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NEWS

For Immediate Release

May 2, 2008

LITA BIGWIG launches new site

On May 1^st, the Library and Information Technology Association’s (LITA) Blogs, Interactive Groupware and Wikis Interest Group (BIGWIG) launched YourBIGWIG (http://www.yourbigwig.com).  This new site is designed to allow for better communication between members, as well as a new virtual workspace. Jason Griffey, BIGWIG chair, said “We are hoping this site becomes the hub of discussions and planning for BIGWIG activities, as well as a sort of playground for virtual participation.  BIGWIG has created this website in order to facilitate communication between BIGWIG members, potential members and interested parties. We hope to use this site to enable BIGWIG to be more efficient and effective in the work we do, allow for virtual participation, and solicit feedback and commentary on our activities.”

Since 2005, BIGWIG has been the "Social Software" IG of LITA. BIGWIG is responsible for maintaining the LITABlog, and LITA Wiki. Additionally, BIGWIG has taken on several projects including conference blogging and podcasting, and podcasts of interviews with candidates for LITA offices.

BIGWIG also puts on the Social Software Showcase, an online unconference occurring around and during the time of ALA Annual. The Showcase is made up of a wiki where each year presenters post their presentations on cutting edge technology and social software. Discussion follows on the wiki with postings from people regardless of where they are in the world. BIGWIG also hosts a face to face roundtable discussion with some of our presenters at ALA Annual Conference.

People who are interested in getting involved may simply sign up on YourBIGWIG or subscribe to BIGWIG’s discussion list (send an email to sympa@ala.org with the subject line “subscribe to lita-bigwig”).  Finally, if you are attending Annual Conference, you can simply attend the BIGWIG meeting on Monday, June 30, from 8 to 10 am at the Hilton Anaheim in the Carmel room.

LITA Interest Groups are self forming through a very simple process detailed on the LITA Web site.  You can join any IG by simply attending the meetings at ALA/LITA Annual Conferences or Midwinter Meetings or by contacting the current chair and indicating your interest in participating.  For a complete list of LITA IGs, please see the left hand navigation at   http://www.lita.org/ala/lita/litamembership/litaigs/litainterest.cfm .

LITA, with over 4,000 members, has been serving the needs of the library and information technology community since 1966. Its mission is to educate, serve, and reach out to that community through its programs, publications and other activities.