After completing the CDLC "Things" course, I jumped at the chance to participate in this one. I had never blogged before taking it, and I've learned a lot in those 10 weeks. I am really looking forward to the "things" covered in this course, that weren't covered in that one, mainly the week on Librarianship and Training options. This leads me to where I am at, professionally.
I've spent the better half of the past year at the Schuylerville library, where I've furthered my desire to go back to school for Library Sciences. I love working in the library, and find every day I am learning new things about it. I am just starting out, and this makes me eager to take in every detail I can about working in the field. I am the program coordinator at our library, and that makes my job really fun. My short-term goal, for the moment, is to finish out my Media Studies and Communications degree, from which I am a semester and a half away, and then move on to completing my Master's in Library or Information Sciences. My long-term goal is somewhat ambiguous. I know I want to work in a library, but I'm relying on my schooling to tell me exactly what I will want to be doing.
Something I really want to learn about is how to increase the number of hits your blog gets. I have started one for our library, and it is visited, but not nearly as much as I would want it to. If anyone has thoughts on this, I would really love to hear them. I've tried handing things out, and I have it on my emails, and I've done all the other no-brainer promoters of it, but I really want to increase it, even if only by a little bit. If you want to check it out, you can visit it at http://schuylervillepubliclibrary.wordpress.com/.
Goodreads
Schuylerville Public Library Book Club's currently-reading book montage
7 members
The Schuylerville Public Library is located in Schuylerville, NY. Our book club reads one book a mo...
7 membersThe Schuylerville Public Library is located in Schuylerville, NY. Our book club reads one book a mo...
Monday, June 27, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thing #10: Future Trends
I agree with the article that states "libraries are here to stay". Say what you will about technology taking over the usefulness of libraries, I just don't think they'll ever completely take over. People don't just come into the library for books, anymore. They use all the resources we offer and that is what I think the future of the library will look like.
People use the library for all sorts of purposes from faxing, to computer use and just as a social outlet. Some people use it for a quiet place to sit or study, and some for the programs we offer. The Internet can do many things, but I don't think it could ever replace libraries entirely.
When posed with the question "what services may we have to give up in order to move forward?", I really don't know that I have an answer for that. I can't of any services as of right now that would need to be given up just in order to secure a future. I think people are always going to want to print, even if we do see an enormous move toward electronic media. A good example of something that we have essentially have abandoned is volumes of encyclopedias that seemingly offer us nothing anymore, due to the fact that one would have search through them, take notes or photo copy and actually invest time into the research using them, instead of just Google-ing it. And the same can be said for the card catalog system which is now computer driven. In order to stay ahead, it seems like we need to keep up on technology and move forward with the fast paced world of library sciences and if we do that, we will be just fine.
The most valuable thing I think we have to offer right now is the outlet to learn new things, whether it be from reading a novel, taking a library offered computer class, or attending a program, we are here to offer our communities a place to go and learn something. And its worth mentioning that we are a free service, and people will always favor what is free. When the economy gets bad, libraries get busier and that to me is proof enough that we are doing something right and not going anywhere. Watch out future! We were here first, and we are here to stay!
People use the library for all sorts of purposes from faxing, to computer use and just as a social outlet. Some people use it for a quiet place to sit or study, and some for the programs we offer. The Internet can do many things, but I don't think it could ever replace libraries entirely.
When posed with the question "what services may we have to give up in order to move forward?", I really don't know that I have an answer for that. I can't of any services as of right now that would need to be given up just in order to secure a future. I think people are always going to want to print, even if we do see an enormous move toward electronic media. A good example of something that we have essentially have abandoned is volumes of encyclopedias that seemingly offer us nothing anymore, due to the fact that one would have search through them, take notes or photo copy and actually invest time into the research using them, instead of just Google-ing it. And the same can be said for the card catalog system which is now computer driven. In order to stay ahead, it seems like we need to keep up on technology and move forward with the fast paced world of library sciences and if we do that, we will be just fine.
The most valuable thing I think we have to offer right now is the outlet to learn new things, whether it be from reading a novel, taking a library offered computer class, or attending a program, we are here to offer our communities a place to go and learn something. And its worth mentioning that we are a free service, and people will always favor what is free. When the economy gets bad, libraries get busier and that to me is proof enough that we are doing something right and not going anywhere. Watch out future! We were here first, and we are here to stay!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thing #9: eBooks, eBooks, eBooks!
Now that I am offically a proud owner of an Android, I was especially excited for this lesson. I downloaded the Kindle app and for the purpose of this lesson, I downloaded the #1 free eBook offered by Amazon. The process was so effortless and quick! I opted for a free book for a few reasons. I am not sure how committed to eBooks I am, so I don't think I can put money into them, knowing I will never be able to physically hold it, or watch it age from use and love, or loan it someone or bookmark a page with my favorite bookmark. Call me old-fashioned (or a nerd) but these are the things I love. Right now, I feel like I am an adulterer, who has been married to print for so long, and having an affair with these seductive eBooks. My heart will always be foremost with printed books, but I find myself attracted to the mysterious world of eReaders and books.
For the purpose of libraries, I think eBooks are wonderful. Though I have to admit, I have never had a patron ask anything about Overdrive or anything eBook related, I do think they will become more and more popular as they progress with availablity of books. Once the Kindle turns its leaf and forms a relationship with libraries, I think we will see more and more patrons looking for help, because I think Kindle is a more popular eReader, since its pretty affordable. However, I have very limited knowledge and experience in this field, so what do I know?
I thought it was really interesting to see the Amazon results on print vs. eBook sales and I know its a valid arguement to say that the eBooks won the race, but I feel like in that setting it makes sense. With regards to libraries, I don't think eBooks will ever take over because there will always be the hoi-polloi who just don't want to deal with eReaders, or just don't have the time or money to ivest into them. I'm really curious to see the future of eReaders, and to see if its more or less a trend, or if it will grow and take off.
For the purpose of libraries, I think eBooks are wonderful. Though I have to admit, I have never had a patron ask anything about Overdrive or anything eBook related, I do think they will become more and more popular as they progress with availablity of books. Once the Kindle turns its leaf and forms a relationship with libraries, I think we will see more and more patrons looking for help, because I think Kindle is a more popular eReader, since its pretty affordable. However, I have very limited knowledge and experience in this field, so what do I know?
I thought it was really interesting to see the Amazon results on print vs. eBook sales and I know its a valid arguement to say that the eBooks won the race, but I feel like in that setting it makes sense. With regards to libraries, I don't think eBooks will ever take over because there will always be the hoi-polloi who just don't want to deal with eReaders, or just don't have the time or money to ivest into them. I'm really curious to see the future of eReaders, and to see if its more or less a trend, or if it will grow and take off.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thing 8: Video
During one of my media studies classes, my professor gave us an assignment to go home and watch a video similar to the T-Mobile one posted below. It was years ago before anyone had really seen anything like this and he explained the difficulty they must have had communicating to get this to go down the way it did. Though I am not sure if it really was a planned surprise on the travelers, it really is an amazing video and I love that the premise of it was to promote video and photo sharing via cell phones. It really was genious to me.
I think videos use on library blogs and websites ius a great way to promote events and even host contests. One idea would be to have the patrons create a commerical for the library or host a video short contest for teens interested in persuing the field of media and film.
The video was very easy to add to my blog, because I have Blogger, but I think it would be more difficult using other sites. For example, Wordpress is not that user friendly if you're new to the blogging world, as I am. I created a library blog using Wordpress and I'm finding harder to navigate than blogger. I guess that means I have more learing ahead of me!
I think videos use on library blogs and websites ius a great way to promote events and even host contests. One idea would be to have the patrons create a commerical for the library or host a video short contest for teens interested in persuing the field of media and film.
The video was very easy to add to my blog, because I have Blogger, but I think it would be more difficult using other sites. For example, Wordpress is not that user friendly if you're new to the blogging world, as I am. I created a library blog using Wordpress and I'm finding harder to navigate than blogger. I guess that means I have more learing ahead of me!
Thing 7: Productivity & Collaboration Tools
The first tool I decided to check out was Remember the Milk. Though I do think it was neat tool, I think I am more of a traditional, write on a scrap paper or in my planner type of list maker. To me, having to login and access my lists is more work than I am looking for, even if I can just access it on my phone.
The next tool I explored was Google Calender. I chose this one because I see it on sites all over and I've always been curious about it. I think it will be useful in remembering events and such, but similar to my tendencies with list making, I think I like my planner more than an online source. I have a feeling that I would fill my Google Calender with things, and then forget I did it, thereby accidently missing them. I am going to give it some time, however, and see if I enjoy using it.
There are other tools I want to explore, such as the ones to help remember passwords, and I plan to explore them in future when I have a spare moment.
The next tool I explored was Google Calender. I chose this one because I see it on sites all over and I've always been curious about it. I think it will be useful in remembering events and such, but similar to my tendencies with list making, I think I like my planner more than an online source. I have a feeling that I would fill my Google Calender with things, and then forget I did it, thereby accidently missing them. I am going to give it some time, however, and see if I enjoy using it.
There are other tools I want to explore, such as the ones to help remember passwords, and I plan to explore them in future when I have a spare moment.
Thing 6: Online Meetings and Webinars
The webinar I chose to watch was called Targeting the ages: programming that hits the mark, and it was an extremely useful resource. I came away from it with so many ideas and tools to actually implement those tools. The archived video was about an hour and half long, and having the ability to press play and then pause whenever I needed to made it even better. It was very easy to access, since all I had to was click the button and there it was. I apparently already had the software needed, so that made things smoother.
I actually took a class once that was set up similar to this, except we met in person and live chatted with another class room within my university's system so we were one big class. The instructor would rotate each week which location she was at. It was a strange set up, but I enjoyed it because it gave us that many more people to contribute to the conversation and helped make things very interesting. It was for a communications class, so it also helped display different (more modern) ways of communicating. I really enjoyed the webinar, because it gives the viewer a chance to listen while also looking at the powerpoint presentations they show and the websites they reference. In a way, I liked it more than an in-person meeting, because sometimes when meeting in person, you don't get a chance to cover all the topics you wanted and things get left out because of the conversations started. A lot of valuable information can be lost, but when they are on a tight production schedule, they are forced to cover all topics. I will definitely be viewing more webinars, and I am so happy I took the time to explore them.
I actually took a class once that was set up similar to this, except we met in person and live chatted with another class room within my university's system so we were one big class. The instructor would rotate each week which location she was at. It was a strange set up, but I enjoyed it because it gave us that many more people to contribute to the conversation and helped make things very interesting. It was for a communications class, so it also helped display different (more modern) ways of communicating. I really enjoyed the webinar, because it gives the viewer a chance to listen while also looking at the powerpoint presentations they show and the websites they reference. In a way, I liked it more than an in-person meeting, because sometimes when meeting in person, you don't get a chance to cover all the topics you wanted and things get left out because of the conversations started. A lot of valuable information can be lost, but when they are on a tight production schedule, they are forced to cover all topics. I will definitely be viewing more webinars, and I am so happy I took the time to explore them.
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