Social Software, Libraries,
and the Communities that (could) Sustain Them

Friday, 18 November 2005, 6-8pm (registration/networking reception 5:30-6:15pm)
10-105 (Vannevar Bush Room) MIT, Cambridge, MA

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Detailed Program Schedule

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While Wiki- or Blog-ified pages, recommender/commenting systems, Web 2.0, RSS, portals, structured blogging all indicate customized services—these technologies and concepts are not normally associated with the library systems, until now.

“Reader's Advisory: A Community Effort,” Steven Cohen's recent column in Public Libraries magazine (Jan/Feb 2005), forms the basis for an evening of vision, demonstration and discussion with the author about leveraging the collective knowledge of our constituencies to bring online communities and libraries together. Discussion will include the expectations and infrastructures (online and off) necessary for online communities to thrive and the importance of needs assessments in this growing arena. Most importantly, Steven will highlight examples of online social software initiatives currently in place, in and outside of the library community, and share ideas for future implementations. Join Steven and your colleagues for a vision of the next generation of libraries (accompanied by treats and beverages of course!)

About the Speaker:

Steven M. Cohen is senior librarian at PubSub Concepts, Inc. in New York City, where he works on various projects within their prospective search software. He is the creator of Library Stuff, published by Information Today, the weblog is dedicated to keeping current and professional development for librarians. He has been the contributing editor of the Internet Spotlight column for Public Libraries magazine since 2001.

He has spoken at numerous conferences and workshops in the United States and Canada on such topics as Weblogs, RSS, keeping current, search engines, social networking, and readers advisory. Cohen is also the co-manager of the Public Library Association weblog. Cohen was one of 55 recipients of Library Journal's Movers and Shakers award in 2004 and is the author of the book "Keeping Current: Advanced Internet Strategies to Meet Librarian and Patron Needs", published by ALA in 2003. His undergraduate degree is from SUNY Stonybrook and he has an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University, and an MLS from Queens College.

Online Registration is now closed. Onsite registration is available but limited.