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    February 18th, 2009LISWire aggregatorLISWire

    The Code4Lib Journal (C4LJ) exists to foster community and share information among those interested in the intersection of libraries, technology, and the future.

    The Code4Lib Journal is now accepting proposals for publication in its 7th issue. Don't miss out on this opportunity to share your ideas and experiences. To be included in the 7th issue, which is scheduled for publication in late June 2009, please submit articles, abstracts, or proposals to c4lj-articles@googlegroups.com by Friday, March 20, 2009.
    When submitting, please include the title or subject of the proposal in the subject line of the email message.

    C4LJ encourages creativity and flexibility, and the editors welcome submissions across a broad variety of topics that support the mission of the journal. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

    * Practical applications of library technology (both actual and hypothetical)
    * Technology projects (failed, successful, proposed, or in-progress), including how they were done and challenges faced
    * Case studies
    * Best practices
    * Reviews
    * Comparisons of third party software or libraries
    * Analyses of library metadata for use with technology
    * Project management and communication within the library environment
    * Assessment and user studies

    C4LJ strives to promote professional communication by minimizing the barriers to publication. While articles should be of a high quality, they need not follow any formal structure. Writers should aim for the middle ground between blog posts and articles in traditional refereed journals. Where appropriate, we encourage authors to submit code samples, algorithms, and pseudo-code. For more information, visit C4LJ's Article Guidelines or browse articles from the first 5 issues published on our website: http://journal.code4lib.org.

    Remember, for consideration for the 7th issue, please send proposals, abstracts, or draft articles to c4lj-articles@googlegroups.com no later than Friday, March 20, 2009.

    Send in a submission. Your peers would like to hear what you are doing.

    Code4Lib Journal Editorial Committee

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    February 18th, 2009LISWire aggregatorLISWire

    As part of BCR’s efforts to bring digitization training to everyone, the New Mexico State Library and BCR are hosting a series of three workshops, March 24-26, to be held at the state library offices in Santa Fe. Targeted to libraries and cultural heritage institutions, these workshops are designed to guide participants through the planning stages of a new digitization project, including instruction in digital imaging best practices and the creation of Dublin Core metadata.

    The workshops, taught by BCR’s digital initiatives consultant, Leigh Grinstead, are held each of the three days from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mountain time:

  • March 24 — Introduction to Digital Project Management. An overview of the issues associated with digitization of primary source materials.
  • March 25 — Introduction to Digital Imaging. Focuses on basic digital imaging techniques using the Western States Digital Imaging Best Practices, Version 2 as the basis for quality control and storage of image files.
  • March 26 — Introduction to Dublin Core Metadata. Familiarizes participants with the Collaborative Digitization Program's Dublin Core Metadata Best Practices to describe digital objects.
  • Pricing for each workshop is $135 for BCR members and $185 for nonmembers. Western Council of State Libraries members, including New Mexico institutions, are eligible to register at BCR member rates, a substantial savings over nonmember rates.

    To register, visit the BCR website. For additional information, send an email to training@bcr.org.

    About BCR
    BCR brings libraries together for greater success by expanding their knowledge, reach and power. They offer a broad range of solutions and their hands-on, personal attention to each member enables them to deliver effective and timely solutions that help libraries keep pace with new developments in technology and services. BCR is the nation’s oldest and most established multistate library cooperative. Since 1935, the BCR team has helped libraries learn new skills, reach patrons, increase productivity and save money. BCR (Bibliographical Center for Research) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Aurora, Colorado. For more information, visit www.BCR.org or email info@BCR.org.

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    February 16th, 2009LISWire aggregatorLISWire

    Columbus, OH and Glenside, PA--February 16, 2009--
    LibLime, the leader in open-source solutions for libraries,
    and Arcadia University announced today that
    their Landman Library Catalog has gone live. Landman Library is a
    collection of online resources, databases (proprietary and open
    content) and the library catalog, accessible to all Arcadia University
    faculty and students. The Landman Library Catalog search provides a
    fast, user-friendly search interface to the entire collection.

    Landman Library Catalog (http://search.arcadia.edu) was developed in-house by Arcadia University
    using Pazpar2, an open-source middleware technology created by
    LibLime's partner, Index Data. Access to subscription content is
    provided by OpenTranslators, a new web service offered by LibLime that
    offers a simple gateway interface to over 9,000 subscription
    databases.

    Arcadia University's Landman Library furthers the University's global
    mission by offering students and faculty state-of-the-art technology
    for collaborative education, with Web-based teaching and learning
    tools providing access both on campus and around the globe. Landman
    Library allows students quickly to search the library's collection of
    databases via an interface built using the latest Javascript
    technologies. It even provides an interface for students with
    disabilities to have easy access to that same information.

    "Arcadia's new web site offers an attractive, easy-to-navigate
    interface with resources grouped by subject," says Eric McCloy,
    Executive Director of Library & Information Technology at Arcadia
    University.

    "For example, a student doing research in biology can simultaneously
    search our catalog and all biology databases. Citation guidelines,
    helpful websites, contact information for the subject specialist
    librarian and instant messaging are all easily available.
    Additionally, the website was designed using the latest web standards
    and is ADA compliant. We were able to accomplish our goal by using a myriad of
    open-source technologies and libraries such as Drupal, Koha, jquery
    and Pazpar2," Eric explains.

    "Since Arcadia has students at dozens of study-abroad locations each
    semester, the new site also makes it easier for students to use our
    library resources no matter where they are in the world," adds Eric.

    Website customizations were developed in-house by Arcadia University's
    web developer, Matt McManus. Flexibility to use such in-house
    resources was a primary reason Arcadia University chose open source.

    About Arcadia University

    Arcadia University is a top-ranked private university in metropolitan
    Philadelphia and a national leader in study abroad. The 2008 Open
    Doors report ranks Arcadia University No. 1 in the nation in the
    percentage of undergraduate students studying abroad. U.S. News &
    World Report ranks Arcadia University among the top 25 master's
    universities in the North, as one of the top study abroad programs in
    the nation, and a Great School at a Great Price. Annually, Arcadia's
    Center for Education Abroad sends 3,000 students from colleges and
    universities around the country to 100 different study abroad programs
    at some of the finest universities across the globe. Arcadia
    University promises a distinctively global, integrative and personal
    learning experience that prepares students to contribute and prosper
    in a diverse and dynamic world.

    About Pazpar2

    Pazpar2 is metasearch middleware, capable of searching large numbers
    of databases simultaneously, providing on-the-fly metadata
    normalization, merging, ranking/sorting, and facet extraction. Pazpar2
    was written by Index Data, who provides support, training, and other
    services related to their software.

    Pazpar2 is the driving technology behind a growing number of federated
    search tools including MasterKey™, a federated search and discovery
    system and ‡biblios™, an open-source cataloging suite.

    About OpenTranslators

    OpenTranslators is a hosted web service offered by LibLime that
    provides access to over 9,000 subscription and free content databases
    as well as Websites. OpenTranslators is an enabling service that makes
    it easy to build search systems for subscription databases that don't
    support standards.

    About LibLime

    LibLime is the global leader in open-source solutions for libraries,
    with a mission to make open source accessible to libraries. Rather
    than sell software licenses for static, hard-to-customize software
    products, LibLime educates libraries about the benefits of open
    source, enabling them to make choices about how best to provide their
    communities and staff with better technology services. LibLime then
    facilitates implementation of open-source in libraries by providing
    outstanding development, customization, support and training
    solutions--solutions tailored to each library's needs. For more
    information, see http://liblime.com

    Press Contact:

    Tina Burger

    Vice President, Marketing LibLime

    (888)Koha ILS (564-2457)

    tnb@liblime.com

    Lori Bauer

    Director of University Relations

    Arcadia University

    Glenside, PA 19038

    215-847-1819

    BauerL@arcadia.edu

    LibLime and the LibLime logo are either registered trademarks or
    trademarks of LibLime. Other company and product names may be
    trademarks of their respective owners.

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    February 12th, 2009LISWire aggregatorLISWire

    Contact: Justine Shaffner, Plinkit Collaborative Coordinator
    jshaffner@bcr.org ; 800.397.1552 x140

    February 12, 2009 - Plinkit, a multi-state collaborative that uses an uncomplicated template-based web site creation toolkit, is delighted to announce it has added a ninth organization as a member. The Library of Michigan has joined Colorado, Illinois, Oregon and Texas, in addition to recent members such as the Library of Virginia, INCOLSA, PALINET and NEBASE. Plinkit provides libraries with a tool to deliver web resources and services, including features such as catalog and database access points, a calendar of events, RSS feeds, library news, ROI calculators and much more (see http://www.plinkit.org/about/plinkit-features.html ).

    The Plinkit system is built using Plone, an open-source content management system. Pages are created and edited right through the web, using built-in text editors, image galleries and other powerful features that make it easy for library staff to keep their content current. Jim Duncan, the chair of the Plinkit Collaborative Steering Committee says, “Even small libraries with limited funding and staff can maintain a professional looking web site that serves their customers 24/7 with online library resources.” This versatile platform can even deliver videos or slideshows.

    Plinkit was a co-recipient of the 2008 ASCLA Leadership and Professional Achievement Award at ALA in Anaheim this year where it was recognized as an innovative, multi-state technology project with significant impact on libraries and communities across a broad section of America. The PLINKIT Collaborative is a pioneering initiative as it is the first collaborative technology project of its kind among state library and regional agencies.

    According to State Librarian Nancy R. Robertson, Plinkit is right in line with the Library of Michigan's goal of using Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) dollars to help local libraries statewide deliver the best in library service to Michigan residents.

    "We're very excited about the technological opportunities Plinkit will make available to Michigan libraries, especially those libraries who currently don't have Web sites or those whose sites aren't as feature-rich as they could be," Robertson explained. "Plinkit puts accessible, user-friendly Web sites with advanced features within easy reach of all Michigan libraries. Having a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate Web presence is essential for today's libraries in terms of meeting customers' information needs and in showcasing the libraries' contributions to the communities they serve."

    Created in Oregon in 2006, the mission of the Plinkit Collaborative is to pool funds for cost effectively sustaining shared web site software development, training, documentation, and marketing activities. For more information, visit www.Plinkit.org or email jshaffner@bcr.org

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    February 10th, 2009LISWire aggregatorLISWire

    TOOLS OF CHANGE CONFERENCE, NEW YORK CITY, FEBRUARY 10, 2009 – Since 2001, Kirtas Technologies has worked with the world’s most renowned libraries to bring rare, out-of-copyright books into the digital age, making centuries-worth of books available to the world.

    Today, Kirtas announces a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Libraries to make over 200,000 titles available to the public in a unique way.

    Using existing information drawn from Penn’s catalog records, Kirtas is able to offer out-of-copyright books for sale through its own retail site, www.kirtasbooks.com. What makes this initiative unique is that the books can be offered for sale before they are ever digitized, so there is no up-front printing, production or storage cost.

    "This partnership allows us to gauge reader interest in on-demand digitization and printing services,” said Carton Rogers, Vice Provost and Director of Libraries at the University of Pennsylvania. “That frees us from difficult selection decisions and lets the digital collection grow in response to user demand. The model is efficient and minimizes the risk as we develop new ways of addressing information needs.”

    Through www.kirtasbooks.com, customers will be able to search for a desired title, and when found, place a “digitize for me” request. The desired book will be pulled from Penn’s shelves, digitized, processed by Kirtas for optimal reading and printing, and a newly-printed copy will be shipped to the initiator. Or, the customer can purchase access to an online-only version of the book. Once the book has been digitized, it is returned undamaged to the library shelf.

    “The Penn Libraries have been delivering digital content from their collections for over a decade,” said David McKnight, director of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library. “We started with extremely rare material, and now we will have the capacity to digitize nearly any book in our collection that’s in the public domain.”

    Public Domain books are those that are out of copyright, essentially any title published before 1923. It is estimated that there are several million such titles in existence.

    To illustrate the “popular” titles that might be requested through the kirtasbooks.com partnership, a collection of vintage teen-reader books have been selected for initial digitization. Titles such as Caroline at College, by Lela Horn Richards (printed in 1922) and The Baseball Boys of Lakeport: or, the Winning Run by Edward Stratemyer (printed in 1908). "These books are charming," said McKnight.

    Through this unique partnership with Kirtas, the Penn Libraries will also earn income on orders of its books. Distribution rights are non-exclusive so the books can be made available through the Penn Libraries, as well as other distribution channels at the library’s request.

    “We’re honored to have collections from an institution as distinguished as the University of Pennsylvania as part of the launch of this program,” Kirtas Founder and CEO Lotfi Belkhir said. “It’s a radical approach to digitization in that it eliminates the guesswork involved in selecting the books that will sell.”

    About Kirtas Technologies
    Kirtas Technologies has pioneered and perfected the technology used today in quality, high-speed, nondestructive mass book digitization. A proven workflow ensuring superior image quality, advanced search capabilities, unique archiving technology, and extensive metadata enabling multiple output options that stand the test of time are what set us apart and keep Kirtas at the forefront of the digital revolution. Learn more at www.kirtas.com

    About University of Pennsylvania
    Founded in 1750 to support the College, Academy, and Charitable School of Philadelphia, the Penn Libraries comprise one the nation’s oldest academic library systems. The early collection was assembled by Benjamin Franklin and other prominent figures of the College.

    Today, the Libraries rank among the largest research libraries in North America. Their collections and staff serve the full range of teaching and research programs at Penn, with more than six million volumes, some 52,000 electronic journals, and a distinctive group of special collections, with particular prominence in early modern manuscripts, the English Renaissance, Judaica, and the papers of contemporary authors and artists. Penn is also home to a sophisticated digital library that represents the equivalent of a multi-million-volume print collection, and includes the Schoenberg Center for Electronic Text and Image, which will take the lead in this digitization program.

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