technology and libraries
TRANSCRIPT
The Future Is Now!
Traditional Users vs. Tech-Savvy Users
Traditional Services vs. Technology Services
What is a library? Is that all a library can/should be? What does our community want it’s library
to be? Is that wrong? Is that possible? What do we lose by becoming what our
patrons want us to be?
What can it do for us? Is there added benefit to this technology
that is worth the time? How does this technology strengthen our
mission? How does this technology change the way
our community interacts with us/views us/understands us?
Public Internet Computers
Computer Classes
Collections of Recommended Websites
Positioning librarians as experts on technology and the web
Blogging
IM Reference
2.0 Websites
Gaming
Screencasting
Technology is a bridge Technology is a tool Technology demonstrates our imagination,
our depth, our judgment Technology is an extension of our library Technology is a language we share with our
users Technology is what we make of it – not what
it makes of us
Technology is becoming less about hardware and more about applications.
Old computers can do this just as well as new.
Smaller/less well supported libraries are on a level playing field – in fact, small libraries can excel here.
Library philosophy and open source mesh seamlessly – plus they save you $$
Linux
Open Office
Koha/Evergreen
Firefox
Join the conversation
Your patrons are already here
Platform choice is key
You must participate rather than just read to get the results you want.
Comments on Blogs/Websites
GoodReads/LibraryThing
1. Promote your brand2. Promote your library3. Helps with your writing skills – pare down4. Quick and easy5. Capture your ideas as they happen6. Easily consumed by people you want to
reach7. Build a network of colleagues8. Discern trends, discuss issues, get ideas.9. Learn from others
Firefox
Add-Ons
GreaseMonkey
LibX
Newsweek/TIME are not ideal sources!
PopURLS FriendFeedLinks Delicious Popular List Digg StumbleUpon
Google Docs Google Calendar
Basecamp : www.37signals.com
World of Warcraft Second Life
Live Meeting/OPAL
RSS feeds that tell your patrons what books have just been returned
Twitter postings that tell your patrons of updates to your website with no staff involvement
Delicious links that seamlessly mesh with your library’s online database offerings
Netflix models for DVD and book hold queues
Giving the patrons MORE information rather than less – place in line for a title, e-blasts for popular authors, lists of books ORDERED
For public Internet and shared staff machines
Pageflakes: www.pageflakes.com
Netvibes: www.netvibes.com
Dublin City Public Library
Using Blogger as a library homepage:
Marin County Free Library Blog
Blogs for New Items
Menasha
Study at UCLA Measured brain activity of older adults as
they searched the web Compared to people reading information
without searching Compared advanced tech users with
novices Most brain activity in advanced tech users
conducting searches Conclusion: Good for your brain’s health!
RSS Feeds
Google Reader or Bloglines
Drupal and other CMS programs incorporate this
Koha/Evergreen incorporate this in the catalog!
Information made understandable by computers to automate the process of finding, sharing and combining info online
Powerset: natural language search enginewww.powerset.com
Glue: browser plugin to connect you to friends: www.getglue.com
How do we keep personal contact via technology?
How do we ensure that libraries are seen as vibrant PLACES to come to?
Are we forced to change in ways that are not ideal?
You can find me @
Sites & Soundbytes: http://sites.menashalibrary.org/Kids Lit: http://kidslit.menashalibrary.org/
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