Librarian Way

Karen G. Schneider has posted her response to Bernie Sloan's question, “What's wrong with virtual reference?” at Virtual Reference: Still Looking for the Answers.

This discussion periodically pops up on the Web4Lib and DIG_REF electronic lists in various forms. This round was started by an article in American Libraries, September 2004, pp. 40-42, by Nancy Kalikow Maxwell titled “The Seven Deadly Sins of Library Technology.”

Marc Hedlund, on O’Reilly Network, has an article, New Bloglines Web Services, which discusses the new API services offered by Bloglines. He explains that the new API services allow “developers to write applications for reading RSS and Atom feeds by drawing data directly from the Bloglines databases.”

I wouldn’t think of the travel section in my local paper as the place to read about libraries, but the new Seattle Library sounds like a good side-trip while in Seattle. According to Judith Morgan in her September 26, 2004, San Diego Union Tribune “Letter Home” column titled “Seattle library is a can’t–miss wonder,” it “glows like a plummeting chandelier from Phantom of the Opera” at night. She states that librarians with wireless devices “act as trail guides, pursuing queries from lunchtime drop-ins and long-term Ph.D candidates.” The building was designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhass. The reading rooms sound fabulous.

It almost makes me want to move to Seattle. Hmmm. I am 15 minutes walk from the beach in sunny Southern California. This is certainly a must-do travel destination.