Module 7 Using Jing and Other -ings

Jing is the easiest application I have ever used. Sorry, to jump in with no preamble but it is! (By the way, Check the title! I now remember which module we're on.) I watch the video tutorials and I got it. Jing has very few icons so ... there are very few icons to remember. What took me forever was recording the video. Not that Jing had anything to do. It was all me. Me. And my inability to talk sensibly for more than a minute at a time. It was ridiculous.

I just realized I've never had to talk for that long. Usually in a conversation someone interjects so we all probably only talk for seconds at a time. I have decided that I need more practice. I think I'm going to start reading out loud when I do my leisure reading. 'Cause my final product might sound okay but that took hours ... literally. *sigh* Alright, the vent is over.

*Inhales* I think libraries could really make use of Jing for tutorials alone. Especially, when it comes to showing how to place holds. I can't tell you how many questions I get a day about placing a hold (and I don't work in circulation). It is a great way to interact with patrons online and to gain the interest of some prospective patrons.

One major drawback is the time it takes to make a Jing video. If the maker is anything like me they will spend hours re-recording over and over again. I don't see a librarian doing this on top of ordering materials, conducting programs, provide reference assistance, and all of the other things librarians do in an eight hour shift. It would be way to prep intensive.

Also, when the library changes the way it does something the video tutorials would need to be changed as well. Which means remembering there is a video tutorial for it in the first place. It's a lot to manage. I am starting to see more and more reasons for the poorly executed library pages on Web 2.0 sites. Who's supposed to find the time to do all of this stuff?

Navigating the NLW guide

This video took a very long time to create. I wish I could show you guys my bloopers. LOL After reading a few posts I noticed that a lot of people ran into the same problems I did. I had a problem with the size of my video as well. I ended up shrinking my page until it fit in 600x600. I couldn't read it while I was doing it and I still can't read it now that is done. 0_T (Half crying) Also, I noticed that the Jing videos do lag if you are not mousing over the video while it is playing. Just my two cents on the confuddilations...

Module ? Lovin' Wiki

There is a question mark in the title because I honestly do not remember which module we are on in class. Even though, I have looked at the directions page for this module at least a dozen times. My only excuse for this memory loss: After this week of wiki madness, I have brain fatigue.

I truly love these wikis. After viewing every group’s wiki I can say with certainty, that I now understand the reason a lot of libraries don't have one. These things are work! ... Full time jobs! ... Toddlers! They take as much time to care for as toddlers! Even in a group of six people this wiki seemed like a lot of work. From what I have seen on the web, most libraries can barely keep their Facebook pages current. How would they keep a wiki up-to-date?

Now that all the rant is out of my system, I can list the good things about wikis. The sky is the limit. I wanted to add something extra to my page. I thought I would finally go buy Photoshop and do a cool "Welcome to my page" icon, but I got lazy ... and cheap (Price of Photoshop). I could have downloaded some free application (Check out Gimp, I like what I see). I finally decided to add a sound file to my page. PB works makes it easy, since they allow plug ins within their page editing. If you don't know what page I'm taking about click here. I had a friend listen to the file and she said it was funny T_T. *sigh* Oh well, I tried.

After viewing the comments about group alpha's wiki, I decided to add a Tweens page at the last minute. A few people commented that it was odd we didn't have one since every other age group was covered in the wiki. So, now we're complete! I almost wish we uploaded our sites earlier so we could give each other feedback. But as usual, (for me anywayz) it all comes together at the eleventh hour.

Diigo is Delicious... and vice versa

I love them both! My delicious account and I have been through ups and downs. I had it and them I forgot about and then I remebered it and then I lost it. And I recently created a new one at the beginning of this year. My diigo account was very easy to learn. I thought the directions were clear and I followed them without problems. I found that having both open at the same time really slowed down my internet. (Not sure what happenend there)

I think libraries could use these to connect patrons to information. I also think this is a great way to see what your patrons are interested in (keeping privacy laws in mind of course). I have see bookmarking sites used for classes. I attended a webinar that showed looks of resources for educators. At the end of the webinar the instructor gave us the delicious link for all the sites. It was nice to have an online copy that would be maintained by someone else.

One major drawback to bookmarking: The information is only as good as its internet life. If someone's page goes down or gets hacked you've lost all that information. If you had a hard copy or created a personal file you would be able to control how long the information is available. But that's the Internet.

Module 5 QR Code

Here it is! The QR code to my google site. I do not have a smartphone so I cannot test it. Please let me know if it is not working. I use a different site at work to make QR codes so I am excited to find a new site.

P.S. - Did anybody end up having to export there QR code so that it would save as a jpg. only to realize that your blog would have opened a png. file? I was so upset I took 3 extra seconds to do all that. (LOL) I don't know. Maybe if it was a png. file some of you guys might not be able to view it?

Libraries and Podcasts

After creating a podcast for the recent class assignment, I can truly say ... that it is FUN! (I usually don't blog in CAPS but this assignment was cool.) I am partially wondering if there are libraries that have positions open just for this! How cool would that be? Enough of my excitement rant. Let's get to the real topic.

I did a search for "libraries podcast" and came up with a few library sites. It seems that most libraries use these podcasts as an instructional medium. I think that's a great idea. Not only do they provide another entry point to the library, but they also provide an opportunity to reach out to other communities in their areas. For instance, these podcasts may appeal to the visually impaired community, just like text instructions would appeal to the hearing impaired community.

I am sure that most libraries have a target audience (that has nothing to do with disabilities), however, by providing information in various formats libraries can optimize their outreach. I am not naive. I'm sure that many students of podcasting academic libraries have no idea that these resources exist. I do hope that as librarians continue to use emerging technologies and that students begin to expect these podcasts.

The only drawback I can think of with podcasts is that they take time. You have to outline what works best in audio. For instance, a library's newsletter may have to be reworded for a podcast. Each format needs a different adaptation of the message to be effective. There needs to be a team or committee working together or designated librarians. If not, we will see inconsistencies in the amount of podcasts and when they are done.

I don't think podcasts will replace newsletters, calendars, etc. I think it is just another way of getting the information out there.
  

Module 4 Podcasts Give Virtual Reference a New Meaning

My podcast is a reader's advisory for adults with young children. The podcasts answers a reference question providing listeners with book choices appropriate for their children's reading level. This podcast promotes the use of local libraries. It is meant as another bridge between communities and their libraries.

Prezi and PPT: Bromance or frienemies?

Bromance
PowerPoint and Prezi both have the distinct ability to showcase a topic. They are both designed for presentations. In my opinion, they both take the same amount of time to learn and use. They also require a preconceived finished product. You need to have some idea of the end result to complete a project on either one.

I don't believe PowerPoint or Prezi cater to a specific age group. If they do, it's probably the same age group. Both PowerPoint and Prezi require practice and patience. You can be as creative as your imagination allows.

Frienemies
I think both PowerPoint and Prezi were intended for the same purpose. This is the reason they might be frienemies. They are competing with each other. More people may know how to use PowerPoint than Prezi, however, the concepts are the same. Prezi could easily do the same things done by PowerPoint.

Prezi has an advantage. It is online and cloud computing is very convenient. Of course, Microsoft has joined up with MSN and created a cloud computing alternative. However, users need to create an MSN account and there is an issue with back compatibility. In my opinion, it is easier to upload a presentation in google docs.

It is your prerogative. They can be in a bromance or they could be frienemies. I think it might be a little bit of both.

Libraries Using Facebook ... o_O

The Broward County Library System has several Facebook pages. Each page represents the different clusters of the system. I liked the information provided on the library’s wall. It was relevant information. The information on the wall applies to all patrons. It is the latest news about the main library.

This page is severely underutilized. There are nine photos on this page. Libraries do a lot of events. If they could commit to uploading one photo for each event, then they could have several collections of photos by the end of the year. Also, it would be nice to see what the reference area or check out area look like. This could help patrons find things in the library.

I also feel they could have utilized the likes and interests section. I am sure that the Library of Congress has a facebook page that they can “like”. Also, each cluster of this system has a facebook page. Why didn’t they “like” those pages?

I think that if you are going to participate in social media you have to do your due diligence. They cannot expect people to “like” there page if they aren’t “liking” other pages. Participation in Facebook is more than just creating a page. Participation requires that you network with other users and interact with several facets of Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/browardcountylibrarymain?sk=info#!/browardcountylibrarymain?sk=wall

The Web 2.0 Craze

Most libraries have some sort of online presence. The level of online interactivity between libraries and their patrons vary. Emerging and Web 2.0 technologies afford libraries the opportunity to interact with their patrons outside of the library on a daily basis. However, this daily check-in could rub patrons the wrong way.

Web 2.0 technologies can be used to further support the patron experience. There is a new trend called “Support 2.0” which allows patrons to interact with the library through social media. I see it as providing another access point to the library (Abel, 2011). Also, social media allows the library to get a closer look (if allowed) of their patron demographics and interests. For instance, if a library has a Facebook page and most of the people liking their page are also a part of a group called “Let’s Garden!”, then the library can produce more programs that would attract this demographic. It helps the user (patron) keep up with the on goings at the library. It also helps the library keep in touch with it patrons. Facebook states that “More than 50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day”. I think that every library should attempt to take part in that statistic. Even if most of their patrons do not use new technologies. They might encourage a new demographic to patron their library.

Libraries can use Web 2.0 technologies to continue the goal of the library to inspire active learning. Gamble (2011) suggests that Web 2.0 technologies allow libraries to become learning commons and introduce a shared learning environment for academics. However, isn’t that what libraries already do? I see Web 2.0 technologies as a way to expand on the library’s active learning environment into social media. I do not think that social media owns the monopoly on active learning. I feel this also suggests that Web 2.0 technologies are an alternative to traditional active learning which is a false assertion.

Web 2.0 technologies allow libraries to observe literature trends. Beyond reading what your patrons are tweeting about, libraries can read the latest online stories on Twitter. Rudin (2011) calls this new form of fiction Twitterature. Libraries can keep up-to-date with the latest stories. It is always helpful to know what’s happening. If the patrons libraries serve keep up with these things, then, to provide proper service, the library needs to keep up with these things.

All of this advancement in technology is fantastic, but I think it is important for libraries to keep in mind that you can have “too much of a good thing”. For instance, I personally hate receiving tweets, comments, or notifications about things that have nothing to do with me. JcPenny is having a sale. The Rickford library is offering free computer classes. I think libraries should focus on relevance and understand the best use of each technology. For instance, 15 to 20 tweets is not nearly as annoying as 15-20 notifications.   

References

Abel, S. (2011). Customer support goes social. EContent, 34(9), p. 8.

Gamble, J. (2011). New essentials for the library as a learning commons. Library Media Connect, 30(2), p. 54-55.

Rudin, M. (2011). From hemingway to twitterature: The short and shorter of it. Journal of Electronic Publishing, 14(2), p. 1-8.

Statistics. Facebook. Retrieved from http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics