e-learning librarian’s toolbox

Librarians with the Ontario public service are breaking stereotypes and embracing social media to deliver information within their departments and beyond. Librarians at the Legislative Assembly and the Fire Marshall’s Office are using RSS feeds and Twitter to stay relevant.

http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=54695

This looks like a useful document. According to the blurb, it is “an introduction for librarians new to Web 2.0 and Social Media, and who are interested in using publicly accessible social media tools to serve Young Adults in any types of libraries: public, school, special or academic”.

http://www.ifla.org/en/publications/web-20-and-library-services-for-young-adults

I like what this article from Federal Computer Week says about how librarians will not only embrace Web 3.0, but we will be on the leading edge.

Been a bit lax lately, but here are a couple of titbits worth looking at:

Don’t Worry, Be Scrappy: Good, Cheap Tech for Schools, Cloud Computing and More

It’s the perfect time to try cheap new technologies

Professional associations stand up for librarians: Tracey Caldwell looks at how the professional associations are embracing upskilling, specialisation, networking and Web 2.0 to help the beleaguered librarian

Fremont Public Library District’s Web 2.0 page is interesting, especially the Mobile page, though I think as the term Web 2.0 goes out of favour they might like to rename it to something more meaningful, especially the link name. Not everyone would know what “FPLD 2.0″ means.

This Daily Herald article gives a bit of a summary of how mobile technology is being used in academia and libraries.

“A growing number of Americans are wireless and mobile and are participating in a whole range of digital activities on the go, away from home or work…

Since libraries are in the information business, among other things, many are already adapting library services to the small screen. As usual in library innovation, academics are leading the way. “

I’m not sure our Australian TAFE students are as tech-dependent though. Still, it would be worth looking into.

I thought our new Spydus (Civica) system was good in that students and staff can pre-book computers and equipment from anywhere via the internet, but UQ students can use a visual display to quickly see what computers are available before they go to the lab. Maybe this is something we can work on for a future version of Spydus?

I also love the sound of the Innovations Lab. We definitely need one of those at our library!

“The library has launched a new Innovation Lab to work on projects that will … provide opportunities for collaboration with research groups from all over the University. “The aim of the Innovation Lab is to give library staff time and space away from their usual jobs to work on great ideas and make them a reality.” “

NCVER announces new adult literacy resource wiki:

“Generating and sharing ideas within the adult language, literacy and numeracy community is the aim of a new wiki developed by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).

www.adultliteracyresource.edu.au brings together key messages from the Adult Literacy Research Program (ALRP), a comprehensive body of research that explores a wide range of literacy and numeracy topics.”

What a great idea and innovative use of a library in the evenings. Can’t see too many of our teachers giving up their evenings though.

“Starting in December 2008, the district began hosting monthly Learning At Night (LAN) parties for its teachers in the Sutherland secondary library… The district is trying to incorporate Web 2.0 tools, such as Skype and blogging, into the classroom in a way that benefits both its teachers and students.”

Full article.

This looks like it might be worth watching out for. Wish I could get to ALA Midwinter 2009 to have a peak. I’ll have to see if my boss will pay for the air fares and accomodation… Dream on Robyn!

“POMONA, Calif. – (Business Wire) Auto-Graphics, Inc… , a technology innovator providing library automation solutions for over 36 years, today announced the development of AGent Iluminar™, a next generation Web Services application for the company’s library automation platform.”

More here.