You Tube LIB 105 Jackson County Library Virtual Tour

Video Sharing You Tube Project

Video Sharing in libraries is a great way to market services that the library provides.  It is a good way to instruct users on how to use a new database, inform the public about summer reading programs, or reader's advisory.  The uses of You Tube for libraries is endless.  This video was shot in my home library that I work in.  I did have to get permission from the staff members and patrons who appeared in the video.  They all agreed, although some reluctantly.  I did have some problems editing because this is the first lengthy video I have ever had to produce, direct, and edit.  

Virtual Tour of the Jackson County Library

Session 15 Reflection Blog

1. Working in the library today requires a knowledge of technology that sometimes seems to overshadow all else in librarianship.  The recent merger of IU's School of Informatics and SLIS could be seen as recent evidence of this.  In recent years, the trend towards more digital resources and remote access has not declined.  After working in the library for over six years, I have seen our library migrate to a consortium, add downloadable e-books and audio books, music downloads, add more databases and online resources, and most recently the new self-checkout system.  
2. Library staff have to constantly re-evaluate the technology they currently have and investigate new trends in the library market.  Technology plays a major role how staff accomplish their tasks and how patrons retrieve services.  Libraries use technology to market their services.  The current use of social websites like Facebook and Pinterest allow libraries to reach more patrons.  Libraries use technology to create their "product".  The use of ILS, whether it is a consortium like Evergreen, allows the item record to be created more quickly and efficiently than in the past.  Staff can do more copy cataloging with the use of databases.  The development of the OPAC should be an ongoing improvement project that makes the retrieval of library items easy for staff and patrons.  Technology should be used to enhance the searching experience on the OPAC for all users.  Librarians have to investigate new technologies in making the checking in and checking out of materials more efficient.  The emergence of RFID technology in libraries has made this possible.  
3. Librarians have to market their products.  It is not enough to say, we have it.  The community needs to know you have it.  News release, community awareness campaigns, and social networking are all ways that libraries can get the word out about assistive technologies.  Libraries need to see what the need in their community is and try to fill with respect to technology.  For example, with the recent economic situation, there is a need for more computers for filing unemployment and resume creation.  

Picasa LIB 105

PICASA
Picasa is a wonderful image sharing tool that can be used in connection with Google+.  It was easy to download and made adding pictures to the blogger much easier than in the past.  If I would use pictures that others have taken, I would definitely have to give them credit for their work.  All of these pictures I took of the Jackson County Public Library with permission from the director.  Picasa could be used by libraries in their blogs and for marketing purposes.  I have enjoyed using this photo sharing website above all others I have tried.

Picasa Web Album
https://plus.google.com/photos/104759351259472978299/albums/5873259112253700065

Public Photo of Jackson County Library
https://plus.google.com/photos/104759351259472978299/albums/5873260895096393361

Library Thing Web 2.0 LIB 105

Library Thing
http://www.librarything.com/home/Kdmack73

I chose to explore the site Library Thing.  Our library is getting ready to use Library Thing for an online book display.  I really enjoyed setting up an account and adding books to my bookshelf.

Remembering all the books that my grown children and I used to read while curled up on the couch together, was fun.  The reviews that others posted were also interesting to read.

Library Thing was able to find every book that I searched for!  The site enables you to search several databases at once.  Library of Congress, Amazon, and Overcat.  Overcat is Library Things database.  There are over 700 libraries records that are available for search.  After finding the book you want to add to your shelf, you can then rate the book, write reviews, join conversations, and find other books recommended by Library Thing.

Libraries can use Library Thing for reader's advisory, online book discussions, and virtual bookshelf or displays.

Spyware

The title of the article I found is, "A Little Knowledge is a Wonderful Thing", by Mark B. Schmidt.

The article was published in August of 2005.  I found the article in Business Source Premiere.  I just used the keyword phrase sypware to search.  The article discusses the need for spyware users to educate themselves about the products they are using to protect their computers. I think our library is doing a pretty good job protecting their equipment and users from viruses and spyware.  I have used our computers for private use and never had any issues.

http://columbus.libproxy.ivytech.edu.allstate.libproxy.ivytech.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.columbus.libproxy.ivytech.edu.allstate.libproxy.ivytech.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=17830534&login.asp&site=ehost-live

Tech Tools Webcast

Blackboard Collaborate

Using Blackboard Collaborate Live Webcast without actually having any other participants is a little difficult to blog about.  I have participated in webinars that look very similar to BB Collaborate.  I do not have a microphone or webcam on my computer at home.  But I played around with the features as much as possible.  I uploaded my library's webpage.  I made some notes on the whiteboard.  I would like to use this in a group project in the future.

Ivy Website Design

Ivy Tech Virtual Library  Website Design

The title of the article that I found on IvyTech Virtual Library is "Library Website Design and Database Access."  This article was written by Barbara T. Mates and published in May/June of 2004.  The article was found in the database Academic Search Premier.  I used the search terms "library website design".  Web designers need to keep in mind that some users will have slower internet connections, some will be using screen readers or listening, and some users will not know the difference between decor on a website and links.   The webdesign should help users not hinder them to finding the information they need.  I have no experience with website design, but I would like to learn.  I think most people in the library profession could benefit from this knowledge.