ProfDev 01/03/05

Search Engine Users Survey
This report by the Pew Internet Project* concluded that internet searchers are confident, satisfied and trusting - but they are also unaware and naive. The major findings were:

• Internet users are very positive about their online search experiences.
• Most searchers use search engines conservatively.
• Most searchers are naïve about search engines and search results.
• Internet users turn to search engines for both important and trivial questions..
• Men are more intense and savvy searchers than women.
• Young users are more avid, committed, and trusting searchers than older users.

Download the full 29 page report here (pdf 481710 bytes).

*The Pew Internet & American Life Project produces reports that explore the impact of the Internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life.

Trial of personalised RSS feeds for Library users.
This trial is part of the Talis Research Project Bluebird.
Whats an RSS Feed? Why do I need to know? Have a look at this article.

What Future for Public Libraries?
The Futures Group are a group of middle managers in public libraries who have come together under the auspices of the Laser Foundation to discuss issues relating to the future of the public library sector. They have produced the report "Libraries: A Vision - The Public Library Service in 2015."
"Public libraries press all the strategic buttons but are low on the government’s list of priorities and attract insufficient funds to develop their real potential. There are urgent questions to be asked about the governance and funding of public libraries at a national and local level"
Download the full 23 page report here. (pdf 278kb). (CILIP Information Services)

New book promotion based around the London 2012 Olympic bid
“…a book promotion for children brought to you by London’s public libraries in support of the London 2012 bid. London's librarians have chosen a selection of picture books and stories which include people from around the world - just the sort of people we can expect to welcome to the Olympic Games" (CILIP Information Services)

Veteran writers on new shortlist
The Guardian reports on Doris Lessing, Muriel Spark and Ian McEwan being the three British authors on the Man Booker International Prize. (CILIP Information Services)

The Bookcrossing scheme
...where people leave books in public places to be picked up and read by others who in turn pass them on, with all readers logging on to a website that tracks progress of the books is to
get a UK boost. (Thanks to Mike Elder for this)