Reference desk

The folks over at Web Worker Daily posted a reasonable list of how to use Facebook for business. I think it could be useful if you are into social networking, especially as a business owner or promoter.

My friend Jessamyn West wrote a few months ago about library vendors who use Twitter; she also describes how she uses it in her work life (home alone most days, but Twitter gives her a connected feeling). It is possible to access Twitter in multiple ways: through various apps (applications) available for your computer or cell phone (especially the iPhone) or by using a browser and going directly to Twitter’s homepage. {edited 9-14-09} I find that I am using it more than I used to, and I am not as selective as I used to be about who I allow to follow me. I can’t imagine they find it very interesting, for one thing! But if someone gets a nugget of decent info from my Tweets, well, good for them. I’m glad to help.

In case you hadn’t heard, the State of Michigan is on course to dismantle the Department of History, Arts and Libraries, including the State Library. Jack Lessenberry, a great journalist at Michigan Radio, offers a solid opinion piece on this, and why it is a bad idea.

And in other disastrous news this week, six inches of rain fell in Louisville, Kentucky in a 3-hour period. Massive flooding at the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library caused over a million dollars in damage: total loss of 3 bookmobiles, thousands of new books, 40 new computers, offices, work areas and conference/meeting rooms. Please send whatever you can to assist the disaster recovery fund that has been established. Mail your check to:
The Library Foundation
301 York Street
Louisville, KY 40203

Thank you. Libraries are places where we are all free to go to learn, read, and explore. We need them more than ever.