libraries

Poll 2 for library access

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Poll

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Please fill out this poll for my college paper on library access. All personally identifying info is confidential unless permission is given.

THIS POLL IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE REFER TO LATER POST FOR A DISCUSSION ON THE RESULTS.

Making a Wiki

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Recently I made a wiki for my library tech class. I did this through Wikia.com. It was a lot of fun, yet was very frustrating. My pages main purpose was to help increase knowledge in how to use useful research tools. This included Google advanced Search, a library OPAC and Indiana Inspire. I also decided to use dogs as the running theme throughout my site and even wrote my own Encyclopedic article on them. On mine, I chose to make it so only I can edit it. This is to ensure the high quality of the Wiki.

My site is set up over 5 pages. A main page explaining what the wiki is for and contains my article. The next three are the main body pages, each explaining how to use either Google advanced search, The library Opac or Inspire. Finally the last is a suggested resource page. The final page contains books and sites pertaining to dogs. A link can be found below this blog post.

Wikis have a lot of potential for helping libraries. They could be used as teaching tools. Wikis based around certain subjects can help teach students the basics of that subject. For instance, a science wiki could help teach important formulas, and an English wiki could teach grammar. Also, a wiki could hold a library’s schedule, act as a general forum for library issues, and be a good way to disseminate other information.

A link to my Wiki

Research Wiki

Web 2.0 project Facebook

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Our professor has asked us to write two articles on Web 2.0 technology. This is my first one.

On Facebook I have joined multiple groups including  MCC Youth. I have many friends and family members friend-ed. I have liked pages including the Indiana State Library page and have written many posts. All of my blog posts show up on my Facebook.

I like a lot about Facebook. I can keep up with what;s going on with friends and family. I can see funny or cool images and videos shared by my friends, and I can get help in my Facebook based games.

I look at Facebook daily to see what people are thinking and to see who has birthdays that day. Also, I can express ideas, share links and check out local news. I think I will probably keep using Facebook this way as long as I have it.

Our library has a Facebook page. It is not used right now though. More use is planned in the future. It has the capability of helping people keep up with library news and events. Also when new popular books or items are added to the collection, it could be posted there.

 

 

 

An article on Filtering in Libraries

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  • Title of article

The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash., Jim Camden column: Court: Libraries can filter the Web

  • Author of article

Jim Camden

  • Date the article was published

05/07/2010.

  • In which database did you find your article?

Ebsco

  • What did you search for that gave you a successful search result?

Libr* AND Spyware

  • What does your article say about the topic you chose?

According to the article, the Supreme Court found filtering of Internet access on library computers to be legal. # of the judges voted against it, but the rest voted for it. Also, public libraries do not have to give access to everything covered under “freedom of speech”.

  • How do you think your library (the one you use the most) is doing in regards to handling the topic you chose to search for?

My personal library seems to be doing a good job. I have never had any problems with access to things I needed. Things that are filtered are porn and gambling. Also certain keywords may set it off. My library uses ENA, which also provides their internet. A password does exist where filtering can be overridden if necessary. These are things I believe are reasonable to block. This both helps protect young patrons from inappropriate material and keeps computers open for more legitimate uses like studying and e-mail. Also it can protect from viruses and spyware. Also filtering allows access to the government e-rate. So far few, if none have ever needed the override password and the filtering takes care of most unwanted sites.

P.S. I would like to thank my librarians for helping me get the info I needed for this post.