Week 8 : Mashups and API

Mashups (no, not mashed potatoes!)

I found a really fun Mashup that combines radio with video. Music TV Goodness allows you to choose your favorite performer or genre of music and then that is combined with videos. Mashupawards.com describes Music TV Goodness as "online music television based on your taste." It's a combination of Last.fm and YouTube that allows you to listen to and watch a continuous stream of performances by your favorite musicians.


Rollyo: Librarian blogs about "privacy issues"

After reading a few librarian blogs (found using Rollyo, a customizable search engine) on the topic of privacy (there were thousands of posts from which to choose), I discovered that the blogs ran the gamut from being very short announcements to being extensive essays. Some bloggers discussed their personal points of view regarding privacy issues, while others just reported facts. Many of the blogs had multiple listings. Librarians have lots to say! Here are just a few examples:

• Free Range Librarian (Oct. 24, 2007): a post discussing OCLC's report on "sharing, privacy, and trust" that addresses how traditional values related to privacy influences how we provide, or don't provide, personalized service to our users


• librarian.net (Dec. 21, 2006): The blogger posts about an incident at a Michigan library where 15,000 patrons personal records were mistakenly made public.


• LibrarianInBlack.net (Aug. 13, 2007): Ask.com's privacy controls are discussed along with the blogger's feelings about them.


• The Krafty Librarian (Feb. 26, 2008): Addresses the privacy issues involved in the creation of an online patient health record by the partnership between Google and the Cleveland Clinic.


• The Shifted Librarian (Feb. 15, 2002): A link to the US Patriot Act and Patron Privacy on Library Internet Terminals


• Annoyed Librarian (Sept. 21, 2007): A long post entitled "Intellectual Freedom, Privacy, and Me"

Week 7: Podcasting and Online Hosted Video

Podcasting
I have to admit that i never understood what the big deal was about podcasts, but then I'm not a person who listens to an ipod or audio books... or uses headphones. I just don't like it. Now... being read to in person? That's another story.

But... I do realize that tons of people feel differently and actually enjoy these activities! Different strokes for different folks... different attitudes... different learning styles. I also understand how listening to a podcast can be a "substitute" if you're not able to be at a presentation or attend a class in person... "lectures on demand", so to speak... anyplace, anytime. And there's no doubt that this form of communication can be a time saver. Look at all the time people spend commuting to and from work and school!

So... because one of the missions of a library is to "reach" people, offering podcasts to users is another way to do this. Here are just a few examples of how they can be used:

• making class lectures/presentations available


• providing orientation information


• providing instruction/training


• making special institutional/organization lectures/presentations available

YouTube
When I initially watched YouTube a few years ago, I generally thought: what fun! what a showcase for creativity! what a format for expression!! I looked at it as something enjoyable, another way to relax or goof-off. I didn't think of it as a means of more "serious" communication. That feeling changed after viewing more videos and watching how more people in all disciplines were using it as another mode of instruction. Also, we all know that young people today watch all kinds of videos and use them not only as a means of entertainment, but also as a way to learn. And, again, as with podcasts, YouTube is available anywhere anytime.

Library related YouTube videos run the gamut from zany, funny, clever skits to serious, dry, boring instruction demonstrations. They can be used to spur interest in the library in general or in a particular service offerred. They can provide specific instructions about a database or how to access resources. The possibilities are endless.

However, finding the right video to meet your needs can be a challenge. I truly appreciate the ones that are clever, interesting, and well-produced. As to whether or not our library would create a video, who knows? Even though you can make a video "on the fly," it takes a lot of time and effort to produce a good one: you need a well written script, equipment that can decently capture picture and sound, and people who want to do it. Some people might argue that it's not that difficult and that I'm making a mountain out of a molehill... and they may be right! I'm always willing to learn and change my opinion about things!

Watch a fun YouTube video made by a college student who happens to think libraries and librarians are cool!

The Chronicles of Libraria

Week 6: Online Photo Sharing

Who doesn't like to see pictures? I think most of us enjoy being able to see pictures of people, places, and things. I'm even one of those crazy folks who looks forward to seeing someone's vacation photos. Slideshow? Be right there!!

However, I'd never put my pictures on a web site before, so this was another new experience... with another learning curve! But after a few boo-boos, I've finally got the hang of it!

How can photo sharing be used in our library?
A few things come to mind; none are new ideas... I fully admit to pilfering.

• Showcase your library with pictures of special displays or areas
• Create a visual tour
• Post picures of staff functions in a "staff only" accessible site
• Archive library events
• Use for orientation
• Post staff pictures

I know there are lots more creative ideas for photo sharing. I'll have to read a few library blogs to find some!

Week 5: Web Office Tools

Your question... Is this the future of all software products?

Hmmmm.... Let me look into the 8 (er... crystal) ball......

I've never been one to try to predict the future, but "web office tools" are certainly here to stay... in one format or another. After using them (even briefly), I can't imagine not having them when working on a group project... or when you're away from your office computer. Being able to access a suite of office tools, no matter where you are, just makes life easier. And there are no discs or jump drives to lose or leave behind!


I can only see good things in store for web office tools... they can only improve! It won't take long until all the functionality and options found in the "normal" office applications are available with these tools. They get a definite thumbs-up from me! I sure wish they'd been around when I was in school! Thanks so much for including this module in the class!

Week 4 - Social Bookmarking: "Tag! You're it!!"

Oh my gosh! This tool is fantastic! I can't believe I haven't used it before now! How many times have I been using a computer not on my network and wanted to go to a particular site, but couldn't remember where it was and thought, "Dang, I wish I had my bookmarks!!" Well... that problem is now gone!

And what a great idea to be able to see what sites other people have chosen. Sharing information is one of the main reasons libraries are around, and tools that make it easier for our patrons to get at helpful and relevant resources are things we should really consider using.

Tagging is such a wonderful concept! Tags bring the human touch to cataloging. You can add tags that not only describe the site, but also relate how you "feel" about it. You can use terms that aren't included in an "official" thesaurus for one reason or another (eg: AIDS is still not an official subject heading in MESH), but mean a lot to people interested in the same topic. Tags can also be very individualized (eg: Academic libraries could use tags that are course names or lecture topics... or tags that describe who the source is directed toward). Tags can be useful for people working on the same research project or paper/poster. They are very cool, indeed!

The possibilities are endless, and all you have to do to get some terrific ideas for how tags can be used in a library setting (or for your own fun!) is to visit bookmarking sites like del.icio.us... or CiteULike... or Blinklist... or Connotea.

Week 3 - Social Networking Tools

Well... in a nutshell... I get it... but I don't get it.

It's been interesting to look at all these "online communities" (Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin)... I guess they do have a place in today's society, and they're pretty cool, technologically speaking, but they left me a bit ill at ease. I'm not sure why... maybe it's the privacy (or lack thereof) issue... or maybe it's the "busy-ness" of so many of the pages... or maybe it's because you hear the "scary" stories about them in the press... or maybe it's just a generational thing (did I really say that?!). But I'm doubtful that I'll do much with my page... or even keep it active after the course is finished.

I can see why personal MySpace and Facebook pages are popular, especially among younger people. They're a neat venue for expression and sharing... and they can certainly expand the numbers of folks you can communicate with. Your "network" can grow by leaps and bounds! This all sounds good, doesn't it? So why my hesitation? Who knows?

What place do social networking tools have in my library setting - an academic health sciences library? I'm not sure I see a bonus in using one of them instead of or along with a web page right now. But I've also learned never to say never. This is still pretty young technology, and if other libraries use it with great success, we can always try it, too!

Week 2: Blogs and Wikis and Thoughts... oh my!

Now that I've made a Blog and a Wiki (be they rudimentary!), I have a better understanding of what they are and how they can be used... and how they differ. Here goes:

Blog - a format for someone to express themselves... personally, professionally, or creatively. Most of the blogs I've seen are "written" by 1 person, so the posts are written from his/her point of view. A Blog is sort of like a public journal. Comments from others can be made, but they're not presented in a format that makes for easy discussion.

Wiki - a "group" thing; can be a forum used for discussion - but if it's used for this, like everything else, it depends on the group's participation. I can see using a Wiki for a group project, both at work and among friends. Wikis are also a good venue to use to post current information... things can be easily changed or updated. I'm hoping to add our Library Research/Subject guides to the Wiki I've made.

MCPHS Libraries Nursing Resources:
http://mcphsnsg.wetpaint.com/

So... both Blogs and Wikis offer another form of communication. They're both easily created and can be easily maintained. But like all "information sources," their currency depends on someone's input!

Week 1 - RSS Feeds

How can a library use RSS feeds? Hmmmmmm....

It seems to me the big advantage to using RSS feeds is the time it saves from having to go to several different sites to get what you want. We all know how busy everyone is, so why not give our users (students/faculty/staff) a little break and help them make all that "wasted" time available for something else?? Sounds like a good idea!

Our library currently has a "Health News" RSS feed on our web page to help keep people aware of the current happenings in the field of health/medicine. Not only is this 'tres' important to health care practitioners, teachers, researchers, and consumers, but this news feed helps our students become more informed of national and international issues realted to varied aspects of health care.

Specific subject oriented RSS feeds could be added to subject centered library links or pages... another resoure available to our users!


OK.... "What about individual patrons?", you ask....

Patrons (myself included!) can easily be taught how to create their own personal RSS feeds... quickly providing them access to the topics related to their interests...
whether it's news,
or TOCs to their favorite journals,
or an 'auto-alert' to articles in PubMed,
or keeping up with other blogs,
or the weather,
or what's going on at the museum!!!

WOW!! Get all this info in one place! How neat is that????