Oh, How Web 2.0. Isn't Frightful: Thinking About What I've Learned

Hello to all my readers! Now that we've hit December, it's usually the perfect time to reflect on how the year has come and gone, and what new things we have learned. Today, I want to think back on what I've learned over this semester. Put your best set of fuzzy slippers, sip some hot cocoa, and prepare yourselves for my course reflection.

In my multimedia class, us library tech students recently had the pleasure of listening to some guest speakers working in our field. The guest speakers came from an wide arrange of library types: public, academic, you name it. They mainly discussed how they implemented Web 2.0. tools in their jobs.

What stood out to me, however, were the differences of opinion about Web 2.0. implementation. 

For example, one speaker working for the University of Winnipeg claimed to use a wide variety of Web 2.0. based tools, even going so far as to creating his own subject guide. You can browse through some of their guides, as they're quite informative: http://libguides.uwinnipeg.ca.

However, others were a bit more cautious when it came to implementing social media and other Web 2.0. tools. Some talked about having difficulty with having so many options out there, and trying to maintain their chosen tools. A speaker who worked in a school library even had trouble trying to get social media approved.

What we can learn from this is that Web 2.0. technology is heavily dependent on commitment. Before a library tries to implement new technologies, patrons' needs and their abilities to access them must always be considered.

Throughout my multimedia course, I've also learned about different types of tools libraries can use. 

Where I once despised Twitter, I have now come to respect its positive impact on libraries, as library events can now be easily described to patrons. 

I've also grown to love listening to library-based podcasts (e.g. ComicPop Library and Circulating Ideas). They contain a wealth of information for library staff and for podcast-loving patrons. 

Finally, I've learned to go out of my way and search up library Youtube accounts, instead of...well, watching How It Should Have Ended (HISHE) episodes.

These aforementioned tools (along with many others) have really peaked my interest.

If there was one thing I wish our class could have gone over more was creative/maker sites such as Weebly, Glogster, Wordle, and Zee Maps. 

For instance, I created a fictional high school library website using Weebly as part of my final project. Learning a bit more on how to use such tools would have been great. But I think I've managed to make a nice little website: http://lougheedbrucehighlibrary.weebly.com 

Yes, I really did name the high school after myself. I'll admit my name choice is highly unoriginal. You can blame the stress of completing other assignments for that.

Anyway, to wrap things up, I've been made aware of numerous applications and tools that libraries can effectively use. It's been fun learning about them all, and I've realized that it's important to stay on top of new developments. 

I'm not saying that libraries have to use every web tool out there. Some tools and applications fall out of favour quickly. And with all the upkeep, we'd be chained to our desks, never being able to properly help our patrons.

But libraries should start out with a few web-based tools for the benefit of their patrons and staff. Libraries need to adapt to new technology in order to stay relevant. After all, their primary duty is to educate patrons about various information. And what better way to inform them than by using Web 2.0. tools?

No Fog In Sight: Cloud Computing Within The Library World

Before we begin today's topic, Lieutenant Horatio Caine, king of one-liners, has a few choice words to say on this matter:

Awful puns aside, cloud-based programs are very handy for libraries. Perhaps this post can clear up some of the fog surrounding cloud computing and its relation to libraries.

All right, all right, I'll stop with the bad jokes. 

To put it simply, cloud-based services store information on the Internet without having to rely on your hard drive.

I suspect that over 90% of you have used cloud-based services, even without realizing it.

For example, I use cloud-based programs very frequently, as I constantly check my Yahoo Mail for important updates (and not-so-important matters). 

Of course, cloud computing doesn't only extend to email systems. It's everywhere you look, and it's here to stay for a while: in fact, cloud computing makes over $100 billion each year (http://247wallst.com/technology-3/2015/03/07/the-270-billon-cloud-computing-market/).

Cloud storage applications such as Google Drive, Thinkfree, and Dropbox can hold all of your documents without having to free up space on your hard drive. 

Cloud technology also makes image-editing websites (such as Pixlr), document-editing programs, and video-sharing services a breeze to use.

And until today, I didn't realize that cloud printing was a major thing. As is usually the case, I'm wrong. The market has exploded with cloud printing technology, with heavyweights like Kodak Cloud Print and HP Eprint front-running everything. It's amazing how you can print over miles away from your house by using these services. 

Anyway, you might be wondering how cloud computing relates to libraries. 

It can be explained in this way: the coming "extinction" of traditional integrated library systems (ILS). 

Using cloud-based platforms in replacement of ILS has been a controversial topic within the library world. 

A lot of us can't deny that cloud computing has disadvantages. Libraries that use lots of cloud computing programs have to rely on the Internet, which is prone to crashing. 

One of the biggest problems, however, is the area of privacy. 

Although vendors frequently claim that they do not access data other than to smooth operations, terms of service can vary from program to program. 

As an example, while Microsoft's Skydrive has the same rights and limitations as Google Drive, other services amp up censorship a bit more. Apple iCloud has the right to delete "unacceptable" material without any prior warning. 

The lack of consistency between companies' terms of services can be very problematic for library staff. 

There is also an issue when it comes to dealing with law enforcement and government bodies. 

Services frequently tote that they won't share data unless required by law, but usually don't tell its users when it does so. This allows some secrecy to law-enforcement actions, which privacy-advocates are against. 

While these are still real issues, I believe that storing data onto sites that allow users the right to both encryption and decryption can solve most problems. 

We also can't forget some of the benefits of cloud computing: free upgrades, automatic-backup, and cheap storage space are among many reasons to consider cloud services. 

Of course, these types of products won't work for every library. A company discontinuing its product does unfortunately happen, so libraries should take caution when choosing cloud-based services. While I believe that ILS still has their own positives, it isn't wrong for a library to try out some cloud-based services. 

In summary, libraries just need to make sure that there are no potential storms in the future (sorry, I couldn't resist any longer).