It’s that time of year! Resource sharing time!

Image from the FrickCollection courtesy of The Google Art Project

Like any budding new Librarian, when I find a resource I love, new or old, I can’t wait to share it with everyone. This is especially true for the resource I’m featuring today, The Google Art Project.

Now before all the information professionals in the room throw their virtual sensible shoes at my head, hear me out. Despite your rumblings about Google and their devious plans to take over the world, you have to admit, this project is absolutely remarkable. It’s beyond that…it’s expansive, unique, educational, and most importantly it’s completely FREE!

The Google ArtProject is a collaborative project between Google and art partners from across 40 countries. In an effort to bring the world of art to your virtual neighborhood, museums, private donors, and art collectors have graciously digitized many items in their collections and made them available online in one place.

Users can explore at “brushstroke level detail” over 30,000 pieces of artwork, sculptures, architecture and drawings from famous museums around the world.  Never have I seen on such a grand scale, an online gallery effort to this extent that is freely available to the public. Not only can users view the artwork, up-close and personal, they can also take virtual tours of the museums, and even build their own collections to share with others. Some featured museums include The Met and the Frick Collection in New York City, Musee d’Orsay in Paris, and el Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico City. Viewers can even explore museums in less commonly traveled paradises like Indonesia, Serbia, Qatar, and Latvia. It’s absolutely splendid!

“Few people will ever be lucky enough to visit every museum or to see every work of art they’re interested in.” -Google

Well, here’s your chance to experience the art of the world. Don’t miss out.

Access the Google Art Project here

Read the description and other FAQs here

And as always, “educate, communicate, and collaborate your way to a better tomorrow”

-Black Librarian

Google Book Scandal back in the headlines

Hello Blog World!

I’m back again and with a new article. I found an interesting article in today’s Library Journal online subscriptions entitled Authors Guild vs. Google Books Now a Class Action Lawsuit by Meredith Schwartz.

It appears the Google book scanning fiasco is not over just yet. Judge Chin did not accept Google’s settlement with the Authors Guild  and has now classified it as a class action lawsuit. Although, certain individuals are happy about their exposure due to Google’s mishap, they are still being included in this new class action suit, meaning if the Author’s Guild wins and Google is forced to pay, those individuals can still receive payouts. This doesn’t seem fair to me, but hey I’m not the judge.

If you’re completely in the dark about this whole situation…read this Wikipedia article below for a quick review of the Google book scandal.
Google Book Scandal

Don’t forget to check out the article I mentioned above for further details on the case.

As always, education, communicate, collaborate your way to a better future,

-Black Librarian

OWS Pop-up Libraries

Pop-up Libraries are “popping up” EVERYWHERE! And it pretty exciting! Check out this article on the Occupy Wall street Library.

Librarian and Designer Pop-up a May Day Library on the Street

Librarian Margaret Day shelves books at the pop-up library

 

 

Shhhhterotype: The devolution of Modern Librarianship

Hello Blog Readers!

Check out this new article Embracing the Shhhterotype by Steven Bernstein in the Library Journal. This article supposedly addresses the devolution of the modern professional librarian.

Steven Bernstein

Bernstein brings up some interesting issues facing libraries today. As libraries evolve into community centers and educational institutions, librarians are forced to either adapt to an increasingly self-sufficient clientele or PERISH! Often times, traditional library practices are thrown to the waste side in the name of technological advancement. But are we giving up on too much? Check out this article.

As always,

“Educate, communicate, and collaborate your way to a better tomorrow.”

Black Librarian

Welcome

Hello Bloggers in Blogland,

Welcome! The Black Librarian is my take (second take) on issues facing "libraryland" and the future of information dissemination. With the emergence of new information retrieval technology, the role the library plays in education and research is constantly evolving and this of course can create a host of problems.

With this blog I would like to voice my opinions on some of these issues and in turn open up the lines of communication between librarians, the public, and others. Communication and collaboration are the building blocks of growth and change. So, I look forward to collaborating with you!

And as always,

"Educate, communicate, and collaborate your way to a better tomorrow."

-The Black Librarian