information Technologies. We each had to incorporate references from Connotea and EndNoteWeb into a folder. I decided on copyright law as my topic. I knew virtually nothing about it until I began my assignments for my two classes, so I thought that would be a good choice.

Well, it's one of many things about which I know nothing. I have to admit that the syllabus for LIS 2600 was frightening when I first looked at it. Now, bit by bit, I know I'll get through it. I only wish that I didn't have to go through everything so quickly. How is it that some of my classmates are working ahead?

I want to go back and actually read the articles that I found. At least I now have a good set of sources, and they will help me to answer the Understanding Information class discussion question for the week of July 9.

Maybe I should treat myself to an extra hour of sleep tonight!

Open Access

Last night, I finished my first 1500 word book review comparing and contrasting three books for my Understanding Information class. It's time to begin reading the four books for the next review. The time is going by so quickly.

I had tried to read The Access Principle (by John Willinsky) online as recommended. No way. It was too hard on my eyes, and I kept losing my place. I need to play around with the features and see if I can get used to this. I quickly ordered a copy through Baker & Taylor at work (for $31.46 - There's only a 10% discount for university presses). I did use the online version for one thing; it was great for finding certain terms when I wanted to refer to them while writing.

A number of reviewers commented on the fact that Willinksy's book on open access costs over $30.00. That didn't bother me as much as finding out that my access was denied to some of the reviews! However, Willinsky is very fair in his assessment of the current state of affairs. He lists the "ten flavors of open access" in the appendix to the book. He reminds us that open access does not necessarily mean "free access."