Expanding Library Services & Content With New Technologies

Expanding Your Collection & Services With New Technologies Or… I didn’t know I could do THAT online! 14 November 2006 NHSL

Class Focus
New, free (or at least really cheap) software that can be easily used in a public library.
New, free information or entertainment based on new technologies that can be used in a public library.

Goals
Learn about online applications.
Use online services to expand our libraries’ offerings.
Discuss ways to promote these Web-based services.
Discover new ways people are using the Web.

Hands-on Activities
In today’s class, we will be trying out online programs and visiting sites that offer information and entertainment in new, exciting ways.

Web 2.o
Web 2.0 is based on the idea that the Web is more than a place to find information from “official” sources.
Web 2.0 is built on the concept of individuals being able to create their own content, share that content with others, and connect with people who share their interests.

Web 2.0 is on the move…
Web 2.0 is based on a “Web-based platform” instead of a desktop-based platform.
Web-based=remote, flexible, on-the-go, community
Desktop=stationary, inflexible, yours alone

Read-Write Web
The fact that users can not only read online information, but create (or write) it, too, is the reason why Web 2.0 is sometimes called the Read-Write Web.

Libraries + Web 2.0 = Fabulous Services & Content
Web 2.0 is perfect for libraries, librarians and our patrons, alike!
Our library patrons, like us, work, study, and get news and entertainment from many different locations (computers).

Web 2.0 works for us
Web 2.0 travels with us.
Once costly programs are now freely available online.
The require little “real” technical knowledge.

Software challenges in a public environment
Security restrictions on computer terminals limit or prohibit downloading.
No patron control over available software.
Possible limitations with saving and/or transferring data onto various storage devices.

Why Web 2.0 really works in libraries
Web-based applications get around many of the security restrictions we must place on our public computers.
No downloading needed.
No special access needed.
Your programs – when you need them, where you need them.

What We Can Do On Web 2.0
Write a document and save it as a PDF.
Create a blog that others can read
Upload our pictures and video – and even edit them completely online.
Watch the news from other countries in real time.

What We Will Be Doing Today…
Create a document and save it online.
Edit and save photos online.
Watch online video.
Discover other Web-base services!

Online Word Processors (& more)

Online word processors
Offer the same features – and sometimes more features – than desktop word processing software!
Offer online storage to keep backup copies of documents safe and conveniently located.

Google Docs
Use your Google login information to sign into Google docs.

Uploading an existing document

Browse your computer

Open the new PDF

Spreadsheets
Google also offers a spreadsheet program, too!
Let’s open this spreadsheet from within the program…

Open a new spreadsheet…

Import your spreadsheet…

3-Minute Play Time!
Open another browser…
Visit: www.imaginationcubed.com
Wow!

Online Storage: Your Files Where You Need Them To Be

Online storage
There are many sites that allow users to create free accounts and save 30 MB to 5 GB of files online.
(Remember – the floppy disk only holds 1.44 MB!)
Higher storage amounts usually require a reasonable yearly fee.

Why save your files online?
Your online account follows you from place to place, computer to computer. If you have online access, you have access to your files.

Ever hear this…?
“Do you have a floppy disk I can borrow?”
“What do you mean, you don’t have USB ports? I have a flash drive! How am I going to save my paper?!?”
Share online storage options with your patrons!

How does it work?
Choose an online service. (There are many to choose from!)
Create a free account.
Upload your files!
Let’s upload a file to our Yahoo Briefcase…

Finding your Yahoo Briefcase
Visit: briefcase.yahoo.com
Sign in using your Yahoo account information.
Verify the “word” in the account verification set up.

Adding files to your account

Create a new folder, if desired…

Upload up to six files at once…!

Accessing your files

Your account information

Online Storage: Summary
There are many different services available.
The services vary by storage limits.
Choose a service that fits your needs.

5-Minute Play Time
Have you ever VoIP-ed anyone before?
(Voice over the Internet Protocol)
You can use your Internet connection to make free or low-cost phone calls.
We are using Skype today.

Skype essentials
USB Skype Certified phone ($30 & up)
Free Skype software
Free Skype account

How Skype could work for you
Use Skype when calling your “cell-phone only” patrons.
Give a patron class or demo on using Skype.

Online Photo Editing

Open a photo file from your computer

Resizing an image Click, hold and drag the corner to resize the image.

Cropping your image

Saving your image

Logging into Flickr

Let’s not choose a new name now…

Give your permission

Describe as desired…

Uploading a photo directly to Flickr

Describing and tagging

Maintain a Community Calendar

Add an event

Publishing your calendar

See an example of Local in action!

Let’s talk about chat

How often do you hear this…?
“Someone is sitting at the computer that has AOL Instant Messenger.”
“Can I download my favorite chat program?”
Instead of downloading all of the various chat programs, try an online chat site!

Log on to an existing account and start chatting…

You can even add chat to your Website or blog.

Videos, videos everywhere…

Online entertainment
High-speed Internet access allows for a wider range of online entertainment.
Streaming TV
Streaming radio/music
Online videos

Online “TV”
It is possible to watch live news broadcasts from foreign countries.
Streaming video from mainstream and independent sources.

User-generated content

Mainstream (recycled) content

Watch free music videos

The king of user-generated videos:

Visit “My Videos”

Uploading YouTube video

Streaming audio

Expand your reference collection
New technologies can help you expand your reference collection.
Wikis, blogs and user-generated content are valuable sources of hard-to-find product reviews.

Consumer aids

User-generated content

Looking for a new way to poll?
Tired of low patron questionnaire turnout? Why not try an online poll?

Creating your poll

Add the poll to your site or blog

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