Friday, September 20, 2002

What do wireless technologies and push technology have in common? Cnet's news.com has an article entitled "Wireless Web embraces 'Push'" by Ben Charny.  The article details how cell phones have embraced push technologies as part of their wireless services.  One way libraries could take advantage of this is if we could figure out a way to offer local community information and book reviews via partnerships with the wireless service providers.  The advantage to the wireless service providers would be added value to their customers and possibly the ability to write off part of the cost of helping libraries implement the service as a charitable contribution.  Patrons could sign up for the service either through their local library website or when they purchase their wireless services. 10:42:33 AM

Palms to the masses: "Palm readies for enterprise, consumer push. New products on the way from Palm" [InfoWorld: Top News] One of the nicest things about this news is Palm's promise of cheaper PDAs.   Most everyday consumers are using to getting their cell phones for free when they subscribe to a service contract and for paying about a hundred or less for personal gadgets.  By lowering the price of PDAs and adding new features to the top of their line, Palm hopes to see growth in their marketplace.  As librarians, we should  be prepared to see more of these devices being used by our patrons and entering our institutions.  In November, CLS will be hosting a workshop on PDAs.  Here's the information on the workshop: InfoSync: Hand-held Computing and Libraries Who is Epocrates? Is he related to Print Boy? Does Print Boy have a bluetooth? For the answer to these and other questions on the "hot" topic of handheld computing in libraries come to InfoSync! More and more, health sciences and academic libraries are providing support and content for handheld computing. This day-long workshop will include an introduction to PDAs, expansion devices, and other handheld goodies and an overview of current applications available to the medical and academic communities. Hear how other libraries are coping with innovative solutions and exciting projects; what works and what doesn't; what the future may hold and more! Instructor: Lori Bell, Peg Burnette, and Tom Peters Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Date: Wednesday, November  13, 2002 Fee: $65.00. To register, complete this web form. You do not need to be a CLS member to attend this workshop.  However, staff from CLS member libraries are given first preference during registration. 10:27:42 AM

Virtual Reference Techniques to be taught in San Jose's SLIS Curriculum: The School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University has announced that they have partnered with "Library Systems and Services, LLC, the leading provider of virtual reference software and services for libraries, announced today a new partnership. SJSU/SLIS will use LSSI’s Virtual Reference ToolKit to revamp its reference curriculum and educate upcoming generations of reference librarians in how to ply their trade online. The LSSI software will be deployed to San Jose’s Reference and Information Services-related courses, where students will use it to gain familiarity with the techniques of live online reference. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in practicums in LSSI’s Web Reference Center, the largest professional online reference service in the world, as well as in the QandACafe, a collaborative online reference service offered by libraries in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, faculty and students at SJSU will work with the librarians at LSSI on a number of joint research projects. Dr. Feili Tu, project head at SJSU/SLIS, worked on this partnership with LSSI’s Steve Coffman, Vice President of Product Development. Dr. Tu said, "At San Jose, we believe that much of the future of reference lies on the Web. We see virtual reference as a core competency and we intend to make sure that the students who graduate from this program have the skills and knowledge to handle it as effectively as they can handle reference behind the desk." Dr. Blanche Woolls, Director of the School, expressed her thanks to LSSI for providing the software and for working closely with the faculty at San Jose to develop the new partnership."  ---from San Jose State University's press release 10:16:13 AM

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