LIS 610
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Librarians have long used each other as valuable resources in providing information to their patrons. Today, interaction among librarians and other information professionals increasingly takes place through electronic discussion lists. Subscribing to LIS-related discussion lists will provide you the opportunity to network with information professionals throughout the global library and information science community. In this assignment you subscribe to two (2) electronic discussion lists of your choice by the third class session of the course. Once you have succesfully subscribed, send your instructor the names of the two lists you chose.
A listserv* is software that provides a service on the Internet that permits you to subscribe to a discussion group on a certain topic area. The discussion messages come to your own email account. You can read them, respond to them, and send your own messages to the list for discussion, or ask questions of the list members. Each list has its own rules, procedures, and "netiquette" that is usually emailed to you after you subscribe. Read these, save them, and follow them whenever using the list. This information allows you to control the timing, amount, and form of the messages you will receive.
Procedures for subscribing vary. Some lists require you to fill in an online form. Others allow you to send an e-mail to the server. In the latter case, follow these general instructions on how to subscribe to an electronic discussion list:
Listed below are several electronic discussion lists of interest to librarians and other information professionals. There are dozens more on a variety of topics and domains (e.g., online catalogs, serials, acquisition, collection development, Internet training, Web-based library services, etc.). The Library of Congress provides a list of library-related listservs at: http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/libsci/guides.html#listservs but this list is not well-maintained.
The descriptions and instructions below are quoted from the Web pages of the individual listservs.
The A&A List is an open forum for all topics relating to archival theory and practice.
New subscribers are asked to please read the Terms of Participation before subscribing to A&A. By subscribing, you agree to these terms.
SUBSCRIBING
TO UNSCRIBE (or to modify your subscription settings):
READ MESSAGES ONLINE:
DIG_REF is a forum for the growing number of people and organizations answering the questions of users via the Internet. From Ask-an-Expert (AskA) services to libraries, an increasing number of organizations are creating digital reference services to provide expert information and reference help. LIBREF-L is a discussion list for reference issues, especially the changing environment of reference services and activities.
DIG_REF seeks to bring together experts who answer questions, as well as librarians, organizations and associations dedicated to meeting the reference needs of their users via the Internet. The list will discuss all aspects of providing question & answer services over the worldwide network, from service creation and implementation to issues of services and quality. This list will also provide information on the Virtual Reference Desk project and developments in the field of digital reference.
SUBSCRIBING:
GOVDOC-L is a LISTSERV(c)-based discussion forum about government information and the Federal Depository Library program. Many subscribers are librarians in and out of government, although private and public information producers are represented as well.
SUBSCRIBING:
OR
International Federation of Library Associations
The IFLA-L mailing list is an Internet mailing list that distributes information about IFLA services and activities to its membership and interested individuals worldwide. IFLA-L also offers a forum for the submission of items of general interest to the international library community.
SUBSCRIBING:
LM_NET is the original discussion group open to school library media specialists worldwide, and to people involved with the school library media field. LM_NET provides an excellent way to network with other school library professionals, connect to new ideas in school library practice, seek advice, and ask library related questions. Consult LM_NET peers for relevant ongoing library on-the-job mentorship!
LM_NET can be used by library media people for many different things to ask for input, share ideas and information, link programs that are geographically remote, make contacts, etc.
Conversations on LM_NET should focus on the topics of interest to the school library media community, including the latest on school library media services, operations, and activities. It is a group for practitioners helping practitioners, sharing ideas, solving problems, telling each other about new publications and up-coming conferences, asking for assistance or information, and linking schools through their library media centers.
SUBSCRIBING:
The PUBLIB electronic discussion list is for the discussion of issues relating to public librarianship.
SUBSCRIBING:
TO DROP OR CHANGE YOUR LIST SETTINGS
LIST ARCHIVES
PUBYAC is an Internet discussion list concerned with the practical aspects of Children and Young Adult Services in Public Libraries, focusing on programming ideas, outreach and literacy programs for children and caregivers, censorship and policy issues, collection development, administrative considerations, puppetry, job openings, professional development and other pertinent services and issues.
The name PUBYAC amalgamates the most important aspects of the discussion: PUBlic libraries, Young Adults, and Children.
SUBSCRIBING:
There are two ways to subscribe to PUBYAC:
1. Using the web interface (easiest):
2. Using the email interface:
TO UNSUBSCRIBE
Go to the PUBYAC information page: https://mail.lis.illinois.edu/mailman/listinfo/pubyac. Look for the section marked "PUBYAC Unsubscribing'' near the bottom of the page. Enter your email address in the box beside the button marked "Unsubscribe or Edit Options,'' then click it. You will be brought to a new page which has an "Unsubscribe" button. Press it to unsubscribe and follow the instructions given.
POSTING MESSAGES TO PUBYAC
You must be subscribed to PUBYAC to post messages to PUBYAC.
The posting address is: pubyac@lists.lis.illinois.edu.
Please format your messages as Plain Text. This shows up much better in the Digests. See the Plain Text page ( href="http://www.pubyac.org/plain_text.htm") for how-to's in different e-mail programs.
Due to increased problems with spam, PUBYAC is now accepting postings only from registered subscribers. Posts will be rejected if your exact e-mail address is not on the subscriber list.
Purpose
The Web4Lib electronic discussion is for the discussion of issues relating to the creation, management, and support of library-based World-Wide Web servers, services, and applications. Any questions regarding the pertinence of any particular topic should be sent to one or more of the members of the Web4Lib Advisory Board (see below) and/or the list owner.
Audience
Web4Lib is specifically aimed toward librarians and library staff involved in World-Wide Web management, but anyone is welcome to join the discussion. Those not interested in a library-oriented Web discussion may wish to join one of the general Web discussions hosted by the W3 Organization. There are presently around 4,700 subscribers world wide and an average of 5-10 messages a day.
SUBSCRIBING:
Visit http://web4lib.org/ for instructions.
*Technically, some electronic discussion lists are not listservs as they do not utilize this proprietary listserv software. However, many people use the term listserv as a generic term for electronic discussion lists.