Final Project Posting

     My final project for ILS 599 is a Library 2.0 proposal for a 7-12 independent school library. Here is the link to the prototype: http://eslibrarian.pbwiki.com/

     This school serving grades 7 through 12 has a rigorous college-prep curriculum, with approximately 75-80 students per grade, for a total of 475 students. The goal of this project is to help teachers and students organize and use the wealth of library resources available for classroom assignments as well as to increase recreational reading. This project will help students meet the AASL standards for 21st century learners by enabling them to inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge while accessing information. In addition, these new library tools will promote collaboration between faculty members to share best practices in the classroom regarding educational resources and educational technology.

     The audience for this project will be both the school faculty and students, with separate and shared spaces available. The intent of the project is to allow for a more participatory online library environment. Using a library wiki, an Internet workspace that allows flexibility in its creation as well as the ability for collaborative content to be created among multiple users, the goal will be to create a pathfinder for several class projects as an example of what is possible in terms of using library and online resources. While the library has many resources available, there is inconsistent use of these resources among students and faculty. Promoting use of these tools will be one of the primary goals of our library project. Another goal of this project will be promoting student reading for pleasure through book reviews, podcasts, and creative writing tools. Circulation statistics show that leisure reading among students has gone down over the last several years. Another feature of the wiki will be a faculty space for the exploration of educational technology, where library staff and technology-savvy faculty can mentor newer faculty. Lastly, a reference chat feature will be included for students to request individual help. The reference chat will make help available to students while they are at home or at a classroom computer.

     The technology tools which will be used in this project are:

• Wiki: also known as read/write web technology, a wiki allows multiple users to access and edit a joint project. On our library wiki, some pages would be available to be edited by the library staff, while others would invite participation and collaboration with faculty and students. As the community grows in knowledge of the tools and capabilities, more collaborative spaces could be added.
  A wiki was chosen over the similar technology of a blog due to the wiki’s ability to encourage multiple contributions and collaboration, its flexibility regarding structure, and its ability to evolve over time.
• Podcasting: A podcast is an audio digital recording that can be accessed through a computer, iPod or mp3 player. Using free audio/video creation tools, the library staff will create book reviews of current book titles, and encourage students to do the same. Students will be able to share their favorite books with others students, and generate interest in life-long reading habits.
  Podcasting was chosen for its portability, ease of use, and familiarity for students.
• Instant Messaging: Instant messaging is the ability to have a written conversation in real-time through a web browser window. Our library will use Meebo instant messaging service, which will allow students and faculty to use the chat feature from within the web browser without having to download software.
  An instant messaging service was chosen for its ability to offer reference in an easy format during library hours for students from home or a classroom computer.

     This project will require staff training in the use of instant messaging, audio podcasting / video podcasting resources, and editing and maintenance of the wiki itself. While the cost of the wiki web hosting site will be minimal, the training would be implemented in short sessions over a four-week period, allowing for the staff to become more familiar with the tools and capabilities while the wiki is being created. As the technology is enhanced and updated, additional training may be required in the future. The staff is currently being trained in website updates, and the implementation of these new tools will complement this current training.

     The four-week period for training and development will be timed so that the new wiki is available on the first day of school in the fall. Each of the three library staff members will lead the development of an area of the wiki, with collaborative sessions among library staff for feedback and editing. Two faculty members, one in social studies and one in visual arts, will collaborate with library staff to create the initial pathfinders for students. These will serve as a model for other teacher/librarian collaborations. Student volunteers will be recruited to create initial podcasting/vodcasting book reviews for the reading portion of the wiki. Library staff will also contribute to this section, further developing skills in this technology.

     Because of the potential for copyright concerns in the creation of podcasting/vodcasting, as well as the potential for spam or vandalism in community-created content, student and faculty training will also be undertaken at the start of the school year. This training will take place as part of the regularly scheduled library orientation in the fall. A section on copyright issues for user-created content will be added, as well as a “how-to” on contributing to the wiki. The wiki will require an email log-in, so that postings can be tracked by library staff. In addition, daily monitoring of the wiki will be done by with email alerts for any revisions or deletions to the site. Because the wiki includes the ability for library staff to revert to previously saved versions of the wiki, a daily back-up will be done to create a record that can be accessed if necessary.

     A monthly analysis will be done throughout the school year to determine use statistics, evaluation of new content created, and faculty/student comments. The purpose of this analysis will be to ensure that the library staff is meeting the initial goals of this project: greater use of online library resources, higher fiction circulation rates, and greater faculty participation in educational technology. Using feedback from this analysis, library staff will determine in what ways the project needs to be revised and/or expanded for the following school year.

Tools to create your own mashup music video

I’m pretty sure I was looking for something else for my final project, but what I found was this web tool — animoto. It uses images you upload, along with music available from its library (licensed through CC) to create a mini-music video. I made one, unoriginally called “testing” but I can just see students really taking to this…

IM and its library possibilities

I used the IM feature at the Libraries of the Claremont Colleges. This is a consortium of colleges in Southern California that share resources and libraries. I had an “IM” with reference librarian Meg Garrett. One thing I wanted to mention is that Meg, like so many librarians I have met for class assignments, she was extremely willing to help a student learn more about the profession.

I asked Meg about the similarities and differences in online and IM reference. She talked about how the questions were not very different between online and in person reference, which she said was sometimes frustrating because “some questions are better answered in person — like explaining where on the web page to find something!” She also said that because of those kinds of questions, instant messaging isn’t always “instant,” which I experienced myself in our Meebo chat room. While I’m a fast typist, this can actually make conversations less linear, since I frequently submit a comment while someone is responding as well.

The other point Meg mentioned was that there were frequently multiple chats going on at once, but that multi-tasking was a large part of reference, whether in person or online. She noted that she will sometimes IM “helping someone — back in a minute” to the online request, and that patrons are accepting of that. Meg told me that she did not really prefer one mode of reference over another. She finds them to be “just different. Both are good.”

I think IM is an excellent tool for libraries, since providing multiple access points will reach more users, and make connections with them, as well. I also thought that the chat room that we used for class could be valuable for internal chat. For example, we are a K-12 school with two campuses. Being able to quickly communicate between the libraries at both campuses would be very convenient.

Promoting the Library through Flickr tools

Library Promotional Posters on Flickr

I created some posters — which were going to say “Read” before I read Rebecca’s post regarding the ALA trademark on those posters – that now say “Library” and feature photos taken at the edible book fair at the local library. I think these could also be revised for use in a school library or various other pictures could be used for other programming (storytime, book groups, etc.).

The main copy idea is that you find what you need at the library. At our public library, which has a small local collection, but access to millions of books through the city’s inter-branch loan program, it sometimes is a challenge for the “browser” reader to find what they’re looking for. Many times the browsing needs to be done on the online catalog, and then the book will be delivered. One the plus side, as a local library in a film-making community, there is a very large collection of DVDs.

Anyway, I felt these images were whimsical and creative, and most importantly, fun, which is something I’d like to encourage people to associate with the library!

Margie

Video Explaining RSS Feeds

I found this video which explains RSS feeds through a video. It is produced by Common Craft which creates free video explanations of new technologies, and also licenses them for use by organizations.

RSS Feeds Explained by Common Craft  

Folksonomy vs. Minnie Earl and Melville

Snipes, Phyllis R. “Folksonomy vs. Minnie Earl and Melville”. Library Media Connection 25 no. 7 (April/May 2007) p. 54-6.
Available from: http://firstsearch.oclc.org/html/webscript.html:%3Asessionid=fsapp15-51474-fh88ykwe-9akh6r:sessionid=fsapp15-51474-fh88ykwe-9akh6r: (Login required.)
This article reviews the pluses and minuses of folksonomy, while giving an overview of social bookmarking from the library media center point of view. It includes discussions of other social networking sites and their use in the LMC.

7 Things You Should Know About Social Bookmarking

Available at: http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7001.pdf

This concise article offers a look at social bookmarking: what it is, how it works, and the potential and downsides of using it. This could be a good resource for introducing patrons unfamiliar with social bookmarking, or for teachers who are new to social bookmarking in a school library setting .

I’ve added a bookmark to it in the ils559 del.icio.us tag.

Information Wants To Be Free — blog review

I reviewed Meredith Farkas’ blog  Information Wants To Be Free subtitled “A librarian, writer and tech geek reflecting on the profession and the tools we use to serve our patrons.”

The main topic of the blog is the use of technology, especially web 2.0, as a tool to help serve library patrons. Ms. Farkas is the sole contributor and is currently a distance learning librarian at Norwich University in Vermont. The primary audience is fellow librarians and library students, as Ms. Farkas is interested in how these new tools help create a sense of community in different types of libraries. She offers many ideas and tips for using technology; for example, current postings include a “31-day comment challenge” for blogging which offers suggestions of how to improve commenting on a blog. Continue reading »

Web 2.0 experiences

In my intro, I forgot to talk about what 2.0 tools I’m using now, so I’ll add that in here. I have to say I’ve avoided the whole Facebook/MySpace/social networking mainly for time reasons, but I am using iGoogle a lot (including googledocs, etc) which I’ve found really helpful for group projects or creating customized “spaces” for different kinds of classes, projects or personal use. I’ve also experimented with Flickr, Voki, RSS and YouTube mostly for classes or work, and I’m looking forward to learning more.

I noticed on YouTube that there were several entries in an “I love my library” contest. Has anyone every tried working with students or teen advisory groups to create these types of videos?

I Love My Library from Niles North High School Library 

A little bit about me…

Hi everyone –

My name is Margie Llinas, and I’m “visiting” SCSU this summer from North Hollywood, CA.

I’m not a total stranger to Connecticut, though, since I graduated with a BA in English and Theater from Wesleyan in 1982,  I have worked in the non-profit and education worlds ever since out here in Los Angeles. I’m currently employed in the admission office of an independent K-12 school, working with students, parents and faculty 7-12 grades, managing databases, and being a general technologist. Prior to this, I worked in early childhood education and in publications. I see librarianship as a way to combine my skills and interests in literature, literacy and technology.

I’m working towards a school librarian credential, and I’ll be working on a project with our current librarian in implementing some Web 2.0 tools starting in the fall. Like others have mentioned, while I’m very comfrotable with technology, I feel like a fish out of water with some of the Web 2.0 aspects. I’m very excited to be learning and trying new styles of engaging and interacting with students and faculty using these emerging technologies.

On a personal note — although, with the recent controversy regarding the personal/public aspects of blogging (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/webscout/2008/05/emily-goulds-ex.html), maybe I should stop right there — I live in North Hollywood, in the San Fernando Valley, with my husband of 16 years and our two daughters, ages 13 and 10. We love to spend time together as a family, in between our busy work/school lives. We hike, bike, go to movies – pretty typical stuff. In my dream world we would be able to travel more, which we all really enjoy. Since I’m one of six kids, I try to visit my far-flung family as much as possible. I also love to read (of course!),  and attempt, mostly unsuccessfully, to train my dog to be better behaved.

In exploring some of the features of edublog, I noticed this collaborative quiz feature. What I liked about this feature was the ability for users to add in their own quiz questions.  I created this quiz regarding famous movie quotes — if you don’t see a favorite movie quote of yours in this quiz, how about adding it? I could see this being a collaborative tool for both staff and students.  

I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and becoming more well versed in “Web 2.0 Tools and Techniques”. I appreciate your comments.

Margie