Welcome to the February 2007 issue of NewsLink, Information Today, Inc.'s FREE email newsletter for library and information professionals.

February begins our busy 2007 conference schedule. We hope to see many of you at one or more of our shows. As always, thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to continuing to provide quality content to professionals in any industry.

SpeechTEK West, our newly acquired trade show covering speech technology, voice search capabilities, biometrics, and other cutting-edge topics is February 21-23 in San Francisco. Click here to check out the program and go to the show site to register for a free Exhibit hall pass or full-conference session pass.

Computers in Libraries, our annual library technology event, is now only a couple of months away. This year's show is April 16 to 18 in Arlington, Va. The focus of the program is "Beyond Library 2.0: Building Communities, Connections, & Strategies." If you haven't read our program yet, head over to www.infotoday.com/cil2007 and see what the show is all about. This year we are launching a new awards ceremony. In the spirit of user-generated video content, ITI is presenting the InfoTubey Awards. Send us your library-related YouTube productions, and we will vote on the most clever, creative, sincere, and humorous of the bunch. Our IT team is collecting submissions at https://secure.infotoday.com/InfoTubies/Submit.asp.

In our spring calendar, we have two of our annual conferences at the New York Hilton in Manhattan. Both Enterprise Search Summit and Streaming Media East will be at the Hilton from May 15 to 16. Anyone interested in conference passes or a free expo pass can sign up online starting in February. Also, we recently announced a new location for our spring WebSearch University classes: Philadelphia. Go to websearchu.com for full show details.

Best,
Tom Hogan, Jr.

How do you think the recent mergers and acquisitions in the information industry (e.g., ProQuest-CSA [read more], SirsiDynix [read more], etc.) will affect library customers?

Please comment at https://www.infotoday.com/

by Paula J. Hane

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has signed an agreement with The British Library to partner on the development of a global science gateway that aims to make science information resources of many nations accessible via a single Internet portal, to be called Science.world. The signing took place in late January at The British Library, concurrent with the winter meeting of The International Council for Scientific and Technical Information (ICSTI; www.icsti.org). Raymond L. Orbach, under secretary for science of the DOE, signed the agreement with Lynne Brindley, chief executive of The British Library.

Recognizing the impact of international research efforts, Orbach stated: “It is time to make the science offerings of all nations searchable in one global gateway. Our goal is to speed up the sharing of knowledge on a global scale. As a result, we believe that science itself will speed up.”

Brindley said: “We are delighted to be embarking on what we expect to be a very fruitful collaboration with the DOE to develop the Science.world resource. The British Library has a long history of delivering online information resources through international partnerships. …”

DOE’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI; www.osti.gov) will work with The British Library (www.bl.uk) and international counterparts to develop a prototype of Science.world in 2007. I chatted with OSTI director Walt Warnick about plans for the new gateway. He said they are working closely with ICSTI to spread the word to potential participants and would provide a status report at the summer meeting of ICSTI in France.

The new portal will use the model of Science.gov, which has served as the gateway to reliable information about science and technology from across federal government organizations since its launch in December 2002. The main advantage of Science.gov is that it lets users search for information by subject, rather than by the agency sponsoring it. The same will be true of Science.world.

Warnick said Science.world will provide a search of authoritative databases of nations, rather than a search of international portals. The planned resource would be available to scientists in all nations and to anyone interested in science.

Objectives of the Science.world initiative are the following:

• Search dispersed, electronic collections in various science disciplines
• Provide direct, seamless, and free searching of open source collections and portals
• Build upon existing and already-successful national models for searching
• Complement existing information collections and systems
• Raise the visibility and usage of individual sources of quality science information

Since its launch, Science.gov has continuously improved its search technology. In May 2004, Science.gov Version 2.0 introduced relevancy ranking with its QuickRank technology (see the NewsBreak at http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbReader.asp?ArticleId=16445).

Science.gov 3.0 introduced MetaRank in 2005, which ranks results using custom algorithms applied to metadata or to the title, abstract, keywords, subject categories, etc. Science.gov 3.0 currently incorporates both QuickRank and MetaRank to return better search results.

In early 2007, Science.gov 4.0 will launch DeepRank, which will download and index the full text of documents to perform relevancy ranking for precision search. Grid computing will be integral, allowing distributed computers to communicate simultaneously and collaboratively. Warnick said these same ranking technologies will be used for Science.world.

Searches on Science.gov are powered by Distributed Explorit from Deep Web Technologies (DWT; www.deepwebtech.com), a small business located in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Abe Lederman, president of DWT, was present at the signing. A pioneer in federated search technology, he was excited about this initiative and said: “It’s great to see this sophisticated search technology take on an international collaborative dimension. Leveraging the kinds of capabilities Deep Web Technologies designed into the U.S. Government’s Science.gov federated search portal, launched in 2002, can help to provide a truly global resource for scientists and science-attentive officials, media professionals, entrepreneurs and citizens.”

I wondered whether Science.world would be seen as complementary or competitive to Elsevier’s science-specific search engine, Scirus. Joris van Rossum, head of Scirus, provided this comment: “Scirus, the most comprehensive science-specific search engine on the Internet, searches more than 300 million science-specific Web pages. A proven and well-established free search engine, Scirus searches across all science information resources including institutional repositories, journal sources, preprint servers, patents, author home pages, and other Web sources. Users from all nations can access Scirus for free via a single, easy-to-use interface. We welcome any effort to make scientific information easily accessible on the Web, however, from our perspective, Science.world will not provide users with any additional tools that Scirus does not already offer.”

Paula J. Hane is Information Today, Inc.’s news bureau chief and editor of NewsBreaks. Her email address is phane@infotoday.com.
 

NewsBreaks for Monday, January 29, 2007

NAPC Digitizing ERIC’s Document Backfile
by Barbara Quint

More large-scale digitization projects continue to emerge as aggregators move to extend their digital archives. The National Archive Publishing Co. (NAPC; www.napubco.com) has announced a 2-year project by which they will digitize a backfile of microfiche reports in ERIC (Education Resources Information Center; www.eric.ed.gov).
-->http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbReader.asp?ArticleId=19103

Vivísimo to Power Web Searching for NLM Sites
by Paula J. Hane

Since its founding in 2000, Vivísimo (www.vivisimo.com) has strived to show what can be done differently to bring content alive using its document-clustering technology. The company devised numerous concept demos to show the possibilities of its search platform.
-->http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbReader.asp?ArticleId=19109

NewsBreaks Weekly News Digest

Watson Goes to (AOL’s) School
AOL@SCHOOL (www.aolatschool.com), AOL's online learning service provided to teachers and students, and Intellext (www.intellext.com) announced the availability of the AOL@SCHOOL Desktop Sidebar.
-->http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/wndReader.asp?ArticleId=19106

ebrary Introduces New Online Ordering Platform
ebrary (www.ebrary.com) announced the availability of eBOP, its new online ordering platform that lets librarians preview ebooks and other content, purchase and subscribe to individual titles, or create a custom collection on-the-fly.
-->http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/wndReader.asp?ArticleId=19105

Congressional Quarterly Acquires FedNet’s Video Services
Congressional Quarterly, Inc. (CQ; www.cq.com) has agreed to acquire FedNet's reCap, reClip, and ALERT services, which allow users to search, replay, and post video content of congressional activity within moments of a floor debate. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
-->http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/wndReader.asp?ArticleId=19104

For full-text coverage of the following articles please use the links provided. 

INFORMATION TODAY
Scholarly Communication in Turmoil
By Miriam A. Drake

Scholarly communication is in turmoil. It is not clear how scholarly publishers will cope with change or if journals will even survive. That’s why we turned to two leading experts to provide some insight into scholarly publishing now and in the future.
-->https://www.infotoday.com/IT/feb07/Drake.shtml

ONLINE Magazine
That Was Then … This Is Now
By Nancy Garman

It’s amazing to look back 30 years, or even just 20–25—which spans the length of my career with ONLINE magazine and the online industry. What goes around comes around. Does anyone remember Richard Janke writing about end users in the early ’80s (“Online After Six: End-User Searching Comes of Age,” November 1984) and the great debate about whether it was all right to let people do their own searches?
-->https://www.infotoday.com/online/jan07/Garman.shtml

COMPUTERS IN LIBRARIES
The C’s of Our Sea Change: Plans for Training Staff, from Core Competencies to LEARNING 2.0
By Helene Blowers and Lori Reed

It’s a continual challenge to keep up with constant change. People at the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (N.C.) created a two-part plan to help staff members keep up with the sea change of technology. This article explains both parts: First there was a core competency program that measured staff members' proficiency with technology and helped get everyone up to the same level. Then a Learning 2.0 initiative followed. This was a voluntary program where staffers worked on their own to complete 23 tasks, each of which had them perform basic functions with a different application. Those who did it deemed it not only useful, but also fun!
-->https://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/feb07/Blowers_Reed.shtml

SEARCHER Magazine
Philanthropy — Not Just for Rock Stars: "Real People" and Digital Donations
By Cecilia Hogan

Grab your camera and autograph pen. There’s a new rock star in town and it’s philanthropy. That’s philanthropy with a capital “PH” now that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are the latest duo with a chart-breaking hit. The two richest men in the world joined forces to remix philanthropy in mid-2006. Buffett announced his plan to turn over about $31 billion of his Berkshire Hathaway fortune to the Gates Foundation to oversee and distribute.
-->https://www.infotoday.com/searcher/feb07/Hogan.shtml

MULTIMEDIA & INTERNET@SCHOOLS
An Author in Every Classroom
By Nick Glass

This article highlights specific ways you can replicate these personal connections to authors and illustrators by optimizing a variety of multimedia and online technologies. I will review specific types of virtual author programs, give examples you can freely experience, share how you can use them in your school, and guide you toward bringing an author into every classroom.
-->http://www.mmischools.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=12208

ECONTENT
Taking the Copyright Initiative
By Jared Bernstein

It may be important for user-generated content (UGC)/search provider GooTube to reach out to major copyright owners in order to avoid major lawsuits. But it’s equally important for content producers to take some initiative and secure rights management into their content as well.
-- >http://www.econtentmag.com/Articles/ArticleReader.aspx?ArticleID=18982

LINK-UP DIGITAL
When Bad Things Happen to Good Computers
By Reid Goldsborough

Someone once said, “A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any other invention in human history, with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila.” Computers themselves can also make mistakes.

-->https://www.infotoday.com/linkup/lud020107-goldsborough.shtml

CONFERENCE REPORT/UPDATE

Beyond Library 2.0 - Attend Computers in Libraries 2007
Make plans now to attend Computers in Libraries April 16-18. This year's focus is "Beyond Library 2.0." CIL is at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Va. Go to www.infotoday.com/cil2007 for registration, conference updates, and the latest program information.

Discover Speech Technology's Potential in San Francisco This Month
SpeechTEK West 2007 (Feb. 21-23, 2007, Hilton San Francisco) will explore how voice and speech technology solutions can change the way businesses reach out to their customers and look at how organizations can integrate speech technology in new products and services or deploy it in their business operations. Register now and get a 10 Percent discount OR a free expo pass (use code NWLK when registering).

Philadelphia - WebSearch University 2007
Information Today is proud to announce the dates and location for WebSearch University this spring. It is April 30 - May 1 at the Sheraton City Center in Philadelphia. Now in its eighth year, WebSearch U. enables Internet researchers to take search to the next level, honing their skills and refreshing their search competencies. Go to www.websearchu.com for more information on the show. Program information and speaker details will be available shortly.

CONFERENCE CALENDAR

February 2007

For the complete Conference Calendar, featuring hundreds of information and library conferences, visit https://www.infotoday.com/calendar.shtml
 

Teach Beyond Your Reach
An Instructor’s Guide to Developing and Running Successful Distance Learning Classes, Workshops, Training Sessions and More
By Robin Neidorf

“A terrific resource not only for those new to distance learning but as a reference for those of us already in the field.”

— Mitch Fleishman
Plumtree Software

Distance learning is enabling individuals to earn college and graduate degrees, professional certificates, and a wide range of skills and credentials. In addition to the rapidly expanding role of distance learning in higher education, all types of organizations now offer Web-based training courses to employees, clients, and other associates. In Teach Beyond Your Reach, teacher and author Robin Neidorf takes a practical, curriculum-focused approach designed to help new and experienced distance educators develop and deliver quality courses and training sessions. She shares best practices and examples, surveys the tools of the trade, and covers key issues, including instructional design, course craft, adult learning styles, student-teacher interaction, strategies for building a community of learners, and much more. Read this informative and inspiring book to master the evolving art and science of distance education.

CyberAge Books • June 2006/248 pp/softbound
ISBN 0-910965-73-0
Regular Price: $29.95

To purchase this title, please go to https://books.infotoday.com/books/TeachBeyond.shtml.

To view our entire catalog, go to https://books.infotoday.com.
 

If you like NewsLink, check out Information Today, Inc.'s other eNewsletters: 

BestBiz Web: http://www.bestbizweb.com/subscribe.shtml
CRM eWeekly: http://www.destinationcrm.com/newsletter/
EContent Xtra: http://www.econtentmag.com/ecxtra
EMedia Xtra: http://www.emedialive.com/Newsletters/Default.aspx
Enterprise Search Xtra: http://www.enterprisesearchcenter.com/Newsletters/
EventDV Spotlight: http://www.eventdv.net/Newsletters/default.aspx
KMWorld Newslinks: http://www.kmworld.com/newslinks
MMIS Xtra: http://www.mmischools.com/newsletters/
Streaming Media Xtra http://www.streamingmedia.com/subscribe.asp
STM EWeekly (Speech Technology): http://www.speechtek.com

If you regularly read blogs, add these to your reader:

InfoToday Blog - www.infotodayblog.com - covering all major information industries conferences worldwide.

Library Stuff - www.librarystuff.net - the library Weblog dedicated to resources for keeping current and professional development, written by Steven M. Cohen.

ONLINE Insider - www.onlineinsider.net - the editorial blog by Marydee Ojala, Editor of ONLINE: The Leading Magazine for Information Professionals. Presents commentary on happenings in the online world.

Intelligent Agent - www.ia-blog.com - Intelligent Agent is a blog all about business research, linking to breaking business information industry news, and facilitating thoughtful discussion on what it takes to do good business research in the new world of Web 2.0.

Streaming Media Discussion Blog - www.streamingmedia.com/blog - Dan Rayburn and Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen, along with other StreamingMedia.com contributors, will use this forum to share their thoughts on the day's news and comments on streaming & digital media industry trends.

Presented by Information Today: Take a Survey: Test Your ROI Know-How

Information Today and Babson College’s Working Knowledge Research Center are working on a special "Discovering Content ROI" (return on investment) contest beginning this month. The purpose is to identify the best strategies used by companies to measure and enhance the value of their third-party content purchases.

You probably know how much your company is spending on third-party content, which includes information that your company purchases from providers such as The Thomson Corp., LexisNexis, Factiva, and third-party research firms.

Research shows that many companies spend millions of dollars on third-party content; however, despite these large expenditures, companies face a difficult challenge in proving their third-party content ROI.

This contest will evaluate and judge the best emerging practices for solving this challenge by recognizing companies with the best stories and descriptions of their practices for driving business results through the use of third-party content. Stories and descriptions may cover various topics. CLICK HERE to participate in the contest.

Each member of the winning submission team will win a new iPod nano (up to 10 nanos). Submission teams can include one or more members of the library staff as well as line employees to contribute details on how content was used in workflows.