Apps Ain't Crappy: Why Libraries Should Use Apps More Often

Apps have changed so much over the past 20+ years. Remember the good ol' days when you could only install apps on your computer through discs, with said apps taking super long to download? Ahh, sweet memories, I tell ya. It's amazing how far we've come: you can now simply tap on your phone or tablet to download an app. And oh my, how the downloading speed is drastically faster. Woo-hoo!

At this point, you might be wondering, "Erin, how are apps useful in libraries? Do librarians download games like Angry Birds and just sit on their butts playing them?"

While it would be nice if we could do that (I mean, I wouldn't reject to having to beat my Tetris high score now and again), in reality libraries are collecting and using apps in a wide variety of ways.

For example, some apps can act as educational tools, and more and more school and public libraries are introducing them. 

For instance, is little Jimmy or Sally curious about endangered animals and wants to learn about different species? Simple, download the WWF Together app created by the World Wildlife Fund so they can be educated on the topic in a fun, engaging way. There are many educational apps out there, ranging from math games to learning about art history. It might take some digging around on the iPad, but these apps offer great benefits.

In addition, apps can also be useful in a professional setting. They can help boost productivity and organization in the work world.

Think about it, with the rise of cloud storage, apps such as Dropbox allow library staff to share files between your phone and computer wherever the app is installed. Apps can even be used for group presentations, with Keynote giving users animated charts and other features for more professional presenting. There are many other apps out there that can help library staff become more organized and productive.

And of course, libraries can also create their own apps to promote their services to the public, among other things. 

Winnipeg Public Library's WPL to Go allows users to search the catalogue, check their accounts, and allow access to OverDrive for downloadable audio-books and e-books. That's right, all of these features are in one pretty little square. It's pretty nice to use library services in one mere button touch.

Speaking of which, an app that I use quite frequently is Mango Mobile. It's a handy little app that helps you learn languages by providing you with word pronunciations from native speakers. It's a great way to brush up on my French now and again, and works wonderfully for non-English speakers. In fact, Toronto Public Library now allows access to Mango Mobile, so long as you sign in with your library card and create a profile. It's available for both Androids and iPhones/iPads/iPod Touches, which is nice. I also think that this app could also be useful in school libraries for teaching ESL courses, as non-English students would have a way to learn English on-the-go.

Au revoir for now, readers. I'm off to use Mango and the many other apps installed on my phone.

There Be Wikis In These Parts: How Libraries Use Wikis To Communicate More Effectively

When you think of wikis, what pops into your nice, cute noggin? For me and many others, the first one that comes to mind is the famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) Wikipedia. Despite controversy over its lack of expertise and consistency, it's still one of the most visited reference websites on the Internet. According to Wikipedia, 374 million visitors browses its pages monthly. Although I don't rely on Wikipedia for academic use, I find myself using it and other wikis if I want look up general information, like Lady Gaga's discography.

What's interesting, however, is the fact that more and more libraries are relying on wikis to communicate with patrons and staff.

As a reminder, wikis are websites that are collaborative in nature. The content can be created and edited by any group or anyone, including your friendly, neighbourhood monster. That's right, I believe monsters should be able to contribute their ideas too; they have needs just like us. Unless if they try to destroy computers like good ol' Frankenstein's monster here, then we might have a problem: 

"But why are libraries doing this?" you might ask. 

"Wouldn't it be easier if staff members just sent out an email or two?"

While libraries still use email frequently, problems arise if there's a need for coordinating and organizing group input. For example, instead of you and others going back and forth through email , generate a wiki so that everyone in the group can contribute ideas in one space no matter where they are. 

Libraries can use wikis to communicate with more flexibility, whether through using an internal (or private) wiki or an external (or public) wiki. 

For instance, staff can use internal wikis to spread the word about updated staff policies. Internal wikis can be used for setting up helpful, informative links, and posting meeting minutes. I also think that internal wikis can also have potential for setting up staff parties and the like. Meanwhile, external wikis can act as a research guide for patrons. As you can see, wikis can be used for a variety of things. 

In my personal opinion, I believe all types of libraries can benefit from creating a wiki. In particular, larger libraries can greatly improve communication though the use of wikis. This may be due to larger staff sizes, where emailing everyone isn't always the most effective option.

Of course, smaller groups can also profit from setting up their own wikis. The Daring Librarian has an excellent one; it was created for Murray Hill Middle School teachers. It's very user friendly, with a table of contents and a search bar if you need to look up something specific. It's attractive-looking as well, with many graphics to treat your eyes: http://thedaringlibrarian.wikispaces.com

With all that said, now it's time for me to look up information on Game of Thrones, through wikis of course. 

My Sincerest Apologies To You, Twitter: Why More and More Libraries Are Using Twitter

To the most-beloved Twitter,

Oh, how I hated you in the past. I created an account on you not too long ago, hoping that I could keep track on my friends' lives. I desperately wanted to like you, as you seemed so attractive and clean in appearance. I also wanted to learn how to use hashtags properly, and not in a mocking way. 

But alas dear Twitter, it was just not meant to be. I was simply too verbose and long-winded for you; I couldn't become comfortable using 140-character limits. My friends thought so too. They ditched their accounts two weeks after creating them. And so, with nothing else to look forward to, I abandoned you. My once lively account was now (and sadly still is) in a comatose state. 

Well, I'm here to tell you that I'm sorry I misunderstood you. It went over my head that you are a librarian's dream come true.

You are more than just some silly website to pass time with. 

You were (and still are) a very useful tool to look up various types of information, even if it's just a quote from a D-list celebrity. 

You single-handedly put microblogging on the map. 

You have helped libraries around the world get in touch with patrons more easily and effectively. You have helped to create more pro-library communities.

Libraries are surprisingly popular on you, sweet Twitter; the New York Public Library has around 605,000 followers. Of course, libraries don't need to get that many followers to be successful. 

Smart library staff aren't just using you and other forms of microblogging to share info about recommended books, updated policies, etc. They also use accounts to relate to patrons and help them explore the big, beautiful world around them.

The Winnipeg Public Library, for example, released a tweet yesterday stating about James Dean's death, and linked relevant info on how he impacted our culture. I think that's a clever way to re-introduce classic actors and other important figures to unfamiliar users.

Libraries can also use Twitter and microblogging to inform the public about community events. Everything ranging from free concerts to knitting classes is posted on many library Twitter accounts. Twitter is also an effective tool to create discussions with, engaging with patrons to think critically and voice their opinions more easily. 

It's amazing how many interesting things a library can pack into you, my little Twitter.

I'll admit, it may take me a while to boot up my account again. But at least I now have a better understanding of you. Where I once despised you, I have now grown to at least admire you from afar.

Sincerely,

Erin.

P.S- I found some accounts that I really like a lot. I hope that they may never falter on you:

1. Vancouver Public Library: https://twitter.com/VPL
2. Winnipeg Public Library: https://twitter.com/wpglibrary?ref_src=twsrc%5egoogle%7ctwcamp%5eserp%7ctwgr%5eauthor
3. Scottish Poetry Library: https://twitter.com/ByLeavesWeLive

Share On and Write On, My Friend: Why Blogs and RSS Feeds Are Important To Libraries

In last week's blog post, I yammered on about how libraries should make use of Web 2.0 sites whenever possible. It just so happens that this wee little blog you're reading, along with the bazillions more out there, belong to the Web 2.0. club. 

As a quick reminder, blogs are similar to online journals, where all my attempts at sharing information (otherwise known as articles) float about in chronological order. I can already picture those familiar with blogging rolling their eyes and groaning. However, if you need more info on blogs, I highly recommend Ellyssa Kroski's Web 2.0. for Librarians and Information Professionals. She gives a great overview on them.

But today, the main focus is going to be on how RSS feeds and blogs shape the library world in a positive way.

You may be wondering what an RSS feed is. Is it an acronym for Rad Superb Stories? Or is it the short form of Really Simple, Stupid?

Well, not quite. But it's really simple to grasp.

RSS stands for Rich Site Summary, or better known as Really Simple Syndication. It can help users keep track of new info coming out without having to check on their website of choice day after day.

You're probably more familiar with RSS feeds than you might think. See this little symbol here? It indicates that a website uses RSS:

So how are libraries making use of this bad-spray-tan coloured icon and blog posts? In ways far beyond the realms of your imagination, dear reader.

All joking aside, RSS feeds and the blogosphere are now important to the modern-day library and its patrons. 

So all those really cool announcements about new titles? Libraries can now put that into an RSS feed, with the result being that followers are

notified without having to access the library's main website. Simply put, blogs and RSS feeds give information out more effectively and quickly than traditional means. 

Libraries don't have use RSS feeds and blogs in just this way of course. I also think that they're useful for announcements in library policy changes, new dates for story times, updates on meet-and-greets, you name it. There's a plethora of ways libraries can use RSS feeds and blogs to their advantage.

Of course, I wouldn't just leave you hanging without sharing a few of my favourite library blogs and their URLs. They're user-friendly, have plenty of eye-candy, and have quality information to boot:

1. 500 Hats: http://500hats.edublogs.org

2. AllStars Library: http://allstars.edublogs.org

3. Not So Distant Future: http://futura.edublogs.org

Well, I for one will now be taking a peek on my RSS feeds and blogs I follow. See you later! 

Free Our Info: Libraries And Web 2.0.

Today in this post, I'll be sharing something that's more vital to libraries then you might think: Web 2.0. When I first heard this term used in class, I wasn't sure what it meant. Was it a new technological breakthrough? Were we finally going to be able to have Smell-o-Vision installed in our computers? Did Web 2.0. mean we were heading towards a 1960's style of future, complete with holograms?

Unfortunately, Web 2.0. isn't any of those things. Simply put, it's various sites that are both participatory and collaborative. 

Web 2.0 sites allow the average Joe, Jane, and pet gerbil named Pumpkin to interact with dynamic Internet pages.  

All those funny cat videos you watch on Youtube? Your Facebook status detailing on how much your life sucks?

Congrats, you just used Web 2.0.

So, how does this all relate to libraries you may ask? Can't patrons just get off their behinds, enter a library, and talk to a staff member about upcoming events? 

Well, if we didn't have Web 2.0., libraries would have a much tougher time communicating to patrons and enticing others to use our resources. We need to become that scuzzy car-salesman and provide as much information about our services as best we can. 

And in order to do this, it's my belief that libraries should take advantage of the many forms of Web 2.0.

Today, libraries can use Web. 2.0 sites in a variety of ways. Many public libraries use Twitter to inform patrons on a lot of things, such as the date when Stephen King will arrive for a meet-and-greet. Youtube can work wonders for showing story times when parents can't make it the day of when it's happening. 

The possibilities to share information with patrons and staff using Web 2.0 sites are limitless.

Personally, I'm comfy using Facebook to look up status's published by my hometown public library so I stay updated on new items they've received. Blogs also work wonders for reading recommendations. The list of uses goes on into the wild, vast yonder.

However, since the Internet seems to be ever-changing at speeds of a rocket ship, I wonder how long it'll be before the sites libraries use will become outdated. What will happen when Web 3.0. comes in fruition?

For now, all I can say is that I'm happy that more and more libraries are using the Internet to their advantage. 

And I'll continue to look up library services from the comforts of my own home whenever I please.

I'm Not Boring, Really: Why I Chose To Become a Library Technician

Much like Alice and her Wonderland adventures, I seem to have fallen down into a complex world known as libraries and librarianship. Yes, I'm talking about that quiet place which sometimes smells like a combo of dusty furniture and over-perfumed ladies. And yes, right now I'm trying to acquire my library and information technology diploma. Someday, I want to be one of those leathery librarian techs, the ones that give you annoyed glances if you make noises louder than a silent but deadly fart.

But unlike Alice and her dream, I don't want to "wake up". I don't want to choose another profession. And I don't want to give up on libraries and the services their staff can provide. 

I had a talk with a friend of mine months before I began my program. It was your typical visit I guess, full of phrases like "I've missed you so much!" and "I'll literally die if we don't eat!". Soon came that classic college student topic: courses.

"So, how are you doing in your college courses?" I asked.

She gave me a look equivalent to a shrug. "Some of my classes are OK, others I'm having trouble with," she replied.

Her goal was to take over her mother's bridal store one day, so she took up business administration.

She asked, "Are you excited for your library program coming up?".

"Of course!" I said, "It feels like an eternity waiting for it to start. I better enjoy it.".

Suddenly, the ominous bells of concern rang from my friend:

"Are you sure you'll like it Erin? I can't imagine being in a library. It seems super boring to work at, and it stinks in there. Why take a job like that?".

I couldn't stop her questions planting inside my brain, they were toxic mushrooms threatening to overtake my emotional garden.

But then I remembered. 

Back in high school, I was a page at my local public library. A bunch of my shifts were in the children's section downstairs, but my work schedule called for a lot of upstairs shifts too. Sure, I had slower evenings just reading shelves and putting away material properly. I guess for some it could be as exciting as this:

But I also thought back to Saturday story times, with grinning children trying to guess what happened next. I remembered trying to help patrons learn how to use our brand-new Mac computer to send messages to their families. I recalled all the "thank you's" and nods of approval anytime I successfully found the right material for a patron.

I remembered doing more than putting away picture book copies.

I, along with others, acquire and provide information for all types of patrons. My chosen profession helps to foster positive change for my community.

And for me, that will always be as exciting as running a bridal store.