Firefox, Wikipedia, Audacity and Moodle, what do all these have in common? Well, they're all examples of open source software. Open source software, is basically software that has free distribution and has a source code that can be edited. Therefore, making software that can be suited to different people without any damage to the licence of the software itself. Besides this immense advantage, open source software is easily accessible to anybody who wants it and has no costs associated with buying the basic source code. Open source software would be an ideal investment for libraries as it could be changed to suit whatever each library would prefer. It would lower costs in the buying of software and can easily be obtained. Below, are a two key examples of open source software that were made for and is available for a library environment;
Koha - A web-based integrated library system that libraries can obtain which features circulation and borrower management as well as a simple acquisitions system for the smaller libraries. The Koha system has many other advantages and disadvantages, but of course, like any open source software the idea that an integrated library system can be available to any library without the problem of licencing and high costs is its key feature.
Evergreen – Like Koha, Evergreen is another open-source integrated library system. This system was developed for a statewide resource-sharing consortium in the United States and is now used by a public library service in America and features circulation, cataloguing and OPAC’s.
Other open source software that libraries may be able to use are as follows;
Mozilla Firefox – As mentioned earlier, Mozilla firefox is an example of a widely used open source software. An internet browser alternative to ‘Internet Explorer’, Firefox is a prime representation of how high quality open source software can be. Easily downloadable, Firefox would probably be on many library computers already, especially with how often the internet is required in reference queries today.
Open Office – For smaller libraries, the licencing and general costs of obtaining the word processing standard – Microsoft Office – may be a little too far out of reach. This is where Open Office comes in. Open office is an alternative to the Microsoft Office juggernaut which offers the same programs and features, but not for the same price tag. While it may get a bit of getting used to, it is an ideal software choice for libraries that value any budget cut they can manage.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Useful Web 2.0 applications and Libraries
Web 2.0 tools should be an essential part of a library’s day-to-day activities. Gone are the days of just going to the library to borrow a book and then go home. These days, libraries are a hub for the public, from special events to a place where internet is readily available. There are several web 2.0 tools that could help a library to perform at its best for customers. From providing extra advertising opportunities to extra activities like blogs, web 2.0 tools are always helpful. I have chosen the following three as my most useful for libraries:
Twitter – This web 2.0 tool, which has the basic concept of a ‘140 character thought or message’ is a free and easy way to get information out to customers. Twitter is a very popular social media tool which has people from all over the world using it daily. Libraries which have already taken the plunge and joined twitter use it for advertising programs that they have coming up or as a way to link people to the library website. The main advantage of having a library service using twitter is that it provides up to date information to thousands of people instantly for absolutely no cost.
Facebook – Another social media tool which provides libraries with the option to connect to their customers in a more technological way is Facebook. Several libraries have created pages for the libraries and use it to, again, advertise to customers. The main difference of Facebook to Twitter is that Facebook requires you to have a page. This is a great advantage of this web 2.0 tool. This page can feature the libraries contact information as well as photos of the library itself. There is also the opportunity to upload videos to showcase library activities.
Blogger – This web 2.0 tool is, as the title suggests, a blogging website. Blogs are essentially a piece of writing that is published on the internet. Blogs are a very useful web 2.0 skill that libraries can harness to give their library a more ‘human’ view. Libraries that do use blogs get staff to update customers on what has been happening at their library or do such activities as reviews and recommendations. Using the blog as a review blog is an easy way for customers to get involved in your library service. Just ask customers to send you a review of their most recent completed book and add it to a blog. It’s there to see for everyone and requires next to no effort to maintain.
Twitter – This web 2.0 tool, which has the basic concept of a ‘140 character thought or message’ is a free and easy way to get information out to customers. Twitter is a very popular social media tool which has people from all over the world using it daily. Libraries which have already taken the plunge and joined twitter use it for advertising programs that they have coming up or as a way to link people to the library website. The main advantage of having a library service using twitter is that it provides up to date information to thousands of people instantly for absolutely no cost.
Facebook – Another social media tool which provides libraries with the option to connect to their customers in a more technological way is Facebook. Several libraries have created pages for the libraries and use it to, again, advertise to customers. The main difference of Facebook to Twitter is that Facebook requires you to have a page. This is a great advantage of this web 2.0 tool. This page can feature the libraries contact information as well as photos of the library itself. There is also the opportunity to upload videos to showcase library activities.
Blogger – This web 2.0 tool is, as the title suggests, a blogging website. Blogs are essentially a piece of writing that is published on the internet. Blogs are a very useful web 2.0 skill that libraries can harness to give their library a more ‘human’ view. Libraries that do use blogs get staff to update customers on what has been happening at their library or do such activities as reviews and recommendations. Using the blog as a review blog is an easy way for customers to get involved in your library service. Just ask customers to send you a review of their most recent completed book and add it to a blog. It’s there to see for everyone and requires next to no effort to maintain.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Cloud Computing and Libraries
While trying to get my head around the whole entire concept of cloud computing, it became quite clear to me that cloud computing is a revelation for the IT industry that has irrevocably changed the way in which computing will work into the future. For me, the positives and advantages of cloud computing seem to outweigh the negatives completely. Cloud computing is where, instead of buying separate servers and storing data on each one, data is stored on a cloud server. This cloud server can be accessed anywhere, and therefore hardware and software can be installed to the server, not individual computers.
A key advantage of cloud computing is the obvious and important aspect of saving a considerable amount of money from only having the server space that you require at any one time. Plainly, you only pay for what you are using at any one time. The cloud server expands, as does the cost of the service, when your user traffic is high and therefore more space in your system is required and it then contracts when traffic drops off, as does the amount of money you pay. A second advantage is the speed and flexibility in which server space can be changed. Previously, if you required more space on your server, you would have to buy a new one and then take the effort and time to set it up correctly. Now, the cloud server automatically recognises your need for more space and no time is wasted for anyone accessing your servers.
Libraries need to embrace the idea of cloud computing as it will be able to significantly change the way in which libraries can provide services to their patrons. Web 2.0 services like Twitter, Facebook and Wikipedia (which are now used daily by many libraries) are examples of how cloud computing is essentially taking over the internet. A feature, which I believe will cause the most problems in the way of cloud computing will be the gaps in security that comes from not having a secure server of your own. As the information is stored remotely, you cannot ensure the security of information, especially since the main idea of cloud computing is making everything easily accessible - something you don't want for personal information.
Still, I believe libraries need to be able to accept cloud computing wherever they can. With technology advancing on everybody so quickly, libraries, being the centre of information, also need to move quickly to ensure they remain 'up with the times'.
A key advantage of cloud computing is the obvious and important aspect of saving a considerable amount of money from only having the server space that you require at any one time. Plainly, you only pay for what you are using at any one time. The cloud server expands, as does the cost of the service, when your user traffic is high and therefore more space in your system is required and it then contracts when traffic drops off, as does the amount of money you pay. A second advantage is the speed and flexibility in which server space can be changed. Previously, if you required more space on your server, you would have to buy a new one and then take the effort and time to set it up correctly. Now, the cloud server automatically recognises your need for more space and no time is wasted for anyone accessing your servers.
Libraries need to embrace the idea of cloud computing as it will be able to significantly change the way in which libraries can provide services to their patrons. Web 2.0 services like Twitter, Facebook and Wikipedia (which are now used daily by many libraries) are examples of how cloud computing is essentially taking over the internet. A feature, which I believe will cause the most problems in the way of cloud computing will be the gaps in security that comes from not having a secure server of your own. As the information is stored remotely, you cannot ensure the security of information, especially since the main idea of cloud computing is making everything easily accessible - something you don't want for personal information.
Still, I believe libraries need to be able to accept cloud computing wherever they can. With technology advancing on everybody so quickly, libraries, being the centre of information, also need to move quickly to ensure they remain 'up with the times'.
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