As information professionals, we spend a lot of time managing printed words. Spoken words deserve some attention, too. This week’s edition of Technology Tuesday explores podcasting as an alternative way to convey information.

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Last week’s Technology Tuesday post was about using RSS to track updates to your favorite blogs and websites. Many of you reading this are bona fide RSS junkies already, but you might still be wondering how to incorporate RSS as a service for patrons of your library or information center. Here are some strategies for talking with health professionals, faculty, students, and others about the benefits of RSS.

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RSS (Rich Site Syndication, or Really Simple Syndication) is changing the way people receive and manage information. This technology has been around for several years and is increasingly being adopted by mainstream internet users. More than likely, this includes people you serve at your library or information center. If you have yet to jump on the RSS bandwagon yourself, read on.

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We are excited to announce a new funding opportunity from the NN/LM PNR to support purchase, installation, and/or upgrading of hardware and software to enhance access to health information.

Up to three (3) awards of up to $5,000 each are available to NN/LM member organizations in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The purpose of these awards is to enhance the capacity of a library or organization to offer electronic health information services for health professionals or health consumers.

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Site visits are one of the most enjoyable parts of my new job as Technology Outreach Coordinator. Thanks to all of you who have welcomed me into your libraries and offices. I have learned a lot from you.

Being new to the Pacific Northwest, I never leave for a trip without first consulting the NN/LM Member Maps to see which Network members I might visit along my route. The Member Maps, powered by Google and mashed up for NN/LM by programmer Aron Beal, are a new feature in our Members Directory. If you, like me, find yourself in a new job in a new place, use Member Maps as a way to identify and get connected with nearby colleagues.

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Join us for an RML Rendezvous this Wednesday, April 30 at 1:00 pm Pacific Time (2:00 Mountain Time, 12:00 Alaska Time). There’s no need to RSVP. We’ll see you online! To connect to the Rendezvous, go to http://webmeeting.nih.gov/rendezvous at the appointed time. Please sign in with your full name.

Working Together Apart: Online Collaborative Workspaces

Learn about new ways to manage group projects when face-to-face meetings are not possible and e-mail is not practical. Topics covered will include wikis, document sharing, instant messaging, and Microsoft SharePoint. We will also discuss organizational culture issues that can hinder effective online collaboration. After the session, participants will have access to a course wiki they can use to experiment with these new technologies and continue the conversation about how to implement them in our workplaces.

UPDATE 5/6/08: The recording of this Rendezvous is now available, and there’s some interesting conversation happening on the course wiki. Access to the wiki is by invitation only, but contact Alison and she will happily invite you.