Social Networking.....

Social networking has many benefits for libraries to use today.  It's great to have different options  when your trying to find out information.  I like the chat with a librarian, which most libraries use now.  It is so convenient when your working on something at home or on your laptop somewhere to be able to get questions answered quickly.  I was browsing on the library website for the City of Carsbad Library and they now have the Ask Us questions and the TXT your question which is texting.  Of course, some people still prefer speaking to someone in person over the phone but it's always good to have choices.  I think each library should try out the different technology and use what works best for their patrons.                  

Social Networking @ Libraries: a good idea or not?

Some examples of so-called "social networking:" Skype, Second Life, Flickr, Twitter, and so forth. I know this is supposed to be about the advantages as such, but frankly I see more disadvantages... I mean, aren't kids already doing this too much as it is? I sat next to a girl in my French class last year who spent the entire semester texting- and in the front row! Rude & disrespectful to the teacher, I thought... Also, this chapter in the textbook brought up the situation of some students using the library computers to play games, tieing up computers the rest of us were waiting for for schoolwork. (This actually happened to me while waiting for a library computer to register for classes-I couldn't get on because there was a girl gaming and taking her time about it!) I think the idea might be that students might be using the library more if they could check their facebook, etc., but if you spend any time in the computer lab downstairs, you can see that that's ALL many of them are doing. Sorry, but I'm not excited about this particular trend. Many of these kids live with their parents, don't have jobs, have plenty of time on their hands, PCs @ home and laptops already. They already are spending too much time on this nonsense.

Virtual Reference

Competency #2 In many libraries virtual reference is being used to replace tradational face to face reference services. In most cases this takes the form of a chat box on the library's homepage where users can type in a question and send it to a reference librarian associated with the instition.

Three local libraries that offer online chat support are CSUSM, Palomar, and the Escondido Public Library. With the Palomar reference chat I received a response withing about two minutes. While I didn't exactly get the information I was looking for... I appreciated the quick response. At CSUSM student assistants are used on the floor to answer basic reference questions but if something more in depth is needed, they call a librarian to come out and meet with the student. Librarinan's other time is spent working and answering online reference questions. In past expereicne using this service responses were usually prompt. Really in-depth research questions usually required making an appointment to meet face to face. The Escondido Public Library has a text reference program that encourages patrons to text librarians their questions. I tried it out myself and received a response about 45 minutes later. Since September 2010 this service has received 123 questions, mostly pertaining to available items in the library and information about the area. I feel that virtual reference is beneficial for quick and straighforward questions as it can save time and allow the reference librarian to multitask, feild questions, or even work off site or for more than one library. However, I do not think it can ever fully replace traditional reference services. Considering that reference questions can range from simple (Where can I find books on cats?) to complicated (Where is the best place to find information on social stratification for a research paper?) an on-site person is still needed. For many reasons face-to-face interactions are still a more effective form of communication... meaning traditional reference is still an invaluable library service.

Book Geek approved website

Goodreads allows users to digitally document their libraries, see what friends are reading, write, and read book reviews.

"Goodreads: A Better Alternative To Amazon's User Reviews"
~The Consumerist

comparing e-readers by Colette

For Competency 2, I chose the second option: "Demonstrate how technology impacts the delivery of library resources...(etc.)

I chose the relatively (since 2009) new technology of e-readers.

While at my library job shadowing project last semester, I saw a booklet behind the reference desk, comparing e-readers.

The first e-reader was the Kindle, introduced in 2009. It was followed by the Nook, and now, the I-Pad (among others.)

E-readers impact the delivery of library- and bookstore- resources by offering another way to read books, magazines, shop, and access WiFi and the Internet. When connected with WiFi "hotspots", the readers themselves can act as a kind of "mini-laptop!"

Here are the top 3 e-readers' links:
amazon.com/kindle
apple.com/ipad
nook.com;

as well as a site from a reputable source which lets readers compare e-readers and make an informed decision.
For more information, see: consumerreports.org/ereadercomp.

Self Checkout - Worth the $$$!

Read what a few libraries using self-checkout have to say:

At the University of Hawaii Manoa Library they have introduced a "self checkout" service because of their commitment to give the patron a productive and efficient library experience.  The self-checkout service is a great way to avoid the line at the circulation desk during peak periods.  It allows you to checkout and renew (provided the book is not overdue or has been recalled by another patron) at the same time.  Of course, if the patron runs into any problems there will be a staff member available for assistance.  http://library.manoa.hawaii.edu/services/self-check.html


The Concord Free Public Library who is currently considering a self checkout system had this to say at their town manager's fiscal 2012 budget meeting on 3/2/11.  They would like to install RFID which is an electronic tag within every book and an electronic reader that would allow for self-checkout.  "This is not to take away from service, but rather to provide the librarians to give better service via more face-time out from behind the desk," said Town Manager, Chris Whelan. Since 2000, circulation at the library has risen 41 percent, with almost zero increase in staffing.  Whelan said the price for this service has been decreasing and they could install it for $140,000.  On the prolonged cost of the system they would likely need annual software updates at a cost to the town.  http://www.wickedlocal.com/concord/news

The Health Sciences Libraries of the University of Washington has been using the self-checkout technology for about 7 years.  They were using a 3M self-check system, which was compatible with their security-gate technology.  They wanted to determine if self-checkout could free up time on the information desk so that staff members could address patron questions rather than checkout materials manually.  They updated in 2005 with a new Flashcan system from Library Automation Technologies.  After quite a few setbacks with installation and challenges with getting the system running they decided that knowing what they know now they would definitely go with self-checkout.

Fairy Tales like you never imagined!

This is a book trailer on a series called "The Sister's Grimm" by Michael Buckley.  I read this children's series because it is so popular at my elementary school library.  I wanted to find out what was attracting the students to read these books.  There are a total of seven books and I have just ordered book #8 called "The Inside Story".   The storyline takes fairy tale characters and puts them into a modern day town with lots of twists and turns.