INNOLIB

Amazon’s Kindle DX

Amazon released information today regarding their new line of the popular Kindle product. While skimming reviews of the product I skipped to the concluding paragraph of PC Magazines review by Lance Ulanoff:

A lot of people have asked me if I spent time with the new DX. I did, but not too much. There just isn’t that much that’s new. There’s the huge screen (2.5 times the size of the current Kindle 2), an accelerometer that lets the Kindle DX automatically reorient the page when you turn it to the side, a slightly redesigned keyboard, a PDF reader, and the ability to set line length. I did press one Amazon rep on whether or not anything had been left out of the presentation, but he assured me that I had all of the information.

So, no browser, no color, no surprises. I can live with that.

I was actually unaware that the previous version of the Kindle did not have a native PDF reader.  Amazon, apparently, added this option to increase sales with business users. This addition coupled with the large screen has tremendously increased the price, bringing the product to ~$500 when it is released this Sumer.

The need of particular communities to rent the Kindle, or other eBook readers, is apparent.

(via)

I am interested in seeing what competing companies will produce to compete with the Kindle. The price of the product at this point is quite high considering there is no color, no browser, and limited rental capabilities. Here are some companies to look out for from Amit Agarwal

If you are interested in document readers, some devices that are worth tracking include Plastic Logic, FoxIt eSlick Reader, Sony Reader, iRex Digital Reader and BeBook eReader. The launch of Kindle DX will definitely prompt these vendors to add larger screens to their own reading tablets. (via)

Brand Monitoring : Skokie Public Library

Skokie Public Library Gaming Night

I’m not originally from the Chicago area, or even the Midwest. When I started asking all of my coworkers if they had ever been to the Skokie Public Library they often laughed at me. They wondered why I would want to know about a library so far away when I work right down the street from the Harold Washington Public Library. Regardless of their scoffing I was drawn to the Skokie Public Library, it seemed like every article or blog post I read on the bibliosphere was mentioning Skokie. For example, at the end of my monitoring assignment Toby Greenwalt (virtual services coordinator) was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker.

I started my brand monitoring by first checking Google Reviews directly from Google Maps. I assumed that this is where many people gather information about a library, or really anything, when they are looking into visiting it for the first time. Almost all of the reviews are 5 stars with titles like “The Best Library in the whole Area” and “Wow.” The top review (the one you see bellow the name of the location in Google Maps) starts with “”I study many times at this library. It is a very good library and it is always …“

Twitter searching also revealed similar results. Many people go to the library to study and the Skokie’s twitter presence is prominently displayed. Here is a screenshot from the search query while snagged while creating this post. I think it’s important to mention that Skokie Public Library has a great bio on twitter : “Cornerstone of information, entertainment, and community on the North Shore.” Not only are they striving to provide information but so much more.

Although I can’t claim to have seen this for myself as part of brand monitoring I looked through the blogs of those library staff that I could locate. From Toby Greenwalt’s blog:

This is great, but it tends to overlook the biggest reason to have a good Twitter Search feed set up: it lets you know when people are talking about you. Much like having Google Alerts set up, you can identify and respond to all the good and bad chatter taking place out in the cloud. Right after I made that last post, I found the following conversation in the feed:

I decided to try a website out that I know is often used for scathing and snarky reviewers, Yelp.  I was hoping to find at least one bad review but everywhere I looked everything was great! Almost all 5 Star reviews from Yelp as well with reviews like ” This is my favorite library in the world. When I lived in the suburbs, this was my happiest hangout.” via

After monitoring Skokie Public Library I could plainly see that they provide great service that is truely appreciated by their community. I decided that to contact the library about possible volunteer opportunities. Last weekend I took the haul out to Skokie and got to the library a little before my meeting. I decided to grab some coffee next door and read a little. The cafe employee guessed that I was there to visit the library and we started talking. She began lamenting on how much she loves the library and how many people it draws to the downtown area. After I sat down with my bagel and coffee a librarian came in and inquired on how to place group size coffee orders! Overall, Skokie Public has created and maintained a highly appreciated brand.

Android App Scans DVD Bar Codes, Starts BitTorrent Download

Users can be out shopping, for example, at the local Walmart buying diapers for little Johnnie. Johnnie’s dad can hit Walmart’s video section, use the G1 Android phone camera to snap a picture of a DVD barcode and voila: Search results of where the flick could be pilfered for free would immediately be sent to Johnnie’s dad, who could then download the video to the web UI of uTorrent while he’s combing the aisles carrying a crying baby searching for the right pacifier and diaper-rash treatment.

Johnnie’s dad arrives home, and the free flick of his choice is ready to view.

Via

This makes me wonder why libraries don’t have a similar option. Obviously, torrenting movies is illegal but why not develop an application / mobile site so that users can take a picture of the bar code and place that item on hold.  Even better place that item on a queue just like Netflix so that the patron will automatically have the information mailed to them. The only mobile application I’ve seen for libraries is the one developed by DC public libraries.

Hurrah for alternative OPAC interfaces! I’m very pleased to let you know that the DCPL iPhone app went live last night. You can download it from the iTunes app store here. Functionality in this version includes:

• searching for library materials
• seeing an item’s cover and reading a summary
• placing a hold for pickup at the location of your choice
• finding the hours, locations and phone numbers of DC public libraries

http://www.walkingpaper.org/1100