Update: November 26th, 2007

The discussion forum has been assigned a meeting space.

PCC (Pennsylvania Convention Center: Room 201 B/C

Update: November 19, 2007

Contribution to “Messages from MARS” for the Winter/Pre-Midwinter issue:

Tag You’re It!  Midwinter Hot Topics Discussion Focuses on Web 2.0 Social Tagging Technologies to Increase Patron-Library Interaction

Jointly sponsored by MARS Products and Services and the Hot Topics Discussion Group, this Midwinter Hot Topics Discussion will bring three speakers to Philadelphia to discuss their library’s experience implementing Web 2.0 social software which enables “tagging” to enhance patrons’ interaction with the library and its resources.  Jennifer Sweda, Cataloging Librarian for University of Pennsylvania Libraries will speak about the well-know PennTags project. Like del.icio.us, PennTags software allows readers to tag catalogued items and works as a social bookmarking tool for locating, organizing, and sharing favorite resources.  Lauren Stokes, Virtual Library Manager at the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District will speak about how her library system is enabling the community to add reviews to resources in their catalog.  Hot Topics third speaker Kate Sheehan, Coordinator of Library Automation at Danbury Public Library, will discuss how they have implemented LibraryThing and how it has increased patron interaction with the catalog. 

Be sure to “tag” this event for your 2008 Midwinter conference calendar!  This Hot Topics presentation and discussion, “Tag You’re It: A revolution in patron-library interaction” will take place on January 12th, Saturday, from 10:30-12 noon at in Philadelphia.  See you there!  

By:

Nancy Cunningham

MARS Hot Topics Discussion Group Chair

Email: ncunning@lib.usf.edu

Update: October 26th, 2007 - from Nancy Cunningham

We have a confirmed panel of speakers for our midwinter, jointly-sponsored “Hot Topics” Discussion event entitled: Tag You're It: A revolution in patron-library interaction.  The date is set for January 12, 10:30-12 noon.  We do not yet know where the event will take place. 

Speakers (not in order for the presentation):

Kate Sheehan - Coordinator of Library Automation, Danbury Public Library.  They have implemented the use of LibraryThing at their library.

Lauren Stokes - Virtual Library Manager, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. Will speak about how they are using the feature of having the community add reviews to books in their catalog.

Jennifer Sweda - Cataloging Librarian, University of Pennsylvania Libraries.  Will speak about the PennTags project. 

Traditionally we usually have dinner together on Friday evening before the event so that committee members and speakers get a chance to get to know one another.  In about 4 weeks we should know the location of our event. 

Update:

I received an email from Nancy, current chair of MARS Hot Topics. Her group discussed the ideas below, but felt that all of them had already been discussed at length or didn't have enough information out there about them.

They are looking at the idea of tagging like the "LibraryThing". They are still interested in doing a joint discussion forum. We really need to brainstorm on some other possible hot topics very quickly!  I received an email on Monday from the planning comittee that we need to schedule rooms for midwinter by Oct. 1st! I'll be out of town beginning on Sept. 24th and will not be able to make any arrangements until I get back on Oct.11th. Please try to respond quickly.

Looking forward to hearing back from you all.  ~~Marina

The committee has brainstormed a bit about ideas for next year’s midwinder disccusion forum and we need to come up with a topic ASAP. I will be contacting the MARS Hot Topics group to see if they have plans for this coming midwinter to see if what they are doing would be relevant for us to co-sponsor as we have done at times in the past. These are some of the ideas we came up with, but are certainly open for others.

1. Free software or programs that can be adapted for reference work.

        i.e. meboo, google earth.

2. Podcasting for instructional use.

3. Tutorial creating software like Camtasia.

4. 2nd Life – virtual life

Please feel free to add other suggestions.