On 20 Years of Blogging at Information Wants to be Free
Today is the 20th anniversary of this blog. I put that on my calendar about 6 months ago when I realized how close to 20 years I was and then…
Posted ininstruction social software
A review of Information Literacy and Social Media by Santamaría and Pfannenstiel
Santamaria, M., & Pfannenstiel, N. (2024). Information literacy and social media : empowered student engagement with the ACRL framework. Association of College and Research Libraries. When I started writing my book…
Out of sight, out of mind? prioritizing support of online learners
It’s been eighteen years and I can’t believe this is still an issue. In 2005, I started my first professional library job as a distance learning librarian. At the time,…
The end of Twitter?
The tl:dr is in whatever online communities you frequent, do you ever ask yourself "who isn't here? Who doesn't feel welcome here? What barriers are there to participation?" If not,…
Posted inblogging General librarianship
Losing my friend, Mark Lindner
Our profession has lost one of its best. My friend, Mark Lindner, died on Monday. Mark wrote one of the best library blogs during that lovely golden age of blogging in the aughts…
Thoughts at Mid-Career Part 5: Where to From Here?
This is the fifth in a series of essays. You can access the rest here, though it’s not necessary to read them all or in order. "To me, the only habit worth ‘designing…
Thoughts at Mid-Career Part 4 – The Cult of Productivity: You’re Never Doing Enough
This is the fourth in a series of essays. You can access the rest here, though it’s not necessary to read them all or in order. “These days, I just want to slow…
Posted inour digital future social software tech trends
We are atomized. We are monetized. We are ephemera. Do we deserve more online?
In March and April, I took about 5 weeks off from social media. I didn't post anything to or look at Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. I'd wondered if I'd feel…
Posted inWikis
Saying goodbye to the Library Success Wiki
In July 2005, on the heels of the successful ALA Annual 2005 Wiki, I developed the Library Success Wiki. Here's what I said about it then: "I would like this…
The dangers of the backchannel: my observations from the #ACRL2017 hashtag
When I took my current job at PCC almost three years ago, I gained so many things: work I love, amazing engaged colleagues, a mission I identify with, terrific students, and…
Generous hearts and social media shaming
When I was young and bold and strong, Oh, right was right, and wrong was wrong! My plume on high, my flag unfurled, I rode away to right the world.…
LibGuides, you’re not “Web 2.0” without an open API
Update: I've been in touch with a Springshare representative who tells me that things like the contextually aware D2L widget from Portland State University will work in LibGuides 2.0 and…
Posted inabout me blogging social software
A decade of blogging
It has been exactly 10 years today since I started Information Wants to be Free. My life has changed in so many ways since then. I'm not sure I really had…
Getting into the gray areas with the draft Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education
This semester, I'm teaching I new course I developed for San Jose State's MLIS program entitled "Embedded Librarians/Embedded Libraries: Embedding the Library into the Fabric of Higher Education." It's been…
Posted inblogging social software
The right to create our own digital footprints?
There are things on the Internet about me that I regret. Things that embarras me. Things that make me cringe. However, it's nothing that I didn't do to myself. I…
Posted inassessment free the information! Inspiring Stuff instruction librarianship libraries management social software speaking
Behavior vs. belief and changing culture
At LOEX of the West this summer (a fantastic conference, btw), Joan Kaplowitz did a session where she started by asking attendees what words they associate with assessment. I won't…
Up to my neck in… well, everything.
You know you're a real blogger when, no matter how absurdly busy the rest of your life is, the thing you can't do that you miss the most is blogging.…
The changing professional conversation
I have had some great discussions on Twitter. Professional discussions, discussions about parenting, conversations with friends. I've been pleasantly surprised that you can have a quality professional discussion with multiple…
Tips for being a great blogger (and good person)
Since having my son, I have not been the best blogger in the world, but that doesn't meant that I'm not thinking about blogging. I probably have a year's worth…
Collaborative tech, virtual participation, and what is an “open meeting” anyways?
Let me say this first. I am not an expert in ALA or LITA (or even ACRL) bylaws regarding participation, open meetings, etc. I'm sure a lot of very experienced…
