To Blog or Not to Blog.....

To be or not to be is famous to the point of being cliched, still it is accurate.  It has been an interesting experience blogging for this class,  I must admit that although I have enjoyed the written aspect, I have found blogging to be constraining at times.  This has more to do with the myriad of times I've wished to write on subjects not in the least relevant to this class.  That is not to suggest that I haven't enjoyed the rest of the class, because that would be untrue.  What has been different was the focus of the blog.  I had used Livejournal and Facebook before, but that was personal.  It was different and somewhat refreshing.  Redundant perhaps, but still true.  Having a chance to reflect on the chapters in the book afterward, whether I had answered the questions yet or not was exceedingly helpful.  I also found that I was often using elements from different chapters as we progressed.  This specific blog may be expanded to include other library related classes in the future.  It should help to maintain and retain information.

Secure

Like many of the chapters in this book, this one was full of practical and useful information.  Security is a valid concern especially for libraries and other public places.  Patrons want to make certain that if they use their own computers that there won't be any difficulties.  The same holds true if patrons use the library's equipment.  How easy it would be to pass on the inevitable technological problems to someone else.  However, doing so completely negates the purpose of staff.  Yes, part of it is to help patrons find books and other reading material, but part of it is to find the answers to the technological questions. 

It is sometimes odd to think about what is secure and what is not.  Before computers all anyone had to do was lock the door to their home and they would assume they were safe.  Actually, in the beginning of the twentieth century and previous centuries many people did not lock their doors at all because they thought they were safe.  Computers and particularly widespread use of the Internet changed that.  Libraries have to find a way to guard against theft identity and the more traditional kind.

Tweet Tweet

Initially, when I started this project I admit that I couldn't see the point of the social network known as Twitter, but as the weeks have passed my opinion of the site has changed.  I can see a lot of value to it,  Granted, I may not use it as consistently once this semester is over, but that has more to do with  the fact that not many people I know use this network.  I found one friend who uses it outside of class.  That said, it's been very cool to get snippits of information from the libraries and New York Times.  I have found it to be a useful starting point to getting more of the information that I need.  I don't have it all figured out yet (who does?), but I like what I have learned so far.  I listen to the radio a lot and have smiled at some of the posts from WLBC a station that may only be here in town.  There's a connection to the people that tweeting gives - a freedom in its specificity.  I plan to continue exploring even after this class has ended.  More to come.

Chapter 16

Considering all of the necessary requirements for a library building is very much out of my league.  I admit to not being very adept when it comes to all things spatial.  That said, this chapter had a lot of practical advice in it.  The reality is that the practical use of a library is changing as society changes.  From the beginning it has always been about literature, but now the literature can come in different forms.

Building needs I had considered.  There is much to contemplate.  Electricity and where the computers can go are only part of the problem.  Making sure that as many patrons as possible can use the equipment is part of the problem.  The questions that the chapter pointed out would be well answered before adapting buildings.

I have seen people play games on their laptops at the libraries I have visited.  I have also been guilty of this.  The considerate ones play with the sound off.  Games are addicting, but they can be a distraction.  That said, a library can be a good place to escape the world for a few hours and find some solitude.

2.0 Deux - Continued

Library websites are the new "in" thing for patrons and libraries.  There's a lot that library websites have to offer.  Yet, as useful as these tools are I wonder what the future holds for libraries.  There's been talk about computers taking over which may or may not be the case.  Some of the material we learned about in the previous chapter would apply as well.  When designing a website taking into account the digital divide seems to be a necessity.  Meeting the needs of every patron is impossible, however some type of middle ground is needed.

Tutorials and other methods are useful. It seems to me though, that sometimes there is something to be said for person to person contact.  As easy as library websites can be to use it can be easier to get the information over the phone or from an actual librarian.

The questions that the chapter poses for the design of a website seem very apt.  They allow for a new perspective when trying to create or update a website.

Adaptive Necessity

One of the things that chapter 11 talks about is adaptive technology.  It also discusses assistive technology.  I found these terms to be a bit confusing, but the concepts made perfect sense.  A library is meant to help its patrons no matter what.  It is inexcusable to segregrate or discriminate.  If a library does not provide for deaf or blind (for example) patrons then they are losing out.

It is interesting to watch interactions in libraries patrons are at very different places.  This is true when considereing the use of computers and reading levels.  In both cases practice allows for improvement, but book literacy and computer literacy are two very different ballgames.  I've seen the digital divide in action and it's amazing what one generation takes for granted that another may not have even considrered.  It would be easy to say that age makes the difference, but that is not the case.  While age is a factor another factor is availability.  While it is often assumed that students have access to computers and the internet this is not always the case.