Bad publicity? Bad tools?

The Top 100 tools for learning does not include any library created tools or any library purchased tools.  The Chronicle cites Mr. Bell as saying we have not done a job publicizing our databases and then cites Stephen Downes as saying this might be "evidence of bad tools, not a lack of publicity." 

I definitely think libraries need to publicize their resources more, but I can't say as I think any of our purchased databases meets the call for "tools that can be used in a learning context - whether it be for personal learning or for creating learning for others - and demonstrates that e-learning is much much more than online courses"  While research can be part of learning, our e-resources clearly aren't the primary means our faculty think of when creating learning opportunities, as asked for in this context.  Are libraries really surprised by this?  What have we created that can compete with the top 5 tools:

1	Firefox	51	Firefox Web browser	Free
2	del.icio.us	35	del.icio.us Social bookmarking tool	Free
3	Skype	30	Skype Instant messaging, VoIP call tool	Free
4	Google Search	28	Google Search Web search tool	Free
5	WordPress

Instead, I find I am impressed by just how many of the tools listed are those used by librarians!  And let us remember that librarians collaborate everyday with faculty on assignments that use our resources (electronic and print).  Our faculty have not forgotten us, they simply read the question to mean applications, not resources.

Link: Top 100 Tools for Learning.

TOP 100 TOOLS FOR LEARNING as at 08 August 2007

This list has been compiled from the TOP 10 FAVOURITE TOOLS lists of 88 learning professionals (consultants, analysts, developers, practitioners, academics, etc) who responded to our open invitation.