My virtually peripatetic colleague Constance Malpas, who seems to inevitably have her slim hand on the pulse of so many organisms of which I have yet to become acquainted, has found yet another interesting site. This latest one is the NYPL Labs.
Self-described as the "window into the overall digital experience of The New York Public Library" it is so far mostly a blog with descriptions of various digital projects underway at the library. The tag line "the process behind the product" perhaps gives additional insight into the purpose of the site. It will likely be behind the scenes information on digital developments at the library for those likely to care.
People blogging include Josh Greenberg, lately of George Mason University’s Center for History and New Media, who left there to become the Director of Digital Strategy and Scholarship at NYPL. Also Barbara Taranto, NYPL’s Digital Library Program Director. At some point I expect to see my former Library Journal editor, Jay Datema there too, who just joined. There are others as well, which seems to indicate a rather deep talent pool.
So although there is nothing in particular I am pointing out for your attention, I commend it as a site to add to your RSS reader. What’s there now seems to indicate a perspective and an attitude to which it will likely be well worth paying some attention. "Business as usual" is a phrase I would pick to describe the exact opposite of what they intend, and as such is potentially a place to consider what our futures may hold. Even if not, it’s still likely to be entertaining.
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