Mobile Access to Academic Library Services is just a cell phone away!

One of the current topics in Module #2 dealing with mobile access to library services inspired me to find other articles on the topic of current and possible usage of mobile devices used for academic library.   There are so many possibilities to provide quick access to simple academic library services remotely.  Being able to access your personal account to pay fines or fees, reserving resource materials and study rooms, being provided real time updates of events and notices that may affect your visit or services, having means for patrons to give instant feedback of services, and ways to access aid from library staff instantly could all be done over a mobile devices. These mobile access services can be utilized inside or outside of library walls.  I have posted a link to a very interesting article I found on the subject written in 2010 for further thought.  Just a little something to think about!


http://wikis.uit.tufts.edu/confluence/download/attachments/34820637/Mobile_Future_Academic_Libs.pdf

I Likey Joomla!!!

Hands down ... the site Joomla is the best by far for creating a website!  The interface between a builder's content and the CMS platform Joomla provides make it too easy to create a website.  Gone are the day of having to do crappy html coding, using Microsoft Publisher, Flash, etc. to try and create a highly customized website.  I truly wish I knew about Joomla before taking this class. I have personally created many horrible websites that took me forever to formulate a somewhat decent presentation online.  This site and its interface are so very easy to use.  I can see how institutions can easily use Joomla to create a company's website, intranet, and also be able to create working groups for staff to share content and work.  This online open source platform software is amazing.  And the potential for LIS institutions and their digital content on this CMS platform is can be very promising.

I was also impressed by the features given to users within the software trial period term.  As a free user for 30 days you are given access to custom features, live helpdesk assistance through Joomla's vendor CloudAccess.net, and tutorial webinars that ensures a users' success of creating a site that best suits their needs.  The sites a user creates can be as robust and interactive as you need it to be or as basic as you need.  The software was so easy to navigate through.  I also enjoyed having success and error message after editing work within the platform.  This helps users know if they are doing something right or wrong as they create, update, or change the site. I must say that I am a fan of Joomla platform and all the possibilities it provides for formatting and extension uses.  I can’t wait to play around with this software again.

If you have time please check out my 7505 class mock Joomla website at:  http://clutchvintage.cloudaccess.net

If you know of any other cool CMS platform software for websites I should take a look at please feel free to leave the url in the comments section.

Assignment #1 Part III: Finding a Wiki for a Library Blog Post

The purpose of developing a wiki for the Fayette County Public Library would be to help create a stronger online presence for the library itself. The wiki allows for staff and patrons to actively create and updated content information about the library, library services, and the relationship between the library and the community it serves.  

When developing a wiki for the Fayette County Public Library I would be sure to include:

• -          That the library services a population of about  98, 400 residents
• -          The library is small public library that is a part of the Flint River Systems of Libraries which is a part of the Pines system allowing shared access of electronic content for patrons.
• -          The library also has specialized Genealogy Resources
• -     General location information and library hours
• -     Subscription access will be free
• -     Technical support will be offered for users
• 
  

Security for the wiki page would include:

• -          Log in access for staff, library volunteers and, library members
• -          Give  brief rules on posting to the page and a description of appropriate content
• -          Inform users to “Do not post” Protected Health Information or copyright protected materials.
• -          Enable Page History to serve as an archive to retrieve prior information in the event of hacking or misuse of access updates. 

Facebook, Twitter, and Wikis Oh My!

With reading articles and viewing video footage of the TED conference discussing Web 2.0 tools I really feel that I have not been using all of the social media tools to my personal advantage.  I have played around with them in the past, using Twitter feeds of job postings to find work, and checking in on long lost friends from high school and former co-workers on Facebook.  I just never thought about how libraries use these tools for marketing, exposure, patron services, etc.  It is almost imperative to have a Web 2.0 presence for LIS institutions in the current information realm.  There are so many ways to foster relationship with patrons and future patrons via these tools.  And these Web 2.0 tools also provide means to drive possible foot traffic to library institutions themselves.  

I am still trying to again a better understanding of Wiki(s) and the usefulness. Maybe as I learn more about them I can become a fan of them or even using them within my working experiences.