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The article suggests ideas on optimizing a library Web site for social media. It asserts that since Internet culture is social, social media then is shaping the reputation of libraries and ultimately the use of their services online. A good place to start optimizing a site is for libraries to learn about new social media tools so they can begin to understand how consumers create and share content. Libraries should think about ways how they can be helpful to consumers who generate media. They are suggested to develop a social media strategy. The article also presents an overview of some of the social media tools that should be considered by libraries. They include Weblogs, community sites, ratings and reviews, podcastings and moblogs.

This article discusses the act of capturing statistics for database usage, analyzing and interpreting subscription-based database, which has emerged as an important task among librarians. In a rapidly evolving information environment, it is necessary to examine the end user's usage patterns and needs on a periodic basis. The article investigates whether there are differences among user groups, both in their amount and frequency of subscription database use, based on user characteristics such as gender, location of network access, and participation in user instruction. Findings include no statistically significant difference in database use based on gender and a statistically significant difference in the frequency of using the subject-specific databases based on location of accessing the computing network.

This article discusses the differences between the use of instant messaging (IM) and Web-based chat in a library setting. IM is by far the faster of the two forms of live reference chat. To connect with a librarian, the user only has to open an IM program, then type and send a message to the librarian. There are a number of free IM clients available for both users and libraries. Individual clients are free for both users and librarians. There are also free aggregator programs, such as Trillian and Jabber, which users and librarians can use to monitor several IM accounts through one interface. Through cooperation, it is easier to be available for more hours. This is the typical model for many existing Web-based chat cooperatives. By pooling funds and staff resources, cooperatives can sometimes even buy an after-hours service to extend their Web presence to 24-hour availability. Training someone to use an IM program takes about five minutes, as long as the person has a bare minimum of comfort with computers. Training for Web-based chat, on the other hand, takes much longer--anywhere between two and ten hours, depending on the technical competency of the person and the complexity of the software.

The article examines the interesting features of the IEEE Xplore 2010 digital library. It mentions that the development of the system aims to improve the delivery of database content to users. Additionally, the author states that the design of its interface is important to accommodate all levels of users whether they are novice or advance users or guests. Moreover, it adds that the system provides a list of the leading 10 search terms used in a month.

The article discusses the way institutional libraries use the microblogging service Twitter. According to the author, the application programming interface (API) provided by Twitter is one factor for its success and that Web 2.0 technologies have eliminated the barriers between librarians and library users. He found that libraries gather few followers on Twitter and that they are exerting less effort to follow users. He recommends libraries to utilize the social networking aspects of social media.

The article offers ideas for information literacy librarians on ways to offer one-shot orientation sessions. The author notes that a one-hour orientation does not make an information-literate student. He adds that one-shot orientation might work if a follow-up assignment or test will be offered. He further claims that librarians need to be creative in offer one-shot orientation to get the attention and interest of the students. An example of how one-shot orientation can be offered is presented. Recommended alternatives for one-shot orientation are also offered.

The article offers information on podcasts, a technology which offers library patrons up-to-date business news and think pieces, in audio format. Podcasts' increasing popularity is partly due to their ability to bring recent issues to listeners and their portability. Podcasts also allow people to interact with a community of experts and enthusiasts, through their accompanying Web sites and blogs, which are dynamic and encourage interaction, commentary and knowledge sharing. Podcasts can be acquired in several ways. The first is to go directly to the podcast's Web page or blog site and download the file. A much easier way is to use aggregator or podcatcher software. In terms of evaluating a business podcast before purchasing, it should be done in a manner similar to books and Web sites.

Looks at the preference of users regarding the qualities of a library and the use of online information resources. Opinion of users on conducting research online; Value of electronic results delivery; Challenge for libraries.

The article focuses on the use of Twitter in libraries. Twitter is a free messaging service for people. According to the author, it can be of good use to libraries and librarians, without the need to spend much time and effort. Twitter allows people to send and receive short messages via the web or via short messaging service (SMS) using a mobile phone. Although Twitter was originally used to share personal updates, it has evolved and become common for people and organizations to Twitter about professional ideas and information. It can be observed that the use of Twitter gives special libraries an opportunity to share information to internal clients and people outside the institution who are interested in their topics.

The article provides information on Nonfiction Connection, a readers' advisory tools for nonfiction titles written by author R. R. Bowker. The electronic offering, for sale to those with a Books in Print subscription, either on a population served or a full-time employment basis, allows patrons or librarians to find nonfiction titles based on books they have already read. Users can enter the title of a book and search for similar books from Bowker's nonfiction database. They will also be able to locate books within various narrative nonfiction genres.

The article reflects on the changes in the behavior of library users toward information searching. With the advent of the Internet, library users are commonly searching information and documents through their personal computers. They are searching information from a detailed perspective without even caring from which field such information originated. They usually search for certain details and ignore the whole story behind such details. This attitude is affecting scholars who want library users to read their books from cover to cover. But such attitude should be taken positively rather than bemoaning it.