Week 1 reading notes/musings

Readings:

1) OCLC report: Information Format Trends: Content, Not Containers (2004).http://www.oclc.org/reports/2004format.htm

2) Clifford Lynch, “Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture” http://www.cni.org/staff/cliffpubs/info_and_IT_literacy.pdf

3) Vaughan, J. (2005). Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still. Library Hi Tech, 23(1), 34-49.

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/ViewContentServlet;jsessionid=C5A0E976F56F442F9919082BF1F79360?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/2380230105.html

Notes:

1)OCLC report: Information Format Trends: Content, Not Containers (2004).http://www.oclc.org/reports/2004format.htm

* Interesting concept of unbundling content

Short discussion on content trends

* Legitimacy of open-source publishing, collaborative entries, e published books, journals (blogs)

* Wordpress, Movable Type

* Expanding economics of micro content

* Old content repurposing

*Portable device multimedia

* Contextual searching

While the articles partial focus is on content legitimacy it lacks a mentioning of information security. This got me thinking about the effort required in sustaining an open source publishing tool. For the user/admin the container represents a value of time and effort. How able is the user/admin able to maintain the platform? To what cost to we sacrifice legitimacy for ease of use? Discussing content as opposed to container incites a need to explore deeper the platforms for open source publishing.

2) Clifford Lynch, “Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture” http://www.cni.org/staff/cliffpubs/info_and_IT_literacy.pdf

This opinion paper draws comparison between information literacy and information technology literacy. Drawing from his varied background, Clifford Lynch develops the following summaries of these two aspects of literacy:

Info Tech Lit: Understanding of technology infrastructure, tools that allow for interaction, and the legal and social policy shaping these.

* Lynch finds two perspectives on information technology lit- skills in use of literacy tools (word, etc) and proficiency in the infrastructure.

Info Lit: Content & communication, authoring, research and findings. Variety of content: text, video, etc. Variety of purpose: education, art, etc.

* Lynch comments on the need to develop for oneself an understanding of the policy that drives information in the digital age. This notion raises interesting thoughts on information literacy education, search proficiency, and the changing state of information practices.

3) Vaughan, J. (2005). Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still. Library Hi Tech, 23(1), 34-49.http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/ViewContentServlet;jsessionid=C5A0E976F56F442F9919082BF1F79360?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/2380230105.html

This case study by Jason Vaughn examines the progress, challenges, and future of the Lied Library at UNLV. His discussion of the evolution of the library's systems left me completely swimming in software! Sooo..

EzProxy: Remote access (OCLC), providing access to e-information, catalogs

http://www.oclc.org/ezproxy/

DiMeMa (Digital Media Management): Organization controlling CONTENTdm. CONTENTdm allows for the storage, management, and delivery of digital collection. (http://www.oclc.org/news/releases/200633.htm).

This article from OCLC's webpage denotes their acquisition of DiMeMa.

Serial Solutions: ProQuests E-resource access, assessment, and management service. (http://www.serialssolutions.com/).

SFX: Widely used link service providing content based links for "library-defined resources"- Ex Libris (http://www.exlibris.co.il/category/SFXOverview)

Docutek ERes: E-reserve system managed by SirsiDynix. (http://www.docutek.com/products/eres/index.html)

Uniprint: Virtual printing service allowing for remote printing, networked printing, and security. (http://www.uniprint.net/home.asp).

I find Vaughn's assessment of the Lied Library as a leader in practice, planning, and infrastructure too awarding, at times. I have no doubt in the institutions position as an exemplary model for management and planning. However, Vaughn's explanation of the library's funding projects leaves much to desire. Only in the conclusion does he expand on the necessity of collaborative funding as a vital component in the library's future longevity. This absent component leaves the reader wanting for explanation of their current funding endeavors.