Fellow catalogers,

I have been spending a lot of time these last few months working on getting a new web-based cataloging tool ready for you all. It’s finally time! I’d like to invite you to sign up for free and try out ‡biblios.net a community cataloging tool from LibLime.

So, what the heck is it? ‡biblios.net is a web-based original and copy cataloging tool with built in federated search of any Z39.50 target (via an integrated search registry with over 2000 targets - or by adding your own) and a large (30 million strong) shared database of catalog records. This means that you can visit ‡biblios.net and benefit from the work of other catalogers who have gone before you. You can also edit and contribute to the database without any restrictions.

I have also worked on creating some macros (others can be written by users) to help streamline some of our cataloging processes and templates for common item types to make original cataloging a little bit easier

I’m looking for both novice and professional catalogers to give me their opinions of the tools, services and overall user friendliness of ‡biblios.net. I am of course also looking for people to join the community so that this tool and grow and help us all with our cataloging work.

I have worked very closely with the development crew on this new tool and believe very strongly both in it and the ideas behind it. The fact that we all work so very hard on our cataloging makes the fact that the records in ‡biblios.net are freely-licensed under the Open Data Commons all that more appealing.

If you want to learn more you can read through the documentation on the site and/or take a peek at this great write up by Jonathan Rochkind.

Thank you so much! I can’t wait to hear what you all think!!

As I mentioned before, LibLime will be at ALA Midwinter in book #722 and will be speaking at the following events. Come join us - or just stop by to say hi

FRIDAY, January 23rd

2:00 - 5:00 PM
OUTSIDE THE BOOTH… Panel Discussion
Starting Over: Re-Inventing the Integrated Library System (ILS) and the Library Automation Industry– RMG’s Nineteenth Annual Presidents’ Seminar: The View from the Top
on the panel… Joshua Ferraro, CEO LibLime

RMG’s Nineteenth Annual Presidents’ Seminar will include the traditional panel of library automation executives from industry companies plus featured speakers from libraries undertaking technology developments and initiatives.

Hosted by Rob McGee, RMG
Denver Convention Center, Korbel Ballroom 3B

6:00 PM - Stop buying your records back! Introducing ‡biblios.net
Presenter: Joshua Ferraro, CEO LibLime

‡biblios.net is a FREE browser-based cataloging service with a data store containing over thirty-million records. Records are licensed under the Open Data Commons, making the service the world’s largest repository of freely-licensed library records!

SATURDAY, January 24th

10:00 AM - Gee, I wish Koha did this… LibLime and the Development Process
Presenter: Becky Bell (WALDO)

WALDO has contracted with LibLime for over 35 software enhancements and now has a lot of experience in working with LibLime as the projects move from an idea to a specification and finally into software. You’ll hear a brief update of the status of these projects. Plus, we’ll follow one of the projects from the scoping study stage through the specification approval stage and end as the project moves into development and software testing.

10:30- 12:00 NOON
OUTSIDE THE BOOTH…
Serials Management in Koha’s open-source library software.
Presenter: Nicole C. Engard, Open Source Evangelist LibLime

The presentation will help you understand what open source is all about and show you how the Koha open-source automation system cannot only handle your serials in the library catalog, but provide better services to your patrons.

ALA Midwinter program sponsored by the ALA ALCTS Continuing Resources Section College and Research Libraries Interest Group. (E-Journals All Around: in the Catalog, the Knowledgebase, and the Web)

Sheraton Hotel, Gold

1:00 PM - Koha ZOOM OPAC Demo
Presenter: Joshua Ferraro, CEO LibLime

1:30 - 3:30 PM
OUTSIDE THE BOOTH…
KUDOS (KOHA Users and Developers of Open Source) Meeting

NOTE: This is for users of Koha only. Libraries who are interested in Koha, but have not yet signed a contract with a support provider or implemented Koha on their own, should attend the Koha Interest Group Meeting– see below.

Crowne Plaza Hotel
Room: Altitude

3:30 - 5:30 PM
OUTSIDE THE BOOTH…
Koha Interest Group Meeting
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Room: Altitude

SUNDAY, January 25th

10:00 AM - Stop buying your records back! Introducing ‡biblios.net
Presenter: Joshua Ferraro, CEO LibLime

‡biblios.net is a FREE browser-based cataloging service with a data store containing over thirty-million records. Records are licensed under the Open Data Commons, making the service the world’s largest repository of freely-licensed library records

1:00 PM - Koha ZOOM OPAC Demo
Presenter: Joshua Ferraro, CEO LibLime

3:00 PM - Open-Source Technical Services Tools
Presenter: Nicole C. Engard, Open Source Evangelist LibLime

MONDAY, January 26th

9:30 AM - Koha ZOOM Staff Client Demo
Presenter: Nicole C. Engard, Open Source Evangelist LibLime

10:40 - 11:10 AM
OUTSIDE THE BOOTH…
ALA Tech Showcase: ‡biblios: a new social cataloging (r)evolution from LibLime
Presenter: Joshua Ferraro, CEO LibLime
Pueblo Theater (1)

12:30 or 1:00 PM - Stop buying your records back! Introducing ‡biblios.net
Presenter: Joshua Ferraro, CEO LibLime

‡biblios.net is a FREE browser-based cataloging service with a data store containing over thirty-million records. Records are licensed under the Open Data Commons, making the service the world’s largest repository of freely-licensed library records!

Technorati Tags: liblime, alamw09, koha

Happy New Year!!

I’ve decided that the goal in 2009 is to show you a different side of the LibLime staff! So every few weeks I’m going to post a profile of someone who works at LibLime. Since I’m making everyone fill out the questionnaire, it’s only fair that I be the first to share So here it is - get to know me.

What’s your full name (middle name too)?

Nicole Christine Engard

Did you (or do you) have a nickname?

My mom is the only one who calls me by my nickname which is N.C.D. Which was what my initials were before I was married.

What’s your favorite color?

When I was young it was purple, then in college it switched to green - but now I’m thinking I like burnt orange (like my laptop bag).

What’s your favorite food or meal?

I think this might be the seafood risotto that me and my husband make once in a while - it’s delicious!! But then again I may just push that aside for the unhealthy choice - a soft chocolate brownie!!

What’s your favorite word (keep it clean)?

My new favorite word/sound is ‘bah’ … hmmm guess I need to be more positive

Are you a dog or a cat person?

I’m an animal person. I think all furry critters (not furry spiders) are adorable!! I want to be surrounded by animals

Do you have any pets?

I have two Shelties. Coda is a 4 year old purebred female and Beau, our male, is about 2 years old (age unknown).

Why did you want to work with LibLime?

Before working for LibLime I was pretty vocal about open source and Koha in particular. I tried to get every librarian I met to consider switching from their old systems to Koha. It just made sense that I should get paid for my efforts That and I was already friends with many of the employees and wanted to work with people I knew I’d love.

What did you know about open source before taking on this job? What have you learned since taking the job?

I have to be honest, my knowledge of open source was pretty basic. I knew what it was and I used open source software and programming whenever possible, but I didn’t know much of the history or the spread until I took the job and started spending more time researching.

What’s at the top of your wishlist for the next version of Koha?

As a cataloger, I’d love to see the cataloging module (holdings and bibs) streamlined - and we’re almost there!!!

If you had all of the skills, time and money, what open source application would you like to develop?

This is a tough question for me because I’ve developed a lot of apps for libraries and I love them all - maybe I’d like to develop and application that would help me stay organized on my computer. A cataloging like tool that would make it so that I could always find my documents and folders. This might already exist - I think I’ll start searching

What are your top three favorite websites?

There are so many … I’ll pick these …

• http://flickr.com

• http://facebook.com
• http://friendfeed.com

What would you do if you won the lottery?

I’d buy a house in Tuscany with plenty of land so I could start breeding Shelties. I would share the rest of the money with friends and family and whatever was left over I’d donate to libraries in need!!

Are you an organized desk person or a messy desk person?

I’m an organized desk person. Having a mess on my desk distracts me and stops me from working - because I have to clean the desk first

Anything else you want our readers to know about you?

Contrary to people’s belief - I do sleep 8 hours a night - sometimes more. I just don’t have much of a social life - most of my friends are in other states and I only see them at conferences once or twice a year - so I can get a lot done during the day.