I have:
posted on my blog for each exercise
labelled each of my posts
inserted at least one image into one of my blog posts
uploaded audio and/or embedded a video
changed the colour of some part of my blog
changed the arrangement of my blog
invited 3 of your classmates to be authors on your blog (but did not recieve replies to all)
made comments on at least 2 of my classmates blogs (Michael and Joanne)
made a comment on one of Julie's posts on your blog
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Investigative Exercise 10 Recommendations
The Guyra Shire Library has no 2.0 web technologies. This could be due to lack of knowledge, staffing/funding issues or eve a percieved lack of interest.
Given the library's internet usage, it is clear that not all members of the communinty have internet access. Internet usage is increasing, however, indicating a growing interest in internet technology, and schools also do provide computers and internet access.
It would be benificial for the Guyra Shire Library to be involved in social networking, as this increases their involvement in the community. Which in turn allows for the community's greater involvement in the library.
I would recommend that the library have a Facebook presence , particularly to engage the "youth" demographic as well as an RSS feed for those who are not members of Facebook. These will keep the community informed as to any library events, new titles as well as book reviews, as well as any other community events or items of interset.
A library blog would make the library more interactive and user friendy, allowing for community sugestions. People could write book reviews and share ideas. In a rural community, in particular, this would be a useful forum for people who may not be able to come together as a group to interact and possibly set up an internet bookclub.
While initially, some more stafftime/funding may be required in order to set these technologies up,there are no ongoing costs and little maintenance is required.
a good article on libraries and social networking is availe for reading here:
Link to article
Given the library's internet usage, it is clear that not all members of the communinty have internet access. Internet usage is increasing, however, indicating a growing interest in internet technology, and schools also do provide computers and internet access.
It would be benificial for the Guyra Shire Library to be involved in social networking, as this increases their involvement in the community. Which in turn allows for the community's greater involvement in the library.
I would recommend that the library have a Facebook presence , particularly to engage the "youth" demographic as well as an RSS feed for those who are not members of Facebook. These will keep the community informed as to any library events, new titles as well as book reviews, as well as any other community events or items of interset.
A library blog would make the library more interactive and user friendy, allowing for community sugestions. People could write book reviews and share ideas. In a rural community, in particular, this would be a useful forum for people who may not be able to come together as a group to interact and possibly set up an internet bookclub.
While initially, some more stafftime/funding may be required in order to set these technologies up,there are no ongoing costs and little maintenance is required.
a good article on libraries and social networking is availe for reading here:
Link to article
Investigative Exercise 9 Evaluation
Guyra Shire Library has 1470 members, as of June 2009, one part-time librarian and two casuals. During 2008/2009 15228 books were circulated. It has internet access to its catalogue and gives members access to two databases, The State Libray of NSW Databases and Libraries Australia. Guyra Library provides an "Ask a Librarian" service and aims to supplement the local school's resources. Guyra Shire Library buys large print and audio books in conjunction, on a share basis with Armidale Library as well as one other local shire library. The Armidale Library's catalogue is available from the library's computer which implies some kind of inter-library loans system. It also holds some local historical artifacts.
The library holds "storytime" twice a week with the help of volunteers and held a summer reading club over the Christmas school holidays.
The library has two computers, both which provide word processing facilities. There are also photocoying and printing facilities. One of the two computers has internet access, available by bookings. The number of people using this internet acces is increasing and in 2008/09 2699 bookngs were made with 2847 hours were clocked up. The library has no 2.0 web technologies.
The Library is becoming increasingly busy and the limited space and stafftime is becoming an issue.
The library holds "storytime" twice a week with the help of volunteers and held a summer reading club over the Christmas school holidays.
The library has two computers, both which provide word processing facilities. There are also photocoying and printing facilities. One of the two computers has internet access, available by bookings. The number of people using this internet acces is increasing and in 2008/09 2699 bookngs were made with 2847 hours were clocked up. The library has no 2.0 web technologies.
The Library is becoming increasingly busy and the limited space and stafftime is becoming an issue.
Investigative Exercise 8 Community Profiles
Guyra Shire is located in northern NSW, just north of Armidale. The Shire has two towns and four villages. Its population of 1996 is 4331, of these approximately 23% are 14 years old and younger, 17% are aged between 15 and 29, 45% between 30 and 64 and 15% of Guyra's population is over 65.
Most homes in the shire are owner occupied. The main industry of the shire is agriculture and most residents' work is located within the Guyra shire. Residents' weekly wage, on average is $213, which is 23% below that of the Australian average. The Shire's unemployment rate is high at 16.2%.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Blog activity 7 – comment on your teachers blog
I have made a comment on the "Library ponders twitter's historical value" post.
Investigative Exercise 7 Podcasts
This podcast is from an author event at The State Library of NSW, where Kate Lllewellyn, an award winning Australian poet, reads from her memoir "The Dressmakers Daughter".
Link to podcast
Link to podcast
Blog activity 6 – commenting on other blogs
I have made a few comments on Michael's blog and have asked to be invited to comment on other....still waiting ..busy people....aha now I have slao made some comments on Joanne's.
Investigative Exercise 6 Social Bookmarking
Sadly, The City of Sydney Library does not have book reviews on its website, which surprised me. Not only, do book reviews provide another way to assist clients to select items (especially those that are housebound) but by providing an arena for clients to post their own reviews it further cements the library as an interactive part of the community, which has got to be good.
I would imagine, however, that there would have to be some kind of protocol to review the reviews (ie. "blotting out" of expletives if used) which could be viewed as somewhat censorshiporial....hmmm.... contentious....
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Investigative Exercise 5 Social Networking
I think it's great that libraries are becoming a part of the social networking phenomena. In order for any organisation (let alone a library) to best serve its community it must keep up with its community. It's vital that a library is seen to be doing this.
Social networking is a fabulous and fun way to engage in a demographic (predominantly gen y-ers) and others in a non traditional means. It provides another access point to a library's services and enables information to be be delivered directly to individuals, such as book reviews, events, event invitations, new books list, etc.
Social networking is a fabulous and fun way to engage in a demographic (predominantly gen y-ers) and others in a non traditional means. It provides another access point to a library's services and enables information to be be delivered directly to individuals, such as book reviews, events, event invitations, new books list, etc.
Investigative Exercise 4 Youtube
Sandy Smith of The John McIntire Library reads "If You'll Be My Valentine" by Cynthia Rylant.
Blog Activity 4 – changing the arrangement of your blog
Aha....so simple! I've moved a few things around. I also added a calendar gadget. The calendar is not very pretty though....might have to do some further fiddling.
Not sure that I like that it contains an add either!
...and then I made the calendar go away to be replaced by my cats...
Blog activity 3 – changing the colour of your blog
I could spend hous happily playing around with colour and design!
I altered some of the background colours, as well as some of the text colours. I really like dark colours, whch can lead to difficulties (as dark on dark does not read well), so I changed a lot of the text sizing and made some colour related compromises here and there.
I altered some of the background colours, as well as some of the text colours. I really like dark colours, whch can lead to difficulties (as dark on dark does not read well), so I changed a lot of the text sizing and made some colour related compromises here and there.
Investigative Exercise 2 Slideshare
This is a colourful and dynamic slideshow designed to teach library staff and library volunteers about the Dewey Decimal Classification system of organising library items.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Investigative Exercise 1 : Blogs
Ultimo Tafe Library Blog
I like the design of this blog. There are useful links and you can even renew library loans via this blog!
Blue Mountains City Library Blog
This blog has lots of interesting historical information and photos of the Blue Mountains. It also has socal studies bookmarks.
Parramatta City Library
The books in the background look great. The blog has book reviews and discussion ideas for various books.
I like the design of this blog. There are useful links and you can even renew library loans via this blog!
Blue Mountains City Library Blog
This blog has lots of interesting historical information and photos of the Blue Mountains. It also has socal studies bookmarks.
Parramatta City Library
The books in the background look great. The blog has book reviews and discussion ideas for various books.
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