Using Wikis to Create Online Communities

A wiki allows anyone the ability to take part in the creation and editing of web content. With its simplified text-formatting rules that anyone can easily learn, it truly puts experienced web designers and web novices on equal footing. In public libraries, where the technological skills of employees can range from high to non-existent, wikis can allow everyone the ability to develop the website. The resulting website would reflect the imagination and good ideas of the entire organization, not just a select few with the requisite "tech-savvy." The possibilities for what libraries can do with wikis are endless. At their least, they are spaces for quick and easy collaborative work. At their best, they can become true community resources that can position the library as an online hub of their local community

Using Wikis to Create Online Communities

A wiki allows anyone the ability to take part in the creation and editing of web content. With its simplified text-formatting rules that anyone can easily learn, it truly puts experienced web designers and web novices on equal footing. In public libraries, where the technological skills of employees can range from high to non-existent, wikis can allow everyone the ability to develop the website. The resulting website would reflect the imagination and good ideas of the entire organization, not just a select few with the requisite "tech-savvy." The possibilities for what libraries can do with wikis are endless. At their least, they are spaces for quick and easy collaborative work. At their best, they can become true community resources that can position the library as an online hub of their local community

The Distance Between Our Values and Actions: We Can’t Be Passive When it Comes to Privacy

In September 2021, the WOC+Lib collective published a searing "Statement Against White Appropriation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color's Labor (BIPOC)," decrying the exploitation and abuse of BIPOC library workers. One of the many hypocrisies the group took issue with was: the proliferation of anti-racism statements put out by information institutions and organizations in 2020 without also taking on actions addressing the lack of Black, Indigenous, or People of Color workers or how the BIPOC within those very libraries and organizations have been ostracised and disrespected for years prior to 2020, while allowing the mistreatment to continue. (WOC+Lib, 2021) In the midst of the international uprisings for racial justice following the murder of George Floyd, many libraries put out antiracist statements affirming their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Yet in a recent survey of library directors, only 31 percent of academic library directors agreed that their “library has well-developed equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility strategies for employees" (Frederick and Wolff-Eisenberg, 2021, p. 10). The lack of progress made in these areas suggests that while diversity may be a library value, dismantling systems of oppression to improve DEI is not a top priority at most institutions

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

Technology in Practice. Information Literacy 2.0

In this article the author discusses critical inquiry and information literacy instruction in light of changes in information dissemination due to digital technology and social media. She emphasizes the impact of such changes for libraries and librarians, addressing information searching skills, networking skills, and professional development for librarians

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