4th Entry: Library Technology Trends is Mobile Technology

For  the Library Technology Trend of the moment I believe that mobile technology will be the most long lasting. In fact I am confident that it will no longer be just a trend but a permanent fixture of modern life. Mobile technology is being able to access the internet and digital information from a device that is not an actual computer. It is hard for some born before this millennium to remember  a time where everyone didn't have a phone. Bohyun (2013) “We are quickly moving into an era in which the smartphone is the most common device used  to access the World Wide Web" While most people do have access to a computer there  is a much greater percent that has access to a phone. Smart phones are becoming the default phone. 

To see how mobile technology is changing how libraries interact with patrons in the modern world the perfect example would be the San Antonio's BiblioTech Library. It is touted as the first all digital library. Book clubs are conducted via Goggle hangouts and the only books available are eBooks. They even have digital comics for download. Tablets  are also available and for use. now one doesn't have to physically go to the library. everything can be done digitally. One important aspect of this library is that they do offer computer classes to help the public learn how to use new technology. While interesting this is very rare and most libraries are still playing catch up. The average rural library is just trying to make it's website accessible to mobile devices. The idea of a completely digital library is till very far off. Mobile devices will continue to get faster and shiner and libraries will learn how to survive in these new digital ecosystems. 

Bohyun, Kim. (2013). The Mobile Shift. Library Technology Reports, 49(6), 5-8.

San Antonio's BiblioTech Library 

Retrieved from: http://bexarbibliotech.org/

3rd Entry:Electronic Resources eBooks

Electronic Resources is general term for a broad set of resources that can be accessed in digital format. These resources range from eBooks, eJournals, electronic databases and internet websites that serve has reference sources (Burke, 2013).  All of these have a place in the modern library. However, I wish to discuss the effect of the eBooks in the modern public library. The  eBooks is seen by some as a challenge to the modern public library and all that it represents. The traditional print format of shelves full of the latest best sellers  and the reference sections. However, the modern public library is aware and part of the growing technological trends.

The library is engaged in the growth of eBooks and supporting it's patrons access to eBooks. With consumers purchasing eReaders such as Kindles and NOOKs  and tablets such as the Galaxy and Ipad remaining popular eBooks are here to stay. eBooks can be easily accessed through a public library website with patrons library card account information for free. However, this process isn't free for libraries. One major issue with eBooks is that is isn't as simple as buying print books for libraries. Publishers have put certain hurdles that have made eBooks slightly cost prohibitive  for libraries. Harper Collins famously capped eBook lending for 26 times before libraries would have to purchase the book again in order to allow patrons access. According to the 2014 ALA State of America's Libraries Report Ebooks publishers and  libraries are working together to provide consumers a way to access eBooks. The report also shows that  though Ebooks continue to make gains among reading Americans,  few readers have completely replaced print with digital editions. 

Ebooks are a resource that continues to grow and libraries are working to make sure that they grow with it.


References
ALA State of America's Libraries Report
Retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2014

Burke, J. (2006). Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion: A Basic Guide for Library Staff. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers.

Hadro, J., & Kelley, M. (2011). HarperCollins: 26-Loan Cap on Library Ebooks. Library

Journal, 136(6), 16-18. 

2nd Entry: RSS Feed

For the second assignment in my blog assignment, I was tasked to create my own RSS feed and publish it on my page. I also had to subscribe to 10 RSS feeds as well as 5 podcasts. I had a vague idea of what a  RSS feed was, but I wanted to be sure I checked with our textbook. The author Burke summarizes the a RSS or (rich site summary) are basically groups of posting from other blogs. There are a way to share other sites  while also making their own blog feed available to other users. 

When it came to finding the actual websites and blogs that I would use for my RSS feeds I already had a few tech sites that I frequent, but  needed more to fulfill the required ten. In searching for additional websites, Google was very helpful as a search engine and for the Blogger website. What I do find ironic, is that Google no longer has an RSS reader. I remember the end of the Google RSS reader was a big story a last year in tech news. However, I've had a blog on the Blogger  website before this class. I have to say that the ease which it allows links was  helpful. Sometimes the hardest part was finding the RSS feed button on a website! In regards to podcasts, I listen to podcast related to other topics of interest in my spare time so the term was familiar to me. What I enjoyed was researching new kinds of podcasts and discovering more websites to learn about information technology. 

I will now patiently watch my blog to see if anyone subscribes to my RSS feed.

References:
Burke, J. (2013). Neal-Schuman library technology companion: A basic guide for library staff (Fourth edition.) Chicago: ALA Neal-Schuman

Chan, C. (2013, March 13). Google is Killing Google Reader.  Retrived from:
http://gizmodo.com/5990454/google-is-killing-google-reader?tag=google-reader

1st Entry: Computer Hardware and Software Google's Chromebox

My first post will be over computer hardware and software. They say when you are struggling to write; write what you know. public libraries are my passion and where most of experience lies. In this first blog entry, I wanted to bring awareness of  some current issues and emerging technologies relevant to libraries in general. I decided  the integration of Google's Chromebox into Georgia Public Libraries would fit perfectly into this blog entry. The Chromebox combines both hardware and software issues in one. The actual computer hardware that does all of the work has been redone. The Google Chromebox is much smaller than the average PC box. In appearance, it resembles a wireless router more that a PC tower. However, the internal parts are the same as well the connections for input devices. The Chromebox was made to be used in a business setting so this makes it workable in a library setting. The small size makes it ideal to fit into your average public library computer station. This small size also uses less electricity and saves money compared to it's larger PC counterparts.

The next issue regarding the Chromebox is the software. unlike the typical  PC the Chromebox is a cloud base computing system meaning that there is no physical hard drive or physical software to install. Everything, from the operating system to all other applications reside in the  Google cloud.  This makes the Chromebox a low maintenance machine for IT professionals who don't have to worry about constantly updating software. Google will automatically do that. However, there are some drawbacks. This means commonly used software such the Microsoft office suite cannot be used on a Chromebox. Google does offer similar alternatives, such Google Docs instead of Microsoft Word. The major benefit of the Chromebox in software is cost. Operating systems and other applications are expensive to outfit each computer in a public library. As shown by the Public Libraries Survey (PLS), computer usage in public libraries continues to increase. Conversely, the Academic Library Survey (ALS) found that the expenditure on computer hardware and software for libraries is not increasing. Public libraries are learning to do more with less and the Chromebox is one way they achieve this.

Retrieved from GPLS News October 2013:
http://www.georgialibraries.org/news/articles.php?searchid=146


Module 3 Lecture Notes:
https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/aca_data.asp
http://www.imls.gov/research/pls_data_files.aspx
http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/12/11/libraries-in-communities/