Technology Trends for Libraries

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Technology Trends for Libraries
Presented by Kathy Lussier SEMLS Asst. Admin for
Technology Basic Library Techniques
Administration. 11/3/2005
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Wireless

• Libraries have evolved to consider the provision
  of Internet access through library-owned
  computers as part of their core offerings, and it
  won't be long until wireless achieves the same
  level of expectation.
• Breeding, Marshall. "Wireless networks connect
  libraries to a mobile society.(The Systems
  Librarian)." Computers in Libraries 24.9 (Oct
  2004) 29(3). 

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RFID

• Too expensive for most libraries to consider at
  this time, but cost will come down.
• Facilitates self-checkout, security, inventory,
  and sorting when materials are returned.
• Privacy issues need to be considered.

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Gadgets

• Audio devices (MP3 players/iPods)
• http//shpl.suffolk.lib.ny.us/
• http//www.wilbrahamlibrary.org/newsevents/ipod/
• Personal Digital Assistants
• PDA-friendly web pages XHTML, AvantGo.
• http//www.ltls.org/pda-quickstart.html
• eBooks
• Syncing Stations?
• Flash Drives

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The Electronic Branch of Your Library

• One way that a library can build support for
  itself and ensure continued funding is by having
  a sticky site.
• Fichter, Darlene. "Making Your Library Web Site
  Sticky.(Industry Overview)(Statistical Data
  Included)." Online 24.4 (July 2000) 87.

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Helpers for your Electronic Branch

• MassAnswers
• 24/7 Reference Service for your patrons.
• My Own Cafe
• Teen Web Site for your library
• Calendar Solutions (and more)
• EventKeeper
• Library Insight

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Helpers for your Electronic Branch

• Blogs
• Easy way for staff to add content to web page.
  News, book discussions, teen discussions.
• Promotes interactivity.
• Easy way to create RSS feed that patrons can
  subscribe to.
• Can use as your entire library web site
• http//www.aadl.org/

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Helpers for your electronic branch

• Library Elf www.libraryelf.com
• Alerts for library materials that are almost due
  and overdue, holds available or about to expire.
• Uses e-mail, RSS, and text messaging.
• Easy way to manage cards for the entire family
  and to manage cards from different networks.
• Privacy concerns
• http//tinyurl.com/a569j
• http//tinyurl.com/97sqb

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Helpers for your electronic branch

• Flickr www.flickr.com
• Easy way to post photos to the web.
• Organize photos in different ways.
• Automatically creates RSS feeds.
• Online Book Discussion from Dear Reader
  www.dearreader.com
• http//www.grandeprairie.org/

10
RSS Really Simple Syndication

• The news you want, the way you want, when you
  want.
• Online RSS Readers Bloglines, My Yahoo.
• Standalone Software NewzCrawler, Sharp, Pluck,
  Sage FeedReader (Firefox Extension.)
• Podcasting Audio RSS
• http//www.wbur.org/listen/podcasts/

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Communication

• Instant Messaging
• 53 million adults trade instant messages and 24
  of them swap IMs more frequently than email. IM
  also gains a following in U.S. workplaces.
• Pew Internet American Life Project. How
  Americans use Instant Messaging, September 2004.
  www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Instantmessage_Report
  .pdf

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Communication

• IM
• Reference
• Staff Communication
• Public Access Computers
• Text messaging
• Altarama Reference By SMS
• LibraryElf Notices by Text Message
• Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
• Vonage www.vonage.com
• Skype (Audio IM) www.skype.com

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Collaboration

• Web Conferencing
• WebEx www.webex.com
• Groove Networks www.groove.net
• Opal-Online www.opal-online.org Library
  programming available to all.
• Wikis allows anyone to add and edit content
• Wikipedia www.wikipedia.org
• Library Success A Best Practices Wiki -
  www.libsuccess.org

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Keeping Up

• Web Junction Technology Watch for Small Libraries
• www.webjunction.org
• ALA Top Technology Trends
• http//tinyurl.com/bwq57
• Pew Internet American Life Project
• http//www.pewinternet.org/
• RSS and E-mail alerts for new reports.
• I Want To
• http//www.philb.com/iwantto.htm