The OPLIN 4cast is a new, weekly compilation of recent headlines, topics, and trends that could impact public libraries. You can subscribe to it via RSS feed at http://www.oplin.org/4cast/index.php/?feed=rss2.
This week’s 4cast:
1. Filters Can’t Keep Up with the Kids
CNET identifies ways in which high school students work around Internet filters, and suggests countermeasures that parents and educators can try to keep the kids in line while they’re online.
- Kids outsmart Web filters (CNET)
- News flash: kids smarter than web filters (Ars Technica)
2. One Wicked Library Wiki
Meredith Farkas (a March 2006 Library Journal “Mover & Shaker”) recently created Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki, a “one-stop-shop for great ideas and information for all types of librarians.” There are categories covering a full range of library-related topics, so contribute your ideas, peruse, and use.
- Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki
- Information Wants To Be Free (Meredith Farkas’ blog about library technology)
3. Grandma’s Got the Top Score
Most libraries don’t think they’re in the business of games. It might be because they think the platforms change too quickly, or that it’s “just” entertainment. But the Alzheimer’s Association is starting to push puzzles as therapy, which might start putting more game controllers into the hands of baby boomers (and senior Gen-X-ers).
- These mind games do you good (USA Today)
- Pasco County, FL, is First To Offer Online Games Database (Library Journal)
4. Libraries Learn to IM ’em
At last Thursday’s OHIONET Annual Membership Meeting, Aaron Schmidt delivered a compelling opening session titled “Creating User-Centric Libraries through Technology.” In it, he demonstrated how libraries can connect (and re-connect) with their patrons through web services such as del.icio.us, flickr, and instant messaging. Check out some of Aaron’s entries on these topics at walking paper, his blog:
- 10 points on IM in libraries (walking paper)
- walking paper archive tag cloud
