To provide a timely forum for discussion of current issues related to the provision of electronic reference services. For additional information on the committee, please see the MARS Handbook.
Our Programs
ALA Annual 2007 Hot Topics DG Topic: Libraries2Go: Library Services for Handhelds
What do PDAs, iPods, and cell phones have in common? They're small, they're everywhere, and all of your patrons have at least one of them. Handheld devices represent a critical vehicle for libraries to communicate with their patrons, but they also provide unique challenges and require special treatment when it comes to delivering library services through them.
Come join us for an informative session on delivering library services to the next generation of communication tools. This session will provide a foundation in mobile devices and kick-start your thinking about how your own libraries might distribute services to your patrons' little devices. This session is designed for librarians and library staff of all skill levels and will feature demonstrations of different mobile technologies, services for them, challenges to developing content for handhelds, implementation strategies, and assessment of those services.
When? Saturday, June 23, 2007, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Where? JW Marriott, Salon IV
Presentations:
Bradley Faust, Assistant Dean for Library Information Technology Services, Ball State University will present The Mobile Computing Project at Ball State University Libraries."
Markus Wust, NCSU Libraries Fellow in Digital Library Initiatives/Special Collections, North Carolina State University will present "MobilLIB: A Library Service for Generation 'Mobile' at North Carolina State University."
Michelle Jacobs, Instruction Librarian, University of California, Merced will present "The Library in your Pocket."
Chair: Mark Dehmlow, Electronic Services Librarian, Notre Dame University
Co-Chair: Nancy Cunningham, Associate Director, Refence and Instruction, University of South Florida
Secretary: Leah Dodd, Visiting Digital Resources and Reference Librarian
ALA Midwinter 2007 Topic: Not Your Dad's Interface: the Next Evolution in OPAC's and Search Engines
Exciting new technologies are changing the look and feel of today's OPACs and search engines with visual interfaces and features that enhance the user experience. RUSA's MARS Hot Topics Discussion Group has joined with MARS Products and Services to present a dynamic panel of three speakers who will discuss their experience with new OPAC interfaces such as Endeca, visual interfaces such as Aquabrowser, and what the usability implications are for these new graphic interfaces. Question and discussion session to follow.
When? Saturday, January 20, 2007, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Where? Fairmont Olympic Hotel - Metropole Room
Presentations:
Tito Sierra, Assistant Head for Digital Library Development Digital Library Initiatives for North Carolina State University will present "A Faceted Interface to the Library Catalog."
David Wasserman, Electronic Resources Librarian for the King County Public Library System will present "Aquabrowser @ KCLS."
Session Review: A review of the session can be found on page 6 of Cognotes from Sunday, January 21, 2007.
Chair: Mark Dehmlow, Electronic Services Librarian, Notre Dame University
Co-Chair: Nancy Cunningham, Associate Director, Refence and Instruction, University of South Florida
Committee Roster [This information is password protected for ALA members only.] If you are interested in the work of this committee, please complete a Committee Interest Form.
