Sunday, November 22, 2009
Test Drive #6 - Videos Online
Technology has come a long way recently with respect to online videos. Access has improved with cheaper video cameras (Hand-held and phone), faster broadband and thanks to free video hosting sites such as You Tube. I have become very familiar with You Tube through taking part in Licence to Test Drive as many of the educational videos are located there.
Also as part of my job as a librarian, I have recommended that clients access You Tube to gain the information they require as we did not have it in the library. For example, recently I recommended You Tube to a mother looking to find an audio copy of the Fijian National Anthem for her child's school assignment.
Explore
I have uploaded a You Tube video to this blog "I Love the Library". Although it has an American focus, it still portrays a typical Australian public library, like the one I work in!
Also as part of my job as a librarian, I have recommended that clients access You Tube to gain the information they require as we did not have it in the library. For example, recently I recommended You Tube to a mother looking to find an audio copy of the Fijian National Anthem for her child's school assignment.
Explore
I have uploaded a You Tube video to this blog "I Love the Library". Although it has an American focus, it still portrays a typical Australian public library, like the one I work in!
Test Drive #5 - More Google
Just when you think you know Google, you discover that there is more!
Google Translate
http://www.translate.google.com
Explore
I had a go at translating the NLA website into French. It was very simple to do so. This feature of Google would be very useful for non-english speaking/reading library clients! They would be able to access any online information including the library catalogue in their own language!
Google Books
http://books.google.com
Books online for free! Where a book is out of copyright or permission has been given, you are able to read these books for free, anywhere, anytime!
Explore
I searched Google Books and found Alice in Wonderland in full view mode. I was able to read each page clearly as well as the illustrations.
i-Google
Personalisation of your Google home page could not be easier! This would be useful for libraries as added features like calendars advertising library events could be added.
Google Calendar
Explore
This free online calendar would be useful for library staff to keep track of important dates and be able to share them with colleagues.
Google Maps
I created a Google Map and have embedded it previously onto this blog. It shows the location of my two local libraries.
Google Translate
http://www.translate.google.com
Explore
I had a go at translating the NLA website into French. It was very simple to do so. This feature of Google would be very useful for non-english speaking/reading library clients! They would be able to access any online information including the library catalogue in their own language!
Google Books
http://books.google.com
Books online for free! Where a book is out of copyright or permission has been given, you are able to read these books for free, anywhere, anytime!
Explore
I searched Google Books and found Alice in Wonderland in full view mode. I was able to read each page clearly as well as the illustrations.
i-Google
Personalisation of your Google home page could not be easier! This would be useful for libraries as added features like calendars advertising library events could be added.
Google Calendar
Explore
This free online calendar would be useful for library staff to keep track of important dates and be able to share them with colleagues.
Google Maps
I created a Google Map and have embedded it previously onto this blog. It shows the location of my two local libraries.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Test Drive # 4 - Web Browsers
Web Browsers allow us to surf the net and two of the most common browsers are Internet Explorer (IE) and Mozilla Firefox.
I have nearly always used IE, (otherwise Firefox) but learned after watching Brian Tong from CNET comparing browsers, that Firefox wins over on speed, security and customisation features.
Discover:
When looking at a comparison of Firefox and Google Chrome specifically, Firefox not only wins over in terms of choices of customisation features, but also in the respect that it is Open Source. Users of Firefox have input into its development and in this way are constantly improving Firefox, more thoroughly than Google's developers can. Google Chrome impressed me though with its feature of "Incognito Mode" which ensures pages that you are viewing will not be stored in your brwsing history, which is great for public computer use.
Explore:
"Fashion Your Firefox" recommends Add Ons based on your interests and it is the way to customise your version of Firefox.
I particularly liked the "Read It Later" Add On which allows you to save pages of interest to read later on without bookmarking them. This would be useful as a librarian, because this job involves a lot of web surfing and not every page can be read when you have an impatient client with you.
The "Cooliris" Add On sounds interesting too as it allows extremely fast searching of images. It gives you a 3D wall of images from You Tube, Flickr, Facebook and your own computer and makes searching faster by allowing images to be viewed simultaneously without the need to click from page to page.
Adventure:
The Add Ons from Firefox that would be useful for my library include those discussed above, but also "Categorize". This add on was updated on November 13, 2009. It basically simplifies everyday browsing using groups for regularly visited bookmarks and an enhanced search bar.
I found the "Reference Desk Collection" group of add ons a great idea for Librarians. Having ready reference tools, currency converter, translator and highlighter on your browser, would save time as opposed to looking up these sites on your list of bookmarks.
I have nearly always used IE, (otherwise Firefox) but learned after watching Brian Tong from CNET comparing browsers, that Firefox wins over on speed, security and customisation features.
Discover:
When looking at a comparison of Firefox and Google Chrome specifically, Firefox not only wins over in terms of choices of customisation features, but also in the respect that it is Open Source. Users of Firefox have input into its development and in this way are constantly improving Firefox, more thoroughly than Google's developers can. Google Chrome impressed me though with its feature of "Incognito Mode" which ensures pages that you are viewing will not be stored in your brwsing history, which is great for public computer use.
Explore:
"Fashion Your Firefox" recommends Add Ons based on your interests and it is the way to customise your version of Firefox.
I particularly liked the "Read It Later" Add On which allows you to save pages of interest to read later on without bookmarking them. This would be useful as a librarian, because this job involves a lot of web surfing and not every page can be read when you have an impatient client with you.
The "Cooliris" Add On sounds interesting too as it allows extremely fast searching of images. It gives you a 3D wall of images from You Tube, Flickr, Facebook and your own computer and makes searching faster by allowing images to be viewed simultaneously without the need to click from page to page.
Adventure:
The Add Ons from Firefox that would be useful for my library include those discussed above, but also "Categorize". This add on was updated on November 13, 2009. It basically simplifies everyday browsing using groups for regularly visited bookmarks and an enhanced search bar.
I found the "Reference Desk Collection" group of add ons a great idea for Librarians. Having ready reference tools, currency converter, translator and highlighter on your browser, would save time as opposed to looking up these sites on your list of bookmarks.
Test Drive #3 - Podcasts & Audio
A Podcast (Personal On Demand broadCAST) is a non-music audio recording accessible through the internet. The unique benefit of this type of broadcast is its availability anywhere, anytime. Pocasts can be produced by anyone with a microphone and or videocamera, computer and internet connection. Also anyone with an ipod, Mp3 player, internet capable computer and or phone, can listen to a podcast.
When I was studying at Uni through distance education, podcasts of learning topics were common and useful to absorb information easily. It also made a change from gaining knowledge through the reading of words from paper or screen!
Discover:
I listened to Matthew Liebmann, a speaker at the Library of the 21st Century Symposium, through the State Library of Victoria website as a podcast. He spoke about the "Rise of the Lifestyle Media" in terms of the revolution of technology today that allows people to access information anywhere, anyhow. He mentioned that 60% of teens have created their own online content, which would include podcasts. You can access his talk here: http://slv.vic.gov.au/multimedia/audio/slv21_symposium/slv21_sess3_speaker2.mp3
Explore:
I searched for library podcasts to get an idea of how other libraries are using podcasts to reach their customers and/or staff. I found the State Library of NSW podcasts simple to listen to and interesting. The one I liked the best was Tom Keneally speaking about his book "Schindler's List". You can listen to him here: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/events/index.htmlPodcasts of authors speaking about their works is a great idea for libraries to capture a litereary event for all to experience, after the event at a time that suits them. For staff, podcasts could be produced for training, which could be accessed at a time appropriate for them.
When I was studying at Uni through distance education, podcasts of learning topics were common and useful to absorb information easily. It also made a change from gaining knowledge through the reading of words from paper or screen!
Discover:
I listened to Matthew Liebmann, a speaker at the Library of the 21st Century Symposium, through the State Library of Victoria website as a podcast. He spoke about the "Rise of the Lifestyle Media" in terms of the revolution of technology today that allows people to access information anywhere, anyhow. He mentioned that 60% of teens have created their own online content, which would include podcasts. You can access his talk here: http://slv.vic.gov.au/multimedia/audio/slv21_symposium/slv21_sess3_speaker2.mp3
Explore:
I searched for library podcasts to get an idea of how other libraries are using podcasts to reach their customers and/or staff. I found the State Library of NSW podcasts simple to listen to and interesting. The one I liked the best was Tom Keneally speaking about his book "Schindler's List". You can listen to him here: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/events/index.htmlPodcasts of authors speaking about their works is a great idea for libraries to capture a litereary event for all to experience, after the event at a time that suits them. For staff, podcasts could be produced for training, which could be accessed at a time appropriate for them.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Test Drive #2 - Mashups
After watching the video of David Berlind from ZDNet explaining Mashups, I learned that they are the combination of different web applications to create a new one.
A practical example is adding a Google map to a library web site showing the location of the library, as SLQ have done. The idea of using a Google map mashup to show locations of all library branches or cemetaries for local history clients are great ideas and would make it easier for clients to access this information.
Explore: As suggested I searched http://www.suburbview.com/ for my postcode (4702) and found several different properties with links to other real estate sites containing further information about the individual properties.
After browsing the winners of the Mashup Awards found here: http://mashupawards.com/winners/, I discovered that many of the winners' mashups involved combining something with Twitter. The one I enjoyed the most was http://www.twonvert.com.
This practical site facilitates the conversion of your twitter message into SMS abbreviations, so you have more room to say more!
Adventure: I took the plunge and added a Google map to this blog. I chose a map that shows the locations my two local libraries. Enjoy!
A practical example is adding a Google map to a library web site showing the location of the library, as SLQ have done. The idea of using a Google map mashup to show locations of all library branches or cemetaries for local history clients are great ideas and would make it easier for clients to access this information.
Explore: As suggested I searched http://www.suburbview.com/ for my postcode (4702) and found several different properties with links to other real estate sites containing further information about the individual properties.
After browsing the winners of the Mashup Awards found here: http://mashupawards.com/winners/, I discovered that many of the winners' mashups involved combining something with Twitter. The one I enjoyed the most was http://www.twonvert.com.
This practical site facilitates the conversion of your twitter message into SMS abbreviations, so you have more room to say more!
Adventure: I took the plunge and added a Google map to this blog. I chose a map that shows the locations my two local libraries. Enjoy!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Test Drive #1 - Online Applications & Tools
Productivity software enables the simplification of the way collaboration on documents and presentations is achieved. Online in real time, saves time!
Explore: I found the Princeton Public Library's Slideshare Presentation enlightening. I had not realised how many different online applications were available!
Whilst at Uni last year these kind of applications would have been invaluable for group assignment work. We used a Uni-based web chat and wiki to collaborate, but we still needed to create a Powerpoint presentation as a group. The Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/ application would have made the process easier than what happened, which was emailing drafts back and forward to each other.
I searched Slideshare for presentations on Library 2.0 and found "Libraries and Collaboration with Local Government: NSW Public Sphere 2009". The concept of a Librarian as a "lifecoach for the digital age" (Mark Pesce) is interesting. As a Librarian I find this to be true in practice as I often help clients with basic internet instruction such as setting up email accounts and even explaining the difference between an email address and web address.
The Web Conferencing applications sound great! As a library worker in a regional area, conferences are often held a large distance away and visiting one would incur significant cost. With Web Conferencing applications like WebEx - http://webex.com/ or Saba Centra - http://www.saba.com/products/centra/, online conferencing has made conferences cost effective and achievable.
Discover: I had a try at using Google Docs and found the word processor simple to use. Possible applications for this tool at my workplace could include collaborative efforts from staff on new brochures, policies or instructional materials.
Explore: I found the Princeton Public Library's Slideshare Presentation enlightening. I had not realised how many different online applications were available!
Whilst at Uni last year these kind of applications would have been invaluable for group assignment work. We used a Uni-based web chat and wiki to collaborate, but we still needed to create a Powerpoint presentation as a group. The Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/ application would have made the process easier than what happened, which was emailing drafts back and forward to each other.
I searched Slideshare for presentations on Library 2.0 and found "Libraries and Collaboration with Local Government: NSW Public Sphere 2009". The concept of a Librarian as a "lifecoach for the digital age" (Mark Pesce) is interesting. As a Librarian I find this to be true in practice as I often help clients with basic internet instruction such as setting up email accounts and even explaining the difference between an email address and web address.
The Web Conferencing applications sound great! As a library worker in a regional area, conferences are often held a large distance away and visiting one would incur significant cost. With Web Conferencing applications like WebEx - http://webex.com/ or Saba Centra - http://www.saba.com/products/centra/, online conferencing has made conferences cost effective and achievable.
Discover: I had a try at using Google Docs and found the word processor simple to use. Possible applications for this tool at my workplace could include collaborative efforts from staff on new brochures, policies or instructional materials.
Licence 2 Test Drive - PART B
Embarking on another journey in cyberspace, this librarian would like to thank SLQ for the opportunity to test drive again!
I am looking forward to participating and learning about many more of the wonderful new online applications making the world of libraries a better place!
I am looking forward to participating and learning about many more of the wonderful new online applications making the world of libraries a better place!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Test Drive #6 - Folksonomies & Tagging
What an odd word... "Folksonomies". It means "an unstructured categorization scheme". Seen in light of web 2.0 and tags, it becomes a valuable way to make notable websites easier to find when needed again in the future.
After watching the Commoncraft video, it became clear that bookmarking sites like http://delicious.com/ can avoid the hassle of different "Favourites" lists saved across several different computers, by all being accessible from one place on the net, from any computer. This would save a great deal of trouble and avoid such possible problems as individual computer failure causing the loss of precious bookmarks.
Therefore, I saw an immediate benefit for my personal bookmarks and joined Del.icio.us! Here is the link to my page: http://delicious.com/Cyberspace_Librarian.
This kind of bookmarking of sites would be extremely useful for librarians when answering reference enquiries. From my own perspective as a Reference Librarian in a public library, I investigated this example. Take a client enquiry about a particular topic like the "Australian Gold Rush" for a primary school student assignment. The resulting search of Del.icio.us got 36 hits and most were government sites, considered reliable for assessment citation. A comparison search on Google gave 116000 hits of varying relevance. I think the real benefit here for librarians is that the Del.icio.us sites are recommended by others who are non-biased, unlike Google who are profit driven.
Libraries using bookmarking sites would benefit not only the library staff and patrons, but the wider online community with the sharing of the sites kept there.
After watching the Commoncraft video, it became clear that bookmarking sites like http://delicious.com/ can avoid the hassle of different "Favourites" lists saved across several different computers, by all being accessible from one place on the net, from any computer. This would save a great deal of trouble and avoid such possible problems as individual computer failure causing the loss of precious bookmarks.
Therefore, I saw an immediate benefit for my personal bookmarks and joined Del.icio.us! Here is the link to my page: http://delicious.com/Cyberspace_Librarian.
This kind of bookmarking of sites would be extremely useful for librarians when answering reference enquiries. From my own perspective as a Reference Librarian in a public library, I investigated this example. Take a client enquiry about a particular topic like the "Australian Gold Rush" for a primary school student assignment. The resulting search of Del.icio.us got 36 hits and most were government sites, considered reliable for assessment citation. A comparison search on Google gave 116000 hits of varying relevance. I think the real benefit here for librarians is that the Del.icio.us sites are recommended by others who are non-biased, unlike Google who are profit driven.
Libraries using bookmarking sites would benefit not only the library staff and patrons, but the wider online community with the sharing of the sites kept there.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Adventure in RSS Feeds
Well I have just set up an RSS Feed for the ABC Top Stories on my blog. Enjoy!
Test Drive #5 - RSS Feeds
Keeping a track of all the websites of interest through RSS Feeds is wonderful. As a librarian, keeping up to date with local, state, national and world news is essential to be able to relate to clients' needs for information. In a public library especially, news that is public knowledge will be the topic of conversation with clients every day. Therefore it is important in providing the best service possible, to be clear about the facts of the issue and remain non-judgemental.
After watching the always comical Commoncraft Video about RSS Feeds, I went on to add several sites to my Google Reader including: OPAL Training, John Oxley Library, ABS Statistically speaking and the ABC News. I have also been subscribing to other fellow SLQ Licence to Test Drive bloggers from the start and enjoy keeping up with their adventures in cyberspace too! I quite enjoyed the Libraries Interact blog for Australian Library Blogs. http://librariesinteract.info/australian-library-blogs/ This includes blogs of individuals and libraries to cover most topics of interest and they are relevant to Australians.
Libraries would find adding an RSS Feed to their websites and blogs advantageous as the more computer/internet savvy clients could access updates to the sites easily. However, unless a client is capable of accessing the internet, RSS Feeds would be of little use.
After watching the always comical Commoncraft Video about RSS Feeds, I went on to add several sites to my Google Reader including: OPAL Training, John Oxley Library, ABS Statistically speaking and the ABC News. I have also been subscribing to other fellow SLQ Licence to Test Drive bloggers from the start and enjoy keeping up with their adventures in cyberspace too! I quite enjoyed the Libraries Interact blog for Australian Library Blogs. http://librariesinteract.info/australian-library-blogs/ This includes blogs of individuals and libraries to cover most topics of interest and they are relevant to Australians.
Libraries would find adding an RSS Feed to their websites and blogs advantageous as the more computer/internet savvy clients could access updates to the sites easily. However, unless a client is capable of accessing the internet, RSS Feeds would be of little use.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Test Drive #4 - Social Networking
Social Networking Services sound great as a means to connect with friends and family no matter where they are.
However, privacy issues come to mind as a potential problem. An article in the Tech Herald highlights some proposed changes to Facebook allowing the use of users' names, likeness' and content for any purpose: http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200908/2965/Facebook-TOS-raises-some-privacy-issues. However, due to public outcry, Facebook did a backflip and vowed to change it's terms. Here is the follow up article outlining Facebook's response: http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200908/2987/Privacy-complaints-force-Facebook-to-backtrack-on-service-changes. Facebook is being encouraged to consider allowing users to be able to delete all information about themselves from the site, including back-ups, so their personal information is not always there for others to use as they wish. This is a real concern as once information is posted to the internet it is generally there forever and personal information may be used by others without permission of the owner.
It is interesting to note in the article about Facebook backtracking on service changes, that Facebook "faces" strong direct competition from Twitter, another social networking site. What is fascinating and unique about Twitter, is it uses SMS linked with blog technology, to enable users to tell the world, "What they are doing right now". At first this seemed a bit vague to me as I could see no immediate need to know what anyone else is doing right now! However, after reading a very interesting article in the latest Virgin Blue Magazine, Voyeur (May 2009 issue) about a Twitter experiment, it made more sense to me. Twitter is not so much about sharing your daily activity of brushing your teeth for example, but more about promoting your interests/hobbies/business and becoming engaged in other people's activites.
For Libraries, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter would have a lot to offer in terms of marketing, especially to the computer/internet savvy clients. As a way of promoting the library's current activities and services they would be invaluable and cost effective, due to needing purely staff time. Once again, the problem of keeping the content current and interesting, could be the downfall of social networking for libraries.
As a means of networking for library staff, social networking sites would be of value. To those staff which are isolated from the major cities, keeping up to date with the activities of other libraries would be of great benefit.
However, privacy issues come to mind as a potential problem. An article in the Tech Herald highlights some proposed changes to Facebook allowing the use of users' names, likeness' and content for any purpose: http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200908/2965/Facebook-TOS-raises-some-privacy-issues. However, due to public outcry, Facebook did a backflip and vowed to change it's terms. Here is the follow up article outlining Facebook's response: http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200908/2987/Privacy-complaints-force-Facebook-to-backtrack-on-service-changes. Facebook is being encouraged to consider allowing users to be able to delete all information about themselves from the site, including back-ups, so their personal information is not always there for others to use as they wish. This is a real concern as once information is posted to the internet it is generally there forever and personal information may be used by others without permission of the owner.
It is interesting to note in the article about Facebook backtracking on service changes, that Facebook "faces" strong direct competition from Twitter, another social networking site. What is fascinating and unique about Twitter, is it uses SMS linked with blog technology, to enable users to tell the world, "What they are doing right now". At first this seemed a bit vague to me as I could see no immediate need to know what anyone else is doing right now! However, after reading a very interesting article in the latest Virgin Blue Magazine, Voyeur (May 2009 issue) about a Twitter experiment, it made more sense to me. Twitter is not so much about sharing your daily activity of brushing your teeth for example, but more about promoting your interests/hobbies/business and becoming engaged in other people's activites.
For Libraries, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter would have a lot to offer in terms of marketing, especially to the computer/internet savvy clients. As a way of promoting the library's current activities and services they would be invaluable and cost effective, due to needing purely staff time. Once again, the problem of keeping the content current and interesting, could be the downfall of social networking for libraries.
As a means of networking for library staff, social networking sites would be of value. To those staff which are isolated from the major cities, keeping up to date with the activities of other libraries would be of great benefit.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Test Drive #3 - WIKIs
Wikis are wonderful tools! I have had recent experience working with one as a distance ed student. As a group of four individuals located in various parts of Australia, we were able to collaborate using a wiki to construct our group assignment. It worked surprisingly well and as the Common Craft video explains, it is definitely easier than bouncing emails back and forward to each other!
I was surprised to learn that a study found a wiki encyclopedia to be more accurate than its printed version. At university, the use of Wikipedia is taboo and would indeed would count against you if cited in assessment work!
Libraries could find wikis particularly useful to collaboratively produce or update a policy, like a Collection Development Policy, for example. Staff located across great distances could all contribute and at different times. This would translate into cost savings in terms of the logistics of gathering staff at one location for a specific time.
I am very familiar with Wetpaint as I have created a web site with it for an assignment as part of my Librarianship course. I had to create a web site for fictitious researchers of the fictitious Diabetes Research Digital Library. I created pages that listed useful diabetes links, detailed the library's services, provided tips on database searching and how to evaluate web sites. I had a ball doing this and although this wiki was not a collaborative wiki as such, it was a great exercise in web site design.
I was surprised to learn that a study found a wiki encyclopedia to be more accurate than its printed version. At university, the use of Wikipedia is taboo and would indeed would count against you if cited in assessment work!
Libraries could find wikis particularly useful to collaboratively produce or update a policy, like a Collection Development Policy, for example. Staff located across great distances could all contribute and at different times. This would translate into cost savings in terms of the logistics of gathering staff at one location for a specific time.
I am very familiar with Wetpaint as I have created a web site with it for an assignment as part of my Librarianship course. I had to create a web site for fictitious researchers of the fictitious Diabetes Research Digital Library. I created pages that listed useful diabetes links, detailed the library's services, provided tips on database searching and how to evaluate web sites. I had a ball doing this and although this wiki was not a collaborative wiki as such, it was a great exercise in web site design.
Online Photo Sharing - Adventure into Flickr
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After accepting the challenge to create a Flickr account and upload some of my recently captured digital photos of my library; here are the results.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/alana123/
It is a very impressive library and brand new! It opened in December 2008 and it reflects a modern architectural style, for the modern day. Located in sunny Rockhampton, Queensland, it is affectionately known by staff as "The Shed". This is due to its similarity to a typical Aussie shed, composed of galvanized sheets of iron and glass!
I found Flickr easy to work with and was surprised to learn that it was made easier by already having a Yahoo account!
I have just done a quick search for photos tagged with "slq2td09" as mine are and found some wonderful shots of the State Library of Queensland! I hope to get there one day and immerse myself in it!! I wonder if they give guided tours?
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Test Drive #2 - Online Photo Sharing
What a great concept... online photo sharing.
Using the internet to record some of your life and places of interest to you for posterity is the way of the future. According to the Online Photosharing in Plain English video from Commoncraft, it is better than the traditional method of printing photos and placing in photo albums. Tagging of digital photos makes them easy to search for and locate compared to the good old fashioned photo album from the shelf! Just as I had gotten used to downloading my SD Card photos into folders on my computer and creating hard copy backups on CD, life changes again!
Venturing on to Flickr as suggested, I searched for Mosman Library and was pleasantly surprised at how simple it is find photos of interest. I also searched for my public library in, "Rockhampton" a
nd discovered some interesting photos of the original public library, the "School of Arts" as well as some of our newly built library. Very impressive!
The Creative Commons project sounds very interesting and wonderful for its enabling access to rare photos from around the world and for the collaborative efforts that ensure its survival.
My favourite photo (shown at left) from Flickr is of the La Trobe Reading Room in the State Library of Victoria. I visited this amazing place last year on holiday in Melbourne and I thought to myself, this is a "real library"! It had a real sense of nostalgia and presence with the beautiful domed ceiling and old books lining the walls, along with the leather topped desks! I like this photo because of the angle. It gives an interesting perspective of the room from the desk level looking up!
(photo taken by Muhammadldris)
Using the internet to record some of your life and places of interest to you for posterity is the way of the future. According to the Online Photosharing in Plain English video from Commoncraft, it is better than the traditional method of printing photos and placing in photo albums. Tagging of digital photos makes them easy to search for and locate compared to the good old fashioned photo album from the shelf! Just as I had gotten used to downloading my SD Card photos into folders on my computer and creating hard copy backups on CD, life changes again!
Venturing on to Flickr as suggested, I searched for Mosman Library and was pleasantly surprised at how simple it is find photos of interest. I also searched for my public library in, "Rockhampton" a
nd discovered some interesting photos of the original public library, the "School of Arts" as well as some of our newly built library. Very impressive!The Creative Commons project sounds very interesting and wonderful for its enabling access to rare photos from around the world and for the collaborative efforts that ensure its survival.
My favourite photo (shown at left) from Flickr is of the La Trobe Reading Room in the State Library of Victoria. I visited this amazing place last year on holiday in Melbourne and I thought to myself, this is a "real library"! It had a real sense of nostalgia and presence with the beautiful domed ceiling and old books lining the walls, along with the leather topped desks! I like this photo because of the angle. It gives an interesting perspective of the room from the desk level looking up!
(photo taken by Muhammadldris)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Adventures in Cyberspace with the new Librarian!
Let the adventures begin....
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....
there was a newly graduated Librarian whose inquisitive nature and love of sci fi, led her to create this blog!
Thanks to the State Library of Queensland's initiative, "Licence 2 Test Drive", I begin this journey full of hope that I will expand my knowledge and understanding of the latest web technologies.
I believe strongly that lifelong learning is suitable for everyone. Let's face it, no one knows everything, so there is always something else to learn! Keeping up with technology is also essential in today's linked environment. As a newly graduated Librarian, keeping up with technologies is part of the job and most importantly, an exciting part!
I have not had a chance to read many blogs, but the ones I have are interesting. I see a place for them in libraries of today as a marketing tool (that is my Marketing Degree coming in to play!). Blogs as a way to interact with clients is exciting! They could provide library staff with valuable information on their clients' habits, likes, dislikes and overall provide staff with ideas for creating the best possible library service. We may like to think that libraries are about books and the staff, but I believe libraries are more importantly about the people who use them! After all, if no one used them, we would be out of the job!
Please catch up again next time for the next exciting adventure of the Cyberspace Librarian...
boldly going where more librarians are going than ever before... cyberspace and beyond!
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....
there was a newly graduated Librarian whose inquisitive nature and love of sci fi, led her to create this blog!
Thanks to the State Library of Queensland's initiative, "Licence 2 Test Drive", I begin this journey full of hope that I will expand my knowledge and understanding of the latest web technologies.
I believe strongly that lifelong learning is suitable for everyone. Let's face it, no one knows everything, so there is always something else to learn! Keeping up with technology is also essential in today's linked environment. As a newly graduated Librarian, keeping up with technologies is part of the job and most importantly, an exciting part!
I have not had a chance to read many blogs, but the ones I have are interesting. I see a place for them in libraries of today as a marketing tool (that is my Marketing Degree coming in to play!). Blogs as a way to interact with clients is exciting! They could provide library staff with valuable information on their clients' habits, likes, dislikes and overall provide staff with ideas for creating the best possible library service. We may like to think that libraries are about books and the staff, but I believe libraries are more importantly about the people who use them! After all, if no one used them, we would be out of the job!
Please catch up again next time for the next exciting adventure of the Cyberspace Librarian...
boldly going where more librarians are going than ever before... cyberspace and beyond!
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