Libology Blog

In Beverly, Massachusetts a mob of 20 LibraryThing enthusiasts cataloged the entire collection of St. John’s church library, as well as the rector’s book collection, consisting of over 2,000 books (averaging 100 books per person).

Akin to an Amish barn-raising, the idea was to get a group together and get the job done in one day.

found via the LibraryThing blog

* disclaimer:  I find this interesting on its own, but as I am in a middle of a months-long group project to move my church’s catalog to a different ILS (as well as getting them an OPAC) I can only feel jealous about the speed at which this was accomplished.

Tim Spalding of LibraryThing has started a new ambitious project: develop a new shelf classification system that would eliminate the baggage of the 100+ year-old systems many libraries have in place, as well as create a system free from the trademark, copyright, and license issues connected with Dewey.

He is looking for a few librarians (one to five) to manage the project, and has started a LibraryThing group for everyone to join in the conversation.

This just started up this morning, folks… they’re still talking letters vs. numbers and general classification philosophy. We’re talking ground floor timing, so sign up and begin discussing!

found via Tim Spalding’s post to the Web4Lib list

Google has packaged many of its tools into an offering for non-profit organizations.  If your group has a 501(c)(3) tax status, and is not political or religious in nature, then you most likely qualify.

This is fairly neat.  I worked with a library conference for several years, and much of what I set up for the collaborative and supportive workings for this group are included in the Google offering:  an online workspace, communication tools (e-mail and group discussion), online checkout, and analytics to offer feedback on the website are all analogous to tools I set up for the group one at a time.

In addition, they offers Google Docs, Calendar, and Google Grants (which is basically free advertising on Google search results pages).   For an organization like a Friends of the Library or a library-focused conference, these are tools that can take the work of a few people and turn out very professional, well-organized results.

If your group has a basic footprint on the web, but can see the benefits from increased collaboration and outreach, this is a fantastic offer that should be seriously reviewed and considered.

found via Official Google Blog

UNdata is a search tool for the many informational databases that the United Nations maintains. It is straightforward, easy to use, and effective in attaining what you need.

If only the UN as a whole worked so well
via OSDir

Google Apps Team Edition is a new permutation of Google Apps (something I have been using a fair amount during the past couple of months) designed for collaborative projects.

You need to register using a work or school e-mail address (I am not sure how broadly they define groups for this - could a non-profit, volunteer organization use this service?) and then you get to use Google Docs, Calendar, Talk and Start Page as a group, customized to your needs.

from Official Google Blog

Added later:  ars technica has an interesting take on how this service is enabling end users to bypass their IT departments

The Streetwise (pdf) column in the September 2007 issue of Strategic Finance contains a summary of a report titled “The Informal Organization”.

The focus of the report is that formal management structures are not how organizations actually work.  Informal organization, self organizing groups with the goal of getting a particular task completed, is the key to success.

The organizations with the highest success will be those who recognize and encourage informal organization, and encourage feedback and communcation among and between all levels of the management structure.

The complete report is available by mail at no charge by sending an e-mail to Alexandra Corriveau ( Alexandra@sommerfield.com ).  I have ordered my copy, and I suspect it will be a beneficial read.

Yesterday I wrote a memo that included some thougths about communication in the workplace.  One paragraph strikes me as something worth sharing here, with a couple of modifications to let it apply to committees, clubs, etc.

“I would work to create a ‘flat’ communication structure, finding ways to encourage a free flow of discussion on all topics of interest to the group.  This should not be confused with the decision making structure; someone needs to be in charge, and also to keep the discussions focused and fair.  This just addresses the flow of ideas and suggestions.  When everyone feels free to share ideas, brainstorm, suggest, critique, etc., the amount of information increases for those making particular dicisions and/or working on projects.

This can also lead to greater understanding and acceptance of decisions/projects.  I have heard ideas from people during their initial participation in a group that have saved time, money, and effort for all involved.  Communicating and listening well is the key to all of this.”