Reference Division
Contact information for 2007-2008 Reference Division Board members
Reference Web Tip of the Month
LinkBunch.com
LinkBunch allows you to create a list of links to share with others. When
reference desk customers need information emailed to them, you can send
them one short URL to follow, rather than several individual addresses.
The URL links them to a specific LinkBunch page that you have created,
listing clickable links to sources of information you have chosen for
them. It is as easy as going to www.linkbunch.com and typing up a list of
web addresses! This would be convenient for sharing web sources with your
staff and creating pathfinders for public use, too. The best part is that
the short URL created on LinkBunch can be shared easily through Twitter,
IM, email, or mobile phone. Because the link is so short, it saves space
and time. No more text-messenging an entire list of URL's - and Twitter
only gives you 140 characters, so you can use them wisely with one short
URL instead of several long ones! No account sign-ups, no fees, no hassle
- just go to www.linkbunch.com and start typing a list.
Past Web Tips
Camtasia
Camtasia Studio is a great screen capture software you can use to
create tutorials and other videos to highlight features or educate your
patrons. Several Michigan Libraries are currently using Camtasia to
create guides such as Michigan State University http://guides.lib.msu.edu/page.phtml?page_id=1221 and Eastern Michigan University http://www.emich.edu/halle/using_findtext/.
Camtasia is easy to use. Want to give it a try. Take a look at this simple step-by-step users guide
and start working with this new tool. If you need more help TechSmith
the creators of Camtasia Studio have fabulous customer service and are
always able to help. 800.517.3001
Del.icio.us
Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking web site that allows people to share their favorite web pages, tagged by subject. The Salem-South Lyon District Library recently moved their online subject guides to http://del.icio.us/slynstaff. Users can now find “librarian approved” web pages under various subject tags. Web sites are often tagged with more than one subject, making them easier to find. Users can also search the whole http://del.icio.us site by subject for more web sites tagged by other users. Another big perk: since del.icio.us requires no programming knowledge, any staff member can participate in tagging bookmarks. Timely links, such as breaking news articles, are easier to add than on a static web page. Temporary links, such as current school assignment topics, are effortless to add and remove, too. Providing library users with links to useful web sites has never been faster and easier!
Go to http://del.icio.us to create a free account.
The Salem-South Lyon District Library del.icio.us links were inspired by an article in Library Journal written by Melissa L. Rethlefsen.
