Government Info Pro

Carnival of the Infosciences #87

Carnival of the Infosciences #87, hosted by eclectic librarian, features some interesting submissions including: an essay on Library 2.0 and what not to forget in the midst of the 2.0 excitement, putting together a subversive handout (you'll like this idea), and a list of 10 blogs to read in 2008.

And by the way, did you know that you can subscribe to the Government Info Pro via FeedBurner and get new posts delivered to you via email? You'll notice the email signup box just under the orange SUBSCRIBE IN A READER link on the right sidebar of the Government Info Pro.

It's easy to subscribe! Just enter your email into the box on the top right sidebar and click the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON.

FLICC 2007 Awards - Deadline Extended

FEDERAL LIBRARIANS - please note that, as seen in the notice below posted on the FEDLIB listserv, the submission date for nominations for 2007 FLICC awards has been extended to February 29, 2008. Here's the notice...

We are pleased to announce an extension of the deadline for the FLICC Awards 2007 Nominations to February 29, 2008.

FLICC Awards 2007 - Call for Nominations

To honor the many innovative ways in which federal libraries, librarians and library technicians are fulfilling the information demands of government, business, research, scholarly communities and the American public, the Federal Library and Information Center Committee announces its national awards for federal librarianship for fiscal year 2007. (All nominations must be faxed to the FLICC office no later than February 29, 2008. See below for details.)

The 2007 award winners will be honored for their contributions to federal library and information service at the annual FLICC Forum on Federal Information Policies in Washington, D.C., September 12, 2008. To further recognize these outstanding individuals and programs, a plaque engraved with their names and the names of previous and subsequent winners will be on permanent display in the FLICC offices at the Library of Congress.

Nominations are being accepted for these awards:

Federal Library/Information Center of the Year This award commends the library or information center for outstanding, innovative and sustained achievements during fiscal year 2007 in fulfilling its organization's mission, fostering innovation in its services and meeting the needs of its users. FLICC awards are given to both small library/information centers (with a staff of 10 or fewer federal and/or contract employees) and larger library/information centers (with a staff of 11 or more federal and/or contract employees). All nominations must be made on behalf of an entire library or information center (e.g., main or branch library or information center).

Federal Librarian of the Year

This award honors a federal librarian who demonstrates active and innovative leadership and professionalism in the promotion and development of library and information services during fiscal year 2007. The nominee must be a federal employee and a practicing librarian in a federal library or information center.

Federal Library Technician of the Year

This award recognizes the achievements of a federal library technician during fiscal year 2007 for exceptional technical competency and flexibility under changing work conditions. The nominee must be a federal employee and a practicing paraprofessional or library technician in a federal library or information center. Federal staff classified in professional series are not eligible for this award, but may be eligible for nomination as Federal Librarian of the Year.

To obtain nomination materials, visit the Awards Working Group section of the FLICC Web site (www.loc.gov/flicc/awards.html). The nomination packet includes the nomination form, selection criteria and a list of needed supporting materials.

For questions, please send e-mail to fliccfpe@loc.gov.

Fax completed nomination packets to (202) 707-4825. All nominations must be faxed no later than February 29, 2008. If a nominator does not receive confirmation of the nomination by March 7, 2008, please contact Lizzie Daniels by phone at (202) 707-4813.

Customer Loyalty and the Bookstore

One of the online newsletters that I subscribe to is Cool News of the Day - a daily digest of news stories of interest to those in marketing. Marketing is an important topic for information professionals and I like this newsletter's focus on innovation. This morning, there was an interesting article provided by Cool News of the Day on efforts to save independent bookstores that highlights the value that many place on, not just information, but where they get it.

Click here to read it....

Federal Register - What is it? What's in it?

Some thoughts on the Federal Register...

One great source of federal administrative and executive information is the Federal Register. The Federal Register was created by the Federal Register Act of 1935 (49 Stat. 500) and is published daily by the Government Printing Office. Executive orders, administrative regulations and rules must be printed in the Federal Register to be legally effective. The Federal Register contains the following documents:

• Presidential documents including approved agency reorganization plans, presidential proclamations, executive orders, and other documents which the president deems important.
• Every document issued by an administrative authority which is considered to have general applicability and legal effect. This includes documents that set procedures or priorities; grant authority, privileges or rights; or impose an obligation on any particular group of individuals. Final and proposed rules and regulations fall within this classification.
• Any other document which an act of Congress requires to be published.
• Any other document which the Director of the Federal Register selects for publication.

To continue reading this article about the Federal Register from the LexisNexis Customer Support Knowledge Share, CLICK HERE.

High Tech Jane Austen

I recently shared some information on the Complete Jane Austen in the post: Jane Austen on Masterpiece because so many of you had sent me notes about it. On the heels of this, I came across this article on reading Jane Austen on a Blackberry: Reading Jane Austen on a BlackBerry -- Reader, I Liked It. It's Friday - let's take a break and consider the virtues of hanging out with Jane Austen in a whole new way.

LinkedIn Beta Homepage

Are you on LInkedIn? I am. Social networking is important (and fun). The SLA Information Technology Division Blog pointed out the LinkedIn beta page in the post: a beta homepage for LinkedIn.

Innovation and Anger

Can anger helps you with innovation? Check out this recent post: Anger Drives Innovation on the Blogging Section of SLA-IT's blog.

Pew Internet and American Life Project Report

Thanks to James King, Project Manager for Digital Library Innovations, Ruth H. Hooker Research Library, Naval Research Laboratory, for the pointer to the new Pew Internet & American Life Project Report: In Search of Solutions: How People Use the Internet, Libraries and Government to Find Help. The study, done in partnership with the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign was just released at the end of December 2007. According to the study, there's some good news: Americans are still using their libraries and Gen X and Gen Y are doing better than their elders in taking advantage of what their libraries can offer them.

To see the full text of the report in PDF, click here.

Municipal Codes on LexisNexis

In an exciting move, LexisNexis has been able to work with numerous cities, municipalities, and villages to obtain the right to publish their local codes, statutes or ordinances (depending on the term that the location uses). These sources are currently scheduled for updates twice a year, but some municipalities are working to enable us to update their ordinances with greater frequency.

We currently have ordinances from 35 states, including Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Texas, California, Ohio, and Washington. The number of cities included for each state varies, and we are looking forward to adding more cities in the future.

To read more about Municipal Codes on LexisNexis in this article from the LexisNexis Customer Support Knowledge Share, CLICK HERE.

The Patrick Henry Library Information Commons

I had an interesting conversation with Ned Wolff, Supervisory Librarian, Patrick Henry Library, USDOJ, at a recent event at the Patrick Henry Library, about the "library as a space". I gazed across their versatile library space - newly re-designed - and out the corner windows at the gorgeous view, while Ned inspired me by talking about the concept of the "information commons". Given this, I did the obvious. I said, "Hey, Ned, why don't you write an article about this for the Government Info Pro?" And because I guess that I can be inspirational in my own way - he did.

Read what Ned has to say about this information commons project by the Patrick Henry Library staff...

Background: The Patrick Henry Library staff initiated this project in response to the growing demand for libraries to serve as multi-functional focal points for their users. As users move toward a greater reliance on electronic sources of information, significant portions of traditional library book stacks and layout are now shifting to “information commons” areas that support users with new technologies and provide a more open, “people friendly” environment. The conversion of designated floor space in the Patrick Henry Library from traditional book stacks to patron reading, research, and mixed use area improves the Library’s ability to provide customer service, and will help to accommodate persistently changing technology requirements.

Implementation: The public area of the library, which is located on the 10th floor of the building, is roughly 70' X 115'. The Information Commons is an area approximately 70' X 20' on the south side of the library. This area was formerly occupied by over 2000 linear feet of shelving that housed a collection of print materials, most of which had become available electronically in PDF format. Based on the electronic availability of this section of the collection, the materials that occupied the shelf space in this area were either relocated to other parts of the Patrick Henry Library, other locations in the DOJ Library system, DOJ component space, or recycled so that the shelving could be removed. It was key to quickly arrange for the removal of the shelving since the entire library had already been scheduled for re-carpeting in an unrelated project. We advertised that shelving was available for free on several listservs. In a fairly short period of time we had a taker for the shelving and it was removed from the space.

A Multi-Use Facility: The great advantage to this space is its versatility in serving patrons and library staff in a variety of functions:

• Independent work space available for quiet reading/writing
• Space can be converted within hours to 8 workstations for DOJ staff in a Continuity of Operations Plan emergency
• Potential access to DOJ component computer systems and email
• Conference area for various size group meetings/presentations
• Individual/small group teaching/training
• An informal area with couches and comfortable furniture
• Overflow workstation space for interns
• Space for lectures, social activities, receptions
• Opportunities for inter-organizational collaboration and exchanging of ideas
• Adaptive flexible space in support of future technologies
• Accommodates transition from print to digital content.

Furnishing the Space: The outstanding features of this space are the large windows on the south side of the building which provide natural light and panoramic views of the Capitol and downtown DC. With little budget money available for this special project, we acquired used furniture for free from the DOJ warehouse and a GSA facility that had furniture to give away. This included several couches, comfortable chairs, a conference table with matching chairs, side chairs, end tables, and lamps. Some money was available for moving expenses and such low cost items as a white board, easel, and power strips.

In order to enhance the multi-functional aspect of the Information Commons, we decided to divide it into three sections. As you enter the space on the right there is a lounge area with couches, end tables and lamps. To the immediate left is a conference area with a large table and chairs with casters. Further down to the left is a section for giving presentations with substantial seating. All three areas can be re-organized in different combinations depending on need.

Future Phases: In light of rapidly changing technology and changing service patterns, the Library staff will continue to actively procure and implement the adaptation of new technologies and develop more efficient use of space in order to increase connectedness with our patron community and ease access to library resources. As systems, access, and integration allow, new technologies may include WiFi wireless network coverage, video projection, electronic white boards, and print/scan equipment.