The Ever Changing Library

Well I know it has been awhile since you last heard from me. I have been a tad bit busy lately and definetly put this blog and a few other things on the back burner for the summer and fall. We are now well into winter and almost to spring and I figured it was time to brush the dust off and get back to this, at least for a little while.

If anything I will try to brush up on my writing skills and hopefully share with you a little bit about what is going on in the library. All of the staff in the library are a bit overworked and feeling somewhat overwhelmed as we try to keep up with the many changes that seem to be taking place on almost a daily basis at the college. I guess things could be a lot worse though and we could be looking at the alternative as is the case for so many people around the country. Hopefully things will turn around sooner than later.

Last week the employees of the library joined forces with Student Life and celebrated the 200th birthday of our 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. A good time was had by all as you can see in the following photos.

Picnik

After reviewing several of the different web applications that are available I settled on the image editor Picnik. Having a degree in art and being the computer geek that I am, I found this to be a very appealing web application, especially since it is free in comparison to the costly Adobe Photoshop software. For those individuals in your classroom who are visual learners I would suggest using this easy to use image editor in order to create a quick handout.

Other possibilities of incorporating this web application into the curriculum would be through such courses as Digital Media, Computer Graphics, Computer Art and Digital Photography. The web application Picnik would be used instead of the purchased Adobe Photoshop software.  Some additional possibilities for utilizing this web application would be for web page development and marketing tools, such as newsletters, fliers, and brochures.

 The Library of the Future    

As I look into my crystal ball to the library of the future, I ‘m initially overwhelmed with the possibilities when I think about all of the technology tools that we have learned about in this course and then think about all the other tools that are currently being used elsewhere and then think again about where this is all going. 

In this course alone we have learned about Web 2.0 technological tools such as blogs, rss feeds, social networking, wikis and Skype just to name a few.  Library blogs for example, change the way in which we inform the public to what is going on in the library and can be used as a very effective promotional tool for showcasing particular library services. With the utilization of Skype the manner in which staff meetings are held can virtually be transformed, because the issue of scheduling a physical space for all to attend is no longer a concern. These two examples alone demonstrate how Web 2.0 technologies have helped to shape the future of the library.

“Technological advances in the past several years have enabled libraries to create new services that before were not possible, such as virtual reference, personalized OPAC interfaces, or downloadable media that library customers can use in the comfort of their own homes”.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html

Web 2.0 technologies have helped to reinvent education and transform the manner in which we obtain knowledge and the way that people think. No longer is knowledge gained from the top-down, which has been the traditional form; but to an individual basis where knowledge is gained from the bottom up. So what does this mean for the library of the future? Well let’s take a look at that. Throughout history the library has been known to be the center of information.  The library’s role in this context then was to serve as a storehouse of archives, manuscripts, and important documents.  Thomas Frey, the Executive Director of the Davinci Institute says:  “The library was the center of information revered by most because each contained the foundational building blocks of information for all humanity”.

Placing the library in a very good position to redefine itself and its mission as its role in the community is changing and evolving literally as we speak. The library in the traditional sense of the word is no longer simply a depository of books but an information center. It is no longer necessary for users to physically come to the library to obtain information, as information is being pushed out to them through the utilization of Web 2.0 technology tools, such as blogs, wikis, and podcasts.

For those of us who are in the library profession maybe it is actually time to rethink the terminology used to describe a library as they are rapidly becoming “gateways to network-accessible collections and services”. http://www.library.uthscsa.edu/basics/LibraryPlanning.cfm The vast majority of people when the term library is mentioned the first thing that pops into their heads is books. Books described here are those, which one can physically pick up and take with them to the bathroom or wherever it is that they prefer to read at their leisure. This perception however comes from a lack of understanding or knowledge about what a libraries purpose and role is in society.

Big Shift #1: Open Content

I pondered with the term “open content” for quite some time. I performed my usual Google search; I read the articles and then began formulating some thoughts on what this actually is. The concept of “open content” has actually been around for awhile and more specifically in the library world. Take for example the efforts put forth by the Internet Archive and the Open Content Alliance who, after several years of scanning and archiving, brought us the Open Library, which is their attempt at bringing public domain books to the masses.

Through such organizations as the Open Content Alliance the idea of obtaining books from some of the greatest libraries in the world has actually become a reality. The vision of The Open Content Alliance is to “create free web access to important book collections from all around the world”.  This is the present and future of information retrieval.

Wikipedia is probably the best example of open content that I can provide you with. Wikipedia describes open content in this way:
“Open content, a neologism coined by analogy with “open source“, describes any kind of creative work published in a format that explicitly allows copying and modifying of its information by anyone, not exclusively by a closed organization, firm or individual.”

Life Open Content describes “open content” this way:
“This is content that may not only be copied freely, but also modified. It is “open” in the sense that it may be changed”.

I would have to say that my view on open content hasn’t necessarily changed since I began this course, but it has however given me a better understanding and appreciation for this type of information retrieval. Facilitating this shift could be accomplished through education, exploration and application.  

Resources

The Open Content Alliance
http://www.opencontentalliance.org/

Libraries Going Open
http://www.archive.org/details/oca_2007_movie

Life Open Content
http://www.life-open-content.org/index.html  

The idea of a paperless classroom has been around for a while. The first time I ever heard of this concept was at least a good ten years ago now. Given that fact though, schools, teachers and or education in general has been slow getting on board to the whole idea of a paperless classroom.

How would a paperless class change your role as a teacher?
A paperless classroom could free up time a great deal of time for teachers in regards to preparing for classroom presentations. Teaching in this type of environment would allow for a more interactive classroom by enhancing classroom instruction.  

How would paperless classes change learning?
It would create a more engaging classroom, putting more of the ownership on the student with the teacher becoming more of a facilitator. 

How would you measure learning in a paperless class?
Just because your classroom is paperless doesn’t mean that learning is not taking place. Learning can be assessed in the same manner as before through homework, exams, and quizzes only all these would be handled in an online environment. Feedback from teachers could be instantaneous or even during the process depending on the project.  

Would a paperless space make it easier or harder to build a learning network?
Initially it would be hard because it would be a new concept being introduced. All the organization needs would need to be in place prior to the teacher being absent, in order for this to work.  
Why?
If the organizational needs of this type of structure were not in place it would be very hard for a substitute teacher to step in.

I have never actually used Skype before or had the opportunity to contact with anyone else in the class just yet, as they simply were not online at the same time as I was. I am however very intrigued though with the concept of using this tool in the library and for both professional and personal reasons.

I found Skype to be very user friendly and other than the correlation of timing with the other users it appeared to be the only disadvantage thus far as a forum of communication. I’m sure that there could be others, however initially I’m only seeing the possibilities of utilizing this tool to form communications with whomever it is you would like to connect with.

Trying to get everyone together at the same time to create dialogue in this type of environment I see as being very advantageous in the area of time management. I also see an advantage in regards to room scheduling. Scheduling a physical room to gather for a meeting would no longer be an issue and the request for a meeting would be to meet online at noon on Monday.

The following are examples I found for how Skype could be used in the library and the classroom:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6515247.html

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/how-to-set-up-skype-and-use-it-in-the-classroom/74282172

http://joedale.typepad.com/integrating_ict_into_the_/2006/11/tes_ict_blog_ho.html

The following article covered much more than just the topic of Skype, however I found it to be a wonderful resource and wanted to include it in my discussion.
http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm0627.pdf

I agree with the statement that the learning environment has changed and it is no longer the one of the classroom teacher as presenter and the students as receiver or learner. The student has become more of an active participant in their role of obtaining knowledge.

“The Read/Write Web has created more student-centered learning (SCL) and places the student (learner) in the center of the learning process. In student-centered learning, students are active participants in their learning rather than passive recipients; students are more intrinsically than extrinsically motivated; learning is more individualized than standardized. Students learn more about how to learn and they become better problem solvers and critical thinkers.” http://bcegradspace08.wikispaces.com/Pro+connectivism

 The role of the traditional classroom has changed and placed the learning process more in the hands of the individual student, with the students creating their own networks of information resources and ways of obtaining tat information . In student-centered learning, “students are active participants in their learning rather than passive recipients”, with learning becoming more individualized versus the traditional standardized version of learning.

I grappled with this assignment for a bit trying to decide which approach I was going to take.  I decided at the end to go with option 1-Blog Response primarily because I can’t really say that I am sold on this type of technology. I’m a kinetic/visual learner and am having a very hard time appreciating the real benefits of this technology tool.

I am however considering using podcasts as a training tool in our library. Who knows when it’s all said and done, I may even create one, but for right now this is what I have come up with.  Time is a precious commodity these days and trying to hold staff meetings to train staff is pretty much non-existent in our library. Currently the makeup of our organization requires staff to take it upon themselves if they want to learn any type of new technology and to take time out of their own day to do it.

I chose a series of podcasts actually that are provided by our integrated library system vendor; SirsiDynix. We have been a part of the Sirsi system since 1999 and have been happy with our choice ever since.  This vendor has proven over and over again to be a leader in library technology, who in their own words is “advancing the work of librarians around the world”.  Visit their website to see what SirsiDynix is up to these days.

The following is a link to a series of podcasts offered by the SirsiDynix Institute: http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/archive.php

For those of you who are interested you can listen here to their podcast on Creating a 2.0 Library.

http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/seminar_page.php?sid=93

Flickr opens up the door for so many possibilities. Outreach tool, innovative training tool, wonderful marketing tool, are just a few possibilities that came to mind when I thought of using Flickr. However after reading the article “The Library of Congress on Flickr”, it reminded me of a real possibility that we could have using Flickr in our very own library.

Example citation:
Image Citation:
Sandcastlematt’s. (2006, December 1). The Library of Congress: look something up or just look up. Sandcastlematt’s Photostream. Retrieved April 12, 2008, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandcastlematt/311693454/

At McHenry County College we have a wonderful print collection contained with the walls of the library. “Some of the more recognizable names of artists represented in the collection are Edouard Manet, Salvador Dali, Paul Cezanne, Fritz Eichenberg, Toulouse Latrec, and Andy Warhol.”

This collection of drawing and prints contains more 200 prints, since it first began back in 1990 and is a gift from Mary and Charles Liebman, who are community members of our college district. Currently these prints are housed within the walls of the library and through Flickr we could begin to share this private collection to the world.

Yes, I know there are some copyright issues that we would need to work on, oh but just think of the possibilities!

Please read the following for more information on the Portrait in Print Collection at McHenry County College.http://www.supportmcc.org/print_collection/portrait.html

After exploring many options to discuss in the area of education, I fell back on what I felt the most comfortable with, and that was technology. In this age of information it is a given that technology plays a very important role in almost every aspect of our lives, especially in the area of education.

“The classroom learning environment can no longer be defined by the four walls of a classroom, nor can a library be represented by books on shelves. Learning takes place when students are responsible for their own learning. Learning should be supported by all members of the school community. Technology should provide students with increased responsibility for their learning. It provides students with non-linear activities in order to learn more by accessing both sides of the brain; it also provides varied experiences to match individual learning styles. Schools should provide the students with the skills and abilities to cope with living in the Information Age.” 

http://www.aztea.org/resources/whitepaper/instructional.htm

When I think about introducing technology into the classroom or in any educational space, such as the library; the biggest obstacle for me is always funding. Because let’s face it folks there are still a lot of schools out there that are using aging or out of date technology in their classrooms or library.  So the question then becomes, where is the money going to come from to support this new technology when there are forever seemingly cut backs in state funding for education?

For one blogger though the first obstacle to overcome is getting teachers/administrators to use and see the value of the tools for themselves and their students. See blog: Beth’s Thoughts on Technology in the Classroom.

The other half of the battle for me though is training. How are you going to train the staff, how are you going to train the students, and how are you going to implement the technology into the classroom? You may have a state of the art school containing the latest and best technology, but if your staff doesn’t know how to use it then it won’t do anyone any good. The other half of the battle then is training and implementation.

Please watch the following YouTube video “Classroom Of The Future”.

So the questions I pose to you then are:
What obstacles do you see when trying to implement technology into your school or classroom? What do you see as the biggest obstacles in regards to teaching and learning when trying to use technology? Is funding a problem in your school or your district?