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.

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.

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!

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.

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!