Remind me again, please...what is the Clearinghouse?*
The Rural Library Resources Clearinghouse is an online archive to help California rural public libraries serve their users more efficiently. By providing examples of commonly needed documents, materials and programs in all aspects of library operations, the Clearinghouse benefits rural libraries by eliminating the need to "reinvent the wheel" for every new policy, practice, procedure or project needed locally.
Although developed for use by California rural libraries, any library is welcome to visit and use www.resourceroundup.net
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Are You Pretty Enough to Get a Job? | Employment | Career | Mainstreet
Are You Pretty Enough to Get a Job? | Employment | Career | Mainstreet
As if looking for a job isn't hard enough.......................
As if looking for a job isn't hard enough.......................
Mall Library Proving Wildly Successful | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
Mall Library Proving Wildly Successful | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
People streamed into a storefront on a recent summer day at an upscale Dallas mall, but they weren't drawn to a heavy discount on designer clothes. It was story sing-a-long time for babies at one of the city library's newest outposts.
The library for kids 12 and under has been wildly successful in offering unconventional access to families who might not make a trip to a traditional public library, and it's one of a growing number of strategies used by librarians nationwide to reintroduce communities to their local library.
"I think what's happening now is really that focus on convenience," said Sari Feldman, president of the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association. "How do we make the public library as convenient as Amazon, Netflix? Part of that is putting library branches in the path of customer."
"We are very aware of the fact that our biggest advantage is that we're free, but if time is actually a commodity for people, will people be willing to spend money rather than go to a library?"
She said putting libraries in malls is one of many efforts by public libraries to become more convenient. Even at more traditional branches, libraries have built cafes, provided downloadable books or installed drive-through windows.
With about 5,000 items, including books and DVDs, the Bookmarks branch in Dallas' NorthPark Center checks out as many items as branches eight times its size, said Jo Giudice, youth services manager. She said in the two years since it opened, it's had to increase story times to 12 a week compared to the two or three at most branches.
"It's been extremely successful. Numbers have risen every month in respect to programming and book checkout," said Giudice. "We've reintroduced the library to some young families."
The American Library Association doesn't have a comprehensive list of how many libraries are in malls or shopping centers but has an informal tally of around two dozen such branches. One of those opened as far back as the 1960s, but the idea seemingly has grown in popularity in the last decade.
Some locations are arranged like traditional libraries, while others resemble a bookstore. There's also a handful of libraries with arts centers, museums and even apartment buildings.
In Wichita, Kan. there's a library in a grocery story, and a small annex opened by the Chicago Public Library to offer best-sellers to patrons in a visitor center in the city's historic Water Works Pumping Station along Michigan Avenue.
Meanwhile, traditional libraries are trying to become more convenient. Leslie Burger, executive director of New Jersey's Princeton Public Library, said her library in downtown Princeton has a cafe, a bookstore selling donated books, return boxes around town and will mail books to borrowers. This summer, it started hosting a farmer's market.
"It's really that public libraries are really in the midst of some amazing transformation," Burger said. "I think the point of all this is we have multiple generations that we're serving right now and what we're trying to do is surprise and delight our customers."
More people are visiting public libraries, with the Institute of Museum and Library Services showing an almost 20 percent increase from 1999 to 2008, even though the number of librarians remains the same and more libraries have decreased hours and flat or decreased funding.
While there was a bump in library use as the economy faltered, libraries have been seeing consistent growth over the last decade, said Larra Clark, project manager in the Library Association's office for Research and Statistics.
In the face of budget concerns, Feldman, who is also executive director of Ohio's Cuyahoga County Public Library in suburban Cleveland, said a shopping center location can be a good for people and the library system.
Opening a new location in a strip mall nine months ago, one of her branches found affordable rent because of the large number of vacant shops. And since the library is arranged like a bookstore with a self-service focus, they only need the equivalent of 2½ staffers compared to the 11 needed for a full stand-alone branch, she said.
For Bookmarks in Dallas, the owners of NorthPark paid for the mall space to be converted into a library and charge only $1 a year for rent. The library's programs are sponsored by a local energy company.
Curled up reading a book to her 4-year-old son at Bookmarks, 31-year-old Priscilla Gluckman said they came for a yoga class and stayed to read. On such visits they also usually have lunch or shop at NorthPark, which offers higher-priced storefronts like Neiman Marcus and Carolina Herrera.
Bookmarks, she said, is a nice contrast to the consumerism.
"It was just perfect. It was just a nice clean place that wasn't trying to market you something -- just a book," she said. "NorthPark is so high-end. It was so refreshing to see this little pocket of childhood."
Online:
American Library Association, http://www.ala.org/
Bookmarks, http://dallaslibrary2.org/branch/bookmarks.php
Copyright Associated Press First Published: Jul 6, 2010 8:45 AM CDT
People streamed into a storefront on a recent summer day at an upscale Dallas mall, but they weren't drawn to a heavy discount on designer clothes. It was story sing-a-long time for babies at one of the city library's newest outposts.
The library for kids 12 and under has been wildly successful in offering unconventional access to families who might not make a trip to a traditional public library, and it's one of a growing number of strategies used by librarians nationwide to reintroduce communities to their local library.
"I think what's happening now is really that focus on convenience," said Sari Feldman, president of the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association. "How do we make the public library as convenient as Amazon, Netflix? Part of that is putting library branches in the path of customer."
"We are very aware of the fact that our biggest advantage is that we're free, but if time is actually a commodity for people, will people be willing to spend money rather than go to a library?"
She said putting libraries in malls is one of many efforts by public libraries to become more convenient. Even at more traditional branches, libraries have built cafes, provided downloadable books or installed drive-through windows.
With about 5,000 items, including books and DVDs, the Bookmarks branch in Dallas' NorthPark Center checks out as many items as branches eight times its size, said Jo Giudice, youth services manager. She said in the two years since it opened, it's had to increase story times to 12 a week compared to the two or three at most branches.
"It's been extremely successful. Numbers have risen every month in respect to programming and book checkout," said Giudice. "We've reintroduced the library to some young families."
The American Library Association doesn't have a comprehensive list of how many libraries are in malls or shopping centers but has an informal tally of around two dozen such branches. One of those opened as far back as the 1960s, but the idea seemingly has grown in popularity in the last decade.
Some locations are arranged like traditional libraries, while others resemble a bookstore. There's also a handful of libraries with arts centers, museums and even apartment buildings.
In Wichita, Kan. there's a library in a grocery story, and a small annex opened by the Chicago Public Library to offer best-sellers to patrons in a visitor center in the city's historic Water Works Pumping Station along Michigan Avenue.
Meanwhile, traditional libraries are trying to become more convenient. Leslie Burger, executive director of New Jersey's Princeton Public Library, said her library in downtown Princeton has a cafe, a bookstore selling donated books, return boxes around town and will mail books to borrowers. This summer, it started hosting a farmer's market.
"It's really that public libraries are really in the midst of some amazing transformation," Burger said. "I think the point of all this is we have multiple generations that we're serving right now and what we're trying to do is surprise and delight our customers."
More people are visiting public libraries, with the Institute of Museum and Library Services showing an almost 20 percent increase from 1999 to 2008, even though the number of librarians remains the same and more libraries have decreased hours and flat or decreased funding.
While there was a bump in library use as the economy faltered, libraries have been seeing consistent growth over the last decade, said Larra Clark, project manager in the Library Association's office for Research and Statistics.
In the face of budget concerns, Feldman, who is also executive director of Ohio's Cuyahoga County Public Library in suburban Cleveland, said a shopping center location can be a good for people and the library system.
Opening a new location in a strip mall nine months ago, one of her branches found affordable rent because of the large number of vacant shops. And since the library is arranged like a bookstore with a self-service focus, they only need the equivalent of 2½ staffers compared to the 11 needed for a full stand-alone branch, she said.
For Bookmarks in Dallas, the owners of NorthPark paid for the mall space to be converted into a library and charge only $1 a year for rent. The library's programs are sponsored by a local energy company.
Curled up reading a book to her 4-year-old son at Bookmarks, 31-year-old Priscilla Gluckman said they came for a yoga class and stayed to read. On such visits they also usually have lunch or shop at NorthPark, which offers higher-priced storefronts like Neiman Marcus and Carolina Herrera.
Bookmarks, she said, is a nice contrast to the consumerism.
"It was just perfect. It was just a nice clean place that wasn't trying to market you something -- just a book," she said. "NorthPark is so high-end. It was so refreshing to see this little pocket of childhood."
Online:
American Library Association, http://www.ala.org/
Bookmarks, http://dallaslibrary2.org/branch/bookmarks.php
Copyright Associated Press First Published: Jul 6, 2010 8:45 AM CDT
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Small Stores See Google as Ally in E-Book Market - NYTimes.com
Small Stores See Google as Ally in E-Book Market - NYTimes.com
Someday as we are floating in space and downloading books straight to our brains - we will wonder what all of the fuss was about..............
Someday as we are floating in space and downloading books straight to our brains - we will wonder what all of the fuss was about..............
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Libraries Have a Novel Idea - WSJ.com
Libraries Have a Novel Idea - WSJ.com
This article is interesting and makes one begin to think about the future of ereaders and books - instead of starting the discussion - we need to be leading the discussion!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Appletell reviews BookLover for iPhone, iPod touch
Appletell reviews BookLover for iPhone, iPod touch
I confess - I do not have an Iphone - I do have an I-Pod however.........Anyway - thought this was an interesting review of the BookLover app.......
I confess - I do not have an Iphone - I do have an I-Pod however.........Anyway - thought this was an interesting review of the BookLover app.......
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
A Failure to Communicate
Check out this article detailing the current lawsuit with e-reserves.
A Failure to Communicate
Out of patience, in April 2008, publishers sued four individuals at Georgia State University in their "official capacities." Niko Pfund, publisher of Oxford University Press, one of the named plaintiffs in the case, along with Cambridge University Press and SAGE Publications, said the plaintiffs were reticent to sue, but had little choice. "I consider this a failure of dialogue," Pfund says of the suit. "It's a shame. We've successfully come to agreements with others over the years. But Georgia State just wouldn't talk with us."
The allegations in the complaint offer some sense of just how much material is being accessed through electronic course content systems on college campuses: publishers claim that at Georgia State, more than 6,700 works were "made available through a variety of online systems and outlets" without permission, representing "systematic, widespread, and unauthorized copying and distribution of a vast amount of copyrighted works" for students in more than 600 courses.
On one hand, the lawsuit has certainly served as a shot across the bow of the university library community and faculties who use course management systems, and has prompted many schools to revisit their policies and procedures. But the legal case against Georgia State itself has been a complex, uphill battle for publishers from the start.
A Failure to Communicate
Out of patience, in April 2008, publishers sued four individuals at Georgia State University in their "official capacities." Niko Pfund, publisher of Oxford University Press, one of the named plaintiffs in the case, along with Cambridge University Press and SAGE Publications, said the plaintiffs were reticent to sue, but had little choice. "I consider this a failure of dialogue," Pfund says of the suit. "It's a shame. We've successfully come to agreements with others over the years. But Georgia State just wouldn't talk with us."
The allegations in the complaint offer some sense of just how much material is being accessed through electronic course content systems on college campuses: publishers claim that at Georgia State, more than 6,700 works were "made available through a variety of online systems and outlets" without permission, representing "systematic, widespread, and unauthorized copying and distribution of a vast amount of copyrighted works" for students in more than 600 courses.
On one hand, the lawsuit has certainly served as a shot across the bow of the university library community and faculties who use course management systems, and has prompted many schools to revisit their policies and procedures. But the legal case against Georgia State itself has been a complex, uphill battle for publishers from the start.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Library "Apps for That"
Library “Apps for That”
by Kam McEvoy from Central Texas Library System
Are you looking for some resources to offer your on-the-go patrons with mobile devices? Or are you a free-range reference librarian who needs access to the databases without being tethered to the desk?
Here are some mobile apps to consider for your iPhone, Blackberry, Android, iPod Touch (it uses a wi-fi connection and runs apps like an iPhone – perfect for the library to buy and use as the on-duty reference tool), etc.:
1. Gale’s Access my Library app -
Gale created this free iPhone/iPod application to help people use library resources by detecting physical library branches within a 10-mile radius of the user on demand and using a web product to connect people to the Gale online resources that their local libraries subscribe to. The app is downloadable from www.accessmylibrary.com or from the iTunes store. You can promote this in your library with marketing materials or place it on your website. Through TexShare, your patrons should be getting Health and Wellness Resource Center, Literature Resource Center, and InfoTrac Custom Newsletters at the very least.
2. EBSCOhost Mobile is EBSCO’s answer to the Gale app. It can be accessed at: http://m.ebscohost.com/ or http://search.ebscohost.mobi/ (not through the iTunes app store). EBSCOhost Mobile has the following features available: Basic Searching, HTML and PDF Full Text, Search Modes, Limiters, Image Quick View, Image Collection
(depending on the database that has been selected), E-mailing articles, Preferences, Multi-database Searching, and Branding. These are free to access if you set up a user account at the library ahead of time or are using it in the library.
Again, TexShare gets your patrons a subscription to a ton of EBSCO databases.
3. WorldCat Mobile App can be accessed through the iTunes store, or type this URL into your phone's Web browser: http://www.worldcat.org/m/. You can:
• Search for library materials—Enter search terms such as keywords, author or title
• Find a WorldCat library near you—Enter your ZIP, postal code or location in the Libraries Locator
• Call a library—Highlight and click the phone number in a library listing to place a call
• Map a route—Find the fastest way to a WorldCat library using the mapping software already on your device
4. Other Reference Tools to Consider:
• Wikipedia Mobile – no, it’s not Britannica, but it’s convenient and comprehensive – a good starting point for many patrons.
• WhitePages Mobile for people and business search
• Basic Spanish for Dummies – this one costs 99 cents, but its Spanish-English dictionary might come in handy if you are trying to assist Spanish-speaking patrons with limited English and you’re not fluent.
• Meebo – keep in touch with your patrons through instant messaging on your iPod Touch or iPhone
• Check out Shelfari if you haven’t already – a social networking site about books! Here’s the mobile-friendly website: http://m.shelfari.com
These are just a few resources, and we will be thinking of more ways to help you and your mobile users, including making our own website mobile-friendly. And please let us know about apps that are useful to you!
by Kam McEvoy from Central Texas Library System
Are you looking for some resources to offer your on-the-go patrons with mobile devices? Or are you a free-range reference librarian who needs access to the databases without being tethered to the desk?
Here are some mobile apps to consider for your iPhone, Blackberry, Android, iPod Touch (it uses a wi-fi connection and runs apps like an iPhone – perfect for the library to buy and use as the on-duty reference tool), etc.:
1. Gale’s Access my Library app -
Gale created this free iPhone/iPod application to help people use library resources by detecting physical library branches within a 10-mile radius of the user on demand and using a web product to connect people to the Gale online resources that their local libraries subscribe to. The app is downloadable from www.accessmylibrary.com or from the iTunes store. You can promote this in your library with marketing materials or place it on your website. Through TexShare, your patrons should be getting Health and Wellness Resource Center, Literature Resource Center, and InfoTrac Custom Newsletters at the very least.
2. EBSCOhost Mobile is EBSCO’s answer to the Gale app. It can be accessed at: http://m.ebscohost.com/ or http://search.ebscohost.mobi/ (not through the iTunes app store). EBSCOhost Mobile has the following features available: Basic Searching, HTML and PDF Full Text, Search Modes, Limiters, Image Quick View, Image Collection
(depending on the database that has been selected), E-mailing articles, Preferences, Multi-database Searching, and Branding. These are free to access if you set up a user account at the library ahead of time or are using it in the library.
Again, TexShare gets your patrons a subscription to a ton of EBSCO databases.
3. WorldCat Mobile App can be accessed through the iTunes store, or type this URL into your phone's Web browser: http://www.worldcat.org/m/. You can:
• Search for library materials—Enter search terms such as keywords, author or title
• Find a WorldCat library near you—Enter your ZIP, postal code or location in the Libraries Locator
• Call a library—Highlight and click the phone number in a library listing to place a call
• Map a route—Find the fastest way to a WorldCat library using the mapping software already on your device
4. Other Reference Tools to Consider:
• Wikipedia Mobile – no, it’s not Britannica, but it’s convenient and comprehensive – a good starting point for many patrons.
• WhitePages Mobile for people and business search
• Basic Spanish for Dummies – this one costs 99 cents, but its Spanish-English dictionary might come in handy if you are trying to assist Spanish-speaking patrons with limited English and you’re not fluent.
• Meebo – keep in touch with your patrons through instant messaging on your iPod Touch or iPhone
• Check out Shelfari if you haven’t already – a social networking site about books! Here’s the mobile-friendly website: http://m.shelfari.com
These are just a few resources, and we will be thinking of more ways to help you and your mobile users, including making our own website mobile-friendly. And please let us know about apps that are useful to you!
Shawn P. Williams: Budget woes a chance to remake libraries | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Opinion: Viewpoints
Shawn P. Williams: Budget woes a chance to remake libraries | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Opinion: Viewpoints
The library is in the news again - check out this article. I believe responses will be interesting from librarians and the community.
The library is in the news again - check out this article. I believe responses will be interesting from librarians and the community.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Y2K...............
Remember all the hubbub about Y2K - just reminiscing a bit and ran across the Library and Information Technology Association for the 1999 conference and found this quote: We can't fend off e-books with a glib "I like to read a book at the beach, under a tree, or in bed" any more, because now you can do all of those things. With some public libraries starting to lend Rocket e-books and NetLibrary signing up universities right and left, the world of e-books is taking shape, although it might not affect your library for a year or two. What librarians need to do now is stay informed and get involved in discussions with e-book publishers about standards - don't assume that privacy concerns, fair use in copyright, and methods of charging for use are going to conform to what we've gotten used to in libraries with print materials.
What amazes me is 10 years later we are still just now embracing ereaders and waiting with anticipation who will be the leaders in readers?? My birthday is coming up and I was thinking about getting a Kindle - but then do I really need it? I want to download for free from the library - so do I go for the Nook instead? Maybe I'll wait and see just what is available for Y3K : )
What amazes me is 10 years later we are still just now embracing ereaders and waiting with anticipation who will be the leaders in readers?? My birthday is coming up and I was thinking about getting a Kindle - but then do I really need it? I want to download for free from the library - so do I go for the Nook instead? Maybe I'll wait and see just what is available for Y3K : )
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sharing IT experiences from Kansas | TechSoup for Libraries
Sharing IT experiences from Kansas | TechSoup for Libraries: "Sharing IT experiences from Kansas
26 May 2010 - 11:03am | Steve Stone
Tags: Emporia Public LibraryIT Tech TalkSteve Stonetap
At the Emporia Public Library where I am the IT guy, we were working on upgrading our HDD protection software. The software we chose, based on price and apparent features, ended up being very problematic. We ended up abandoning it and purchasing a different software.
As my director and I were looking back on the series of events, trying to learn from our mistakes, she asked me a question,
'Why didn't we talk to other libraries in Kansas to see what they used?'"
Join the Blog for Techie Sharing!
26 May 2010 - 11:03am | Steve Stone
Tags: Emporia Public LibraryIT Tech TalkSteve Stonetap
At the Emporia Public Library where I am the IT guy, we were working on upgrading our HDD protection software. The software we chose, based on price and apparent features, ended up being very problematic. We ended up abandoning it and purchasing a different software.
As my director and I were looking back on the series of events, trying to learn from our mistakes, she asked me a question,
'Why didn't we talk to other libraries in Kansas to see what they used?'"
Join the Blog for Techie Sharing!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Cable Children's Program from Denton Public Library
Library Larry Online
Fun program created and produced by Denton Public Library - check it out.
Catch Library Larry on T.V.
•7 a.m. & 4 p.m. daily on DTV, Charter Channel 26, Verizon Channel 38 & Grande Channel 12.
•10 a.m. on Saturdays, 4:30 p.m. Mondays & Thursdays on Charter Channel 25 & Verizon channel 39.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
TechNet 2010 - Library Technology Conference
There's still time to register for TechNet 2010 - The 3rd Annual North Texas Conference on Library Technology! Scheduled for Friday May 14 at the Decatur Civic Center in Decatur, TX, the event's intended for all library personnel whose responsibilities involve the use of technology, whether at the most basic or the most expert level.
In keeping with the theme of Ahead of the Curve: Learn, Explore, Engage, the keynote presentation will feature Amigos Continuing Education Librarian Christine Peterson discussing Playing Catch-Up with Technology. Want a sample of that presentation? Visit our webpage at http://www.ntrls.org and click on this month's featured podcast "Technology Trends in Libraries." This month's featured article, "Successful Library Planning for Web 2.0," was written by Texas Christian University Science Reference Librarian Jeff Bond - who happens to be scheduled to present a couple of sessions on Going Mobile: Building Your Library's Presence on Mobile Devices" at that conference.
Besides choosing from 22 different session topics, participants can visit the Technology Petting Zoo to compare an Amazon Kindle to a Sony Reader to a Barnes & Noble Nook, various digial cameras, an electronic magnifier and different handheld illuminated magnifiers, several brands of Large Print keyboards, and more! Technology-related exhibitors will provide group demonstrations and also be on-hand for one-on-one discussions.
Throw in doorprizes, CE/CPE credits and excellent opportunities for networking with your peers, top all that with lunch and refreshments prepared by the facility's on-site chef, and you'll get the big picture.
To put yourself into that picture, register online at http://www.ntrs.org/ce/ . To review the schedule and/or find out more about the sessions and session presenters, visit http://www.librarytechnetwork.com/agenda.html . If you hurry, you too can get AHEAD OF THE CURVE!
In keeping with the theme of Ahead of the Curve: Learn, Explore, Engage, the keynote presentation will feature Amigos Continuing Education Librarian Christine Peterson discussing Playing Catch-Up with Technology. Want a sample of that presentation? Visit our webpage at http://www.ntrls.org and click on this month's featured podcast "Technology Trends in Libraries." This month's featured article, "Successful Library Planning for Web 2.0," was written by Texas Christian University Science Reference Librarian Jeff Bond - who happens to be scheduled to present a couple of sessions on Going Mobile: Building Your Library's Presence on Mobile Devices" at that conference.
Besides choosing from 22 different session topics, participants can visit the Technology Petting Zoo to compare an Amazon Kindle to a Sony Reader to a Barnes & Noble Nook, various digial cameras, an electronic magnifier and different handheld illuminated magnifiers, several brands of Large Print keyboards, and more! Technology-related exhibitors will provide group demonstrations and also be on-hand for one-on-one discussions.
Throw in doorprizes, CE/CPE credits and excellent opportunities for networking with your peers, top all that with lunch and refreshments prepared by the facility's on-site chef, and you'll get the big picture.
To put yourself into that picture, register online at http://www.ntrs.org/ce/ . To review the schedule and/or find out more about the sessions and session presenters, visit http://www.librarytechnetwork.com/agenda.html . If you hurry, you too can get AHEAD OF THE CURVE!
Six Things You Need to Know About Facebook Connections Commentary by Kurt Opsahl
May 4th, 2010
"Connections." It's an innocent-sounding word. But it's at the heart of some of the worst of Facebook's recent changes.
Facebook first announced Connections a few weeks ago, and EFF quickly wrote at length about the problems they created. Basically, Facebook has transformed substantial personal information — including your hometown, education, work history, interests, and activities — into "Connections." This allows far more people than ever before to see this information, regardless of whether you want them to.
Since then, our email inbox has been flooded with confused questions and reports about these changes. We've learned lots more about everyone's concerns and experiences. Drawing from this, here are six things you need to know about Connections:
1.Facebook will not let you share any of this information without using Connections. You cannot opt-out of Connections. If you refuse to play ball, Facebook will remove all unlinked information from your profile.
2.Facebook will not respect your old privacy settings in this transition. For example, if you had previously sought to share your Interests with "Only Friends," Facebook will now ignore this and share your Connections with "Everyone."
3.Facebook has removed your ability to restrict its use of this information. The new privacy controls only affect your information's "Visibility," not whether it is "publicly available."
Explaining what "publicly available" means, Facebook writes:
"Such information may, for example, be accessed by everyone on the Internet (including people not logged into Facebook), be indexed by third party search engines, and be imported, exported, distributed, and redistributed by us and others without privacy limitations."
4.Facebook will continue to store and use your Connections even after you delete them. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they're not there. Even after you "delete" profile information, Facebook will remember it. We've also received reports that Facebook continues to use deleted profile information to help people find you through Facebook's search engine.
5.Facebook sometimes creates a Connection when you "Like" something. That "Like" button you see all over Facebook, and now all over the web? It too can sometimes add a Connection to your profile, without you even knowing it.
6.Your posts may show up on a Connection page even if you do not opt in to the Connection. If you use the name of a Connection in a post on your wall, it may show up on the Connection page, without you even knowing it. (For example, if you use the word "FBI" in a post).
You can send Facebook your comments on the new Connections here.
"Connections." It's an innocent-sounding word. But it's at the heart of some of the worst of Facebook's recent changes.
Facebook first announced Connections a few weeks ago, and EFF quickly wrote at length about the problems they created. Basically, Facebook has transformed substantial personal information — including your hometown, education, work history, interests, and activities — into "Connections." This allows far more people than ever before to see this information, regardless of whether you want them to.
Since then, our email inbox has been flooded with confused questions and reports about these changes. We've learned lots more about everyone's concerns and experiences. Drawing from this, here are six things you need to know about Connections:
1.Facebook will not let you share any of this information without using Connections. You cannot opt-out of Connections. If you refuse to play ball, Facebook will remove all unlinked information from your profile.
2.Facebook will not respect your old privacy settings in this transition. For example, if you had previously sought to share your Interests with "Only Friends," Facebook will now ignore this and share your Connections with "Everyone."
3.Facebook has removed your ability to restrict its use of this information. The new privacy controls only affect your information's "Visibility," not whether it is "publicly available."
Explaining what "publicly available" means, Facebook writes:
"Such information may, for example, be accessed by everyone on the Internet (including people not logged into Facebook), be indexed by third party search engines, and be imported, exported, distributed, and redistributed by us and others without privacy limitations."
4.Facebook will continue to store and use your Connections even after you delete them. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they're not there. Even after you "delete" profile information, Facebook will remember it. We've also received reports that Facebook continues to use deleted profile information to help people find you through Facebook's search engine.
5.Facebook sometimes creates a Connection when you "Like" something. That "Like" button you see all over Facebook, and now all over the web? It too can sometimes add a Connection to your profile, without you even knowing it.
6.Your posts may show up on a Connection page even if you do not opt in to the Connection. If you use the name of a Connection in a post on your wall, it may show up on the Connection page, without you even knowing it. (For example, if you use the word "FBI" in a post).
You can send Facebook your comments on the new Connections here.
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