Technology in Practice. A Library in Your Pocket

The article discusses the development of library Web pages designed for viewing on mobile devices and cell phones. The use of smartphones and cell phones to access internet content, library services that can be made accessible through the mobile Web, and population assessment options for libraries developing mobile Web sites are examined. Services designed for mobile use including reference services, library instruction, and catalog access are also discussed

Technology in Practice. Click Here to Engage

The article presents discussion of applied librarianship with technology. Particular attention is given to ways in which librarians offering instruction session can utilize communication and presentation technology to best reach as many patrons as possible. Details are given highlighting the interest which patrons exhibit to novel technology tools, ways of using technology to foster communication with different personalities, and using the social media platform Twitter

Web Conferencing Software

Web conferencing software -- also known as webinar, videoconferencing, online meeting, and virtual classroom software -- is a web-­based technology that allows groups to synchronously communicate online. Most web conferencing software offers collaboration through text, voice and video chat, screen-­sharing, collaborative whiteboards, and file-­sharing. Tips and Trends, written by Instructional Technologies Committee members, introduces and discusses new, emerging, or even familiar technology which can be applied in the library instruction setting

Technology in Practice. Nurturing Innovation: Tips for managers and administrators

The article focuses on how library managers and administrators can encourage innovation in libraries and prevent the failure of new library services. The author suggests that managers should encourage staff to learn about new trends in technology, give staff time to experiment with new initiatives, and develop a work culture that is tolerant of risks. Other topics include budget cuts to libraries, patron population, and rate of return (ROI) for libraries

Technology in Practice. Providing the Tools

In this article the author discusses the role of digital technologies in libraries in the U.S. She emphasizes the role of libraries as a resource for digital creation technologies, as many users do not have access to such technologies in their homes. Several libraries are highlighted, including the Fayetteville, New York Free Library, the Chicago, Illinois Public Library, and the Skokie, Illinois Public Library. Topics include digital media labs, 3-D printers, and software

Mobile Learning: The Teacher In Your Pocket

Mobile computing has exploded around the world over the past several years. Morgan Stanley suggests that mobile Internet use will exceed the use from fixed devices, and Ericsson projects that 80 percent of people will access the web from a mobile device by 2015 (Ingram 2010; Ericsson Corporate Public & Media Relations 2010). Mobile devices are being used for content creation, communication, information seeking, and so much more. The notion that mobile devices would be used only for quick and simple tasks has been challenged by research showing that a growing portion of the population—especially low-income and minority mobile users—use their phones as the primary means of accessing the web (Smith 2010). This growth in the usage of mobile devices in all aspects of people’s lives has led educators to look to it as an ideal mechanism for delivering content and improving interactivity in learning. In 2011, mobile learning was named a top trend with an adoption horizon of less than a year in K–12 and in higher education in the NMC Horizon Reports (Johnson et al. 2011; Johnson, Adams, and Haywood 2011). Mobile phones and other handheld devices have become valuable learning tools that can be capitalized on inside and outside of the classroom. This chapter focuses on how libraries can take advantage of mobile learning in the classroom

Technology in Practice. Keeping Up, 2.0 Style

The article discusses the use of RSS feeds, tools for subscribing to web 2.0 content such as blogs and other web content, by researchers and librarians. The author suggests subscribing to the RSS feeds of scholarly journals and database vendors such as EBSCO, ProQuest, and Elsevier in order to locate and read updated web 2.0 information

Library Faculty and Instructional Assessment: Creating a Culture of Assessment through the High Performance Programming Model of Organizational Transformation

In an environment in which libraries increasingly need to demonstrate their value to faculty and administrators, providing evidence of the library’s contribution to student learning through its instruction program is critical. However, building a culture of assessment can be a challenge, even if librarians recognize its importance. In order to lead change, coordinators of library instruction at institutions where librarians are also tenure-track faculty must build trust and collaboration, lead through influence, and garner support from administration for assessment initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to explore what it takes to build a culture of assessment in academic libraries where librarians are faculty through the High Performance Programming model of organizational change. The guidelines for building a culture of assessment will be exemplified by case studies at the authors’ libraries where instruction coordinators are using collaboration to build a culture of assessment with their colleagues