Visual Literacy

Visual  literacy is a new area with much interest for libray professionals and computer professionals.

Conclusion

Technological advancements have necessitated a paradigm shift in the services offered by librarians and he /she is no more confined to the traditional jobs of cataloging and classification . Librarian has to play instructional role in academic libraries, knowledge management role in special libraries and has to demonstrate customer skills and public relation skills in Public libraries. In addition to these, he/she may have to involve in preparing to business agreement with software companies or with collaborating institutions in electronic networks like BC Electronic Network

Librarian can also utilize a host of Web.2.0 tools and services to reach more patrons and to improve the quality of services for the patrons in the emerging information society. Thus it can be concluded that web 2.0 technologies play an important role in the socialization of library services through social networking and social softwares like Blogs.

 

Web2.0 and Library 2.0 : new mantras of transition

It is quite interesting to know about Library 2.0 and I made a search on articles .I have found an   interesting article on the subject .This article titled “ Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries“  is written by Jack M. Maness.

Definition

According to Miller (2005a), “Library 2.0” is a term coined by Michael Casey on his LibrayCrunch blog. Though his writings on Library 2.0 are groundbreaking and in many ways authoritative, Casey (2006a) defines the term very broadly, arguing it applies beyond technological innovation and service. In addition to Casey, other blogging librarians have begun conceptually exploring what Library 2.0 might mean, and because of this disparate discussion with very wide parameters, there is some controversy over the definition and relative importance of the term. The nature of this controversy Lawson (2006), Peek (2005), and Tebbutt (2006) explore and begin to adequately rectify, and Crawford (2006) provides a very thorough account of the ambiguity and confusion surrounding the term, partially suggesting that there is nothing inherently novel about the idea. Wikipedia defines Library 2.0 as  a loosely defined model for a modernized form of library service that reflects a transition within the library world in the way that services are delivered to users. The concept of Library 2.0 borrows from that of Business 2.0 and Web 2.0 and follows some of the same underlying philosophies. This includes online services such as the use of OPAC systems and an increased flow of information from the user back to the library.”

Jack M. Maness also elaborates on the theory for Library 2.0. I think this discussion will be enriched by adding some notes on Library 2.0 theory.”A theory for Library 2.0 could be understood to have these four essential elements:

 

·         It is user-centered. Users participate in the creation of the content and services they view within the library’s web-presence, OPAC, etc. The consumption and creation of content is dynamic, and thus the roles of librarian and user are not always clear.

·         It provides a multi-media experience. Both the collections and services of Library 2.0 contain video and audio components. While this is not often cited as a function of Library 2.0, it is here suggested that it should be.

·         It is socially rich. The library’s web-presence includes users’ presences. There are both synchronous (e.g. IM) and asynchronous (e.g. wikis) ways for users to communicate with one another and with librarians.

 

·         It is communally innovative. This is perhaps the single most important aspect of Library 2.0. It rests on the foundation of libraries as a community service, but understands that as communities change, libraries must not only change with them, they must allow users to change the library. It seeks to continually change its services, to find new ways to allow communities, not just individuals to seek, find, and utilize information. “

 So what can be learned?

“With Library 2.0, library services are constantly updated and reevaluated to best serve library users. Library 2.0 also attempts to harness the library user in the design and implementation of library services by encouraging feedback and participation. Proponents of this concept expect that ultimately the Library 2.0 model for service will replace traditional, one-directional service offerings that have characterized libraries for centuries”.(Wikipedia)

 

 

 

 

Suggestions

In this blog,I will be making few suggestions that I feel necessary to improve the use of Web.2.0 technologies in the Library of Curtin University of Technology ,Australia.

It is noted that only three Web.2.0 tools and services are used here in the Curtin University of Technology Library and there is a scope for adding more services. I have noted that Pod casting services are available; but I could not access that page as I got a message “this page is moved from here”. I think this means that Pod casting is  not  used very frequently here. I would suggest for the improvement of this service.I have compared the use of blog as a social networking tool with similar blogs and felt that there can be more features for reserving new books online (as I do on the  Vancouver Public Library website). 

Use of Messaging Services

In this blog ,I will be discussing on the the effectiveness of Messaging Services in the Library of Curtin University of Technology, Australia

Instant messaging (IM) and chat are technologies that facilitate near real-time text based communication between two or more participants over a network. It is important to understand that what separates chat and instant messaging from technologies such as e-mail is the perceived synchronicity of the communication by the user – Chat happens in real-time before your eyes. For this reason, some people consider communication via instant messaging to be less intrusive than communication via phone. However, some systems allow the sending of messages to people not currently logged on (offline messages), thus removing much of the difference between Instant Messaging and e-mail.IM has additional features such as: the immediate receipt of acknowledgment or reply, group chatting, conference services (including voice and video), conversation logging and file transfer.

Is there any difference between Instant Messaging and email?

Yes. There exist several differences.IM allows effective and efficient communication, featuring immediate receipt of acknowledgment or reply. In certain cases Instant Messaging involves additional features, which make it even more popular, i.e. to see the other party, e.g. by using web-cams, or to talk directly for free over the Internet.

Short Message Service

SMS (Short Message Service), commonly referred to as “text messaging,” is a service for sending short messages of up to 160 characters (224 characters if using a 5-bit mode) to mobile devices, including cellular phones, smartphones and PDAs. SMS is similar to paging. However, SMS messages do not require the mobile phone to be active and within range and will be held for a number of days until the phone is active and within range. SMS messages are transmitted within the same cell or to anyone with roaming service capability

 Messaging Services in CUT Library…

Curtin University of Technology Library permits users to send SMS and replies will be sent within an hour. I am just citing relevant information from the CUT library website.

 SMS a Query

SMS the Library: 0421 261 139.
We aim to respond to your SMS queries within an hour.

This service is available from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Please note we can only receive text-based messages of up to 160 characters.

This messaging  service is really usefule to library users as they can recieve answers to their queries within one hour .additionally then can use their wireless device to send queries from any location and this is very desirable as users can save time that would have needed for visiting the library.

Social Networking Services

 

In this blog ,I will be discussing on the the effectiveness of Social Networking Services  in the Library of Curtin University of Technology ,Australia.

 

Curtin University of Technology Library offers Instant Messenger chat service to answer your library-related questions. They have two IM clients namely MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger. More details are given below.

 

Welcome to the AskOnline Instant Messenger Service!

 

 It can said that this service also can assist library users to get more information on library services and about reference sources or any library related issues. Since Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger services are free services, users need not to pay for such services.

 

 These Web.2.0 tools and services used in CUT Library takes the  library beyond its four walls .There are similar services available in Vancouver like the “Provincial ASKWAY Program ” that permit library users in British Columbia to take advantages from Virtual Reference Services.

 

Use of Blog in C U T Library

In this blog ,I will be discussing on the the effectiveness of Blog in the Library of Curtin University of Technology, Australia.

 Michael Stephens  writing in the July/August 2006 issue of Library Technology Reports, “Web 2.0 & Libraries: Best Practices for Social Software” characterized blogs this way:

A blog is a Web site that:

·     is organized chronologically by date (newest entries are usually at the top):

·     self-archives by date (done by software);

·     is updated somewhat regularly with relatively short entries:

·     includes links, more links, and still more links;

·     uses a unique URL (called a “permalink”) for each individual post;

·     provides an RSS feed that syndicates the blog’s content:

·     does all the dirty work of creating pages and archives

 

Darlene Fichter has underlined the importance of blogs in university libraries in promoting and marketing library services. According to Fitcher, university libraries can make maximum benefit by using blogs in the following areas.

·        Promote Library Events:

·        Support Your Dedicated Users:

·        Engage Your Community:

·        Support Your Community

·        Building New Ties

 These interesting and interactive attributes are embeded in to the blog of Curtin University of Technology Library , Australia. It can be seen that the vey design  of this library blog is attractive.There are several categories in that blog that permits readers to know more about library services .

They are listed below.

·        All

·        Book reviews (9)

·        EndNote (18)

·        Information Literacy (49)

·        Library News (75)

·        Library Services (57)

·        New or trial resources (36)

·        Opinion@Curtin University Library (5)

·        Suggestions (21)

Additionally, this blog has an archive of blogs for the several months and this permits readers to browse through these archived blogs. Different features of this blog helps library users to feel that they are in the library and the personalized style of content make them feel that some of the library staff is talking to them.

I am just citing an example of one of the entries in the latest blog, which depicts the user friendliness of the blog.

Reference Collection Favourites: Encyclopedia of Consumer Brands

Bacardi, Bic, Levi, Speedo, Cover Girl, Nivea, Gucci, Mighty Dog, Spam, Jif, Doritos, Gillette, Swatch, M & M’s, Twinkies, Velcro, Wrigley’s, Dom Perignon, WD-40, ChapStick, Fruit of the Loom, Yoplait and Zippo. How did these brands originate? How were they developed and marketed? How were the products innovative? Why were they successful?

You’ll find such basic background information about these and other well-known brands in this two volume encyclopaedia (Volume 1: Consumable Products and Volume II: Personal products). Each volume has indexes of Companies and People, Advertising Agencies and Brand Categories.

Marketing students will find this historical information useful but will also need to find more up-to-date information from the brand or company’s website and recent journal, newspaper articles and company data from searching databases such as Business Source Premier, ABI Inform and Factiva.

Shelf Number: R 658.834303 ENC

The print Reference Collection is located on the low shelves on Level Two of the Robertson Library.

Contributed by the Business Librarians, Research and Learning Services.

Posted by Constance Wiebrands

Library users are informed about the location of the new volumes reviewed and even the shelf number of the volume.

 I will just cite one more entry in the blog to show that how it is useful to users.

11 March 08

 

02:06:09 pm, Categories: New or trial resources

Science & Engineering New Resources – March 2008

See our weekly lists of new resources in the Library collection

Mining, Geology and Spatial Sciences	Agriculture and Environment
March 7 March 14	March 7 March 14
Science, Mathematics and Computing	Engineering
March 7 March 14	March 7 March 14

contributed by Kate Conway.

Posted by Kate

This type of blogs really help users in several ways as noted by Fitcher. 

  

williams and Jacobs have observed that the key to the popularity of blogs, it seems, is the scope for interactivity. While, initially, a blog may be treated by its maintainer as little more than a ‘news space’, it is not uncommon, over a period of time, for a distinctive style to emerge, in the course of writing entries and responding to feedback, that reflects the personal character of the blog’s creator. Significantly, rather than alienate a readership by exposing one’s personal traits and idiosyncrasies, this adds to the very popularity of a blog. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation of Web.2.0 services

As a part of this assignment, I have selected the website of Curtin University of Technology library, Australia. I made a survey of the interface of this library website and I really liked the announcement “The Library is Going Green”.

 

I have noted that  Curtin University of Technology,Australia is a leading university in that country and liked the  interface of the university website. This interface is very attractive and interactive. I also the special features of this website, which I feel has some features of a blog too. Please visit of Technology Library
http://library.curtin.edu.au/index.html

 

 Another attraction is the index. This Index helps patrons know about various items that can be indexed and retrieved. Different resources available are indexed alphabetically.

 

I have noticed under the use of a host of social networking technologies under the heading  service link. Most of these services are either related to social networking tools or interactive tools to expedite communication between library staff and patrons.

 

The following is the list of service links

 

Suggest a book
Submit a document delivery request
Submit an email query
Send an SMS query
Chat online with a librarian
Place, review or cancel a booking for a library workshop
Deposit a paper in espace@Curtin
Renew items on loan, cancel requests/recalls, change your Library password

 

 I have observed that this library uses three important Web.2.0 tools.They are Blogs, Instant messaging and social networking.I will discuss about  these  tools in my next blogs. 

 

Web2.0 tools and services

The following is the list of Web2.0 tools and services that are used in libraries now  a days to reach more patrons and improve quality of library services.

 

 Blogs:The term web-log, or blog, was coined by Jorn Barger in 1997 and refers to a simple webpage consisting of brief paragraphs of opinion, information, personal diary entries, or links, called posts, arranged chronologically with the most recent first, in the style of an online journal. Most blogs also allow visitors to add a comment below a blog entry.(Paul Anderson).

 

RSS :RSS  is a family of formats which allow users to find out about updates to the content of RSS-enabled websites, blogs or podcasts without actually having to go and visit the site. Instead, information from the website (typically, a new story’s title and synopsis, along with the originating website’s name) is collected within a feed (which uses the RSS format) and ‘piped’ to the user in a process known as syndication. In order to be able to use a feed a prospective user must install a software tool known as an aggregator or feed reader, onto their computer desktop. Once this has been done, the user must decide which RSS feeds they want to receive and then subscribe to them. The client software will then periodically check for updates to the RSS feed and keep the user informed of any changes…( Paul Anderson).

 

Wikis: A wiki is a website where every page can be edited in a web browser, by whomever happens to be reading it. It’s so terrifically easy for people to jump in and revise pages that wikis are becoming known as the tool of choice for large, multiple-participant projects. This tutorial is about how to effectively use a wiki to keep notes and share ideas amongst a group of people, and how to organize that wiki to avoid lost thoughts and encourage serendipity.

Instant messaging, often shortened to simply “IM” or “IMing,” is the exchange of text messages through a a software application in real-time. Generally included in the IM software is the ability to easily see whether a chosen friend, co-worker or “buddy” is online and connected through the selected service. Instant messaging differs from ordinary e-mail in the immediacy of the message exchange and also makes a continued exchange simpler than sending e-mail back and forth.

Social bookmarking tools allow users to store their bookmarks or Internet Favourites remotely on a site so they can be accessed from any computer connected to the internet, rather than being stored within your browser. Sites such as del.icio.us (http://del.icio.us) allow you to store, organise and share your internet resources.(Jane Secker )

Podcasting is a simple means of distributing audio content over the Internet, taking advantage of the power of RSS. Content consumers (end-users) can subscribe to a feed of a producer’s audio content and receive automatic downloads of new content as it is made available online. A more comprehensive discussion of podcasting can be found in the Wikipedia entry on podcasting. For the library that works hard to produce audio content such as recordings of programs or library tours, podcasting can be an effective means of making that content more widely available.

Widget: In computer programming, a widget (or control) is an interface element that a computer user interacts with, such as a window or a text box. Widgets are sometimes qualified as virtual to distinguish them from their physical counterparts, e.g. virtual buttons that can be clicked with a mouse cursor, vs. physical buttons that can be pressed with a finger. Widgets are often packaged together in widget toolkits. Programmers use widgets to build graphical user interfaces (GUIs). [http://tinyurl.com/nzwjp –

 Virtual world is a computer-based simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact via avatars. These avatars are usually depicted as textual, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional graphical representations, although other forms are possible^[1] (auditory^[2] and touch sensations for example). Some, but not all, virtual worlds allow for multiple users. 

 

Web 2.0 and Library 2.0

Introduction:Library 2.0[1] is based on the Web 2.0[2] idea, but applied and related to the library environment. It encourages participation and interaction by the user with the library in an internet environment. However, Library 2.0 is fundamentally about a change in how library services are offered to patrons.  This report is intended as an information document.  It will briefly explain what Library 2.0 is, as well as provide a ‘real-life’ scenario that illustrates how Library 2.0/Web 2.0 could apply to a library patron on a daily basis.

Library 2.0:

Many people are already using Web 2.0 items, like blogs, wikis, RSS feeds and podcasts. What Library 2.0 does is create specific applications (or mold existing Web 2.0 ones) that are related to library resources and services.  An example of this could be a library setting up an RSS (automatic information feed) service for latest news (as the University of Otago Library has done)[3].  Offering podcasts of library instruction (or audio-guided tours of the library) could be another example. The selective dissemination of information (SDIs) service that is already available in some integrated library systems could also be considered a Library 2.0 tool  Below is a list of items that are considered as part of the Library 2.0/Web 2.0 family:* RSS feeds* Wikis* Blogs and blogging* Personalization and “My Profile” features* Podcasting and MP3 files* Streaming media audio and video formats* Personalized alerts* Instant messaging and virtual reference including co-browsing.* Folksonomies, tagging and tag clouds* Photos (e.g. Flickr, Picasa)* Social networking software – Bebo* Socially driven.

I will discuss on the comparative aspects of Web.2.0 and Library2.0 later on.