Hello everybody – I’ve imported the posts from my old blog, Schooling.us, and am starting over fresh with a new look and a new name that better reflects my own personal brand. Welcome and take a look around!
Author Archives: erin downey howerton
More Questions Than Answers: Month 3 of the Year of the E-book
First, a blog post got passed around on Twitter. Then the NYT picked up on it, and the following week this video was posted to YouTube: (better version of this from Penguin’s Digital unit) Got your mind properly blown yet? (Yes? Good.) This is just the start of what promises to be a really ground-breakingContinue reading “More Questions Than Answers: Month 3 of the Year of the E-book”
More Godin-ish thoughts
My co-worker Josh forwarded me a link to the Friendfeed conversation he started about my last blog post. I read the reactions with interest, and had a few thoughts in connection with this: Another co-worker forwarded an email with this, that seems related: “And these statistic(s) from another book, “Empire of Illusion: the End ofContinue reading “More Godin-ish thoughts”
Information is not free
Seth Godin blogged recently about his idea to transform libraries for the 21st century. Apparently he’s been talking to librarians who are unhappy that their DVD circulation is up (as it would be, in this economy when people are looking for cheap/free home entertainment). But I think he has some things very wrong: “They can’tContinue reading “Information is not free”
How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They’re Built by Stewart Brand
From my last post – this was the only book referred to in the New South Wales matrix that I hadn’t yet read. So I set out to grab a copy of How Buildings Learn and discover more about its metaphor for a potential library future. I think I have always been interested in architectureContinue reading “How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They’re Built by Stewart Brand”
Bookend Scenarios – Public libraries 20 years in the future?
The State Library of New South Wales did a little future forecasting and compiled their results in a nice white paper called Bookend Scenarios (pdf). Although they were focusing on particularly Australian concerns, I was surprised by how applicable their vision is to American libraries. We face very similar challenges to our services, and it’sContinue reading “Bookend Scenarios – Public libraries 20 years in the future?”
A little OT: buttons & widgets are helpful!
I looked like this lady last week. Seriously, my friends, stay well and if you need some chicken soup or ginger ale I will bring you some while you stay AT HOME! The last thing I wanted to do was spread this junk around at the library while at a public service desk. But whereContinue reading “A little OT: buttons & widgets are helpful!”
Random Questions on Future Libraries from Scott McLeod
I enjoy reading Scott McLeod’s blog, Dangerously Irrelevant, because it challenges the status quo. He asks the questions that make us uncomfortable about the future of education (which is inextricably tied up in libraries, of course). He’s posted some questions as a result of some recently completed speaking gigs. I answer them here. 1. WhatContinue reading “Random Questions on Future Libraries from Scott McLeod”
Vint Cerf & friends on Net Neutrality
At Internet Librarian 2009, we got to hear Vint Cerf with Google as our Monday keynote. I found this great video by way of Alec Couros’ blog, which features Cerf talking about the importance of net neutrality. Net neutrality is a super important concept for today’s Internet users to learn about. Here’s why you shouldContinue reading “Vint Cerf & friends on Net Neutrality”
Happy 2nd Anniversary from IL2009
I’m excited to celebrate 2 years of blogging here! I wanted a new place to collect library thoughts so began this blog at IL2007 in order to do just that. This has been a great space for me to explore the random library, education, and literature-related ideas that flow through my head. Sometimes I feelContinue reading “Happy 2nd Anniversary from IL2009”