Author Archives: Joel Hartung

Ep. 34: Tech Trends for 2019

MoreThanBooksLogoWelcome to Episode 34 of the “More Than Books” Podcast! Named after the official Bellevue University Library newsletter, each episode features library staff members discussing a topic related to literature, libraries, technology, pop culture, and more. Now available on iTunes!

“More Than Books” Podcast – Ep. 34: Tech Trends for 2019

Description:  Welcome to the More Than Books Podcast! In this episode Joel and Colin recap the good, the bad, and the ugly technology to come out of CES 2019. Tech discussed includes 5G, VR, over-the-air wireless charging, electric vehicles, ridiculous televisions, veggie burgers, robots, and smart-everything. What is their favorite thing to come out of the expo? Listen to find out!

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Ep. 33: Game Night: Board Games to Break up the Monopoly Monotony

MoreThanBooksLogoWelcome to Episode 33 of the “More Than Books” Podcast! Named after the official Bellevue University Library newsletter, each episode features library staff members discussing a topic related to literature, libraries, technology, pop culture, and more. Now available on iTunes!

“More Than Books” Podcast – Ep. 33: Game Night – Board Games to Break up the Monopoly Monotony

Description:  Welcome to the More Than Books Podcast! In this episode Joel and Colin discuss the new generation of board and party games that have been replacing tired-out classics like Monopoly at game nights and family gatherings the world over in recent years. Games discussed include Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu, Pandemic Legacy: Season 1, Mysterium, Monikers, the Jackbox Party Pack series, and Brass: Birmingham. Several role-playing games are also mentioned in quick succession, including Dungeons & Dragons, Fiasco (Coen brothers movie simulator), Apocalypse World (Mad Max simulator), Night Witches, and Tales from the Loop. 

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Ep. 32: Comicsgate, or: How I Learned to Stop Arguing Online and Love Constructive Criticism

MoreThanBooksLogoWelcome to Episode 31 of the “More Than Books” Podcast! Named after the official Bellevue University Library newsletter, each episode features library staff members discussing a topic related to literature, libraries, technology, pop culture, and more. Now available on iTunes!

“More Than Books” Podcast – Ep. 32: Comicsgate, or: How I Learned to Stop Arguing Online and Love Constructive Criticism

Description:  Welcome to the More Than Books Podcast! In this episode Joel and Colin gingerly approach the topic of the Comicsgate internet movement, the latest in a series of similar online cultural firestorms to do with diversity in entertainment and art. In an effort to not get too down at the prospect of having to discuss the sorry state that much online conversation exists in, they try to keep things positive by offering advice on how to be a reasonable, responsible, and respectful consumer of mass-market entertainment.

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Ep. 31: Summer Reading Club (Part 2)

MoreThanBooksLogoWelcome to Episode 31 of the “More Than Books” Podcast! Named after the official Bellevue University Library newsletter, each episode features library staff members discussing a topic related to literature, libraries, technology, pop culture, and more. Now available on iTunes!

“More Than Books” Podcast – Ep. 31: Summer Reading Club (Part 2)

Description:  Joel and Colin continue talking about books they’ve read recently and what they might recommend others pick up, as well as some forthcoming publications that they are looking forward to. Included are discussions about the craziness of comic books, what makes the best horror so good, experimental literature and art, and unusual playing cards! 

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Computers in Libraries Conference 2018

In April, Joel Hartung attended the 33rd annual Computers in Libraries Conference in Arlington, Virginia. The theme was “Digital Transformation: Next Gen Tools & Strategies for Community Impact.” The conference included networking events, workshops, an exhibit hall, and an extensive list of speakers from academic, public, school, and special libraries. Despite all the people from different types of librarians in attendance, there was one large connection: a shared interest in library technology. Continue reading →

Ep. 30: Summer Reading Club

MoreThanBooksLogoWelcome to Episode 30 of the “More Than Books” Podcast! Named after the official Bellevue University Library newsletter, each episode features library staff members discussing a topic related to literature, libraries, technology, pop culture, and more. Now available on iTunes!

“More Than Books” Podcast – Ep. 30: Summer Reading Club

Description:  Joel and Colin take a break from discussing more serious topics and instead talk about what they’ve been reading recently and what books they recommend others pick up. Despite reading fairly different material from one another, they nonetheless find common ground in their enjoyment of horror, parody, and science-fiction, and wind up with so much to talk about that they might have to record a Summer Reading Club Part 2 soon!

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Ep. 29: Public Domain Day

MoreThanBooksLogoWelcome to Episode 29 of the “More Than Books” Podcast! Named after the official Bellevue University Library newsletter, each episode features library staff members discussing a topic related to literature, libraries, technology, pop culture, and more. Now available on iTunes!

“More Than Books” Podcast – Ep. 29: Public Domain Day

Description:  Joel and Colin discuss the state of copyright law in the U.S. and what it has meant for copyright expiration in the past. Inexpert on the topic at best, they nonetheless get their way through some of the more convoluted aspects of the laws surrounding copyright, and look forward to a brighter future for the public domain. Topics discussed include copyright law elsewhere in the world and the possibilities of remixing, preserving, and republishing works whose copyright has expired.

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Ep. 28: The Spotify Parable

MoreThanBooksLogoWelcome to Episode 28 of the “More Than Books” Podcast! Named after the official Bellevue University Library newsletter, each episode features library staff members discussing a topic related to literature, libraries, technology, pop culture, and more. Now available on iTunes!

“More Than Books” Podcast – Ep. 28: The Spotify Parable

Description:  Joel and Colin discuss the concept of digital ownership and whether or not we delude ourselves by thinking that such a thing exists. Beginning with a conversation about digital music and streaming services, they segue into talking about the impact that digital-only media and the services that provide it have had on libraries, and what ordinary consumers can do to look out for both themselves and their favorite content creators.

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Rebuilding BUILD IT

In January 2005, the idea of a library information literacy tutorial first emerged.  Thirteen years later, BUILD IT, aka Bellevue University Information Literacy Development Interactive Tutorial, is still going strong. Officially launched in the fall of 2006, and featured in Vol. 9, No. 4, (“Get Ready, Get Set, BUILD IT!”), is essentially a guide to the Bellevue University Library and its many resources and services.  Along the way, it has become an important component of many classes, introducing students not only to the concept of information literacy but also to the basics of organizing and writing a research paper, while teaching them to navigate the library website. Continue reading →

Nexis Uni Database Review

The only constant in life is change, but that is not always a bad thing as evidenced by the new Lexis Nexis interface update, Nexis Uni.  Nexis Uni is more than just a new coat of paint for Lexis Nexis Academic Universe. It is actually a complete remaking of the classic platform with new search functionality and a dramatically improved user experience.

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