Showing posts with label list 10 tools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label list 10 tools. Show all posts

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Better Late than Never: Summary of Computers in Libraries 2008

Here is my long overdue but hopefully useful summary of the Computers in Libraries 2008 conference in Washington D.C. Overall, I found this conference to be cutting edge and very applicable to our library and instruction team's activities. I have included many links to open source software and to the presenters' information.

1. Monday - Session: Going Local in the Library: Web 2.0, Library 2.0, Local 2.0Link to slideshow: http://www.slideshare.net/BizBrary/local-library-presentation-computers-in-libraries-2008
Presented by Charles Lyons, Business Librarian, University at Buffalo

Internet is not as local as you might think. Local web is the joining of the virtual world and the real world. It is about the community you live in and you and your library are a part of it. Ways to advertise library in local virtual world.

Examples:
Local Search Engines allow you to create more of sense of community in the virtual world:
Many more local search engines on C. Lyons slideshow, http://www.slideshare.net/BizBrary/local-library-presentation-computers-in-libraries-2008 ,slide # 13.

2. Monday - Session: Library Web Presence: Engaging the Audience

Presented by Ellysa Stern Cahoy, Information Literacy Librarian,
Pennsylvania State University, Emily Rimland, Information Literacy
Librarian, Pennsylvania State University, Binky Lush, Web Developer,
Pennsylvania State University, Kristina DeVoe, English &
Communications Librarian, Temple University, Derik Badman, Digital Services Librarian,
Temple University

They talked about tools to improve web services and make them
more 2.0 or interactive. Using customizable widgets to make library
services more portable and allow users to put library created widget
anywhere they want.

Librarians did this at Penn State: Made downloadable widgets to
search library catalog, search research guides, and for library
quick links. Very cool! http://www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/jumpstart.htm

They used: Widgetbox
http://www.widgetbox.com/ lets you make your own widgets!

Librarians at Temple University purchased LibGuides. Link
to their slideshow: http://madinkbeard.com/library/SubjectGuides.ppt
Customizable research guide pages with interactive functions.
Research or subject guides can be connected by the tabs with course
guides or class outlines be connected with Example:
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/jumpstart.htm

  • Has meebo chat window

  • Calendar for apts on research
    guide

  • Uses tabs

  • Uses RSS for up to date news
    and research articles from popular subject journals

  • Can add polls

  • Users can rate the guide

  • Users can comment on content or
    co-edit, “community building”, conversation from
    university community. This gives chance for faculty collaboration

  • Can imbed video

  • Search boxes directly on page
    for faster searching


Other tools like LibGuides and in addition to are:

  1. Monday - Session: Fast and Easy site
    tune-ups     by Jeff Wisniewski, Web Services Librarian, University
    of Pittsburgh

  • Update copyright date

  • Add photos to contacts/names

  • Replace instances of “click
    here” with the real content. “Click here for
    current articles” should be “Current articles are
    available here.”

  • Create and read microformats.
    Firefox has an add-on called tails
    https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2240. Or Operator
    https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4106

  • Both let you connect with the semantic web. Allows you to collect electronic
    business cards and connect with other websites like Flickr or Google
    Calender. For more info about Microformats go to
    http://microformats.org

Use 3 question surveys:

1.What is purpose of your visit to our site today?
2. Were you able to complete your task today?
3. If not, why?
4. Ask for their email address.
  • Add forward slash to href
    directory links (?)

4. Monday - Session Learning Commons: The “In” in the CIL
presented by Tom Impri, Head of Media & Computer Services,
University of Nevada at Las Vegas

link to slideshow: http://www.slideshare.net/Tombrarian/learning-commons-the-in-in-cil

  • 2nd Life is compliment to physical space
  • More Laptops!
  • Group Study Rooms
  • Movable furniture
  • Rich application suite (Open Source?)
  • White Boards
  • Smart Boards
  • Multi-media production editing
  • Vending machines
  • Practice presentation room
REALLY IMPORTANT FEATURES!
  • Students define the space
  • Variety of spaces (indoor, outdoor, cafe)
  • Comfort
  • Engaging environment
  • Human centered design
  • De-centered-ness
  • Positive emotional experience leads to better learning!
Other important ideas to keep in mind:
  • Active construction of knowledge by the learner - Constructivist/Cognitive theorists
  • GROUP WORK - sharing and learning from each other
  • Space facilitates or hinders learning
  • They leave if not comfortable
  • Need seamless work environments
    • access
    • manage
    • produce info
    • all @ same workstation

Check out The ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students
and Information Technology, (Sept) 2007


5. Tuesday - Session: Mashups for the Nontechies by Jody Fagan, Digital
Services Librarian, James Madison University
slideshow link http://cil2008.pbwiki.com/f/Mashups+for+the+Nontechies_Final.ppt
  • FURL – social bookmarking site like delicious where you can also create a feed of your bookmarked sites so others can subscribe to your feed and stay up-to-date with your bookmarks.


6. Tuesday - Session: The Library Sandbox: Testing Innovative Ideas by Barbara Tierney, Science Reference Librarian,University of North Carolina

She basically read from her book

Transforming Library Service Through Information Commons :Case Studies for the Digital Age, D.

Russell Bailey and Barbara Gunter Tierney, ALA Editions

Academic, public, and school librarians who
are considering an IC or are looking for ways to improve their IC will find a
wealth of information here. More

Case Studies she mentioned:
  • NCSU
  • EmoryUniversity
  • Temple University
  • 20 case studies are listed in the book.

Points to keep in mind when planning a learning commons:

  • Substance over space (?)
  • Learning commons as classroom – this is a very simple view, I think
  • IL as program
  • Evolution from users needs creates tech changes
  • Study spaces into LC conductive to group work, coffee shops, comfort, modular furnishings

(I really like this idea, point)


7. Tuesday - Session: Libraries as Laboratories for Innovation by Matt Gullett, Emerging Technology Manager, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County

8. Tuesday - Session: Video, You Tube, & Libraries by Karen McBride, Web services
librarian, Des Plaines Public Library and Nick Baker, Reference & Web services
librarian, Williams College Libraries

Basically they presented how to do simple screencasting and upload to youTube. Pretty simple
presentation.

I find the fuzzyness of UTube videos for displaying screenshots
of the library’s website unacceptable.


9. Wednesday - Session: ELearning: IL Instruction & Out-of-the-Box Software by Robert Monge, University of South Dakota; Steve Borrelli, Washington State University; Julie Cavender, Jones Knowledge e-Global Library

Analysis>Design>Develop>Implement
Publish in flash or HTML

Software for creating tutorials Free or up to $6000 :

Books they discussed:

1.
Wednesday - Session: Open Source Solutions to Offer Superior Service by Amy De Groff, Head of Library Technology Services, Howard County Public Library, Ching-hsien Wang, Manager, Library & Archives System Support, Smithsonian Institution, George Bowman, System Adminstrator, Smithosnian Insitution Resea, Smithsonian Institution, Eric Atkinson, Information Systems Department Head, Orange County Library System, Kimberly Babcock Mashek, Information Literacy Librarian, Wartburg College

Link to slideshow http://www.slideshare.net/mlibrarianus/computers-in-libraries-2008-open-source-solutions-to-offer-superior-service

· Open Office.org

· Google Docs

· Opera Desk Now

· Joomia

· Koha

· Finetune.com

· SIRIS Image server

· SOLR Interface Application


11. Wednesday - Session: Integrating Second Life (SL): Courses & Collections by
Craig Anderson, Reference Librarian, Kean University, Krista Godfrey, Liaison Librarian, McMaster University, Troy Swanson, Teaching & Learning Librarian, Moraine Valley Community College, Larry Sloma, Adjunct Librarian, Moraine Valley Community College

  • Integrating
  • Second Life & Google Maps
  • One of them says 3D exhibit is not easy to design
  • For exhibit – intro area is good to orient people that are new to SL
  • Computer on a desk that can link to gallery webpage

POST-CONFERENCE Session: Screencasting 101: Creating Online Tutorials in Less than 30 minutes by Greg R. Notess

Online tutorials are better for many reasons:
  • self-paced
  • video and audio make it interesting
Points Notess made:
  • Should not record full screen - don't need to see what other programs you were running when you filmed
  • smaller screen size better (640X480)
  • to produce video choose Adobe Flash - get more flexibility and features in this format - Flash is streaming format/larger audience acceptance
  • Sometimes it is more efficient to redo entire tutorial rather than edit
  • can get statistics
  • save as a file to server
  • can link sttraight to .swf file and it will play
  • embed video in a web page (Video code embed generator )
  • make tutorials for databases that have little tips that need to be explained
  • Could use dreamweaver to imbed flash or other video file format
  • don't go full screen
  • don't start off talking a lot - no long intro - boring
  • Could use music trac too - then use call outs or bubbles
Some software Notess talked about:
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Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Top 10 Alkek library tools for college students? that maybe you don't know about?

I had meant to post this way back in July, but I'd come across this page on the top 10 Web Tools for College Students and although I know this list is old, and I have seen several variants on it as well, it got me thinking. What would be the top 10 Alkek library tools for college students? So I came up with this little list here--though trying very hard to shake off my naturally librarian-centric point of view. And then I wondered how many people knew about them.

1. Worldcat

Worldcat is listed on the library databases page, but it's not for searching articles. It's more of a gigantic library catalog (the name implies this too) and it's helpful for looking to see what other libraries have a certain book or journal. Unfortunately we don't have every book and journal that people need, and if you need it very badly and want to know if it's in a nearby library, Worldcat will tell you. see also #9 on this list.

2. Refworks (or technically any citation management tool)

Refworks will really make your life easier. It organizes your citations and generates bibliographies for you in different style formats. You can even export the citation information to Refworks as you collect your sources. There are other free open source citation managers out there like zotero, but Refworks has some nifty features and it's free to use if you are a Txstate University student.

3. Databases & Refworks RSS feeds feature


Our discussion on Refworks leads us into our next essential tool--database and Refworks RSS feeds. If you are unaware what RSS is or how to use a feed reader, see this wiki page. Some of the databases (EBSCO databases for sure) provide a feed link so you can cut and paste your search and your search results into your favorite feed reader. Every time a new article that matches your search comes up, you'll get it in your new items list. Sweet, no? With Refworks RSS feed reader, this is even cooler. Take the feed from your search, and it will import the citations from the feed into your Refworks account.



The catalog may seem old-school, but it's got some nice enhanced features that will save you some time. One new feature is the My Account login. You can renew your books online (you can renew online up to 3 times) and also save searches and get email alerts (similar to the RSS feeds but you'll get an email with the new items that match your search). You can also login to request checked out items to be held for you at Circulation when they are turned back in.


5. Using Google Scholar to link back to Alkek Library articles


This is another underappreciated little quirk to using the Library webpage. If you are on-campus this little trick should work any way you get to Google Scholar, but if you are off-campus you need to go to the library databases page to get to Google Scholar. When you search this way, articles that you have access to via Alkek Library subscriptions will have a link beside them saying either TxState E-Journals or Findit@Txstate. This is unlike regular searches where they try to make you pay for articles. Most of the time the library has access to them.....why pay when you have free access?


6. Setting up Google Scholar to export to Refworks


So, hopefully you have tried number 5 and now want to figure out how to get your citation from Google Scholar to your Refworks account. Go to Scholar Preferences and at the bottom next to Bibliography Manager you'll get a choice to "show links to import citations into" and then a dropdown menu. Pick Refworks on the dropdown and save preferences. Now when you get your Google Scholar results you'll see a link at the bottom of the citation that says "Import into RefWorks." Clicking on that link will import the cite into your Refworks account. If this is really confusing, see the nice video that shows you exactly how to do this.


Another underappreciated library tool. It's not for searching for articles exactly. Its for looking to see if the library has a particular journal or newspaper and showing any full text databases with links, and also with any print info. You can also browse by subject to see a list of our journals/magazines/newspapers in any given subject. You'll use this the most when you just have a citation and no full-text, and you have to search by hand for the full text somewhere else or print copies.

8. Sign-in Feature in EBSCO databases

Don't mean to be an EBSCO shill, but they have a nifty feature where you can sign in to the database and you can save all the citations you gathered in a folder, and then when you sign in again they'll still be there. Otherwise if you don't sign in if you log out the citations in your folder will get erased. You can also save searches and alerts, and export from your folder.

9. Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad) & Texshare

Sadly, we don't have every single book in the known universe. But, we can try to order it for you if you need it. That's the basis of our Interlibrary Loan Service. Use the Illiad online form to order things we don't have. Sometimes if you are in certain databases you'll see a link to Illiad in the database itself, and in some cases it will fill out the form for you. Otherwise login and fill out the form. If it's available online you will get your requested article online. If it's in print, come by Alkek 213 to pick it up, or just ask at the reference desk.

Texshare is slightly different. Interlibrary Loan Service can take up to 2 weeks to be delivered. Sometimes you don't really have the time to wait. Texshare is a card you get at the Circulation desk that lets you check out books at libraries across Texas. In fact, you can use #1 Worldcat to see where a certain item is and then go check it out with your Texshare card.

10. E-Book collections

What if you need a book and you want it online? We have a growing collection of ebooks. You can set the catalog to display only e-books, and access them from there. We also have a webpage that has links to all the major collections of e-books.


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