Sarah Houghton-Jan

About Me
About This Site
Speaking and Consulting
Upcoming Presentations and Classes
Referrals
Past Publications
Past Presentations and Classes

About Me

Hi! I'm Sarah Houghton-Jan. I am the Digital Futures Manager for the San José Public Library in the heart of the Silicon Valley. I also work as a consultant for the Infopeople Project, serve on LITA's Top Technology Trends Committee, and speak internationally at live and online events for libraries and other institutions. I was named a 2009 Mover and Shaker by Library Journal.
I live in San Rafael, about two hours north of San José, with my husband, who is also a librarian, and our cat, Torin.
I received my MLIS from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and an MA in Irish Literature from Washington State University. For more information on my employment and educational background, take a gander at my CV.

About This Site

Years ago, this site was born out of my displeasure at having to wade through dozens of websites, blogs, & RSS feeds related to librarianship, technology, webmastery, and current issues to find those few posts that applied to me as a Tech Librarian. At the time, there were far fewer sites to wade through than there are now, which means that my "web weeding" job got harder and longer, as did my list of RSS feeds (at approximately 450 right now). I hope this site can serve as a one-stop-shop for all Techie Library Staff, which is pretty much everyone now
So, why Librarian In Black, you might ask? I am 100% goth on the inside, and usually on the outside. I have always been identified by patrons as "that tall librarian who always wears black." It only seemed natural to accept my position in the world, and embrace the darkness...

Speaking and Consulting

I am always happy to speak to libraries and other organizations about a variety of library and technology topics. I also am available to consult as an instructor on a wide variety of topics, teaching everything from one-hour to multi-day classes as required, both in-person and virtually. I also consult regularly with libraries in an informal advisory capacity on numerous technology topics. Here are some of the topics I can teach, train, and speak about (if your topic isn't on the list, just ask though--I may have simply forgotten to list it :>):

• accessibility and usability
  
• blogging
  
• databases in libraries (marketing, training)
  
• eBooks
  
• eMusic
  
• eVideo
  
• eResource use statistical analysis
  
• filtering (internet filtering, studies, tests)
  
• Flickr and digital imaging
  
• gaming
  
• information architecture
  
• "keeping up" strategies
  
• OPACs, WebPacs, and online catalog overlays and improvement strategies
  
• online marketing and outreach strategies
  
• podcasting and videocasting
  
• project management
  
• search, including federated search
  
• social bookmarking
  
• social networking
  
• technology competencies
  
• technology training program design for staff and the public
  
• tools and technologies for small libraries with few resources
  
• virtual reference, including instant messaging, text messaging, and VOIP/video reference
  
• virtual worlds, including Second Life
  
• website design
  
• wikis
  

Please contact me for more information about my availability. You can email me at LibrarianInBlack@gmail.com or IM me at LibrarianInBlack.

Upcoming Presentations and Classes

• March 30, 2009 - "I Wanna Be 2.0 Too!: Web Services for Underfunded LibrariesI Wanna Be 2.0 Too!: Web Services for Underfunded Libraries" for the Computers in Libraries Conference
  
• March 31, 2009 - "Social Network Profile Management" for the Computers in Libraries Conference
  
• April 1, 2009 - "Learning Solutions Through Technology" for the Computers in Libraries Conference
  
• April 2, 2009 - "Keeping Up & Handling Information Overload" for the Texas Library Association
  
• May 6, 2009 - Keynote for OHIONET Annual Meeting
  
• October 23, 2009 - Keynote on "The Library User of the Future" for the Librarians' Association of the University of California-Berkeley
  
• October 26-28, 2009 - Internet Librarian Conference - TBA!
  
• Fall 2009 - Infopeople webcast(s) and online class(es) - TBA!
  

Referrals
Paul Signorelli: speaks and trains on mentoring, staff training and orientations, communication, and teamwork

Publications

• January 2009 - "United States Library and Librarian Blogs" chapter in LibWorld - Library Blogs Worldwide
  
• November/December 2008 - "How to Drive Traffic to Your Website" with Aaron Schmdit in Marketing Library Services
  
• July 2008 - "Being Wired or Being Tired: 10 Ways to Cope with Information Overload" in Ariadne
  
• Summer 2008 - "EDNF Represented at Local Charity Race" in Loose Connections
  
• Winter 2007/2008 - "Twenty Steps to Marketing Your Library Online" in Journal of Web Librarianship
  
• June 2007 - "Getting Up to Speed" in American Libraries
  
• June 2007 - "Digital Rights Management and Libraries: What You Should Know" in School Library Journal
  
• April 2007 -"A Day in the Life of an e-Services Librarian" chapter in Shontz, Priscilla K., ed. A Day in the Life
  
• April 2007--Library Technology Report: Technology Competencies and Training for Libraries (available through ALA TechSource)
  
• July 2006 – "Big Tech for Every Library" in Library Journal: NetConnect
  
• 2005 – "U R the Best: Community Building through Chat" on WebJunction
  
• 2005 – "Instant Messaging: Quick and Dirty Reference for Teens and Others" in Public Libraries
  
• 2005 – "Web-Based Chat VS. Instant Messaging" co-authored with Aaron Schmidt in ONLINE.
  
• 2005 – "I've Been Framed: Designing a Library Web Site Within a Government Frame" in Computers in Libraries.
  
• 2005 – "Virtual Reference @ Your Library" in KnowledgeQuest
  
• 2004 – "Are you Sure You're a Librarian?" in California Libraries
  
• 2004 – "Important Technology Developments for California Librarians" in California Libraries
  
• 1999 – "The Unexplored Migration of the Gawain Tale: Irish, Welsh, and English Versions of the Story" in GSA Conference Proceedings
  
• 1997 – "In Emulation of Ti'ana" in Montage Magazine
  

Past Presentations and Classes

• March 25, 2009 - "Web Services for Small Libraries" webcast for the Nicolet Federated Library System (Wisconsin)
  
• December 9, 2008 - Keynote on "Sustainable Technology in a 2.0 World" for Arizona Library Association Annual Conference
  
• December 2, 2008 - "Web 2.0 Services for Smaller, Underfunded Libraries" for the Canadian Education Institute
  
• October 21, 2008 - "SharePoint for Libraries: Streamlining Your Intranet Management" with Shannon Staley for Internet Librarian Conference
  
• October 21, 2008 - "Solving the Money Problem" with Laura Crossett for Internet Librarian Conference
  
• October 20, 2008 - "Digital Marketing: Successful Plans/Organizations" with Aaron Schmidt for Internet Librarian Conference
  
• October 14, 2008 - "Reaching Patrons: Online Outreach for Public Libraries" for the North Suburban Library System Annual Summit
  
• October 14, 2008 - "Collection Development for eResources" for the North Suburban Library System Annual Summit
  
• September 19-21, 2008 - " I Wanna Be 2.0 Too!" for the Association of Rural and Small Libraries
  
• September 19-21, 2008 - "Online Marketing for Small Libraries" for the Association of Rural and Small Libraries
  
• July 10, 2008 - "Technology Training and Competencies" for the Ohio Library Council Annual Reference & Adult Services Conference
  
• July 10, 2008 - "I Wanna Be 2.0 Too!: Web Services for Smaller and Underfunded Libraries" for the Ohio Library Council Annual Reference & Adult Services Conference
  
• June-July 2008 - "Free, Fast, and Factual: Top Online Reference Sources" - 4-week online course for Infopeople
  
• June 20, 2008 - Keynote for the Mississippi Libraries 2.0 Summit (Sustainable Web Technologies)
  
• June 11, 2008 - "Online Outreach Techniques for Academic Libraries" for the University of San Francisco Library
  
• June 4, 2008 - "Tools for Staying Current" for the Arizona Libraries Summer Institute
  
• June 4, 2008 - "Staying Current: Methods for Essential Professional Development" for the Arizona Libraries Summer Institute
  
• May 15, 2008 - OPAL webcast "Technology Training and Competencies for Libraries"
  
• May 8, 2008 - OPAL webcast "Online Marketing for Libraries"
  
• April 24, 2008 - Infopeople webcast on Counting Website Statistics for the Annual Public Library Survey
  
• April 15, 2008 - "Technology Training and Competencies" webcast for the Canadian Education Institute
  
• April 9, 2008 - "Online Outreach for Libraries: Successful Digital Marketing" at the Computers in Libraries Conference
  
• April 9, 2008 - "Staff Tech Training" with Maurice Coleman and Annette Gaskins at the Computers in Libraries Conference
  
• April 7, 2008 - "Web 2.0 Services for Smaller, Underfunded Libraries" at the Computers in Libraries Conference
  
• April 6, 2008 - "Technology Training for Library Staff: Creativity Works!" (Preconference) with Maurice Coleman and Annette Gaskins at the Computers in Libraries Conference
  
• February 19, 2008 - "The Future of Libraries" for the San Francisco Public Library's "Tuesday Public Forum Series"
  
• November 11, 2007 - "Building a Thriving eBranch" at the Hawaii Library Association
  
• November 11, 2007 - "Technology Training Tips" at the Hawaii Library Association
  
• November 10, 2007 - "Online Outreach and Marketing" at the Hawaii Library Association
  
• October 30, 2007 - "How to Lose Your New Tech Librarian & Tech Training" (w/ Michael Stephens, Christopher P. Hamb, and Jenny Benevento) at the Internet Librarian Conference
  
• October 29, 2007 - "Online Marketing for Libraries: Outreach & PR in a 2.0 World" (w/Aaron Schmidt) at the Internet Librarian Conference
  
• October 29, 2007 - "Web Design on a Dime: Quick Web Tips for Small Libraries" at the Internet Librarian Conference
  
• September 26, 2007 - "Digital Customers" for the Future of Libraries Conference in San Francisco
  
• September 26, 2007 - "From F2F to Fingertips2Fingertips" for the Future of Libraries Conference in San Francisco
  
• September 26, 2007 - co-moderated entire day-long Future of Libraries Conference in San Francisco (with Anthony Costa)
  
• September 4, 2007 - Canadian Education Institute webcast: Online Outreach: 2.0 Marketing Strategies for Libraries
  
• July 25, 2007 - Core Competencies for Library Staff webinar (WebJunction)
  
• June-July 2007--teaching "Library 2.0: Developing an eBranch" (Infopeople 4-week online course)
  
• April 2007--teaching "Library 2.0: Developing an eBranch" (Infopeople 4-week online course)
  
• April 19 2007--Washington Library Association keynote with Walt Crawford
  
• November 11, 2006 – What's Hot in Technology with Scott Bauer and Michael Porter @ California Library Association Annual Conference
  
• November 11, 2006 – How Do You IM? panel with several librarians @ California Library Association Annual Conference
  
• November 11, 2006 – Technology Training for Staff: CLA Tech Core Competencies @ California Library Association Annual Conference
  
• October 27, 2006 – for Assn. of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (University of San Francisco) – IM Reference: It's What's for Dinner
  
• October 23, 2006 – Cultivating Tech-Savvy Library Staff: Competencies & Tips with David King @ Internet Librarian Conference
  
• October 23, 2006 – Reaching Patrons: Online Outreach for Public Libraries @ Internet Librarian Conference
  
• October 18, 2006 – @ Future of Libraries Workshop @ San Francisco Public Library – Social Software for Libraries
  
• October 11, 2006 – @ Sacramento Public Library's All Staff Day – Building a Successful eBranch
  
• October 10, 2006 – Sirsi-Dynix Webinar with Aaron Schmidt - "Engaging Youth on their Own Terms: Instant Messaging and Gaming in Libraries."
  
• 2006 – "Evolving Library Services for Digital Natives" with Aaron Schmidt, Stephen Abram, and Alane Wilson for 2020 Vision Conference: Idaho Library Challenges of the Future
  
• 2006 – "IM for the Library: How Instant Messaging Can Connect Librarians with Kids and Teens" for the Bay Area Library and Information System
  
• 2006 – "What's Hot in Technology" for Santa Clara County Library's All Staff Day
  
• March 2006 – "Creating a Digital Archive on a Shoestring" for Public Library Association Annual Conference
  
• March 2006 – "Having a Phone: IM Reference" for Al@din Librarians Group in Utrecht, Netherlands
  
• March 2006 – "What's Hot in Technology" for the San Mateo County Library's All Staff Day
  
• November 2005 – "Blah Blah Blog" for California Library Association Annual Conference
  
• November 2005 – "What's Hot in Technology" for California Library Association Annual Conference
  
• November 2005 – "A Primer on Virtual Reference" for California Library Association Annual Conference
  
• October 2005 – "Web Trends and Innovations" for Internet Librarian
  
• October 2005 – "Future Tech Trends for Public Libraries" for Internet Librarian
  
• 2005 – "Heavyweights Beware: Alternatives to Traditional Virtual Reference Products" for Virtual Reference Desk Conference
  
• 2005 – "Blog University" for North Bay Cooperative Reference Committee
  
• 2005 – "What's Hot in Technology" for Monterey Bay Area Cooperative Library System Annual Meeting
  
• 2005 – "Everything Old Is New Again: Digital Library Services" for California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners Annual Meeting
  
• May 2005 – "What's Hot in Technology" webcast for the California Library Association Information Technology Section
  2005 – "Free, Fast, and Factual: Top Online Reference Sources" (4-week online learning course for Infopeople)
  
• 2004-2005 – "Free, Fast, and Factual: Top Online Reference Sources" (day-long course taught California-wide for Infopeople)
  
• November 2004 – "Starting Your Library's Blog" for California Library Association Annual Conference
  
• November 2004 – "What's New in Technology" for California Library Association Annual Conference
  
• October 2004 – "Designing a Library Website Within a Frame" for Internet Librarian
  
• 2003-2004 – "More than Letters and Booklists: Intermediate Microsoft Word" (day-long course taught California-wide for Infopeople)
  
• 2002 – "Desktop Publishing on a Shoestring" (day-long course taught California-wide for Infopeople)
  
• 1999 – "The Unexplored Migration of the Gawain Tale: Irish, Welsh, and English Versions of the Story" for Texas Tech University Annual Conference