Quick guides

Haven't checked to see how many of you subscribe to the Librarian in Black. But if you have missed it here is a link to a recent post recommendation for easy video guides to RSS Feeds, wikis and social networking.

Why are all these initiatives american????

w00t! Library2.0 is teh

This is more my own brief interpretation of the subject, as it is potentially a very expansive topic.

I found this to be an interesting blog discussing some of the hot issues in Web2.0

Defining the concept of Web2.0 seems to be an impossible task. How can you define something that is constantly changing? But what it does represent is a means to embrace the sociological ideals of open collaboration and customer driven practice. It is a system destined to move at a fast pace, where the next new paradigm is just around the corner.

The internet was once considered a playing field for the techs and the geeks, but now a wave of change has developed as a result of improved accessibility and availability of easy to use tools. Complex websites and online publishing once relied on knowledge of programming languages, where as now anyone with access to a computer can enter a virtual world of networking and sharing of ideas.

Computer use is now not restricted to the workplace, but have developed more recreational usage and online communities. This in turn is sparking interest in developing computing skills. The 24/7 environment is bringing about an expectation of improved service. The other change it brings is the concept of interactivity. Flat pages of atlases have now been transformed into interactive route planners, satellite views and tourist guides. With each new product there is expectation of added value.

Users are demanding access to information by methods suited to them, be it visual, audio, written or interactive. With improvement in technologies information can now be accessed from home pcs and on mobile devices, along with the standard library formats. There is a need for libraries to develop better accessibility options to information, and be more creative in the delivery of the service. Keeping on top of user expectations is difficult, but the new technologies allow for full user participation. This will require active promotion to encourage users into providing feedback and discussion.

All this change brings exciting new concepts for future services, but this must be tempered by the thoughts of the ever expanding digital divide. As virtual libraries develop, restrictions are being placed on users that are less technologically aware or can not access the technologies required. Libraries need to cater for a wide range of users of varying capabilities. This demands that libraries develop a teaching role; introducing people to the new technologies, offering appropriate support and advice. Before this can be achieved there is a need to educate the library staff.

Other issues that are brought to light are those related to information literacy and information overload. It is important therefore, that appraisal of information is included as part of the training sessions. The library must also retain the responsibility of acting as a gateway to quality information and advising users on appropriate search strategies and reliable sites.

Overall I still display a degree of caution with jumping on the bandwagon. Where I can envisage the many benefits Library 2.0 can bring, there are areas where I would question the overall benefit i.e. second life. Each of the ideas and technologies need to be weighed in equal measure and judged on their merit and applicability to the service in question.

Intute informs?

Currently we are having a look at designing some e-learning courses. The Keele students have access to a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and the Library is hoping to have a presence there. The software that we will be using is still on order, but will be using Camtasia to create a video induction and guide to the library and some other nifty tools for creating online tutorials and guides. Although initially for students, it may be something that we can extend to the NHS through the website (I'm keeping my fingers crossed regarding licensing issues).

In the mean time the tool I'm playing around with is Intute Informs which is a very basic tool that can operate over two screen sections. The left hand screen gives instructions to follow and explanation and the main screen is an active webpage that you can set and talk them through the actions. I find it a bit clunky and needs cookie enablement. You can not alter the aesthetics at all, but it still has it's uses. I find long sections to be tedious, but for short steps in teaching people to renew their books online etc it may have it's uses.

The mixed up world of libraries

This week I haven't had much of an opportunity to look in to the assisgnments as much as I had hoped.

But Sunday was a first for me, as my partner is a big Iron Maiden fan and decided to introduce me to the world of webcasts from the Download festival. His computer is one that he built himself about 8 years ago and occasionally goes away and tinkers with it (now had 2 hard disk replacements). I was amazed that it successfully managed to run a live transmission with no jumping or interference. I would hate to think the server power required for mounting that kind of operation. The only interfence was a small click every 5 minutes or so.

But that aside, I have been briefly looking into mashups. To me the term relates more to the wave of song mixing that Napster was famous for before it relented and became legal, or even the occasional video on YouTube that has a different song overlaid. This was the first time that I had come across the term in relation to software, and I never imagined that it may be applicable to libraries.

I was amused at some of the examples given in the text and could easily imagine the use of Google Maps being merged with the Wish website to enable me to locate libraries I need to attend meetings at. I felt that the ambitious talking librarian service is something that looked better on paper than it did in practicality, but similar mergers of software can prove useful to libraries.

Here is a nice use of mashup to help users locate books from the OPAC, just scroll down to the map.

As a promotional tool Google Desktop got together with Talis to launch a competition "Mashing up the Library," there is an idea forum which is rather interesting.

Currently this is far beyond what I am capable off, but some time soon I will probably grab a nice cup of tea one evening and downloaded grease monkey, with a javascript book in hand and tech friend on MSN to shout help at.

I don't have time at the moment for these sort of things to tweek my curiosity!

On the move

This looks as if it might be a handy little service. Phonifier converts webpages into a phone friendly format. This is taken from Phil Brady's Blog where he also claims that it is a way to get round work banned websites. I remain to be convinced!

Many of my colleagues are often complaining about how unfriendly sites can be when checking out webpages from their mobile phones. Not a problem I tend to have, condisering my track record with phones, I know never buy one over £10 from E-bay!

Developing the community

When browsing numerous wikis of varying qualities, I came across one for here are comments on their experience with the wiki).

This is a more established wiki than the one we are currently working on, with many good resources relevant to the course, including a directory of health wikis.

The one I have selected to discuss is wikisurgery.

This is a site designed to provide information for both surgeons and patients.
As a wiki it is very easy to understand, with good instructions on adding content, nice presentation with search facility as well as a subject index. The content of the wiki is of varying standards, little information has been updated since 2006 with references needing updated.

The site has many hits for the articles but it disappointing that it is not being used to a greater degree. Further promotion is required to encourage active debate on the topic and promote more users to add content and keep the entries up to date.

This has the potential to be an excellent resource for students, patients or as a platform for debate. Currently it worries me that the information is not being maintained and nothing exists to explain how the site is moderated.

Seems fitting

Don't know if any of you have discovered friedbeef, but here is some interesting tips on how to keep on top of your RSS feeds.