Todd Sattersten on Books

What is A Book? from Todd Sattersten on Vimeo.

For more about Todd, please go to http://toddsattersten.com/

Pop-Up Libraries

Chinatown Storefront Library from Chris Lovett on Vimeo.

For a temporary space, they have beautiful fixtures.  Love the film they used on the window.  Forget pop-up retail (that's so 2004), temporary micro-niche libraries are the next big thing.

Skokie Public Library Staff Appreciation Video

The Library Strikes Back from Richard on Vimeo.

Jarrod Beglinger

Image: Jarrod Beglinger's 45º Chair & 10 Degree Stepstool

Jarrod's work is downright awesome. He's received some great press from Dwell, and he is looking to take his 10 Degree Stepstool from prototype to production. Check out his company's site at www.officeforlostobjects.com and head on over to Kickstarter to help him turn his 10 Degree Stepstool into production reality.

Google's Personalized Search: Is It Relevant?

Google announces that Personalized Search will now be default. That could be good, but that could also be bad.

I worry that, in Google's quest for relevant search results, it may be undermining what it is trying to develop--relevancy.

Say a student uses Google all the time to conduct research, but they do not critically evaluate the websites they use (i.e. they don't have good information literacy skills). Let's say the student pulls information from sites that do not have a vetting process. Google's Personalized Search will rank the student's usual sources over others like .edu sites. Furthermore, general users like our hypothetical student rarely go beyond the first page of results. Thus, Google reinforces the student's poor searching habits while the student believes they are obtaining relevant information. However, the information is not relevant if it is incorrect.

To opt out of personalized search, go here.

ARLIS/NA Art Documentation Cover Contest

Hurray for change :)  Let's keep innovating.

To see all the potential covers, go to http://www.arlisna.org/artdoc/submissions.html

Annette L. Haines

Image: Poppies Triptych by Annette L. Haines

Haines does amazing work, and she's a librarian to boot.  Above is her most recent work done using the moku hanga style of wood-block printing on handmade Japanese Nishinouchi paper.  Haines even uses hand-ground pigments!

Check out Haines' blog at Serendipity Artist (she gives a great play-by-play on Poppies and other works).  Definitely check out her esty shop at www.etsy.com/shop/serendipityartist

Columbus Underground Interview with CML's Pat Losinski

Interesting interview between Walker Evans and Losinski. Losinski brings up an interesting user behavior: library use as habit. That has interesting implications, especially when crafting a library's message for funding.

The Evolving Role of the Columbus Metro Library

OAL's Holiday Events

Image: Ohio Art League Holiday Mirror Ball, A Member Appreciation Party

From the release:

HOLIDAY MIRROR BALL
A Member Appreciation Party
Saturday, December 19, 2009
8 p.m. to Midnight
Skye Bar in the OSU South Campus Gateway Arts Alley
1562 N. High Street

The Ohio Art League would like to invite you and yours to Holiday Mirror Ball, a member appreciation party. Please, join us for this festive evening as we say thank you to all of our members, friends, supporters and fans.

Entertainment for the night will feature:
Music by DJ Sally Simple
Performances by Jenai Cutcher and Whistling in the Dark Theater Company
Cash bar available featuring Elevator Brewing Company

Entry is free for all members ($5 entry fee for public). The first 100 members through the door will receive a special thank you gift from OAL.

If you are interested in volunteering for this event please contact Eliza Jones at 614-299-8225, email oal@oal.org, or sign up on our website at www.oal.org.

Before the festivities begin on the evening of December 19 don't miss out on...

ARTillery's
HOLIDAY ART MARKET
Saturday, December 12 & 19, noon to 6 p.m.
Skye Bar in the OSU South Campus Gateway Arts Alley

Stop by Skye Bar to get your unique holiday gifts from some of Columbus' finest local artists, featuring ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, printmaking and more. Are interested in selling your work and would like more information, visit artilleryohio.com.

Also on December 12 at The Shoe Box in the Arts Alley:
Kids Holiday Craft Workshops and Holiday Movies
Noon to 2:30 p.m. & 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Kids age 5 - 11, $25 registration
Presented by (Mix)ed Media

For more info about OAL, please go to www.oal.org

News Corp., Google, and Copyrights

Really interesting article over on WSJ's blog about how Rupert Murdoch is considering having his news organizations' content (like the Wall Street Journal) removed from Google's indexing.

The article then goes on:

Mr. Murdoch added that News Corp. believes that the fair-use doctrine, which allows for use of copyrighted materials in limited ways such as search results, “could be challenged in the courts and barred altogether.”

Wowza. This is definitely something to watch. Will we have something akin to the RIAA/DMCA for bloggers who republish parts of works like I just did above?

Recap: Tom Kelley @CCADedu

Tom Kelley is from Akron.

Growing up Kelley witnessed first-hand the extinction of an industry due to the lack of innovation. In a span of less than 20 years, Akron (OH) went from making 100% of the tires used in the U.S. to making 0%. This affected his family, his community, and, of course, the tire manufactures.

Kelley spoke at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) this past Wednesday. CCAD's Business Advisory Council made the event a reality, and CCAD's president, Denny Griffith, gave a poignant introduction that focused on creative economies.

In Kelley's presentation, he focused on 3-out-of-10 personal roles of innovators from his book, "The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO's strategies for beating the devil's advocate & driving creativity throughout your organization." Those roles include the anthropologist, the experimenter, and the cross-pollinator.

Each role has unique characteristics that lead companies to innovate.

The anthropologist sees with new eyes. Doing so allows for the observance of needs--not directing what should be needed. Observing the need(s) and matching with an organization's capabilities leads to empathic design.

This role is Kelley's favorite. He indicated anthropoligists must be in a mental state of vuja de (a play on deja vu). Anthropologists must use new perspectives to look at things that have been witnessed a million times over. By doing so, anthropoligists discover unmet needs.

The experimenter is all about trial and error. Experimenters are given the allowance to fail in a fostered and secure system because with many innovators (Edison, Dyson, etc.) new knowledge comes from failure. Kelley remarked that organizations need to "lower the bar for prototyping." He explained that we do not allow ourselves enough room to be creative, and he indicated that even the crudest prototypes can elucidate ideas, eventually leading to breakthrough products or services (Kelley highlighted a case study from their HBR article, "Design Thinking.")

Cross-pollinators, my personal favorite, are individuals that spread knowledge and ideas throughout the organization. Of course, this directly relates to librarians and knowledge managers. Kelley described cross-pollinators as "unstable elements" until they've spread the new information/knowledge they have. Furthermore, Kelley said that cross-pollinators are infinitly curious and part student, part teacher. He indicated IDEO actively looks for these types of individuals to help their organization remain innovative.

While although a bit like a presentation to sell his book & IDEO, Kelley's talk gave us much to think about. I'm grateful for central Ohio organizations like CCAD, their BAC, and the YPO/WPO/EO collective for bringing luminaries like Kelley to Columbus. I hope that the cross-pollinization between academic, public, and private sectors continues to thrive in Columbus, fostering our own creative economy.

Recap: Helene Blowers' Finding the Phoenix

Blowers Champions Localization.

Last month Helene spoke at OCLC about the future of libraries. Her talk was entitled, "Finding the Phoenix: Feathers, Flight & the Future of Libraries," and it focused on how we can move beyond current trends and create engaging learning spaces.

I was particularly impressed with her trends analysis. She highlighted trends that I'm pretty sure that most of us were already aware of (e.g. mobile web, e-readers, etc.). However, it was her analysis of these trends which lead to new insights and got the crowd thinking. The ability to formulate new thoughts around data/info that has been around for 3-5 years really blew me away. I realized that it's not necessarily about finding the latest trends but what insights you're able to create.

Blowers tapped into the idea of the creative community/economy to transform libraries into deeply-rooted, community spaces that empower and foster community members' creativity. Furthermore, libraries that "harvest community knowledge" will shift from a privider of intellectual outputs to one that includes both inputs & outputs.

This is a powerful idea. The intellectual input/output paradigm will implicitly demonstrate a library's ROI to the community. That is, if they come to us (online or off). Consequently, strategic outreach becomes a critical component for our libraries.

Overall, it was really good presentation. Thanks again Helene. And thanks to my employer, SC search consultants, for placing a high value on professional development (i.e. allowing me time to attend ;)

Below are the slides from the presentation.

Finding the Phoenix: Feathers, Flight & the Future of Libraries

View more presentations from hblowers.

Copyright, Architecture, and Libraries

Image: Des Moines Public Library by toddmundt

There's a really interesting discussion on Jassamyn West's blog about her recent visit to the Des Moines Public Library.  The library enforces a no indoor photography policy due to the wishes of the building's architect. 

Something new to me was the fact that buildings can be copyrighted, but it appears that copyrights are not extended to personal photography or other personal creative works depicting the building.

While I can understand concerns of architects regarding commercial photography, I think it is counter-productive for libraries to adopt blanket policies.   Limiting the ability of community members to share their experiences through images or other artistic means creates a rift between the community and the institution.  Public libraries as public institutions can not afford to be disconnected from the communities they serve nor the global community that supports them.

TEDx Columbus Recap

TEDxColumbus was an amazing event. The venue (OSU's Wexner Center) , the MCs, the speakers, and the participants made for an unforgettable evening. It was great to catch up with old colleagues and meet new acquaintances.

Matt Slaybaugh
Slaybaugh's "This One is for You" delivered the powerful, yet not overly sappy message of finding purpose in work & life (i.e. "pick something you love & do it like a bad habit for 10 years"). Slaybaugh's delivery was quite masterful. His gestures, his voice, and his ability to appear as if he was personally talking to each member of the audience was commanding.

Ann Pendleton-Julian
Pendleton-Julian drove home the idea of ecosystems and their interconnections. She likened ecosystems to games in her talk, "Design Through Gaming," by demonstrating their structural qualities while also indicating almost infinite possibilities within those structures. In her teaching, she uses game design as a means to teach how to think differently, to "rewire" her students' thought process. Students would then tackle architecture and urban planning problems with a new cognitive skill set and create more holistic solutions.

John Mueller
Mueller argued that the U.S. has over-emphasized the threat of nuclear weapons. He indicated that terrorist attack scenarios are highly unlikely and that nuclear powers like China are not compelled to stockpile. While I agree with Mueller to some extent (and would certainly need further research to disprove his claims), I still believe that the nuclear card is a powerful positioning tactic. The ROI currently comes from an enemy's belief that nuclear weapons could be used. If the enemy devalues the other's claims, I fear some enemies will up the ante.

Norah Zuniga Shaw
Shaw's presentation demonstrated how seemingly random & diverse activities have deep underlying structures. Shaw used the term "counterpoint," the interplay of independent elements, to describe these deep structures. Specifically, Shaw uses dance and "choreographic visualizations" to manifest counterpoint. The process of capturing data from dancers' movements and then creating abstracted visualizations from that data are intriguing. For more check out Synchronous Objects, a project by William Forsythe, Maria Palazzi, and Shaw.

John Glenn
Glenn participated in a memorable Q&A discussion with Mike Curtin. Glenn focused partly on education and repeated the need for an "educated citizenry." At 88, Glenn was amazingly sharp and could remember stats from 10-year-old (but still relevant) reports on education that he was involved with. Additionally, Glenn said macro- and micro-level curiosity across our society is vital for the continued development of research. He then quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson

If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the new stand side by side and admit of being compared; when the energies of all men are searched by fear and by hope; when the historic glories of the old can be compensated by the rich possibilities of the new era? This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.

Emerson, R. (1837). The American Scholar. Essays. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16643/16643-h/16643-h.htm#THE_AMERICAN_SCHOLAR

Glenn ended by saying he'd been married for 66 years, stepped down from the platform, and high-fived his wife. Unforgettable.

Reade Harpham
Harpham positioned Design as a process or tool to answer, "What if?" His presentation focused on the OneLab's project to create a more efficient millet thresher for Mali citizens. I especially liked how he spoke about prototyping (the physical manifestation of an idea, experiencing an idea). He ended by challenging the audience this question, "Every single person has the power to change the world. What would you do?"

Chrystie Hill
Again, it was so great to have a librarian as part of the inaugural TEDxColumbus. Hill specifically touched on libraries as community builders. Hill stressed it is imperative to go beyond knowing your users. Hill expressed the necessity to know the non-users in a library's community. By doing so, libraries can develop services that truly matter to the entire community, not just one population of it. She also touched on libraries-as-dynamic-learning-spaces vs book warehouses and provided the Seattle system as a case study for all of the above.

Art Epstein
Epstein and his colleagues are doing some amazing work in the field of plastics. Epstein spoke about plastics that conduct electricity, others that are magnetic, and yet others that could be used as light-emitting inks. Epstein ended his talk by discussing possible glucose notification applications for diabetics.

"Library of the Early Mind" sample from Edward J Delaney on Vimeo.

Sample of the documentary film "Library of The Early Mind," directed byEdward J. Delaney, produced by Edward J. Delaney and Steven Withrow. 7 minutes.

This looks to be really good. I have to say I'm intrigued when one of my all-time-favorite children's book author/illustrators says, "If I hadn't become an artist, I probably would have become a serial killer." Yowza! Mr. Small, I'm glad you choose the arts.

For more details & videos, check out the doc's blog at childrenslitproject.wordpress.com (thanks Denise Johnson)

¡Donde Viven los Monstruos!

Donde Viven los Monstruos (original) from DolcheFarNiente on Vimeo.

Influx: User Experience Lib Consultants

Intro to UX for Libraries from Aaron Schmidt on Vimeo.

Audio needs to be worked out their promo, but the graphics and animation are great.

quick teaser about UX for libraries.

See http://influx.us for more

Southgate PubLib's Solar Project

Southgate Public Library Solar Project from Scott Hayes on Vimeo.

TEDxColumbus

With a great speaker lineup, the 1st TEDxColumbus event on Oct. 20th, 2009, promises to be quite remarkable. Speakers include former astronaut John Glenn, librarian Chrystie Hill (OCLC), industrial designer Reade Harpham (Battelle), Ann Pendleton-Julian (Professor & Director, Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture, Ohio State University), and many other notable luminaries.

About TEDx

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is call TEDx (place), where x=independently organized TED event. At our TEDx (place) event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

For more information, visit www.tedxcolumbus.com

Via: Columbus Underground

Technorati Tags: tedx

The Amazing Flash Rosenberg

Who is Mark Twain? from Flash Rosenberg on Vimeo.

by Flash Rosenberg

"Who is Mark Twain?" by Mark Twain himself

(new, never-before published works, Spring 2009)

Chapter 2: "Whenever I am about to publish a book...."

read by: John Lithgow

publisher: Harper Studio

video editor: Sarah Lohman

Flash is New York Public Library's artist-in-residence.

The Librarian

The Librarian from samjerK on Vimeo.

As I understand it, OSU has got something like this.

Darien Libary Construction Video

New Darien Library Construction Timelapse from Darien Library on Vimeo.

This time lapse covers the period of time from November 2007, when we put the web cam up, through July 2008 when it had to come down so that they could put in the parking lot.

One of the best construction time lapses that I've seen. Darien Public Library - http://www.darienlibrary.org

Edinburgh's Visual Cognition Lab

Eye Movements during a BBC4 Advert of a Library from VisCogEdinburgh on Vimeo.

University of Edinburgh, Visual Cognition Lab, Copyright 2009 visual.cognition@ed.ac.uk, psy.ed.ac.uk/diem/

University of Edinburgh's Visual Cognition Lab has a really compelling way to visualize eye tracking. The concentric rings that you see on the ad are the results of the VisCog Lab's analysis. Another interesting analysis is the one done on on the Sony Bravia commercial below. This would be a great visualization for usability testing or eye tracking in live situations for wayfinding, etc.

(As a side note, Fallon has done a fantastic job on Sony's Colour Like No Other campaign)

Eye Movements during an Advert for Sony Bravia from VisCogEdinburgh on Vimeo.

University of Edinburgh, Visual Cognition Lab, Copyright 2009 visual.cognition@ed.ac.uk, psy.ed.ac.uk/diem/

1982 Defense Info School Library

DINFOS Academic Library from J.D. Harrington on Vimeo.

This is a news story produced as a training tool at the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin-Harrison, Indiana. The subject was the DINFOS Academic Libary, an on location facility that students used to gather information for their stories and relax for awhile.



Videotaped: April 1982

Runtime: 1:31

Producer: SSgt. J.D. Harrington

Book Shelving as Art

Film 26/52 - Shelf Stacking from Nathan Rae on Vimeo.

This is how it's done.

Amanda Knapp Praised in LJ for #SaveOhioLibraries

Nice little write up.  Amanda definitely deserves it.

On Library Journal.  Via: Evan T. Struble

Support the Free Library of Philadelphia

"As a result of the state budget crisis and legislation impasse, the
entire Free Library of Philadelphia system is set to close October 2nd."

For more information on how to help, go to http://www.library.phila.gov/about/actionnow.htm

Sunken Library

Sunken Library
Originally uploaded by newt696

Wow. I'm not sure what to make of it either!

Libraries, a Service Industry

Ask a Librarian - 2009 PSA from Ask aLibrarian on Vimeo.

Ohio Art League to Move to South Campus Gateway!

Image: OAL's 2003 Annual Auction by Jim of JimOnLight

Per Adam Brouillette on ColumbusUnderground.com:

"The Ohio Art League embarks on this new venture during its 100th
Year Anniversary celebration. OAL will relocate from its Short North
gallery to the Gateway later this month in store-front space in the
main alley just off High Street between 9th and 11th Avenues. In its
new 1,500 square foot space, OAL will continue all current programming
for its nearly 600 members including monthly member-curated
exhibitions, Spring & Fall juried exhibitions, the December
Thumb-box exhibition, and weekly drawing classes.

OAL also plans to collaborate with the OSU Arts Initiative and
Couchfire Collective for expanded programming. OAL membership
coordinator Eliza Jones will oversee the new gallery, which will be
open seven days a week."

OAL also sent out a request to its members to volunteer with their move over the Labor Day Weekend and to help transform their new space.  To volunteer send an email to oal [at] oal [dot] org.

Jamie Drake Designed Library

Drake Design Associates Top Ten Rooms: Library from drake design on Vimeo.

"HGTV's Top 10 showcases the work of the top architects and designers from the Hamptons to Vancouver. Each episode features a tour of 10 amazing rooms of the same type exemplifying stellar design work. Meet the talented architects, designers, and illustrious industry experts who provide valuable insight as to why these rooms work, revealing the design secrets and unique features that make them worthy of our A-list!"

The Future of Graff: Graffiti Technica

Image: Photek by Brad Schwede (Graffiti Technica)

Brad Schwede's project, Graffiti Technica, melds his love for the digital arts and the graffiti aesthetic. The image of Photek above is a digital representation of what the piece might look like if placed on the side of the state library in Brisbane, Australia. Below is a turntable rendering of Photek.

There is also a nice interview at Flawlesshustle.com

3d graffiti - 'Photek turntable render from Graffiti Technica on Vimeo.

Library? No! URBAN MEDIASPACE!

Library of Tomorrow from Arhus Kommunes Biblioteker on Vimeo.

Great animation. Not crazy about exterior aesthetics. Hanging gardens are always a good idea (unless they're hanging over electronics).

Chicago Pub Lib's YOUmedia

The Story of YOUmedia... from YouMedia on Vimeo.

"YouMedia @ CPL is an innovative, 21st century learning space, housed at the Harold Washington Library, created to connect young adults, books, media and institutions throughout the city in one dynamic space designed to inspire collaboration and creativity. By working both in teams and individually, young adults will have an opportunity to engage in projects that promote critical thinking, creativity and skill-building.



YouMedia @ CPL is a partnership between the Chicago Public Library and the Digital Youth Network.



Find more online:



http://www.YouMediaChicago.com



Film Presented by:

The Chicago Public Library

The Person Foundation

The MacArthur Foundation"

Save UCLA's Art Library!

I recall how I thought long & hard about going to UCLA for my MLIS because of so many great art resources there. I seriously hope that UCLA's administrators find a solution.

Here's the background at LA Times.

Here's the FB Group.

Here's the petition.

Books, Beer, & Ballet: Swindon Library 1946

Borrow with interest from the Library from Swindon Viewpoint on Vimeo.

"A fascinating look at the work of Swindon Library in 1946. Made by the Government as part of the 'Britain can make it' programme, it exemplifies the spirit of social renewal prevalent after the Second World War. 6-240"

Might I Add That Dwellephant Kicks Rump Too

Image: Dwellephant's Sieger/Pezzettino Handbill

Old friend Dwellephant has been a busy bee this summer. He did the art for the entire 91.7 FM WMSE Radio Summer Camp festival. He also runs a sketch-a-day blog called Dwellery.

Data Gatherers: We're All Rats

Image: Transdermal Testers via jurvetson

Slate's article Seeking & PSFK's follow up offers some interesting insights into our data driven ways--suggesting that we are biologically inclined to become obsessive info seekers.

Why Marla Campbell Kicks Butt

Friend Marla Campbell made the Hayao Miyazaki portrait for Variety.

w00t! PK & Yumi at Junctionview

Yumi: An Expolosion of Art & Food

Awesome friend Mark Mattson is part of the shindig & has his artwork on the Yumi flyer.  The show has been paired with an outdoor version of Pecha Kucha Night at Junctionview Studios.  Fantastic!

Day in the Life of a KM'er

Rockin' the Library Day in the Life meme.  Here it is.

7:30 AM settle in - get ice water, log in, & open multiple programs
7:45 Begin to research advertising possibilities for client
9:00 Respond to email queries regarding potential candidates
9:30 continue advert research
10:00 interview associate regarding information needs (KM audit)
11:30 working lunch with presentation from onboarding firm
1:00 team meetings
1:30 break out meetings regarding individual clients
2:45 continue advert research
4:00 respond to various emails
5:00 meet with associate about document formatting
6:25 complete advert research with proper formatting and send out

Technorati Tags: librarydayinthelife

NPR on ALA's Book Cart Competition

Oh yeah. 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106561675

OPPL Warrior Librarians 1st place Book Cart Drill Team ALA 2009

34x25x36 on PBS' POV

Always a friend of POV, here's the email I received.

I'm thrilled to let you know that the short film 34x25x36 is screening on P.O.V. on August 18th -- at 10pm (est). The film takes a look at mannequins, perfection and religion. Tune in if you can. We've started a blog for discussions and feedback www.JesseDocs.com.

 

34x25x36 is part of a larger project on media and physical perfection called BODY TYPED. Info and clips are also up on the film blog.

 

In addition -- New Day Films is putting out a  DVD compilation for teachers and community educators -- to start people talking. Let me know if you want any more info about this.

 

 

Best regards,

Jesse

 

--

Jesse Epstein

JesseDocs.com

Libraries as Knowledge Consultants

Knowledge Consultancy Services in Libraries from Marcin Ignac on Vimeo.

When libraries face dramatic funding cuts, some react by cutting services, hours, etc.  What if we were proactive? 

I know that some of our public libraries offer consultancy services, but what if this was more systematic and as well developed as Marcin's concept.  Using technology to connect, collaborate, and project manage asynchronously/synchronously with librarians, patrons, and other potential stake holders is genius.  The potential of Google's Wave might address this.  However, a wiki hosted locally would help ensure data sustainability.

Description: "Service concept for danish libraries developed during Service Design course at CIID."

Hamburg Kunsthalle Projection

555 KUBIK | facade projection | from urbanscreen on Vimeo.

Transforming space through video.  amazing.

MoMA's I See

MoMA: I See

Great storytelling.  How art can connect to our everyday lives.

Via: Chuck Palmer

Ohio Library Council Nixes '09 Convention

image: hold | cancel by wootam!

Budgets that had already been reduced face further reductions in Ohio.  Not good news for professional development.

Read the full story @ LJ

Via: Karen Schneiderman on FB

Contemporary Library Design

Interesting design with touches of Gehry & Pei. Compelling fly-throughs & music.

Norfolk Library Time Capsule

Can't help but think of that awful movie Knowing.  I'm not even going to link to it...it was that bad.

Librarians on school/public library partnerships

sarah krygier interview: school + public library collaboration from anna koval on Vimeo.

"this is an interview with sarah krygier, the young adult librarian at the solano county library in fairfield, california.

it was made by anna koval for her portion of program, "it takes two: school and public libraries, partnerships that can work," which was presented at the american library association's annual conference in chicago, illinois in july 2009.

anna koval did the recording and editing and scott hess did the special effects. copyright 2009."

Libraries that Make Noise: Brisbane City Council Library

Brisbane City Council Library from Jaap van de Geer on Vimeo.

About 7 min. in they talk about the library's "noise floor" (i.e. Sound & Vision Lounge) where live concerts are held every Sunday. Cool.

About 10 min. in they demonstrate their electrochromic glass. Very cool.

Surry Hills Library & Community Centre, FJMT

Innovative air systems. Very cool.

Shout It Out for Your Library!

Malcolm Gladwell & others on the importance of libraries (esp. the NYPL)

Statehouse Rally Pics & Vids: Save Ohio Libaries

Image: Save Ohio Libraries Rally 1 by Bryan Loar

It was a decent turnout for such short notice. A couple of speakers were exceptional. Excerpts from their speeches are below.

"Let Our Libraries Live" Video [text of speech is now on CML's site - bl June 30, 2009]

"Open to All" Video

More images here.

For more information on how you can help, go to www.saveohiolibraries.com

Technorati Tags: saveourlibraries

Swindon Library Promo Video

Swindon Library edited Highlights from Paul Lavers on Vimeo.

It was good up until this point..."And you don't even need a librarian!" [shoving her out of the frame].  Yeah, I get it, but I don't really like it.

Google Map Maker

An Inside Look at Google Map Maker

This is exactly what I needed when I was working on mapping notable retail/restaurant designs for Fitch.

Via: O'Reilly & Karen Schneiderman

Rally to Save Ohio's Libraries at State Capital

Via: LibraryBytes

The Amazing International Children's Digital Library

Image: Fireside Picture Alphabet (1858)

"The mission of the International Children's Digital Library Foundation (ICDL Foundation) is to support the world's children in becoming effective members of the global community - who exhibit tolerance and respect for diverse cultures, languages and ideas -- by making the best in children's literature available online free of charge."

ICDL offers the ability to view children's books from all over the world.  Even better, many of these books are rare and out of print.

http://en.childrenslibrary.org

Via: Patricia Havrin on LinkedIn

Act Now! Save Ohio Libraries

Image: Save Ohio Libraries

"At a news conference on Friday, June 19, the Governor proposed an additional cut in the PLF of $112.5 million in fiscal year 2010 and $114.8 million in 2011 as part of his "framework" to fill the $3.2 billion gap in the budget that must be balanced by Ohio General Assembly's Conference Committee by June 30. This will mean a more than 50% cut in funding for many of Ohio 's public libraries." - Ohio Library Council

Learn how to get involved here: http://saveohiolibraries.com

Technorati Tags: saveohiolibraries

NPR Story Features Folksonomy

Image: Folksonomy by psd

Andy Carvin's "In Iran, The Revolution Will Be Tagged" is an interesting article that touches on how folksonomies are used in Twitter.  It is an interesting article which definitely needs expanding upon.  Librarians have been talking about it for years. 

Is the general public really starting to use it?  The case of Twitter user population is too small.  Just writing aloud here, and I'm thinking that I might form a thesis for an ARLIS/NA paper (I've got to check out Sherman Clarke's & other librarian's work too).

Bonneau’s Pop-Up Alphabet Book

Lise Bonneau’s Pop-Up Alphabet Book

Somehow missed this gem. Found out about it through ARLIS/NA's listserv.

Video via: Complex

Herb and Dorothy Trailer

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vma2T5luy08

"He was a postal clerk. She was a librarian."

visit www.herbanddorothy.com

Via: The Blarg

Gordon Matta-Clark's Office Baroque

Image: Gordon Matta-Clark's Office Baroque

Recently came across Matta-Clark's work.  Dead at 35, Matta-Clark was active in the early-to-late seventies.  His Office Baroque is especially notable.  Cutting into the floors of abandoned buildings & transforming these spaces is genius.

Here's NYT on a recent retrospective on Matta-Clark held at the Whitney.

What is the future of the library?

Reminiscent of Leadbeater's We Think.

Really a finely crafted intro to Ailion's masters thesis. For more info, check out www.everywhereishere2009.blogspot.com

what is good design

Done in RISD's library. Nice.

WorldWatchNow// Cuts Hurt // Librarian Protest

AACR2: The Movie

AACR2 Trailer from David Ross on Vimeo.

"You don't even want to know what to do when you got curry."

The Mind's Library

LIBRARY from singsfish on Vimeo.

Our cerebrum is a library

At OSU's Fine Arts Library

Color: How to Use It (with metal calipers), image by Bryan Loar

For the past couple of months, I've been volunteering at Ohio State University's Fine Arts Library (FIN).  I've been reviewing portfolios for collection development purposes. 

During that time I've come across some amazing books.  From a 1959 issue of Form magazine to an 1836 edition of Specimens of ancient furniture drawn from existing authorities, it has been an eye-opening experience to the wealth of materials held by FIN.

Columbus (OH) Arts Festival 2009

Jessica Stoddart, photo by Bryan Loar

I had the good fortune to go to the Columbus Arts Festival last Saturday. I was particularly surprised and delighted to see so many contemporary artists with strong illustrative sensibilities--this has rarely been the case in the past.

Jessica Stoddart's work pictured above, IMHO, wins best of show. Her unique art has such a wonderful design aesthetic, and the underlying architectural structures she builds into her works intrigues me.

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Mr. Hooper, photo by Bryan Loar

A close second is Mr. Hooper (aka Tim Hooper). Mr. Hooper is amazingly self-taught, and his current work is a mix of R. Crumb meets Mark Ryden.

Here are some other great artists

www.flickr.com/photos/bryanloar/tags/columbusartsfestival/show

Instructions for the Modern Man

Instructions for the Mod Man 1 by Bryan Loar

Just completed my first artbook.

I used the "instant book" technique described in E.K. Smith's How to Make Books.

The drawings are traced from various instruction manuals, and the cutouts are from S.L. Stoffel's The Art of Alice in Wonderland.

The underlying theme focuses on repression--the idea that modernity has somehow repressed our more animal instincts. The theme comes full circle with Sabato's quote about authors giving us the guilty pleasure of playing out these animal instincts in our minds via literature (i.e. books).

Grant Writing Resources: Foundation Center

Foundation Center: philanthropy info galore from JD Lasica on Vimeo.

For more info on the Foundation Center, to to http://foundationcenter.org

Ballard Library's Green Roof

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETU_ViZtrkU

For more on libraries & sustainability, check out ALA's Task Force on the Environment.

Libraries, Commons, & Copyright

John Wilbanks on Libraries and the Commons from Leslie Chan on Vimeo.

Wilbanks gives a really nice overview of how libraries and academic institutions are affected by current copyright law in our digital era.  He also moves on to give examples of what he & his team at Creative Commons have been doing to help.

Amazing Jules Engel Works on YouTube

iotaCenter's YouTube channel offers viewers several clips of Engel's works.  Jules Engel was a animation pioneer and educator at CalArts.  For more info on Engel, check this out.

Librarian vs. Stereotype : Scholarly Communication

OSU's Redesigned Library

Ohio State University library from Mike Pramik on Vimeo.

Rainer Ziehm at Columbus Pecha Kucha

Rainer Ziehm: Smoke from Bryan Loar on Vimeo.

Rainer Ziehm spoke at the Columbus Pecha Kucha Night on May 21st, 2009.

He also spoke in 2007. Check out that video here - tinyurl.com/qa9x9e

For more info on Rainer, go to www.redbritain.com

I had the opportunity to go the last installment of Pecha Kucha here in Columbus, OH. I hadn't been since all the way back in 2007 when they were still holding it at Junctionview. Although not as hip & funky as Junctionview, the Gateway Theater provided a great setting for the event.

The video above features Rainer Ziehm, who always tells a great story. He travels abroad frequently, gets to know the locals, and photographs them. His presentation this time focused on one of his reoccurring themes--people smoking. Although he doesn't smoke himself, he is drawn to documenting those who are in the act of.

Though I would like to hear more about the artists' process(es) rather than listen to a portfolio presentation, Pecha Kucha offers a great way to learn about creatives in your area. Check out more at www.pecha-kucha.org, and if there is not a chapter in your city, definitely start one.

Collection Development

Hekman Library repurposes collection from Calvin College on Vimeo.

Gutenberg! Hilarious.

Nonstop Alternative Libraries: Preserving Antioch

Nonstop Alternative Libraries from News @Nonstop on Vimeo.

"The items in these collections were rescued from Antioch College by a small group of students and alumni in the Summer and Fall of 2008. The Nonstop Liberal Arts Institute has taken on the task of preserving organizing and cataloging the collections. We are currently most of the way through cataloging the Alt Library, which you can search through this site - library.nonstopinstitute.org"

MindThread

MindThread from Erlend Kyte on Vimeo.

Mind Tread is a service that allows you,

and your knowledge need to be connected to the

perfect librarian.

It also allows you and your librarian to visually build,

use and share knowledge pathways you create and

explore together.

Interesting how the search process is documented--a way to capture some of that tacit knowledge.

Unobjectified

Objectified trailer

Last night I had the opportunity to watch Objectified and listen to a Q&A with its director, Gary Huswit. It was a packed house at the Wexner, and I'm truly grateful to have such a wonderful institution here in Columbus.

The film is fairly good, and the big-named designers & thinkers certainly gave the film some weight. I was particularly happy to see Rob Walker in the film.

Huswit's Q&A shed light on some of the film's technicalities and processes. I admired his take on pre-prepared interview questions--he doesn't do them. Instead, Huswit comes to the designer with themes, and they have a discussion.

I also enjoyed parts of the film (e.g. Newson talking about materials) because it was one of the things that I enjoyed most about working at Fitch--finding & bringing in new materials and professional material representatives to Fitch's Columbus studio.

However, there were parts of the movie that just didn't jive with me. Really, I couldn't put my finger on it until I read Steve Portigal's comment on Core77. Specifically, it was the ideation sessions for IDEO. Although they may illustrate part of the design process, they really came off as an orchestrated advertisement. Good for IDEO, but not necessarily good for objectivity.