Disclaimer: First let me say that while it has been almost two years since I even posted to my blog (I really probably should start it up again) I want to inform you why I am suddenly posting after so much time. This post is for a class I am taking on information technology for my master’s program. Those of you who actually read my post about three years ago when I posted that I got accepted into the SIRLS Master’s program at U of A will know this. Anyway, read this if you wish but know this is for an assignment I am doing for my class.


So for this assignment I had to choose four technologies and provide a description, how they are used in the library and what the social impact of them might be. The ones I have chosen are Online Public Access Catalog’s or OPAC’s, Web Filters, Blogs and Podcasts.

 

Online Public Access Catalogs (OPAC’s):

I shall start with Online Public Access Catalogs. OPACs are the online databases of materials that are held by a library or even a group of libraries. They list all of the materials that the library may offer for its patrons. Users and patrons can search or browse through this database of materials to locate books or other materials that are available in the library. It provides a detailed bibliographic record of each material in the library.

How this technology is used in a library is that it records all information about every material libraries have to offer their patron and whether it is available to them. If the OPAC consists of materials from a group of libraries users can see which location is may be at and then have it sent to the desired location for them to use. Users can search within the catalog using any keyword, title, author, etc. to search for desired information.

The expected social impact of online public access catalogs I think and this is a long shot if any OPAC integrates social software into their systems is that it will give a whole new experience to the user searching for the desired information. Let’s say I was looking for information on what are the best breeds of dogs to get. While I might find books on breeds and how they are, with this social aspect it includes the community in on the search. I would get to read about people opinions on the best dog to own not just from books and other material found on the shelves but from the community themselves.

Web Filters:

Web filters or content controlled software is just that. It filters or controls the content that is seen on the computer. Mostly what is seen on the internet, it controls what users search so that they cannot view what may be harmful or illegal or even what may be classified to the public. This is most beneficial for children. So that when they are searching the web they are not subjected to harmful results or disturbing propaganda that their parents do not want them to see. It’s kind of like imputing parental controls on the TV so children can only watch age appropriate material. Web filtering only let them view age appropriate results or the results others do not want them to see.

This is used in the library to allow patrons not to search the web for inappropriate content mostly pornography. Most of the time this can back fire because there may be users, especially in academic libraries that will be doing serious research on the subject or ones like it. So mostly librarians have to quietly monitor what patrons are looking at to make sure it is appropriate and that they are nowhere near children. I do know that in some children’s areas of the library if there are computers for them to use they may use filtering on just those computers. And a different kind of filtering altogether is that only library card holders can only use the computers the library offers.

As for the social impact, I do not think there is any really. You can choose to block certain content from patrons but that I think will only cause problems. They will just get angry that you are not allowing them free access to any and all information that is out there with the exception of certain information such as those from government institutions.

Blogs:

Blogs are a way to get information out to anyone. This post I am writing is a part of a blog. Entries can be personal; they can be directed only to certain followers or can reach millions. It depends all on the writer on the blog. They can cover a wide variety of subjects or just one. Any entries can be a lengthy affair or just a short quirk like Twitter and its 140 character limit. They usually are arranged with the most recent first and going back chronologically. Many these days are becoming more social and interactive allowing people to follow and leave comments. People can share the posts or subscribe to the RSS feed if one is available. One growing trend is the video blog. Instead of a wordy post people record a video about whatever they are interesting in or whatever topic they are discussing and upload to the web in a series of videos. A good example is You Tube. Many people have their own “channel” and they can upload their own videos or that of their favorites. And videos and be a few minutes long or up to an hour or more.

Using blogs in a library can be very beneficial for the librarians and the patrons. Librarians or employees of the library can keep patrons and users update on goings on in the library as well as discuss library related topics. Events happening at the library can be discussed and reviewed allowing for people to comment on how they went and what they liked or did not like about it. With video blogs, librarians can put together tutorials for patrons and how to videos.

The social impact of blogs is major. Having a blog a one thing (I have one but have hardly been consistent with it as you read in my disclaimer) but knowing how to reach people and keeping it up to date is another. Obviously you need followers. There are many ways to go about getting them. Depending on who you want to be your audience whether just family or friends or a certain type of group you can email everyone saying you are starting a blog. You can use word of mouth to tell people. Or you can link you blog through social media like Facebook, twitter or other social media sites. I have mine linked through Facebook so my friends know when I post something new to it.


Podcasts:

Podcasts are a little like blogs but mainly dealing in audio or video files. They can be subscribed to or downloads usually to a portable media device like an iPod or iPad. Many podcast are done in a series with episodes. They can be about anything or certain topics but usually are about one particular subject. Unlike webcasting, podcasts can be accessed offline when the listener or viewers desires to access them.

Libraries can use podcasts to get out information to users, create short series with tutorials or just discuss general topics going on in the library. I was also thinking that in public libraries, librarians could use podcasts or video podcast for children’s story time. The story time can be recorded either as audio or video and then uploaded on to the libraries podcast site so that parents who cannot make it can listen with their kids later.

The social implements of podcasting are in the way they reach viewers and listeners. With everyone and every business being a part of social media there are countless ways to reach people now. Podcasts links can be displayed via Facebook pages or in Twitter feeds. They can be uploaded to iTunes which has its own podcast store.


The technology that I think will most or actually has improved libraries for the librarians is the integrated library system. This system lifted the weight of the librarians shoulders because now all they did such as orders, keeping track of books borrowed, cataloging of materials could all be done on the computer. Everything could be kept on computers or created on computers. These systems contained modules that allowed for cataloging materials, acquisitioning of materials, an OPAC system for users to browse the what the library has to offer, and circulation programs so materials can be checked out to patrons. The system can even track each patron's activity through the issuing of an ID number as well as track the activity of each item in the library through the same way. And with technology changing all the time this technology can only get better with time and eventually do much that librarians did by hand. Apparently, due to the rise of "cloud" based technology, many management systems that have that technology have made it possible for cataloging to be completely automated to where librarians would only have to scan the ISBN of an item and the information is uploaded into their systems.

The technology that I think will most improve libraries for the patrons is that of adaptive technologies. These are technologies that everyone will be able to use especially those will a disability of some kind like blindness or the hearing impaired. Sometimes these patrons get over looked or there are not enough adaptive technologies to go around. So if a library were to have several items that helped and aided those with such disabilities then these patrons could get the help they needed. Such items like a screen magnification software or trackball controllers and even teletype writers are good examples of the type of technology that a library should have in order to help those with disabilities. Just even having the right technology software on the library computers will help immensely. Software such as screen magnification, screen reading or even having the computer be touch based will allow those who are visually impaired or hearing impaired or those will limited motor capabilities. Other such technologies that a library can have for its patrons with disabilities is closed captioning on television screens or videos, audiobooks for many to listen if then have trouble reading or seeing the small type, Brielle equipment, or even Kurzwiel readers that scans what is printed on a page then reads it to those who cannot see it.

Now I am one for anything that is free. Who isn't but I thought this was just truly amazing. Generally I don't watch the news for anything only because of all the devastating happenings going on plus I could really care less about the presidential race at this point (I only know I will vote for the lesser of two or three evils). But every now and again I will watch the news (my fave right not is ABC 15) and make sure the world and Arizona is still standing. And it is at least for now. But this night's news cast was a special involving the Smart Shopper segment that is occasionally done with host Daphne Munroe where she tells you all about certain deals you can find in the Valley as well as products she tries out before you buy them to see if they are worth it or not.

So tonight they had a segment about what you can do at the public library and since I am getting my Master's in Library Science I felt I had to see what it was all about. And what do you know it was all about how to get free books, music or even take a free class. Which I thought was awesome. And all you needed was a Phoenix library card. The thing that really excited me was the borrow a Nook program because that gives Barnes and Noble (where I work) more publicly about the e-reader device the Nook. This will get more people to try it out for free and see if it may be worth getting one themselves, especially since they can get free ebooks from their local library.

I really hope this furthers not only the future of ebooks and the Nook from Barnes and Noble but the further cements the futures of public libraries every where because if more and more of them take on programs like this (and I hope that my hometown of Chandler gets the hint and starts something like this) then the future of public libraries were be there for the taking. This will open up a whole new world and many opportunities for patrons and staff.

Here is the link to the story:
Download music, borrow a Nook and take a class all for free at Phoenix libraries

Well it's been roughly two years since I added any recent posts to this blog so maybe it's time to continue the saga of all my remarkable connotations. Hopefully I can keep this up as I have tried to do in the past but have failed miserably. Ah well. Beggars can't be chooses now.

To get on with what I really about to say. My book Remembrance which was published four years ago this April has now gotten a whole lot better. Since in this day and age e-readers like the Nook by Barnes and Noble or Amazon's Kindle have become almost the go to for reading, ebook have been gaining popularity for years. Well in the beginning I actually had an ebook format created but it was not up to par as most are these days.

That was when I received an email from my publishers stating that they converted my book into the new ebook format of epub which is one of the types of formats that these e-readers can support. So much to my amazement I was ecstatic to search for it as an ebook and come up with results for Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is completely awesome to see my book on these devices so people can buy it and read it then and there instead of waiting about a week to get a hard copy.

Hopefully since this has happened more will see my book and become interested in it and want to read and then tell others. that way my name (or my pseudonym) will get out there and become increasing popular. I am also hoping to publish my second book sometime this year.

So go check it out. It's available on Barnes and Nobles website or Amazon. But you must search for my pen name Paige Lewis along with the title Remembrance. :)

Well this pasted Monday (January 25th) I did the courageous thing and entered a publishing contest. It's called the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Doing this allows me to see how good I am with my novels. There are four rounds where judges judge you based on style, originality and so on. You have to present a Pitch (which is like a summary of the novel), an Excerpt (which is the first 5000 or so words of the novel) and the Complete Manuscript).

So as you can see it is a lot but it is worth. I had almost everything done anyway. Since my next novel was already done (I was just adding chapters that could be added to it.) But the Pitch was the hard part because you only had 300 words max to use. And not being good a summarizing I had a terrible time trying to come up with 300 words to describe my novel. To me I needed more than that.

But oh well I managed. So I entered and uploaded everything they needed and voila I entered the contest. So I shall keep my fingers crossed but if I make it all the way to the semifinals and win I get a publishing contract with Penguin (A major Publisher and also the one that published Nora Roberts). I mean that would be awesome.

So wish me luck. Because this would be my ultimate dream come true.

It's that time of year again. The mark of the holiday season. When that magical time arrives it's suppose to be joyful and exciting and fun. You get to put of your wonderful decorations, whether they are for the tree you have had set up since Thanksgiving or even Halloween (Yes some people do.) Or they are for the outside to spruce up your home. It's all good and fun but in reality it's all stress and craziness. From the madhouse shoppers who get up at the bewitching hours to shop till they drop and to get those fabulous door busters on that shopping day to rule out all others. None other than Black Friday. Then of course there is Cyber Monday with all the hip online deals but then again this year we might as well have called Thanksgiving Cyber Thursday with all the deals that went on.

And don't get me wrong, I give hats off to those people who brave the crowds and the cold and the getting up (or never going to sleep). I have been there and done that. But I'm not here to criticize or even applaud those people. The ones I am really giving appreciation to are the people who have to work during this crazy madness of a holiday season. Believe me I am one of them now. My hat goes off to all the retailer who work the malls and the stores up until Christmas Eve and then of course will come in on the 26th of December to do it all again as people come in the redeem their gift cards or return something that Aunt so and so gave them and didn't like. It wasn't until I joined the retail working force (working at Barnes and Noble) that I really knew how hard these people work. We work our butts off the get the customer want they want in the store or even going as far as ordering or tracking it down in another store. I really give appreciation now. I'm coming up on two years at Barnes and Noble and I really love it. I will stay there for awhile maybe work my way up the ladder. And we deal with all sorts of customers from the rude to the crazy to the very nice.

And some appreciate us and give us the common courtesy that we deserve and others don't. But remember all we are trying to do is make sure the customer is satisfied. That's what having great customer service is for.

So a little advice this holiday season: Be nice to us retail extraordinaries because we are the ones who can make or break your holiday this year. So don't complain when we are just trying to do our jobs, instead when we have spent our precious time finding that one item you need for Christmas, say thanks, we appreciate all you do and if you want you can wish us a Merry Christmas too.

So Happy Holidays to you. Don't forget to Smile. A smile does go a long way.

So I know it's been awhile but I really haven't add that much to say. But know I do. And I think it may be time to delve into the deep moments in life. I keep a journal on my computer and that's where all jot down stuff when I have those moments where nothing seems to go right and I just hate where I'm at right now but anyway . . .

I actually may have pulled it together and know where I want to be and know what I want in life. Maybe. I used to think that I knew what I was going to do and that my life was on the right track but as soon as I neared graduation from college I became uncertain that the path I was on wasn't the right one and I have been like that ever since. Don't get me wrong I love my job and I don't mind not being as busy as I used to. But I just didn't know what and where I wanted to go in life.

My life was an enigma.

Well, just recently it seems that I was struck with inspiration because of where I work (at Barnes and Noble) And said to myself 'why not do what you've always been good at: books'. I mean I worked in a library for almost 8 years and now I'm going on 2 years at B&N. That's 10 years of experience dealing with books. And then there's the little thing about that published book I did awhile back :) (Remembrance: Check it out if you haven't already). So that's what I'm going to work on achieving. I'm going to go on and get my Master's in Library Science and work in a library (and of course remain at B&N: gotta love the employee discount) I have always been seen reading and always have a book on me.

Now I just have to see it through. Oh and I'll definitely keep writing my books and seeing to get them in the stores.

I might even just join an organization that focuses on getting my books published and edited and the works.

Well that's all for now. Until next time.

So I mentioned I was on MySpace right? Well anyway, MySpace has these apps (applications) that you can get and some are games and some are just random things you can join. Well I joined this one called MafiaWars and I have become really addicted to it. I mean really (not kidding) I will play for hours on end. It's really sad. I got addicted when a friend from college (not naming names Brenda Gilmar :) ) sent me the request to come be apart of her Mafia. So I'm thinking yeah why not. It will give me something to do and I'll at least log into MySpace hopefully once a day or I'll gradually drift away from it and forget it's there. Yeah right. I play every day almost all day when I can. I am truly addicted.

You start out doing menial jobs for small amounts of money (Fake not real but I wish) and build up your stamina and health and energy so you can keep doing more. You visit the Godfather when you need more things but you have to have the right amount of gold coins or you can't. And some of the weaponry and armor and other things that you can get and "own" is just down right awesome. And now the people who have created it allowing you to start out in New York have taken it further and have you venturing into Cuba and now Moscow and later it will be Asia (mostly likely China or Japan) and even Western US (Probably L.A.) But I can't get enough. It's actually dangerous to play because time can just pass by with out you noticing. I have to force myself to stop playing and do some of the stuff that I need to do. But boy is it fun. I highly recommend joining and playing. And if you know I'm on MySpace look me up and then come join my Mafia. But heed my warning :). You have to know when to stop.