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.

Virtual Reference

Virtual Reference Desk




The Jackson County Public Library uses email Ask-A-Librarian virtual reference service.  I do think virtual reference is a great way for staff to help patrons.  Technology has pushed us to these alternative ways of communication and libraries are the central place to use these technologies.  Library staff need to have as many options available to help patrons find the information they are looking for.  Skype was a great tool to use for virtual reference.  I did not have a camera or microphone, but the service worked efficiently and effectively.  

Pinterest

  
Pinterest

I enjoyed using Pinterest for this social bookmarking website project.  Most of my co-workers were already using Pinterest and thought it was funny that I was using it because I had to for a school project.  I used Pinterest in the beginning to create a board for potential investment properties that my husband and I wanted to possible purchase in the future.  I was surprised that Prudential Reality had a link to pin properties to Pinterest.  
The only thing I disliked about Pinterest was the emails informing me that somebody repinned an item I pinned.  This probably is something I could change in my account settings.
My friend at work, Jill, was teaching a class on Pinterest and I really wanted to attend.  Hopefully, sometime in the near future I will have time to.  
Libraries could use Pinterest promote upcoming events at the library or pictures of storytime, computer classes, staff on the job, etc.  I found my home library on Pinterest and many others too.  

Indianpolis Library

Edgar Allen Poe in Creative Commons

This was a difficult task embedding the audio file.  I am still not sure if this was done correctly.

The raven (Edgar Allan Poe), a photo by kevin dooley on Flickr. License also on this link.

License

•  Some rights reserved
• Request to license kevin dooley's photos via Getty Images

The Raven audio file from Internet Archive.org.
License for audio file. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

RSS Feeds

RSS Feeds Fellow Classmates

I have subscribed to Arwa Merriman, Joyce Martin, and Rebecca Capehart's blogs.

RSS Feed News

I subscribed to Fox News and Wave 3 Metro Louisville news rss feeds.

What do I think of RSS Feeds?

I had already subscribed to a couple of rss feeds.  My daughter has a blog and I love tor read her writings of course.  But in general, I really do not like rss feeds.  I hate reading on the computer and I only do it when I have to for school or work.  I have enjoyed looking at other classmates blogs and maybe I will use rss feeds more in the future.  I just feel like computers take up so much of my time already.  If I want news, I would rather pick up the local newspaper and read it.

EVERGREEN INDIANA

A new technology that was implemented while I was working at Jackson County Library in Seymour was our migration to the Evergreen Consortium in 2008.  The purpose of joining this consortium was to provide more access to our patrons and to hopefully save our community money.  

Evergreen Indiana is a group of over 100 member libraries who share materials and the cost of sharing as well.  It was a difficult transition for staff and for patrons during the migration period.  We actually did not close our doors, but we did "blind checkouts".  We were unable to register patrons, take fines, or check in materials.  The only thing we could do was check out materials to patrons who already had library cards.  Of course, we could not tell if patrons had large fines, were expired, or were blocked for other reasons.  After migration was complete, and we began to upload transactions to Evergreen, we had some problems because of these blind check outs.  We also had about four days of items to check in as well.

Now, after the beginning hiccups, and a few troublesome upgrades, Evergreen has been a wonderful decision for our library.  Our patrons have access to millions of items from libraries around the state with no out of pocket cost to them.  We use InfoExpress and our costs our lower because of joining the consortium.  Patrons are excited to go into other counties and use their card as well as have items brought to them.  

Before Evergreen, our library would purchase or ILL items that we did not have for our patrons.  Now, we can place a hold on that obscure title that one library has in Evergreen instead of having to pay postage to get it out of state or ILL it.

We also do not have to pay for an ILS or someone to upgrade it.  Evergreen is open-source software that is managed by the state library.  We already had an technology specialist who helps us through the upgrades.  

Search Skills RFID Technology

The title of the article I found on EBSCOhost in the Academic Search Premier database about RFID was, Library RFID Systems for Identification, Security, and Materials Handling by Laurie Bowen Ayre.
It was published in July 2012.

The Jackson County Public Library that I work in currently uses RFID technology.  RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification.  This type of security technology has been a good trend for libraries to utilize and explore.  Previously we used metal strips on cd's and dvds, which would be easily torn off or cause the item to be caught in players.  The overlays used are smooth and more difficult to remove.  Also these strips could not be used on vhs tapes.  Even though we are now weeding these out of our collection to the sadness of some patrons.  We were told that eventually you could use an RFID wand to scan the shelves, but I have yet to see this come to our library. This would be a great tool to check status of items shelved. It basically works the same as at your grocery store.  The library item is put on a pad, the barcode is scanned automatically, security is turned off, and the item is now checked out to the patron.  We have self-check out machines that work the same way.  The only problem is people still scan just the barcode on the item, causing the gates to alarm.  Our security gates are integrated with the ILS and when activated tell you the name of the item setting the alarm off.  It also tells you the status of the item.  It was a long project to convert everything over to this technology, but overall I think it has been beneficial.  It is helpful to keep in mind that with all new trends in technology there will be hiccups.  We recently had an upgrade to our RFID pads and it took some getting used to.  

Wow!  I have a lot to learn just about Basic computer skills!  My competency results really kind of scared me.  I realize the components that I use daily like email, word processing, and internet, I know a lot about.  I am in need of some extra classes outside of this course probably.  Our library offers free courses and I am signing up today.  Hopefully that will help my basic knowledge.  I knew that I was ignorant about webpage development and database skills.  I know this course will be challenging, but I can do it.

Core Competency Results

Basic Knowledge Score                       65%
Basic Skills                                          67%
Basic Assessment                                66%

Word Processing Knowledge              100%
Word Processing Skills                       100%
Word Processing Assessment             100%

Spreadsheet Knowledge                     100%
Spreadsheet Skills                                80%
Spreadsheet Assessment                      85%

Database Knowledge                           73%
Database Skills                                     27%
Database Assessment                           48%

Presentation Knowledge                       88%
Presentation Skills                                 95%
Presentation Assessment                       93%

Internet Knowledge                              90%
Internet Skills                                        97%
Internet Assessment                              93%

Web Development Knowledge              65%
Web Development Skills                       25%
Web Development Assessment             46%

Skyline Drive in Brownstown Indiana.
Jonathon left, Amanda front, and Bradley in the back.

My name is Katherine Dawn McIntosh and I am 39 years old.  I have been married to my wonderful husband, Bradley for twenty years.  We have two awesome kids, Jonathon 15 and Amanda Kate 18.  I love spending time with them.  They are my life.  I enjoy reading, cooking, hiking, gardening, drag racing, and watching documentaries.

Jackson County Library Seymour Branch

I work at the Jackson County Public Library in Seymour, Indiana.  Isn't this building beautiful? An Andrew Carnegie Library built in 1905 with a new addition in 2005.  Not only do I love my job, but I love the people I get to work with everyday.  They are like family to me.