"I certainly never write a review about a book I don't think worth reviewing, a flat-out bad book, unless it's an enormously fashionable bad book." --
says, John Gardner in Conversations with John Gardner
Quoted from 'Dictionary of Library and Information Science Quotations'     Edited by Mohamed Taher & L S Ramaiah. ISBN: 8185689423 (New Delhi , Aditya, 1994) p.150. Available @ Amazon.com

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Research Virtuoso: To improve teen's research skills beyond googling for school and for life


Research Virtuoso is researched and written by Jessica Rovito and Peggy Thomas of Toronto Public library. One may ask what is Virtuoso? And, what is the meaning of the word in the title of this book. About the word, Virtuoso, OED says:

noun (plural virtuosi /-si/ or virtuosos)

  • 1a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit:a celebrated clarinet virtuoso [as modifier]:virtuoso guitar playing;  2a person with a special knowledge of or interest in works of art or curios.

PS. The book has an explanation (p.2), summarily stated to make the reader a Research Virtuoso, who is above the average researcher. One may ask: if reading makes it possible to do and be done with research it needs patience, aptitude, persistence and reading the full book of 122 pages--the book meant to help "a research paper that is due tomorrow". What are the facts about today's reading habits of the teens, esp., for whom the bell tolls???

We are left to imagine the factoid, and also as to why it has such an artistic title, instead of an expressive title (that precisely tells you that this book is based on the lessons learnt in real time), e.g, a) Toronto's Public Library's Best Practices in Teen Information Literacy; (b) A facilitators guide to research needs while using Toronto's Public Library' !!!
Summary: Looking for information and not sure where to find it? This lively guidebook can help! Learn how to decide on a topic, focus your thoughts, make notes, skim, evaluate sources, and present your findings. Plus, discover how to access special collections and private libraries. As a master researcher, you'll have the inside knowledge you need to be effective and efficient at finding anything-not only on the Internet but also in the real world. Researched and written by two professional librarians at the Toronto Public Library, this book captures their extensive experience in education, writing, research, and working with teens. The Research Virtuoso is a must-have in today's information-rich world, where being a critical consumer of information is a key to success. Book jacket.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Oyster Book App For iPhone Released -- PROS and CONS

Extract from: Oyster Book App For iPhone Released: What Do People Think?  Design&Trend.com

In a review from ZDNet, some pros and cons are laid out:
PROS
  • Deep catalog of 100,000 titles that's growing daily
  • Offline browsing so that you can read books on the plane and train
  • Smooth UI and beautiful design
CONS
  • HarperCollins is the only big-five publisher on the list. Oyster says it's in active conversations with all the major publishers
  • No iPad version currently, but one coming in fall
  • No multi-device sync, but this is coming with the iPad version according to Oyster
At the end of the day, bookworms will appreciate the app, giving Kindle and iBooks a run for their money and according to Wired, an iPad app will come out this fall. continue reading
On the same shelf:


Thursday, September 19, 2013

23 Resources for Getting Published in the Library Field

PS. These 23 identified resources are not from my desktop. This is a compilation by Ellyssa Kroski @ OEDB.Org and found @ ALA JobLIST
Although this is for librarians and by librarians, on one side  it is not a one stop shopping window, because it simply needs further research to decide which one is best among the apples and oranges, and which are not so good apples and oranges; on the other side depending on your skills and experience (even if you are not a librarian), you can use these to find your own destination. This further research is the best practice and the tested approach, more so in a world of open source and self publishing. In short, these 23 are just pathfinders, not the ends.

1.   LIS Wiki 
9.    Writing and Publishing: The Librarian’s Handbook Carol Smallwood, Editor, 2010, ALA Editions 
10. The Librarian’s Guide to Writing for Publication,  Rachel Singer Gordon, Author, 2004, Scarecrow Press 

LIS Journals Submission Policies
LIS Book Publishers

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

BDM's social media series: Beginner's guide to Google magazine--over 720 expert tips & tutorials

Note: This is an unofficial, but useful guide to Google and its products. Very beneficial for the beginners, with its 101 approach. At ebay it is described as:

"Beginners guide to google everything you need to know about google's unmissable free apps over 720 expert tips & tutorials. More than just search, discover new ways to google!"
"

Beginners' Guide to Google Magazine Volume 3 Summer 2013
146 pp.

BDM's social media series. — Torquay : Black Dog Media, — Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2013. — 1 volume ; 2012- — v. : col. ill., col. ports. ; 28 cm.
ISSN: 2050-1102; ISBN 9780199673025 (pbk.) : 30.BNB Number GBB306993 BNB Number GBB Social media, Periodicals. Public opinion. United States [source: British Library Record]; [FREE ELECTRONIC LIBRARY] [Black Dog New Media: Social Media Strategy, Management ...] -- incidentally this serial/magazine (with its own ISSN) is not listed in Ulrichsweb.com; not even as a book (despite the ISBN) in Worldcat.org

On the same shelf: