Media and Technology Section
Updated: December 18, 2006
2006 WLA Conference
MATS Business Meeting: Wednesday, November 1, 2006 Meeting minutes
Wisconsin Heritage Online (WHO) A distinguished panel of speakers, Debbie Cardinal, Sally Drew, Barbara Kelly, Peter Gorman, Jonathan Cooper, Ken Frazier, shared how library collections can become part of Wisconsin's Heritage.
3rd Annual MATS Webbie Awards were presented rather quickly following the keynote address and in one case at the winning library! Awards were given for best websites in several categories and winners were announced just after the keynote speaker.
Abigail Blachly, archivist and librarian presented LibraryThing to a packed room of people interested in this online service where personal book collections can be cataloged.
Terri Muraski and David Null introduced the group to the world of wikis and the concept of community knowledge and collective wisdom on the internet. Wikipedia and the highs and lows of wiki reference tools were discussed. In addition, the presenters looked at ways librarians are using and participating in wikis, including those that are directly related to libraries and librarians in public and academic libraries. For more information, please visit Terri's powerpoint presentation , bibliography of wikis and her examples of library wikis.
Jessamyn West, author of Librarian.net is an engaging speaker. She presented Technology Trends in Libraries which included the following tips: "The easiest, freest thing you can do to increase your library presence: Offer an easy way for the public to ask you a question
Consider creating generic email addresses for trustees@ and genealogy@ that get directed to whoever is in charge. Consider offering IM so the public can reach you quickly & easily; be where your patrons are. IM is also great for in-house communication with your colleagues."
Small Libraries and The Digital Divide featuring Jessamyn West gave a second thought provoking presentation about the persons that are part of the digital divide and how libraries can assist people in overcoming technology difficulties and offer better public access computing.
The conference was well reported through the blogging of MATS members Joy Schwarz, Karla Smith and Nanette Bulebosh!
