I chose Twitter to write about in relation to libraries because, historically, I have been very anti-Twitter. My entire attitude toward Twitter can be summed up in the following words: no one cares what you had for lunch.
However, people do (or, okay, they SHOULD) care about libraries. Most library users are interested in knowing the news, events, and various goings-on of their local library. When a library is on Twitter, it can dispense little bits of information that wouldn't really suit in a blog-post format. A library could tweet that there is an unscheduled storytime on a certain day, or that the library will be closed for an hour because of a toilet leak.
Another good reason libraries should use Twitter is that it is by nature a time-saver. They're mini-notes that can be read in an instant. Most people are unlikely to continually check their library's newsletter or blog page, but if they "follow" their library on Twitter, they see tidbits from the library along with their regular tweet stream.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Social Media and Schools
Different forms of social media can be useful in elementary and secondary schools. A classroom facebook page can keep parents informed on daily activities and can also be a great way for students to connect with other classes around the U.S. and the world. It's also a good way to teach students the correct and safe way to use the internet.
Blogging is another useful media tool and is used at my school by many teachers. A homework assignment could be to watch a science program and then blog about what was learned or students would be asked to answer a question on the teachers blog. It's a great way for students to learn and share and for teachers to gauge what their students are learning.
Blogging is another useful media tool and is used at my school by many teachers. A homework assignment could be to watch a science program and then blog about what was learned or students would be asked to answer a question on the teachers blog. It's a great way for students to learn and share and for teachers to gauge what their students are learning.
Social Media means free marketing.
One of the greatest things about Social Media is that its free to use. This is great news for libraries, especially in cash strapped days like these. Social Media is great for marketing, which is often badly funded in libraryland and sometimes poorly executed. With social media tools like Facebook, it is rather easy to produce a professional looking marketing campaign to communicate directly with the end user.
Social media is ultimately about making connections with and between patrons and creating a sense of community. Many librarians buy into the idea of the library functioning as a community center so it makes sense to engage in social media that promotes this aim.
Unfortunatley many libraries use social media to simply broadcast infomation, treating it as a one way medium and failing to capitalize on the power of the medium. A library should have a goal in mind when using social media, not just use it because everyone else is. Libraries that do not have clear goals about why they are using social media will most likely have few followers which may in fact hurt the library's image rather than improve it.There is nothing worse than looking at a really dull profile page that shows no imagination or creativity.
Social media is ultimately about making connections with and between patrons and creating a sense of community. Many librarians buy into the idea of the library functioning as a community center so it makes sense to engage in social media that promotes this aim.
Unfortunatley many libraries use social media to simply broadcast infomation, treating it as a one way medium and failing to capitalize on the power of the medium. A library should have a goal in mind when using social media, not just use it because everyone else is. Libraries that do not have clear goals about why they are using social media will most likely have few followers which may in fact hurt the library's image rather than improve it.There is nothing worse than looking at a really dull profile page that shows no imagination or creativity.
Social Media can help Libraries
Social Media is a great tool. Not only is it fun and a good communication venue for people socially, it can be helpful to buisnesses and academic institutions, including libraries. Buisnesses have all jumped on the bandwagon to get on "Twitter" and "Facebook" to grow their revenues and get free or low-priced advertising. An example of this is found in the buisness Jazzercise. I am a certified Jazzercise instructor. I was amazed at the way they used "Twitter" as free advertising and to build excitment for a new location. When the location finally opened it had huge and immediate success, due in part to the use of social media. I believe a library can use social media the same way. A library should be using "Twitter " or "Facebook" to build excitement and build a following for the library. It is free or low-priced advertising for the library. It does require some time output, but the cost is low. Social media could help build a relationship between the patron and the library, especially with the younger generation of upcoming technology users.
Another way a library can benefit from social media is the use of Youtube. Youtube is a great resource for tutorials and "how to" videos. When library patrons can watch short videos on how to search the card catalog or use resources online, it will be more effective for Librarians. With the reduction in funds to all libraries, library staff must look for ways to make the most of their time. Having patrons have online directions will free up much need time for Libraians to do other duties required. Overall, social media is a benefit to libraries, when used the correct way.
Another way a library can benefit from social media is the use of Youtube. Youtube is a great resource for tutorials and "how to" videos. When library patrons can watch short videos on how to search the card catalog or use resources online, it will be more effective for Librarians. With the reduction in funds to all libraries, library staff must look for ways to make the most of their time. Having patrons have online directions will free up much need time for Libraians to do other duties required. Overall, social media is a benefit to libraries, when used the correct way.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Social Media Tools
Video sharing sites like YouTube have the potential to help libraries connect with current and future patrons. Whether it is a funny video of librarians lip-syncing Lady Gaga or a well designed tutorial, a creative and technologically inclined library staff can make their presence known. YouTube is great tool for educating the public regarding what services are available and how to use those resources. YouTube appeals to visual learners, who like to see tasks demonstrated instead of reading instructions. I was able to find a pretty good tutorial on how to use Palomar’s online library database. Youtube can also be used to get patrons excited about upcoming events. For example, the City of San Diego put out this promotional video regarding the new central library. This is more interesting than a flyer or email blast.
Libraries need to keep up with changing technology and trends. By communicating with people using technology they are already using and are familiar with, libraries can continue to stay relevent.
Libraries need to keep up with changing technology and trends. By communicating with people using technology they are already using and are familiar with, libraries can continue to stay relevent.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
HarperCollins Sets Restrictions on eBooks' Library Use
http://www.nytimes.com/chrome/#/Technology//www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/business/media/15libraries.html
This article discusses the new restrictions that HarperCollins in enforcing on eBook use in libraries and includes thoughts from ALA president Roberta Stevens. The new change is that everyone's getting upset about is that the maximum number of times a HarperCollins eBook can be checked out of a library is 26. Assuming a 2 week checkout period, this works out to an eBook being valid for about a year, and then the library has to pay more fees.
How do you guys feel about this?
This article discusses the new restrictions that HarperCollins in enforcing on eBook use in libraries and includes thoughts from ALA president Roberta Stevens. The new change is that everyone's getting upset about is that the maximum number of times a HarperCollins eBook can be checked out of a library is 26. Assuming a 2 week checkout period, this works out to an eBook being valid for about a year, and then the library has to pay more fees.
How do you guys feel about this?
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
And For An Extra Dollar You Get a Bag of Cheetohs with Your Book: Welcome to the World of Library Vending Machines
Competency #2 Describe how a library could use technology to enhance or replace a face-to-face service
You think privatization is bad? Some communities are opting to use metal lockers/vending machines to dispense library material. In Hugo, Minnesota, library patrons can go online, select their titles and in a few days they can pick up the items from a locked metal compartment. (Dougherty,Wall Street Journal) With their Library A-Go-Go program, the Contra County Library system is using vending machines to dispense books. Each machine houses up to 400 books. The library patron scans his library card, locates the title via a touch screen menu and walks away with the item if it is in stock. This and other similar services eliminate the need for patrons to have face-to-face contact with library staff. For example, if a patron utilizes the “ask a librarian” or virtual reference service to find the material, then goes online to have the material dropped off at a lockbox the patron was able to find material without have to talk to a human being face to face. The lock boxes and vending machines do have the potential to expand a library’s ability to get material into the hands of patrons who may not be able to make it to a local branch easily. My concern is that the primary drive to expand and improve these types of services is to save money not improve the service to the public.
Interesting Links
Link to Contra County Library's System's Lbrary A-Go-Go http://tinyurl.com/3evb45
Library Journal Article " A Vending Library is No Library" http://tinyurl.com/4zm9bzq
Wall Steet Journal Article "New Library Technologies Dispense With Librarians" //http://tinyurl.com/26d2udn
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You think privatization is bad? Some communities are opting to use metal lockers/vending machines to dispense library material. In Hugo, Minnesota, library patrons can go online, select their titles and in a few days they can pick up the items from a locked metal compartment. (Dougherty,Wall Street Journal) With their Library A-Go-Go program, the Contra County Library system is using vending machines to dispense books. Each machine houses up to 400 books. The library patron scans his library card, locates the title via a touch screen menu and walks away with the item if it is in stock. This and other similar services eliminate the need for patrons to have face-to-face contact with library staff. For example, if a patron utilizes the “ask a librarian” or virtual reference service to find the material, then goes online to have the material dropped off at a lockbox the patron was able to find material without have to talk to a human being face to face. The lock boxes and vending machines do have the potential to expand a library’s ability to get material into the hands of patrons who may not be able to make it to a local branch easily. My concern is that the primary drive to expand and improve these types of services is to save money not improve the service to the public.
Interesting Links
Link to Contra County Library's System's Lbrary A-Go-Go http://tinyurl.com/3evb45
Library Journal Article " A Vending Library is No Library" http://tinyurl.com/4zm9bzq
Wall Steet Journal Article "New Library Technologies Dispense With Librarians" //http://tinyurl.com/26d2udn
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Library Technology, is it replacing people?
There is no way around it, technology is a big part of any library in this age. Each year the technology advances and is used as a resource to the library system. I work in an elementary school library, and we utilize technology even with our limited budget and resources. Currently I feel that technology enhances the service I am able to give my students and staff.
The most frequently used technology is the online catalog system. The students have access to computers and are able to search for any books they would like using title, author, subject or keyword. This service helps make the students independent and allows me to help more students in the short amount of time we have together. Another technology used in the library is online reference materials such as dictionaries and encyclopedias. The children use these resources so much I am seeing the loss of reference book skills, which is scary for someone like me who was raised on reference books, not computers.
Overall I see these new technologies as a benefit for my library, and myself. I don't see these technologies replacing me, but I do see them being used to make me more efficient. The students still have trouble using the technology, finding books and often ask my for my opinion and recommendation, which a computer can't do! But I would be remiss to add that in light of these tough budget times, and the possible reduction of elementary library services, I am worried someday these services could work me out of a job, or at least a full-time position!
The most frequently used technology is the online catalog system. The students have access to computers and are able to search for any books they would like using title, author, subject or keyword. This service helps make the students independent and allows me to help more students in the short amount of time we have together. Another technology used in the library is online reference materials such as dictionaries and encyclopedias. The children use these resources so much I am seeing the loss of reference book skills, which is scary for someone like me who was raised on reference books, not computers.
Overall I see these new technologies as a benefit for my library, and myself. I don't see these technologies replacing me, but I do see them being used to make me more efficient. The students still have trouble using the technology, finding books and often ask my for my opinion and recommendation, which a computer can't do! But I would be remiss to add that in light of these tough budget times, and the possible reduction of elementary library services, I am worried someday these services could work me out of a job, or at least a full-time position!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Beautiful Library
While browsing photos on Flickr tonight, I found a really striking picture of a library- The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. I just thought that picture was so drool-worthy, and then I read about the library itself. Information about the library and its collections is available on the official site.
There's lots of information about it but to encapsulate it, it's just what it sounds like it is- a really beautifully built library full of amazing texts. It's located at Yale so that explains why it's so visually stunning (rich people built it!). A really neat aspect of this library is that its holdings (along with all the other Yale libraries) are searchable; click this link to browse!
There's lots of information about it but to encapsulate it, it's just what it sounds like it is- a really beautifully built library full of amazing texts. It's located at Yale so that explains why it's so visually stunning (rich people built it!). A really neat aspect of this library is that its holdings (along with all the other Yale libraries) are searchable; click this link to browse!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Technology can Enhance or Replace Services
I work in a circulation department, and I often wonder if I will be completely replaced in the future by the self-check-out machine, which at the moment is a service which enhances my job role. I have noticed that many patrons prefer to use the self-checkout. Most of the patrons I serve need to speak to a person becasue they have problems or issues. They may want to pay cash for a fine or a DVD rental, a functionality that the machine can not handle (yet!), or they need more information about their account than they can access from the machine.Of course, there are people who prefer a face-to face service too, but it's no longer essential.
Virtual reference is another service which is enhancing face-to- face reference, and is even more convenient when it is operated 24/7, in which case it is often replacing the face to face service. Virtual reference is a fantastic service, especially for remote users, or people who need to use services at irregular hours, not everyone is able to come into the library between 9 and 5.
At the moment these relatively new services seem to be enhancing service to patrons, they are an addition to the service, working hand in hand with face-to-face services. However, I don't think its unreasonable to speculate that one day these types of services could entirely replace staff. It almost seems like a logical way to save money. Libraries are already offering more online services such as e-books and databases and online language programs, and we already have fully digital libraries. Technolgy skills are going to be essential for anyone who wants to work in this environment.
Virtual reference is another service which is enhancing face-to- face reference, and is even more convenient when it is operated 24/7, in which case it is often replacing the face to face service. Virtual reference is a fantastic service, especially for remote users, or people who need to use services at irregular hours, not everyone is able to come into the library between 9 and 5.
At the moment these relatively new services seem to be enhancing service to patrons, they are an addition to the service, working hand in hand with face-to-face services. However, I don't think its unreasonable to speculate that one day these types of services could entirely replace staff. It almost seems like a logical way to save money. Libraries are already offering more online services such as e-books and databases and online language programs, and we already have fully digital libraries. Technolgy skills are going to be essential for anyone who wants to work in this environment.
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