"New Media" & Information Literacy

I don't know how I came across this a week ago, but I really didn't give this site as thorough a look as I should have. This time I received the link from a listserv, and I knew it couldn't be coincidence so I went back for a closer inspection.

These guys have some great ideas! I mean, this is stuff I've been thinking in the back of my mind for a while, but I hadn't the ability to express it so eloquently. Also, I've just now realized that our project of creating online information literacy tutorials is an exercise in adapting "new media" to info. lit.

I'd also never considered how "new media" becomes such. Ie., what is "new media"? (I love the discussion of the terms' etymology!) Is it just video iPods, Blackberry's, Streaming video, Increasing broadband access, etc or have these "new media" evoloved from "older media"?

Using IM Bots as V.R.

Something that just occurred to me... For those libraries using popular instant messaging software as a virtual reference tool, how about using IM bots as automated search help while in db's or the library catalog? This isn't a new idea, but now that Conversagent is being implemented by increasingly numerous for-profit organizations I think libraries should try it. Again, if only I had some of that elusive "free time," this would be a fun project.

PodStories

I'd thought of this as a public library service when I first heard of podcasting. What a great way to provide outreach to children and parents who can't make it to the scheduled story time at the library. Also useful as a supplement to the bedtime story when Mom and Dad are exhausted/tire of reading the same story night after night!

I'm a Geek (surprise, surprise)

Well, I'm sure those who know me personally will not protest, but my score was 48/60! Prospective employers, please keep in mind: this is not a scientific survey!

I actually found this survey while reading "Who's Building the Next Web?" The term "Next Web" is synonymous with Web 2.0 I suppose. Anyways, I was already aware of some of these startups (like Plum, I can't wait for that one), but the rest were news to me. I think any company that contributes to making technology a seamless and integral part of our lives is "building the next web."

I worry that I may need to plan more primitive camping trips (no cell phone, no camp grounds, no nothing electronic) to balance out my techie lifestyle. Will the wilderness soon be crowded full of 20-something geeks trying to "get away?!"