habitually probing generalist

Going to start listing some articles (maybe other sources in future) that I have been reading, for several possible purposes:

• Record for myself.
• To let others know certain things are available.
• To hopefully stimulate discussion.

Discussion:

I’d be happy to discuss most any of these readings publicly, or privately, in either this forum or some other.  Maybe we can use this medium for some joint or "simultaneous" discussion of articles, past or present.  As you may have noticed, I will post "reviews" and/or commentary sometimes on the things I read.  For instance, some recent library-related ones:

• Can we be neutral professionals?
• Research assumptions?
• Google relevance

Maybe there are others who feel somewhat like I do about the lack of engagement of fellow students or co-workers and are looking for people to discuss writings of import to our profession.  I don’t have anything formal in mind, or really any details at all.  But if you are interested in engaging in some sort of virtual reading group feel free to let me know.

We could formalize something, or keep it pretty loose and flexible.  We could decide on a set list in advance, or take turns recommending pieces to read and discuss.  We could discuss them separately in our respective blogs (trackbacks or other links to tie them together?).  We could use email, but then it would be far less public (which might be a good thing or not).  We could alternate across blogs with the host making the main post and then others adding (lengthy) comments, if the participant blogs allow comments, or the host could edit all emailed entries into one post.  Or I’m sure others might have a dozen different possible ideas.  What do you think?  Anyone up for a little virtual group professional development? 

Does anyone know of anyone else doing anything like this?

I am aware of the Librarian’s Book Club and I like Jenny’s idea of importing an Ohio program into Illinois; One Book, Five Landscapes, Six Partners, Endless Possibilities, and Two States?  This program is specifically looking at the Environmental Scan I believe.  This is a very important idea in which I’d love to participate, but I want to roam a little wider with my idea.  And I’m already in a few book discussion groups, so I’m thinking more about journal (print or electronic) articles or other "shorter" types of readings.

Read today 24 Jul 05:

Olson, Hope A. "Sameness and difference: a cultural foundation of classification." Library Resources & Technical Services 45 (3), Jul 2001, pp. 115-122.

Read yesterday:

Renear, Alan and David Dubin. "Towards identity conditions for digital documents." 9 p. [Not sure where I got it, and it has no identifying information.  If you are interested in it, let me know and I will put you in touch with Alan and Dave.]

Dick, Archie L. "Epistemological positions and library and information science." Library Quarterly 69 (3), 1999, pp. 305-323.

Fenner, Audrey. "Placing value on information." Library Philosophy and Practice, 4 (2), Spring 2002, 6 p.
www.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/lppv4n2.htm

Clyde, Laurel A. "Viewpoint: Weblogs – are you serious?" The Electronic Library 22 (5), 2004, pp. 390-392.
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm (requires subscription)

I’d love to hear from anyone interested in trying some kind of virtual group professional development, or about other attempts, successful or not.  Feel free to leave a comment or email me.

Update: 25 July 2005:

Commenter [see below] Christina has a post at her blog, Christina’s LIS Rant, about an idea similar to mine from a physics blog.  [There really aren't too many original ideas are there? Glad I didn't think it was.]  She also reminded me of Greg Schwartz’s Open Stacks post about starting an LIS blog carnival.  I guess that is sort of what I have in mind, although I do think it could be done a bit differently also.  I replied to Greg and hope something comes of his idea.  Depending on how that goes, I’m still interested in pursuing mine so feel free to let me know if you are interested.