G’day and welcome to the Carnival of the InfoSciences #48. The Carnival is a weekly weblog post that endeavors to showcase the best posts in the blogosphere about topics related to the wide world of Library and Information Science. Each week it is hosted by a different Library Blog. This week its the turn of Connecting Librarian, so welcome Down Under to Australia.

To begin with we have Steven Chabot presenting
Serendipitous Browsing: A summary and commentary of Thomas Mann’s “What’s Going on at the Library of Congress?” posted at Subject/Object. Steven explores 2 of the issues than Mann has raised - namely the abandoning of LC subject headings and the acquisition of digital-born works into the collection. In the rapidly changing field of librarianship, this is an interesting exploration of the issues involved in such proposed changes.

We also have GrrlScientist presenting “The Archimedes Palimpsest” posted at Living the Scientific Life. Its a fascinating read about how Stanford University is using futuristic technology to preserve the past.

Next, some personal choices. Snail at Libraries Interact, a new Australian group blog - points to a career overview of librarians on Australian Jobsearch. Explore who, where, what, why and how librarians are in Australia. Also from Libraries Interact, this time from Peta, its “Blogs masquerading as“, an inspiring look at how blogs can and are being used in libraries.

I am linking to this next one, not only because its from my home state and includes my library service, but also because its a great report on how public libraries are building communities here in Australia. “Libraries Building Communities” is the first comprehensive Australian study looking at the value public libraries bring to their communities. Be prepared for a long read, as its a very comprehensive report in 4 parts. Its well worth it though.

Pew/Internet produces many informative reports, including the May 2006 report on Home Broadband Adoption. It shows amongst other things, that increased broadband adoption has led to increased user-generated content. This trend is echoed here in Australia, as shown by the report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, “More than 3 million broadband services connected“. This has many implications for all libraries, but particularly public libraries.

Finally, a serial in 4 parts, from Library Marketing - “Taking the non out of non user“. It gives well considered focus on the 4 issues involved in converting non-users into users of our valuable services.

That’s the Carnival for this week. Thanks for dropping in down under. Watch out for the Carnival #49 next week at “Connie Crosby”.

See ya later!