The ebook situation in public libraries is one of the toughest new technologies that libraries have to face. All of the points that Farkas made in her blog were correct. Too many options, too many platforms etc. We have one person on staff right now that is wrestling with this project and there does not seem to be a clear cut solution for us as a small rural public library.
Farkas also made a excellent point that we had not considered. How will ebooks affect the availability of interlibrary loan materials? Just another idea we have to take into consideration.
I enjoyed looking at the Project Gutenberg site and the link below is for the first volume of the Slave Narrative from Texas. I really did not expect to find something like this on the site. I was pleasantly surprised.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30576/30576-h/30576-h.htm
I believe there has to be alot more clarity before small rural librarys can make room in their already tight budgets for ebooks.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Beyond Method #5
I really like social cataloging. I am as a rule a very organized person and I like structure. Dewey and LC are necessary and important for library structure, but their headings don't always reflect current thinking and language. I really can appreciate the option of giving tags to books that reflect local thinking. After reading all of the articles and watching the video, I decided to sign up for a Library Thing account. While it does have it cons, I think it is the best fit for my library and my situation. I am looking forward to using it professionally and personally.
Great Method! This is one of the method that I can see every library using in some format.
Great Method! This is one of the method that I can see every library using in some format.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Beyond Method #4
This was a very interesting class. First I totally agree that it would be best to create a job help website or link on our library homepage and locate all of the job related websites in the location. I would suggest resume building, links to job searching online, local job postings and basic computer training.
Bottom line, these sites are not going to be useful unless the user has some basic computer skills. The more educated an individual is on basic computer skills the more likely they are to not only find and qualify for a job, but also to keep that job. Libraries really need to partner with other agencies in working on this public need.
The GCF webpage was good, but some of the pictures looked a bit dated. The Texas Workskills Development in Libraries website was not a useful experience. Many of the links were broken.
Bottom line, these sites are not going to be useful unless the user has some basic computer skills. The more educated an individual is on basic computer skills the more likely they are to not only find and qualify for a job, but also to keep that job. Libraries really need to partner with other agencies in working on this public need.
The GCF webpage was good, but some of the pictures looked a bit dated. The Texas Workskills Development in Libraries website was not a useful experience. Many of the links were broken.
Beyond Method #3
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=206074786764206009265.0004b5ddb830a8bb1f70c&msa=0
Here is my link to a map I created for the library. It took me awhile, but I finally got it to work. This would be a great tool for not only helping people find the library but also make a walking tour of where other information can be located in town such as the Chamber of Commerce and the courthouse.
Here is my link to a map I created for the library. It took me awhile, but I finally got it to work. This would be a great tool for not only helping people find the library but also make a walking tour of where other information can be located in town such as the Chamber of Commerce and the courthouse.
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