Really interesting stats! We are noticing similar trends at my library. We just started filtering our Analytics stats by IP range - we can see use within the library, outside the library but still on campus, and off campus. It's actually a very small percentage of use from within the library, yet that's where we focus most of our services.
- Jen
you gonna publish that, Jen? YOU SHOULD.
- D0r0th34
Hmmm. Never considered that, but might be an interesting angle. Thanks!
- Jen
I agree with Dorothea on this: It's an excellent discussion, and I believe it's worth publishing.
- Walt Crawford
Jen, how are you doing the filtering? I'm still learning Analytics and I can only see methods to include or exclude IP traffic at the collection level and I don't want to exclude any data at this stage. Curious, I just checked that about 65% of our web traffic comes from the University's 'network' (as an Internet service provider)
- mita
We tried to split out on- vs off-campus and in- vs out of- library and weren't successful, so I'd be interested in hearing how you did it.
- DJF
Me too! We filter out our library staff/faculty IP addresses, but that's because it's the number ACRL wants. On another note: This is an _AWESOME_ presentation, full of goodness.
- Jason Griffey
do I sense a coauthorship in the process of happening? :) Jason, meet Jen; she is awesome. Jen, meet Jason; he is awesome.
- D0r0th34
great set of stats and analysis! Wondering re: subject guides (slides 30-32): what is difference b/t subject pgs & research guides?Isn't subject page itself a sort of guide and might be why users aren't then clicking on the formally labeled research guides? Plus, users scan pages left to right so links on right will almost always get less traffic.
- Dana Longley
At one point, a 'resource resource page' was just indexes while a 'subject research guide' was a traditional library guide, with lists of encyclopedias, indexes, websites, etc. But now many 'resource' pages have evolved to contain links to ebooks, dictionaries, course presentations etc. IMHO, they are combining into one thing. Location and language are admittedly important. I'm planning to do a stats round-up on our subject pages/guides early next year.
- mita
Like Jason, we started filtering stats after seeing that ACRL stats asked for it. Because of the way our Analytics are set-up, we had to have our campus IT guy write the filters, but they are just by IP. I'm on the road for the next few weeks, but will definitely want to talk to you all more about this.
- Jen
NTS pull mine down and show mita (and everyone else, too)
- awd
I think I need some popcorn after inhaling the aroma of cooking sugar all afternoon and early this evening. This is probably the reason I ate french fries earlier, too.
- Katy S
note to self: Get self on Katys' xmas list ;). yummeh.
- Scott
Note to Scott: It's my mother's list you want to be on. I'm making them up for her to send out on her goody trays. I'm also making all of her cookies.
- Katy S
note to self: get on Katy's Moms' xmas list and ask for the cookehs and caramehls :).
- Scott
Any interest in creating a set of grass-roots-driven awards for librarylanders? Inspired by the categories at Edublogs: http://edublogawards.com/ We could come up w/categories, have open nominations, real-time vote results? Thoughts, pros, cons?
sure, why not? a little visibility is a good thing
- D0r0th34
I like it. LSW projects tend to be egalitarian, and awards tend to be popularity contests, but I think if we did this right it would be fun and get exposure for a lot of different people doing different stuff. I'm especially interested in lots of niche categories.
- s t e v e
So, like Shovers and Makers, except not self-nominated? Big thumbs-up here.
- Catherine Pellegrino
S t e v e would win the "Follows LSW FF room" category, hands down :)
- awd
Why not? Heck, I'll offer the services of America's third or fourth largest-circulation monthly library periodical to publicize the results. With snark kept to a reasonable minimum.
- Walt Crawford
OK, I was making that up, but I'd bet it's correct (actually, since neither AL nor LJ nor, I believe, C&RL News appears monthly, it might be conservative).
- Walt Crawford
I knew there's a good reason we're friends, Pete. You're awesome. :-)
- lris' ghost
Also, a law librarian ;) You can use worldlii to find legal sources for most jurisdictions.
- Pete
Thank you so much! This will really help me (who didn't have to try to learn to be a legal librarian in a morning's time) and the research assistant I'm trying to help.
- lris' ghost
Not at all. Sarah G can be more help for any US stuff.
- Pete
For the first time in a long time, I want to do something other than curl up under a blanket all evening. Still no energy to actually do anything, but wanting to is a positive sign.
Oh nooooooooo! Jason, an internet marketing specialist, said he "was looking at websites under the keyword household accessories and came across your website http://library.du.edu. I see that you're not ranked on the first page of Google for a household accessories search." That explains why we haven't sold many toasters!
Hi all. I've had the pleasure of crossing paths with a lot of you all in the main feed, but I wanted to join this room, as I'm thinking seriously about going back to school for my MLIS.
I was an English major in college before earning an MFA in film at an art school and these remain major interests to me. I love photography, slave narratives, comic books and in a perfect world would like to find a way to include these in a professional sense, hopefully in an academic setting. Currently looking at online programs and if I could find GRE-free programs, I’ll send everyone here cookies. Thanks for listening and looking forward to participating here.
- Derrick
as an alum and sometime teacher at UW-Madison -- I wouldn't trust the online program juuuuuuust yet. as for GRE, if you've ever taken it you can probably just use your old scores. I know I did, and mine were about seven years old at the time.
- D0r0th34
D0r0th34, thanks for the advice. I've only heard good things about UW-Madison and not just the online program. I'd consider relocating, if it came to that. Also, my poor GRE scores are dust in the wind. I took it on paper back in...'95? This is a lot of info and a great resource and I look forward to investigating and finding out what works best for me. I think I might have to tackle the GRE to maximize the list of schools available.
- Derrick
I would say go for the GRE. I don't think many schools care about your score, they just want you to take it. That was my sense from Drexel. (I did their online program.)
- Kendra <3 Three Lions
Noted, and thanks Kendra. I looked at their program too. I should also point out that I went to a reaaaaaaaly expensive art school and would like to minimize what I can in terms of expense. I assume that there some sorts of federal and institutional funding? *fingers crossed* From what I've seen so far, SJSU is probably my best bet in terms of tuition and costs.
- Derrick
if you're going to move, come here a year early and get in-state rates. NEVER EVER EVER spend more on your MLS than you absolutely must.
- D0r0th34
Sound advice, D0r0th34. I'll take that under consideration.
- Derrick
Watch out about SJSU - they are doing some crazy stuff with their in-state tuition so it's not that cheap anymore. I also think the program is suffering growing pains.
- Kendra <3 Three Lions
got an idea where you'd like to specialize, Derrick? not that you have to at this point; it will just help us point you in good directions. Madison is good for public librarians, brilliant for youth and K-12 librarians, average to poor for academic librarians, average to poor but improving for techie librarians. Its sole faculty archivist is about to light out for greener pastures, so I'd say go elsewhere for archives if you're desperate to start right away.
- D0r0th34
Ok, well that helps. I'm looking at primarily academic stuff. Not very techy. Not sure if I could handle public, but love college and university campuses. I studied all sorts of literature as an undergrad, but was an afro-am minor and did a lot of my work in afro-am literature and slave narratives. But I also went to an art school and love, love, love art. I don't know if that makes it...
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- Derrick
'k, if you haven't subbed to Karin Dalziel here, you prolly should. I can also hook you up with a pal of mine who's now running the library at the Corcoran College of Art and Design; he's awesomesauce. Mario Ascencio, mascencio@corcoran.org, tell him Dorothea told him to teach you everything he knows. ;)
- D0r0th34
Derrick, Illinois, when I applied, was GRE-free depending on your past academic achievement. I still took it as I was on the borderline and figured I could use all the help I could get. It also has a well-considered online program, and, as far as I know, is one of the only LIS schools that offers graduate assistantships through the Library which, at this point in time, comes with a...
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- Katie
If you're in LA, I would totally try for UCLA. It's a good program, they have lots of art stuff. I would have done that instead of Drexel but I didn't want to leave my job.
- Kendra <3 Three Lions
This is all really useful and great information. Thanks D0r0th34 and Kendra. I have a friend whom I think went to UCLA. I don't know why I didn't think of approaching her until right now.
- Derrick
I got mine via distance ed at FSU. They did need GRE, but it was a good program, highly ranked, and not terribly expensive.
- Jàson Puçkett
Welcome to the coven! Talk to grads before choosing an online program, and definitely spend as little as possible, regardless of what you do.
- laura x
Man, I told you this months ago, but did you listen to me then? Nooooooooooo. ;-)
- cecily
Cecily - I remember that! Didn't you say he'd make a great teen librarian?
- Katy S
Maryland has a class this semester in information access in the humanities would be of interest! (GRE required, I think).
- Christina Pikas
Derrick - I went to UIUC (on campus but took several online classes) and did an internship at UCLA relatively recently (if 2005 counts as that) and I'd be happy to talk to you about them. There are tons of scholarships and fellowships available - it's possible to come out with very little to no debt.
- Jaclyn
Wow, thanks everyone! This is really great. I'm really happy to have found such a resource. I'll take everything to heart and contact you all if I have questions. And I'm sure I will. And I remember that too, Cecily. I think part of my reluctance to look into LIS is that it's really been so long since I utilized a library and wasn't aware of the breadth of options as a profession. I...
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- Derrick
Derrick, I read through the book Cracking the GRE before I took the test (both times, once written, once on the computer), & it helped immensely! Definitely take a look at it if you're going to retake the test.
- josh neff, geek at large
I did my MLS at Drexel, completely online (the first and last time I showed up on campus in Philly was to for graduation (which they paid the travel expenses for, by the way)), and it's GRE-free, I'm pretty sure, if you already have a Master's and a decent GPA in that. That was also my main reason for choosing Drexel, and I did already have a Master's as well :)
- Miriella
Josh, I just picked up that book as well as some vocabulary flash cards! I'm actually not too worried about it. I won't be able to apply for programs until next year, so I'll take the time to really look at programs, study, help focus on what it is I exactly want to do in terms of librarianship, and then study some more.
- Derrick
I did mine at the U of TN, which has a fully online program (except for an orientation at the start of the program and comps in your final semester) - it was a good program for me. GRE is now required of most applicants (there's supposedly an exception, but there were too many words on the page and I couldn't find it :) ). I'll say this, though: spend as little money on an ALA...
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- ÉllbeeÇee
also, get a job in a library. that is the most important advice I can give you.
- marthalib
Yes to martha! A job, any job - get your toe in a library!
- Miriella
I feel that I got immeasurably more out of library school because I worked in a library than I would have otherwise.
- Jàson Puçkett
Keep your eye on ARL and ALA for scholarships. I personally endorse the ARL as I've been a recipient of one of their scholarships which is paying for the majority of my degree and also provided me with a network and a mentor. Not that you don't already have an incredible network here!
- Jennifer McDaniel
I don't think anyone here has plugged UNC-Chapel Hill yet, so I will. It's a great school. And, several of their assistantships (especially those that are part of the CALA program) cover in-state and out-of-state tuition, plus pay you (a tiny amount of money). So don't discount a program just because of its cost.
- Joan
Also, the Southern Historical Collection at UNC is amazing. Given your interest in slave narratives, you'd probably find the special collections there compelling. They do require the GRE, though.
- Joan
If your background in film and art is very strong you may have luck with a special or public radio library - those with jobs may not realize, but the job market is extremely bad for librarians right now - especially English majors who are dime a dozen. I hate to be negative, but there it is.
- vickie mackenzie
Margaret is one of my oldest, dearest friends. She was the lead costume designer/fabricator for Coraline. I think her work is amazing.
- josh neff, geek at large
"I just got the go-ahead to license our online instructional materials [...] with Creative Commons licenses to encourage other libraries to use and build on them."
- Deborah Fitchett
Bravo!! Excellent job responding quickly to them. Hope you get some great feedback from the students
- Abigail
I love the part about semaphore and smoke signals.
- Liam Sullivan
Jenica, I'm going to make bold to ask for a follow-up post. You are Head of Libraries. You answer to the Provost, who presumably has many more things to worry about than chalk on sidewalks. So, serious question: if your Head of Public Service (presuming you have such a position) had done this without consulting you, what would you have thought, said, and done? What if it had been a rank-and-file reference librarian?
- D0r0th34
Dear lazyweb: Students need to find TV commercials from 1950s-present. They're researching stereotypes of women. My first thought is archive.org. Are there other/better sources? (I'd like to show them that I can offer something more than youtube....) Thanks for any advice.
Please do. Um, maybe don't quote the "lazyweb" bit if you use my name. ;) You can quote me on how useful this info has been to me as a new subject liaison.
- Jàson Puçkett