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These items appeared in WebJunction’s Technology Watch List, created by the Technology Watch Committee from December 2003
through August 2006.
AJAX: An Introduction What: From Wikipedia: “Ajax, shorthand for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, is a web development technique for creating interactive web applications. The intent is to make web pages feel more responsive
by exchanging small amounts of data with the server behind the scenes, so that the entire web page does not have to be reloaded
each time the user makes a change.”
So AJAX makes user interaction on web sites much quicker and easier. Instead of refreshing the whole page every time you submit
information, just the piece of the page involved gets refreshed, so an AJAX web page acts more like an application on your
computer than a normal web page.
Why: AJAX makes many web sites faster and easier to use. Google Maps was one of the first, and still one of the best, with its ability to drag the map around, search and interact with the map
without ever refreshing the page. Netvibes – a customizable home page, is another good one to give you an idea of what we’re talking about. Notice how it lets you edit
the title and rearrange the page by dragging and dropping.
Any web form or similar user interaction is ripe for AJAX-ification. Take alook at this University of Wisconsin staff directory – start typing a name in the box and watch what happens on the page.
AJAX is also enabling the explosion of ‘web applications’ like the ThinkFree online office suite - (see this article for more about online office applications) – or Meebo - - a web-based instant messenger application that works with all the major systems.
AJAX and Libraries: For libraries – online AJAX applications can provide access to applications that a particular patron wants to use, but you
don’t have. And you don’t have to buy it, install it, or update it. In theory, this could do for applications what the web
did for access to information – greatly increase the ability of small libraries to offer access to applications that might
otherwise be too expensive. We’ll have to wait to see if that happens.
Downsides? Of course there are also some drawbacks. There are no standards with AJAX, since it is an approach, rather than a technology.
And it is new, so there are still issues to be worked out. For libraries, the biggest issue is probably accessibility. Many
AJAX-enabled web sites do not work well with screen readers, and even users with poor sight have difficulties with much of
AJAX content out there. The good news is that these issues can be dealt with, and should become less of an issue in the future.
Another current issue is that many AJAX sites and applications work either only, or much better in either Internet Explorer
or Firefox. ajaxSKETCH is and example of one of a series of nice applications from the company that work only in Firefox.
So Now What? So watch and use what is useful for you and your library for now. And expect in the future you will hear much more, and eventually
your own web site, and especially OPAC will be AJAX enabled.
Summer = Cameras at Your Library? Looking at the most recent photos page on flickr the other day, I noticed how many vacation pictures being posted now that it's summer. And it made me wonder how many of
them had been posted from a public library.
If your library is in a place people come for vacation, you may have already had to decide whether to allow patrons to connect their digital cameras so they can email or post their photos. This issue is very closely related to flash drives, which we will talk more about next month, but for today,
lets assume you do allow patrons to plug in their flash drives, but you are unsure about cameras. Patrons want to, but cameras
are all different, and it might seem best just to not allow any of them.
But really, if you already allow flash drives, there is a very simple and straightforward rule you can apply to deciding which
cameras you will allow:
If they plug the camera in and it just works, it's OK. If they need to install software for it to work, then sorry, that is
contrary to your PAC usage policy. I'm assuming that you don't normally allow patrons to install software on your PAC's, right? So why allow it for cameras?
And since most newer cameras don't need software to connect, most of your patrons should still be able to transfer their photos.
On the other hand, if this is a common request an even better solution would be to buy a memory card reader. For under $20, you can get one that works with all the popular card formats and works like a flash drive. One of these,
either permanently attached to one pc or available to check out, can reduce the headaches caused by patron complaints when
their camera won't talk to your computer. Or if you're ambitious, for a little more money you can get a card reader that mounts
in the computer case like a floppy drive.
So What's All This About Windows Vista, Then? As many of you already know, Microsoft is hard at work, polishing up the next version of Windows - called Vista, for release in early 2007. While that is still a ways off, you should keep it in mind when making computer purchase or upgrade
decisions from here on out. Here is my personal advice on how to approach it as a director of a small library:
Podcasting What: On-demand audio or video content made available on the Internet. Wikipedia: "Podcasting's essence is about creating content (audio or video) for an audience that wants to listen when they want, where
they want, and how they want."
Why: The "pod" of "podcasting" is the iPod, the little piece of portable listening (and now viewing) hardware that is transforming
user expectations. Podcasting was the word of the year in 2005. If you're in a small community podcasting might seem a little far out, but we are convinced that this is a medium
whose time has come. If your patrons aren't listening to (or creating!) podcasts now, they will be soon.
How: Start by tuning in to the growing number of library-world podcasts. How about a Harry Potter podcast? Or free audiobook podcasts? You can download audio files directly from these sites--or even better, try using tools like iTunes or Juice to start subscribing to podcast feeds.
More: Take a look at this thorough introduction to podcasts from Jenny Levine, or read Greg Schwartz's Podcasting 101 wiki.
What: Writing, using spreadsheets, and accomplishing other basic tasks using services hosted on the Internet.
Why: Can dramatically lower startup, installation, and maintenance costs for having Office-type software available to you and
your patrons.
How: Evaluating services and trying a pilot project.
More: Like any software acquisition, evaluating and selecting internet Office-type software takes careful planning. See the Tech
Watch Committee's article on online Office tools for an overview of questions to consider.
Sharing Local Information Digitally What: Scanning your library's local genealogy, history, biography, photography, and other collections; organizing and describing
them in ways that are useful to you and others; ensuring that digital materials will outlive the media they're stored on and
be available to the wider world.
Why: Converting your community's unique resources to digital format that can be shared more widely has multiple benefits: preserving
a precious legacy, reminding your community of the library's importance as a source of shared memory, and making unique resources
available, via the Internet, to the world at large.
How: Scanning a few documents is an easy way to start; but building and maintaining a truly useful digital collection requires
planning, care, and coordination with other libraries in your region or state.
More: For a thorough introduction to what's involved, see WebJunction's course on Developing Digital Projects in WJ's online course catalog. Collaborative initiatives like Indiana's Digital Library Summit or Colorado's Digitization Program, and California's Local History Digital Resources Project are well worth exploring.
Blog Your Library's Website What: Using a blogging platform to create a quick, easy, and low-maintenance Web site for your library.
Why: If you've never built a Web site, or if you have trouble keeping yours up to date, free (!) tools for doing it the easy way
are now available--and don't be put off by the name: a blog really can make it easier and cheaper for you to build and maintain
a solid Web site for patrons.
How: Free blogging platforms are available in abundance. For extra features you might want to use a custom tool but many of these
are open source and don't have licensing costs.
More: We think creating a library Web site is a great first step into the world of blogging, and we've got a Tech Watch Committee article on the topic. If you're interested in other aspects of blogging, our Social Software section has further info.
Thin-Client Technology What: Patrons work at inexpensive terminals; memory, storage, and applications are maintained on one centralized server.
Why: Thin-client technology can help you extend the life of your existing computers, lower costs on expanding the number of patron
terminals, and simplify maintenance procedures.
How: Setting up a centralized server and converting your PCs to terminals (and/or purchasing new terminals). The server can be
pricey, but advocates say the reduced client hardware needs and lower operation costs add up to big savings.
More: Here are three WebJunction articles on the subject: The "Skinny" on Thin Clients, Thin-client Computing: A Centralized Method for Maintaining Library Computer Networks, and A Long Term Care Solution for Gates Computers This item was updated to Blog Your Library Website in December 2005. What it is: A Web-based technology for keeping yourself informed, and for keeping your community informed about your library.
Why you should consider it for your library: These focused tools for information-gathering help you stay on top of changes in technology and in the library profession.
In addition, many libraries are finding that blogs and RSS can greatly enhance their ability to reach out to their patrons.
What it will cost you: Using blogs and RSS to keep yourself up to date costs only the time to get started; to set up a library blog or RSS feed
does take some time but costs little.
For more information: WJ's Social Software section includes this article by Tech Watch committee member Rush Brandis on RSS and blogs. See also this Library of the Month article profiling a library's use of a blog, and WJ articles on Blogs for Libraries and Blogs Can Create Community. What: Digital versions of printed books and audio books.
Why: E-books are growing steadily in popularity, and an increasing number of libraries are making use of them. E-books can save
you storage space and staff time, they never get lost or stolen, and can be made available to patrons 24/7.
How: Acquiring digital versions of books and setting up a mechanism for lending them to patrons. You can check out iPods or proprietary
e-book readers to patrons, or set up your web site to allow them to do their own downloading.
More: Take a look at this article on e-books and audio e-books by WebJunction's Technology Watch committee, with links to more resources on our wiki.
What it is: Portable drives that (according to the experts) will soon replace floppy disks.
Why you should consider it for your library: Patrons can carry around 32MB of storage on a $10 device the size of a pen cap. But they can’t use them at your library
if you aren’t set up for them.
What it involves: It depends on your equipment--if you have computers with USB ports, an operating system that supports USB (like Windows XP),
and the necessary security, your costs will be minimal. See the article below for details on evaluating what you have and
what you would need.
For more information: Emerging Tech committee member Ross Riker of the Goshen (IN) Public Library has written this comprehensive report on the topic.
What it is: Making sure your patrons have a secure, reliable environment for Internet use with a minimum of annoyances.
Why you should consider it for your library: Increasingly, Internet access is one of the primary reasons patrons come to the library. It’s as important to give patrons
a clean and tidy Web experience as it is to give them good signage, properly shelved books, and a smooth check-out process.
What it involves: Keeping browsers clean means keeping your public access computers secure. By doing so, you will get a host of additional
benefits, ranging from a virus-free environment to better performance.
For more information: Follow the measures described in WJ’s Focus on Security and the Six-Step Security Reference Card.
Upgrading Your Operating Systems What it is: Replacing "antiquated" operating systems like Windows NT or Windows 95.
Why you should consider it for your library: Access to technical support, support for newer technologies, and most importantly, reduced operating costs in the long term.
What it involves: TechSoup Stock offers upgrades to Windows XP for $8 (public access computers in libraries are eligible!). System upgrades sometimes require new hardware. Open-source systems
like Linux are increasingly more available, but the technical challenges are still a bit much for a small library to take
on.
For more information: Take WebJunction’s online tutorial on Updating and Upgrading Software, and read the article.
Virtual Reference (aka Digital Reference) What it is: Providing live reference services to patrons over the Internet using email, live chat, or co-browsing software.
Why you should consider it for your library: There are several reasons to consider a virtual reference service:
What it involves: Creating an “Ask-a-Librarian” link from your library Web site is an easy way to show your online patrons that they can rely
on the same service they’d get in person at the reference desk. An automatic reply can indicate library service hours, a phone
number, and when your patrons can expect to hear a response. For more information: The Virtual Reference Desk is a good source for networking, getting started, and facilitating collaboration among virtual reference services. You
can find a list of Collaborative Live Reference Services (compiled by Bernie Sloan) at http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/~b-sloan/collab.htm.
What it is: Giving patrons (and staff) the ability to access the Internet using their own notebook computers or other portable devices.
Why you should consider it for your library: Providing wireless access frees up your public access computing terminals for those who truly need them, and makes your library
the neighborhood "hotspot" for information access.
What it involves: Wireless access points are relatively inexpensive; setting up your security to support them will take some time and effort.
For more information: Start with this article by Technology Watch committee member Bruce Newell of the Montana State Library, and see WebJunction's recent focus on the topic. WebJunction's Wireless Networking section has a growing list of further resources.
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Documents
| Technology Watch List Archive |
An archive of the work of WebJunction's Tech Watch committee through August 2006.
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