Brave New World

Jay Walker, Library of Human Imagination, & TED

2010-03-01T00:13:00.002-05:00

Walker's a good story teller.

Via: Rosemary

Heirloom Tomato from @weilandsgmkt [Flickr]

2010-02-20T11:17:51-08:00

Bryan Loar posted a photo:

Russia Has Some Cool Libraries

2010-02-19T21:36:00.001-05:00

National Library, Minsk city from Oleg Bogorodskiy on Vimeo.

Color changing libraries are cool. Now where's my hypercolor shirt.

EPFL Rolex Learning Center

2010-02-19T21:18:00.001-05:00

EPFL Rolex Learning Center designed by SANAA from www.club-construct.com on Vimeo.

"Human movements are not linear like the way a train travels, but curve in a more organic way." - Ryue Nishizawa & Kazuyo Sejima, SANAA Architects

Wish You Were Here @junctionview [Flickr]

2010-02-14T09:26:34-08:00

Bryan Loar posted a photo:

Art by Laura Alexander. Photograph is colored. Part of the I heART show.

I heART Show @junctionview [Flickr]

2010-02-14T09:26:19-08:00

Bryan Loar posted a photo:

Love-themed art show.

Boryana Rusenova-Ina

2010-02-01T00:54:00.002-05:00

Image: A Few Moments Later 1 by Boryana Rusenova-Ina

Boryana's Fragmentation work is just beautiful. She captures a narrative that explores time & place through the lens of perception. There are two things I personally love about this particular piece. 1) Her photography mixes seamlessly with her painting--even creating a woven pattern on the left. 2) Graffiti-like drips at the bottom.

Check out her work at Art Access Gallery's It's All New show starting on the 23rd (with reception on March 26th). Her husband, the talented Mr. Ina, will also be showing in Feb. at Art Access. Both are part of Couchfire Collective.

Midwinter Meeting 2010, Day 1: Emerging Leaders

2010-01-21T01:10:00.001-05:00

EL is something I'm thinking about for 2011.

Nice LibX Tutorial

2010-01-13T00:34:00.003-05:00

Penn Libraries LibX tutorial from Penn Libraries on Vimeo.

I have been impressed with LibX for a while.

This tutorial has some nice animations (reminiscent of Prezi). I also like how they gave a scenario where a student uses Wikipedia as a jumping point to find more information in trusted sources at Penn.

My Social Networks

2010-01-12T23:56:00.016-05:00

Instead of using a profile aggregator like ProfileFly, I've decided to aggregate my profile links in-house. Some networks I use more than others.

Delicious Profile

Facebook Profile

Flickr Profile

Last.fm Profile

LinkedIn Profile

LiveJournal Profile

Myspace Profile

SecondLife Profile

SlideShare Profile

Technorati Profile

Twitter Profile

Vimeo Profile

YouTube Profile

Blog Under Construction

2010-01-12T07:44:00.002-05:00

Big changes are underway. Plans are to have the blog completely updated over the next few days. The blog will act as my primary website with links being changed over to the bryanloar.com domain.

The redesigned blog will have new banners, a minimalist front page, and resume & contact info.

Here's to new in 2010!

Cornel West, Jane Austen, & The Morgan Library & Museum

2010-01-05T00:59:00.001-05:00

Cornel West: Reflections on Austen from The Morgan Library & Museum on Vimeo.

Cornel...he's a "Jane Austen freak."

This and other reflections were produced in association with the exhibition A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen Life and Legacy. The exhibition runs until March 14, 2010, at NYC's Morgan Library & Museum.

Others who have participated include the recently posted Siri Hustvedt, Harriet Walter, and the very interesting reflections of Fran Lebowitz.

Andrew Baasch

2010-01-05T00:11:00.001-05:00

Andrew Baasch is the cinematographer and video editor behind Ohio Sessions, a project that intimately highlights Ohio musicians. He also does an amazing job at documentary photography.

Super Desserts, Wholly Craft, & Ohio Sessions

2010-01-04T23:53:00.001-05:00

Super Desserts - Funeral from Ohio Sessions on Vimeo.

The Super Desserts are one of my favorite bands, and I'm lucky enough to live where the band calls home (Columbus, OH). Columbus has really come around in the last past 5-10 years. Clintonville's unnofficial Craft District, Junctionview Studios, Chop Chop, Rivet, Mahan Gallery, OAL's new gallery space, a progressive president at CCAD, and progressively better shows at Roy G Biv, I'm finally at the point where I actually like living here.

Wholly Craft is one of those craftin' shops in Clintonville, and you can catch the Super Desserts every once-a-while here. I didn't get a chance to see them at the show above, but I did catch them back in 2008 with an absolutely beautiful acoustic set by the Flotation Walls.

Todd Sattersten on Books

2009-12-30T22:22:00.001-05:00

What is A Book? from Todd Sattersten on Vimeo.

For more about Todd, please go to http://toddsattersten.com/

Pop-Up Libraries

2009-12-13T21:55:00.001-05:00

Chinatown Storefront Library from Chris Lovett on Vimeo.

For a temporary space, they have beautiful fixtures. Love the film they used on the window. Forget pop-up retail (that's so 2004), temporary micro-niche libraries are the next big thing.

Skokie Public Library Staff Appreciation Video

2009-12-13T21:42:00.001-05:00

The Library Strikes Back from Richard on Vimeo.

Jarrod Beglinger

2009-12-11T00:55:00.005-05:00

Image: Jarrod Beglinger's 45º Chair & 10 Degree Stepstool

Jarrod's work is downright awesome. He's received some great press from Dwell, and he is looking to take his 10 Degree Stepstool from prototype to production. Check out his company's site at www.officeforlostobjects.com and head on over to Kickstarter to help him turn his 10 Degree Stepstool into production reality.

Google's Personalized Search: Is It Relevant?

2009-12-09T11:04:00.003-05:00

Google announces that Personalized Search will now be default. That could be good, but that could also be bad.

I worry that, in Google's quest for relevant search results, it may be undermining what it is trying to develop--relevancy.

Say a student uses Google all the time to conduct research, but they do not critically evaluate the websites they use (i.e. they don't have good information literacy skills). Let's say the student pulls information from sites that do not have a vetting process. Google's Personalized Search will rank the student's usual sources over others like .edu sites. Furthermore, general users like our hypothetical student rarely go beyond the first page of results. Thus, Google reinforces the student's poor searching habits while the student believes they are obtaining relevant information. However, the information is not relevant if it is incorrect.

To opt out of personalized search, go here.

ARLIS/NA Art Documentation Cover Contest

2009-12-04T03:48:00.001-05:00

Hurray for change :) Let's keep innovating.

To see all the potential covers, go to http://www.arlisna.org/artdoc/submissions.html

Annette L. Haines

2009-11-29T21:51:00.001-05:00

Image: Poppies Triptych by Annette L. Haines

Haines does amazing work, and she's a librarian to boot. Above is her most recent work done using the moku hanga style of wood-block printing on handmade Japanese Nishinouchi paper. Haines even uses hand-ground pigments!

Check out Haines' blog at Serendipity Artist (she gives a great play-by-play on Poppies and other works). Definitely check out her esty shop at www.etsy.com/shop/serendipityartist

Columbus Underground Interview with CML's Pat Losinski

2009-11-25T10:31:00.002-05:00

Interesting interview between Walker Evans and Losinski. Losinski brings up an interesting user behavior: library use as habit. That has interesting implications, especially when crafting a library's message for funding.

The Evolving Role of the Columbus Metro Library

OAL's Holiday Events

2009-11-20T13:50:00.005-05:00

Image: Ohio Art League Holiday Mirror Ball, A Member Appreciation Party

From the release:

HOLIDAY MIRROR BALL
A Member Appreciation Party
Saturday, December 19, 2009
8 p.m. to Midnight
Skye Bar in the OSU South Campus Gateway Arts Alley
1562 N. High Street

The Ohio Art League would like to invite you and yours to Holiday Mirror Ball, a member appreciation party. Please, join us for this festive evening as we say thank you to all of our members, friends, supporters and fans.

Entertainment for the night will feature:
Music by DJ Sally Simple
Performances by Jenai Cutcher and Whistling in the Dark Theater Company
Cash bar available featuring Elevator Brewing Company

Entry is free for all members ($5 entry fee for public). The first 100 members through the door will receive a special thank you gift from OAL.

If you are interested in volunteering for this event please contact Eliza Jones at 614-299-8225, email oal@oal.org, or sign up on our website at www.oal.org.

Before the festivities begin on the evening of December 19 don't miss out on...

ARTillery's
HOLIDAY ART MARKET
Saturday, December 12 & 19, noon to 6 p.m.
Skye Bar in the OSU South Campus Gateway Arts Alley

Stop by Skye Bar to get your unique holiday gifts from some of Columbus' finest local artists, featuring ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, printmaking and more. Are interested in selling your work and would like more information, visit artilleryohio.com.

Also on December 12 at The Shoe Box in the Arts Alley:
Kids Holiday Craft Workshops and Holiday Movies
Noon to 2:30 p.m. & 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Kids age 5 - 11, $25 registration
Presented by (Mix)ed Media

For more info about OAL, please go to www.oal.org

News Corp., Google, and Copyrights

2009-11-10T09:28:00.003-05:00

Really interesting article over on WSJ's blog about how Rupert Murdoch is considering having his news organizations' content (like the Wall Street Journal) removed from Google's indexing.

The article then goes on:

Mr. Murdoch added that News Corp. believes that the fair-use doctrine, which allows for use of copyrighted materials in limited ways such as search results, “could be challenged in the courts and barred altogether.”

Wowza. This is definitely something to watch. Will we have something akin to the RIAA/DCMA for bloggers who republish parts of works like I just did above?

Recap: Tom Kelley @CCADedu

2009-11-06T08:30:00.004-05:00

Tom Kelley is from Akron.

Growing up Kelley witnessed first-hand the extinction of an industry due to the lack of innovation. In a span of less than 20 years, Akron (OH) went from making 100% of the tires used in the U.S. to making 0%. This affected his family, his community, and, of course, the tire manufactures.

Kelley spoke at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) this past Wednesday. CCAD's Business Advisory Council made the event a reality, and CCAD's president, Denny Griffith, gave a poignant introduction that focused on creative economies.

In Kelley's presentation, he focused on 3-out-of-10 personal roles of innovators from his book, "The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO's strategies for beating the devil's advocate & driving creativity throughout your organization." Those roles include the anthropologist, the experimenter, and the cross-pollinator.

Each role has unique characteristics that lead companies to innovate.

The anthropologist sees with new eyes. Doing so allows for the observance of needs--not directing what should be needed. Observing the need(s) and matching with an organization's capabilities leads to empathic design.

This role is Kelley's favorite. He indicated anthropoligists must be in a mental state of vuja de (a play on deja vu). Anthropologists must use new perspectives to look at things that have been witnessed a million times over. By doing so, anthropoligists discover unmet needs.

The experimenter is all about trial and error. Experimenters are given the allowance to fail in a fostered and secure system because with many innovators (Edison, Dyson, etc.) new knowledge comes from failure. Kelley remarked that organizations need to "lower the bar for prototyping." He explained that we do not allow ourselves enough room to be creative, and he indicated that even the crudest prototypes can elucidate ideas, eventually leading to breakthrough products or services (Kelley highlighted a case study from their HBR article, "Design Thinking.")

Cross-pollinators, my personal favorite, are individuals that spread knowledge and ideas throughout the organization. Of course, this directly relates to librarians and knowledge managers. Kelley described cross-pollinators as "unstable elements" until they've spread the new information/knowledge they have. Furthermore, Kelley said that cross-pollinators are infinitly curious and part student, part teacher. He indicated IDEO actively looks for these types of individuals to help their organization remain innovative.

While although a bit like a presentation to sell his book & IDEO, Kelley's talk gave us much to think about. I'm grateful for central Ohio organizations like CCAD, their BAC, and the YPO/WPO/EO collective for bringing luminaries like Kelley to Columbus. I hope that the cross-pollinization between academic, public, and private sectors continues to thrive in Columbus, fostering our own creative economy.

Recap: Helene Blowers' Finding the Phoenix

2009-11-05T08:37:00.006-05:00

Blowers Champions Localization.

Last month Helene spoke at OCLC about the future of libraries. Her talk was entitled, "Finding the Phoenix: Feathers, Flight & the Future of Libraries," and it focused on how we can move beyond current trends and create engaging learning spaces.

I was particularly impressed with her trends analysis. She highlighted trends that I'm pretty sure that most of us were already aware of (e.g. mobile web, e-readers, etc.). However, it was her analysis of these trends which lead to new insights and got the crowd thinking. The ability to formulate new thoughts around data/info that has been around for 3-5 years really blew me away. I realized that it's not necessarily about finding the latest trends but what insights you're able to create.

Blowers tapped into the idea of the creative community/economy to transform libraries into deeply-rooted, community spaces that empower and foster community members' creativity. Furthermore, libraries that "harvest community knowledge" will shift from a privider of intellectual outputs to one that includes both inputs & outputs.

This is a powerful. The intellectual input/output paradigm will implicitly demonstrate a library's ROI to the community. That is, if they come to us (online or off). Consequently, strategic outreach becomes a critical component for our libraries.

Overall, it was really good presentation. Thanks again Helene. And thanks to my employer, SC search consultants, for placing a high value on professional development (i.e. allowing me time to attend ;)

Below are the slides from the presentation.

Finding the Phoenix: Feathers, Flight & the Future of Libraries

View more presentations from hblowers.

Copyright, Architecture, and Libraries

2009-10-24T11:20:00.001-04:00

Image: Des Moines Public Library by toddmundt

There's a really interesting discussion on Jassamyn West's blog about her recent visit to the Des Moines Public Library. The library enforces a no indoor photography policy due to the wishes of the building's architect.

Something new to me was the fact that buildings can be copyrighted, but it appears that copyrights are not extended to personal photography or other personal creative works depicting the building.

While I can understand concerns of architects regarding commercial photography, I think it is counter-productive for libraries to adopt blanket policies. Limiting the ability of community members to share their experiences through images or other artistic means creates a rift between the community and the institution. Public libraries as public institutions can not afford to be disconnected from the communities they serve nor the global community that supports them.

TEDx Columbus Recap

2009-10-21T02:40:00.011-04:00

TEDxColumbus was an amazing event. The venue (OSU's Wexner Center) , the MCs, the speakers, and the participants made for an unforgettable evening. It was great to catch up with old colleagues and meet new acquaintances.

Matt Slaybaugh
Slaybaugh's "This One is for You" delivered the powerful, yet not overly sappy message of finding purpose in work & life (i.e. "pick something you love & do it like a bad habit for 10 years"). Slaybaugh's delivery was quite masterful. His gestures, his voice, and his ability to appear as if he was personally talking to each member of the audience was commanding.

Ann Pendleton-Julian
Pendleton-Julian drove home the idea of ecosystems and their interconnections. She likened ecosystems to games in her talk, "Design Through Gaming," by demonstrating their structural qualities while also indicating almost infinite possibilities within those structures. In her teaching, she uses game design as a means to teach how to think differently, to "rewire" her students' thought process. Students would then tackle architecture and urban planning problems with a new cognitive skill set and create more holistic solutions.

John Mueller
Mueller argued that the U.S. has over-emphasized the threat of nuclear weapons. He indicated that terrorist attack scenarios are highly unlikely and that nuclear powers like China are not compelled to stockpile. While I agree with Mueller to some extent (and would certainly need further research to disprove his claims), I still believe that the nuclear card is a powerful positioning tactic. The ROI currently comes from an enemy's belief that nuclear weapons could be used. If the enemy devalues the other's claims, I fear some enemies will up the ante.

Norah Zuniga Shaw
Shaw's presentation demonstrated how seemingly random & diverse activities have deep underlying structures. Shaw used the term "counterpoint," the interplay of independent elements, to describe these deep structures. Specifically, Shaw uses dance and "choreographic visualizations" to manifest counterpoint. The process of capturing data from dancers' movements and then creating abstracted visualizations from that data are intriguing. For more check out Synchronous Objects, a project by William Forsythe, Maria Palazzi, and Shaw.

John Glenn
Glenn participated in a memorable Q&A discussion with Mike Curtin. Glenn focused partly on education and repeated the need for an "educated citizenry." At 88, Glenn was amazingly sharp and could remember stats from 10-year-old (but still relevant) reports on education that he was involved with. Additionally, Glenn said macro- and micro-level curiosity across our society is vital for the continued development of research. He then quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson

If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the new stand side by side and admit of being compared; when the energies of all men are searched by fear and by hope; when the historic glories of the old can be compensated by the rich possibilities of the new era? This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
Emerson, R. (1837). The American Scholar. Essays. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16643/16643-h/16643-h.htm#THE_AMERICAN_SCHOLAR

Glenn ended by saying he'd been married for 66 years, stepped down from the platform, and high-fived his wife. Unforgettable.

Reade Harpham
Harpham positioned Design as a process or tool to answer, "What if?" His presentation focused on the OneLab's project to create a more efficient millet thresher for Mali citizens. I especially liked how he spoke about prototyping (the physical manifestation of an idea, experiencing an idea). He ended by challenging the audience this question, "Every single person has the power to change the world. What would you do?"

Chrystie Hill
Again, it was so great to have a librarian as part of the inaugural TEDxColumbus. Hill specifically touched on libraries as community builders. Hill stressed it is imperative to go beyond knowing your users. Hill expressed the necessity to know the non-users in a library's community. By doing so, libraries can develop services that truly matter to the entire community, not just one population of it. She also touched on libraries-as-dynamic-learning-spaces vs book warehouses and provided the Seattle system as a case study for all of the above.

Art Epstein
Epstein and his colleagues are doing some amazing work in the field of plastics. Epstein spoke about plastics that conduct electricity, others that are magnetic, and yet others that could be used as light-emitting inks. Epstein ended his talk by discussing possible glucose notification applications for diabetics.

Links for 2009-07-12 [del.icio.us]

2009-07-13T00:00:00-07:00

SLA: Architecture, Building Engineering, Construction, and Design Caucus

Links for 2009-06-10 [del.icio.us]

2009-06-11T00:00:00-07:00

Material ConneXion
"Material ConneXion is the leading global platform for material solutions and innovations." Material ConneXion has material libraries in New York, Bangkok, Cologne, Daegu and Milan.
Resource Directors Association (RDA)
RDA's intent is to promote and create standards for librarians who work in the architecture and design community.

Links for 2009-03-12 [del.icio.us]

2009-03-13T00:00:00-07:00

TrendStop
Trendstop is "the essential fashion trend decoder for fashion industry."

Links for 2009-03-09 [del.icio.us]

2009-03-10T00:00:00-07:00

United States Patent and Trademark Office
"The US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) now offers World-Wide Web (Web) access to bibliographic and full-text patent databases."
Boonika Studios
Boonika Studios is a collective of for-hire designers that have expertise in design, illustration, film, photography, and web design.

Links for 2009-03-04 [del.icio.us]

2009-03-05T00:00:00-08:00

Hey
Hey is the blog of Hey studio in Barcelona.

Links for 2009-02-27 [del.icio.us]

2009-02-28T00:00:00-08:00

ISO50: The Visual Work of Scott Hansen
ISO50 is graphic designer Scott Hansen's blog.

Links for 2009-02-25 [del.icio.us]

2009-02-26T00:00:00-08:00

Overspray Magazine: Blog
"The spot to find out what's going on in the street art universe, curated by your friends at Overspray, the international street art magazine."
The Hipster Handbook
The Hipster Handbook is a promotional Web site for the book by the same title. Included in the site are links to hipster Web sites.