Web 2.0: Flickr

For the final phase of the web 2.0 project, I chose to sign up for Flickr, as it is always something I was curious about but had never used before. After creating a Yahoo user account (which you have to do to use Flickr), I was ready to start sharing pictures and visiting other users’ pages. I uploaded a few pictures from my computer, but also found out that you can link your Instagram account so I was able to upload a lot of pictures right from my phone.

As for sharing pictures, the only pictures I posted were my own that I had taken, but I know that many users like to share other people’s photos as well as their own. A word to the wise, however, before sharing a picture that isn’t your own: make sure you have the permission to use someone else’s pictures before you share it, or else you could run into some copyright issues.

A library could definitely utilize Flickr by posting pictures of their building, programs and events, and other pictures that might be of interest to the community and link their Flickr right to their website and other social media such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.

While I did like some of the features of Flickr, such as the large amount of space you get to hold all your pictures, and also the ability to tag pictures; I have to be honest and say that I think I prefer Instagram as my photo sharing tool of choice just because it is easier and more convenient to use.

Link to my Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/122025183@N05/

Web 2.0: Facebook

While I had a Facebook page previously, I really only used it to follow things that I liked and never really used it other than on my phone. I took a bit of time to explore all of the newer features I had not seen using Facebook from my PC and updated all of my information, and strangely enough, tomorrow I’ll be updating my timeline with my graduation, which seems really strange. Anyway, I like how Facebook allows you to keep in the know with all of your favorite things, be it music artists, companies, and also, of course, your friends and family. I also love the easy integration that many outside websites allows Facebook to have with them, such as Goodreads and Instagram, and it makes it much easier to update your Goodreads book shelves (see my previous post about Goodreads) and post pictures from Instagram straight to your timeline. All in all, I will continue to use Facebook in the future just because it is so simple and easy to share and see what others are sharing. 

As for libraries using Facebook, I believe that all libraries really need to join Facebook if they haven’t already, as it is a major source of community outreach that is easy to use and free. My library’s social media coordinator does an excellent job of keeping the public connected with the library in ways that is really simple and fun, from fun prize giveaways and quizzes to program info and cool videos, it really helps the library seem current and more open to the community.

Link to my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.ballard.374

Web 2.0: Goodreads

Looking over the Web 2.0 assignment options, I saw Goodreads and remembered that I had created an account a while ago but seldom ever used it, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to use it. I really love this site and all of its awesome features, although now I feel that I will never finish my to-read list because I am constantly adding to it! 

Goodreads is a book tracking/sharing website that allows you to create online bookshelves of things you’ve read, want-to-read, or are currently-reading. You can search the Goodreads database for book recommendations, user reviews and booklists, and much more. It helps you keep track of what you’ve read and what your friends are reading and even allows you to connect and post with Facebook. To add a book to one of your bookshelves, simply search by title, author, or ISBN in the search bar at the top of the page. Once you find the book you want to add, simply click the icon to the left of the book and choose your bookshelf. If you are adding it to the list of books you’ve read, you can write a review and share it on Facebook all in the same page.

Goodreads would be an awesome technology for libraries to take advantage of and they could link their Goodreads to their Facebook or Twitter and staff could write reviews about books they’ve read. Links could also be added to the library’s homepage and users could view reviews straight from the library’s website. Librarians could also make booklists and publish them on the library’s account, as well as quizzes and recommendations. Hopefully it would encourage users to sign up for a Goodreads account and they would start filling their own digital bookshelves!

Link to my profile: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7180689-amanda

LIBR 105 Reflection

This was by far one of the most interesting library classes I’ve taken at Ivy Tech, I’ve been able to learn about so many new technologies that I had always wanted to use but never tried. Since I had to explore and learn how to use them for this class, however, it gave me the push I needed to start using sites like Pinterest, Flickr, and even this blog. After reviewing the course objectives, I chose three of the ones I feel I benefited the most from.

1. Use information discovery tools including the library’s catalog, core library databases, and internet search engines – Exploring the Ivy Tech Virtual Library to find articles for my blog helped me see all of the resources that I have access to and how to use them. 
2. Perform basic troubleshooting of technical problems and resolve or appropriately refer those problems. –  Considering all of the troubleshooting problems that I often encounter for a discussion board posting made me realize that there are a lot of problems that you can encounter and need to be prepared for when dealing with the pubic and technology.
3. Evaluate emerging technology trends and their impact on the future of library services. – Getting to play with several technologies that were new to me and then considering how they could be used in a library setting helped me to think about where the future of libraries is heading and how I might have to use some of the technologies I reviewed one day as a library employee.

Search Skills: Libraries and Internet Filtering

When it comes to library security, there are many things to consider. Physical security measures, such as RFID tags and security cameras, are a must in today’s world for libraries to ensure that they will remain a safe environment. They must also remain safe online as well, and security needs to be enforced on all computers within a library to keep private information safe and secure, and also to protect users. Internet filtering is a more complex concept to consider, however, and goes beyond simply keeping users safe. It can often be difficult to pinpoint what should or shouldn’t be blocked, and it is this decision that can impact one of the public libraries’ most important missions: the right to intellectual freedom.

Using Academic Search Premier and the search term “libraries and filtering”, I found an article that discusses the impact of internet filtering software on public and school libraries in the March 2013 issue of American Libraries entitled “Filtering and the First Amendment”, written by Deborah Caldwell-Stone.

In her article, Caldwell-Stone examines some cases concerning the Child Internet Protection Act (or CIPA) and how some libraries seemingly crossed the line on what they had blocked by filtering software on their public computers. Although the CIPA does require public libraries to block obscene content such as inappropriate images and child pornography, many of the libraries in the article had blocked websites containing controversial content such as tobacco use or pro-LGBT communities (Caldwell-Stone, 2013). Not only does this not conform to the public libraries paramount mission to uphold the First Amendment, but it is not even a requirement of CIPA.

CIPA was put into place several years ago in order to protect children using public computers from explicit and obscene images, not text, and although many public and school libraries are required to follow the regulations contained in CIPA in order to receive major discounts and grants for electronic resources, it seems that some have censored too much. To fix this, the author suggests that all libraries adopt and periodically review their internet filtering policy and keep it readily available so all staff members understand what is required (Caldwell-Stone, 2013). This will help libraries uphold both the requirements of CIPA and the freedom that the First Amendment allows and keep public libraries a safe and open learning environment.

References

Caldwell-Stone, D. (2013). Filtering and the First Amendment. American Libraries, 45(3/4), 58-61.

Search Skills: Design and Usability

For this assignment, I utilized Ivy Tech’s Virtual Library to find an article on library web design and usability. I searched Academic Search Premier for “library web design” and after scrolling through the list of results I found an article. The article, from Reference & User Services Quarterly, is entitled “The Website design and Usability of US Academic and Public Libraries” was published by Anthony S.Chow, Michelle Bridges, and Patricia Commander, and discusses the findings of several surveys on design and usability of both public and academic library websites. Websites were rated in terms of the features offered, design and layout of each page (particularly the homepage of a website) and whether or not there were customization features such as text resizing and language options.

Most of the results showed that library websites generally had a high rating for their usability, but the authors noted that since no library user input was taken (evaluations of the websites were performed by the authors and data collected from surveys taken by library staff), it is still difficult to determine the actual usability of the sites studied.

While the data in this article was somewhat unfinished because of the lack of user input, I think it still provided a lot of great information and data for libraries to use to rank their own websites, and while user input is important, it can also be difficult to interpret as each user has their own opinions and preferences. It is ultimately up to each individual library to provide their users with a website design that they feel meets the needs of the community, and web design is not something that is necessarily easy. I personally would have no idea where to even start when it comes to web design, but I think it would be a great skill to attain in the library field as libraries expand further and further into a digital atmosphere.

References

Chow, A. S., Bridges, M., & Commander, P. (2014). The Website Design and Usability of US Academic and Public Libraries. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 53(3), 253-265.

Blackboard Collaborate

Using collaboration tools online can be a daunting task for many, so much so that it is probably one of the most overlooked tools that educators, libraries, and business professionals don’t take advantage of. I tried Blackboard Collaborate for the first time today, and I have to say, it seems like a great tool and I’m actually kind of sad I’ve only just discovered it now that I’m about to graduate from Ivy Tech.

Since this was my first time using any kind of live webcasting software, I was a bit overwhelmed at first, but after going through a detailed tour of the tool, I’ve found that it is really easy to use and has a lot of potential. I really liked the feature that allows you to make comments right onto a presentation slide, but also the fact that it doesn’t ruin your actual presentation and keeps the original copy free of marks. The major thing that I didn’t like was the fact that if you decide to use a webcam, there is no delay once you click on the button to turn the webcam on, and for me, accidents can happen and I like a little extra warning in case I would click on that button.

This really is a great technology for libraries to take advantage of, not only for the potential to reach out to those who may not be able to visit the physical library, but also to serve numerous patrons at once by hosting online sessions for any number of technologies, from using in-house library services, to giving tours of library databases or OPACs, even exploring programs like Microsoft Word or Excel; the possibilities are great for live webcasting software like Blackboard Collaborate.

Virtual Reference Services

Virtual reference is something I think can definitely be a useful tool for libraries to use. It allows patrons and non-patrons of the library to connect with the library and ask questions and explore all that the virtual extension of the physical building has to offer. Not only does virtual reference save the patron time if they quickly need an answer to a question, but it is also an effective use of time for staff, who can chat with more than one patron at once and help them find what they need without ever having to leave their desk.

My library currently offers questions via email as their only e-reference service, but I feel that real-time virtual reference such as IM or Skype is something that the library will offer if the need makes itself apparent. Right now, the technology is present within the library and IM is a common way that staff members from different departments communicate with one another. 

For my virtual reference assignment, I registered for Skype (which I’d never used before) and set up an account, but because I don’t have a webcam or microphone on my desktop PC and my laptop has been DOA for quite some time, Blackboard IM was the technology my partner for the project and I used. I do plan on installing Skype on all of my mobile devices (Kindle Fire, smartphone) and using it to talk to family because it is a fun alternative to simply calling or texting them. I am excited to play around with Skype and explore it because it is such a great free service to take advantage of.

Social Bookmarking: Pinterest

Before this assignment, I had never used Pinterest but had several friends who recommended it to me. Now that I have signed up for it and started using it on a regular basis, I understand why they all recommended it to me! Not only has it been a great resource for my job at the library, from everything to finding craft and program ideas to looking up quotes, but it has also been a great resource for me to use in my personal life too! I love doing DIY projects ad Pinterest has given me some great ideas (especially for the garden….I’m ready for spring!). I really like everything about the site, but if I had to change something, I think I would change how it prompts you to share your pins on Facebook every time you log in (I signed up using Facebook). This really isn’t a big issue though, and as long as you click ‘skip’ it doesn’t share pins. 

I think that this site has a lot of potential for use in the library, and I found many libraries on the site that had pages, and as I mentioned before, I’ve used it in my library as well (although they don’t have a page; I used it for teen program ideas through the teen librarian’s personal account). I will continue to use Pinterest in the future because of all of the great resources it offers for both personal and library-related use.

Google Vs. Libraries

It seems that in today’s information world, more and more people are all about getting information as fast as possible, regardless if  that information is the best or not. Some even say that they think Google is better than the library. Maybe they think this way because they don’t know how important libraries are, not to mention how beautiful some of them are.

Like this one:

Wouldn’t you love to browse these shelves for hours?

And speaking of libraries being easier to find things in, take a look at this short video that proves just how much easier it can be:

So, there you have it! Libraries are always going to be the best place to find information, even if Google can answer your question in less than 60 seconds.

I at first tried to use Flickr to find a picture to post, but there were so many results I opted for Photo Pin, which I guess pulls pictures from Flickr but is a lot easier to use. I chose a short Youtube clip because I wasn’t sure how it would post, but it was so easy and I had no problems.

photo credit: w4nd3rl0st/6608344765/”>w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) via photopin cc

video credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW_ubJJ8SnE courtesy of headtale