More Things: An Aside about LibraryThing and SlideShare

With so many web 2.0 applications in use by librarians and libraries, it was probably not a great leap of the imagination to create an application like LibraryThing, which is a social networking programme for cataloging and sharing books. I recently gave a presentation on LibraryThing as part of the graduate trainee explorations into web 2.0 and social media applications. I find LibraryThing to be very useful, and also a source of much inspiration, as I am able to browse my friends' libraries in search of further reading material!
It has also successfully been implemented by libraries around Oxford such as the Vere Harmsworth and Nuffield College Libraries, where it is used for showcasing new accessions. My LibraryThing presentation can be found here on my SlideShare page:

http://www.slideshare.net/bodl2194librarian

I have also recently "discovered" SlideShare, a platform for sharing presentations. I have uploaded my LibraryThing presentation and a recent presentation that I did for a Philosophy of Mind course through the Continuing Education Department at Oxford University. SlideShare is often used by librarians to present information. Here are some examples of SlideShare from various librarians, including the biochemistry subject librarian (RSLBioChem) at the Radcliffe Science Library. Here is a "meta" presentation on presentations by Ned Potter, (AKA: the Real Wikiman) from his SlideShare page.

The Role of Libraries in the Research Process: Presentations from the USTLG Meeting at Oxford University

The USTLG meeting was held at Keble College in Oxford. Unfortuantely, I was not in attendance, but was able to glean some interesting information from the presentations given at the meeting. I was especially interested in the comments made by Lex Rigby in response to the keynote speaker, who, surprisingly, seemed quite ill-informed about the role that libraries and librarians play in research. It is often a crucial role, and one which requires a lot of knowledge, particularly in specialist subject areas. Using Google to find "quality web-based material" really dosen't cut it, not even for an undergraduate paper. Furthermore, librarians don't just provide a filter for these on-line services.