The content on the web now 1 trillion pages. If this had been done as a formal project, it would have taken an effort on the order of several world wars. But it has pretty much been done in our spare time.
Our institutions are built on the assumption that information is scarce, but [...]
The Future of Libraries, ALA Washington Office Breakout Session
[Session at ALA Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA June 28, 2008]
Joan Frye Williams:
We’re in the idea business.
Relationship management business, more about relationships than transactions.
“Members” preferred term for what we call users, patrons, customers.
Thinking about what they will want next.
Not just a place to go, a place to do things
not the grocery store, but a kitchen
trust us [...]
Tom, June 29th 2008
Some general thoughts on the Educause Southeast Regional Conference
When I was in Maryland, I attended the Mid-Atlantic Educause meetings. Like those meetings the SER one was focused and pragmatic–useful. It was great to get connected with some more folks in the SE. I’m also always amazed at the people one meets from one’s own institution at events such as this. [...]
Tom, June 29th 2008
EndUser2007
This past week I attended my first (and probably last) EndUser conference, the user group for what used to be Endeavor products. Quick historical summary: Francisco Partners, a technology venture capital firm, last year bought out both Ex Libris and Endeavor and selected the Ex Libris management and name to continue. So, it [...]
Tom, May 2nd 2007
Report from the 2007 Spring Task Force Meeting of the Coalitiion for Networked Information
I’ll be reporting from the CNI meeting in Phoenix this next couple of days.
Tom, April 16th 2007
Universal Access to Human Knowledge
Brewster Kahle, Founder/Director, Internet Archive
Open access, the ability to see things for free, but also download and use things for new and different purposes.
How do we go about building large digital libraries?
“From shelves to servers” (Chinese digital library folks)
Boston Public Library inscription carved over door, “Free to All.”
Opportunity: universal access to all knowledge, perserved and [...]
Tom, March 7th 2007
Lessons from Amazon
Steve Kessel, Senior VP, Worldwide Digital Media, Amazon.com
Start with the customer and work backwards.
Be clear.
Focus on customer needs that don’t change (lower prices, better selection, more convenience).
Reduce friction (Amazon Shorts, 49 cents, keep a copy online for you).
Reject either/or thinking.
Maximize experimentation.
Remember that the customer isn’t at the meeting.
Tom, March 6th 2007
The Incredible Journey: Building Great Libraries for the Digital Age
Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive, British Library.
7 themes for the 21st century:
Know your users and keep close to them.
Rethink the physical spaces of the library.
Integrate marketing in your organizations.
Open up your legacy print collections to digital.
Reduce legacy costs and improve productivity.
Invest more in innovation and digital.
Develop our people.
But is step-wise progress sufficient? Do we need [...]
Tom, March 6th 2007
Emerging Cybraries
Michael Keller, Stanford’s University Librarian, outlined important aspects of various search experiences. He noted that we still are at a point of time at which there is not a clear certain about what digital libraries might be in the future. I’ve been thinking this for some time, and felt vindicated to have the [...]
Tom, March 5th 2007
