Firstly it is intereresting to note the wide range of information, that is out there all over the world. The resources are so up-to-date and relevant to what people actually need or require in their library.
Had a brief look at the Discovery resources,and it was interesting to note the pro's and con's of using wikis:
Firstly-it's easy to use and it's web-based(world-wide).Secondly you do not need to have any knowledge of HTML or other mark-up languages. Thirdly anyone can add or edit contents. It's free to open source options and is flexible and extensible.
Of it's cons-it's unorganized,is too open,not enough control and can have some spam or vanadalism attached.
St.Joseph Country library had a wide range of subject contents,which I found use-ful. For e.g. It's online catalogue(by keyword,title or call no,author or ISBN no or Subject. Patrons could give a book rating,pay their overdue fines by credit card,Have their history reading record up-to-date.
Their reference guide offers Dictionary/Encyclopedia information,online book enquires,search engines,maps & Directions etc....
Book Lover's Wiki (used by Princeston Library mainly offers Book Reviews ratings
& content guides to the Book reviews..
Library Success:is more like a catalogized content encyclopedia that offers wide range of library facilites & Procedures.Such as Reader's Advisory,Resource Sharing,Technology information, Training for Development Libraries for examples.And has A wide scope of knowledge available to anyone to obtain.Providing you were willing to join the library.
Note that all these information are useful,in different ways.And can or should be used in all libraries...
Friday, December 28, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
#15. ON LIBRARY 2.0 & WEB 2.0............
I must admit my first thought was No, No, No it would never work....Can Patrons adapt to change? In particular the elderly(who are usually set in their ways),the migrants, who won't be able to speak it's language or mother's with young children,
who don't have the time.. I,myself,have had trouble understanding certain computer basics.But with time & patience,you can gain confidence in using up-to-date
equipment.
If its done, in a slow but steady process, with guidance, it can be achieved successfully. Maybe we can promote upcoming technology,for e.g, the Self-serve check-out on the TV screen, so that Patrons become more aware of what would be happening in the future, so that they can prepare themselves...And Ask questions, if need be..
Technology & Customer Service should work hand-in-hand. By keeping up with Technology,we better ourselves, and we provide better service for our Customers. Also technology should be more reliable,quicker & easier to use, and that would encourage the customers to use them more.
We need to keep up with new technology-as with the other Libraries.Yet at the same time we can't be Robotic to our customer's.Balance is needed.
Some customers may feel intimidated by new Technology, which is understandable, we fear what we don't understand.But By guiding them step-by-step either by
person,or some form of diagram (in laymans terms),we are encouraging the positive result.
Staff should also be approachable-for inquiries of any kind, provided we do have enough staff on the front desk. Computer classes should continue,particularly for the elderly, for their the one's most in need of direction,in the use of the internet and the photocopier (with all of it's features).
Libraries,should be seen as the future,Something exciting & challenging.
It would be interesting to see how it pans out, and what the outcome would be.But no-one knows until it is tried & tested...Let's go for it.
who don't have the time.. I,myself,have had trouble understanding certain computer basics.But with time & patience,you can gain confidence in using up-to-date
equipment.
If its done, in a slow but steady process, with guidance, it can be achieved successfully. Maybe we can promote upcoming technology,for e.g, the Self-serve check-out on the TV screen, so that Patrons become more aware of what would be happening in the future, so that they can prepare themselves...And Ask questions, if need be..
Technology & Customer Service should work hand-in-hand. By keeping up with Technology,we better ourselves, and we provide better service for our Customers. Also technology should be more reliable,quicker & easier to use, and that would encourage the customers to use them more.
We need to keep up with new technology-as with the other Libraries.Yet at the same time we can't be Robotic to our customer's.Balance is needed.
Some customers may feel intimidated by new Technology, which is understandable, we fear what we don't understand.But By guiding them step-by-step either by
person,or some form of diagram (in laymans terms),we are encouraging the positive result.
Staff should also be approachable-for inquiries of any kind, provided we do have enough staff on the front desk. Computer classes should continue,particularly for the elderly, for their the one's most in need of direction,in the use of the internet and the photocopier (with all of it's features).
Libraries,should be seen as the future,Something exciting & challenging.
It would be interesting to see how it pans out, and what the outcome would be.But no-one knows until it is tried & tested...Let's go for it.
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