If you see me

If you see me out and about at a branch or the main library these days, I may be testing, using or showing new technology to patrons.

This is a self-check machine that is being testing at the Main Library. This machine is at the circulation desk. It sits in the middle of the desk and each time I walk by, people standing in line waiting for a staff member to check them out, but no one is using the self-check.

On the other hand, people love the two 3M self-check machines located just down the Great Hall between the General Reference desk and the circ desk. No one is there assisting (I don’t think) but that is where independent patrons go. They were being used heavily yesterday when I went to show patrons our new registration kiosk.

Showing the registration kiosk was quite interesting. The people who came to use it were directed to go there, all except one. They were all able to follow the instructions. It’s as easy as filling out a web form. Everyone seemed to know exactly how to do it. I noticed most of the people who did knew that they can use the tab key to move to the next field, or to click the mouse. (Vi has written the program so even if they use the down arrow or the enter key it will still move down to the next field.)  Also, it’s interesting how many people, especially kids, automatically begin to type in the area code of their phone number. I remember a time when people didn’t even know their area code. This tells me people use computers a lot and are used to filling in forms.

I did see that a lot of people don’t bother to capitalize their name (not a surprise). I also witnessed the teenager of the family stepping up to fill in the registration form (”I like computers,” she said). I encountered one person who may have been functionally illiterate (or just a really really bad speller) and this could pose a problem in the future.

The registrations printed out at the circulation desk staff printer and patrons then walked over to sign the form and finish their registration there. The data the patrons entered did not go into any database; it just printed out. But this saved staff the trouble of filling out the form. I am really interested in knowing if circ staff found this process helpful or if it saved them time. Also, can circ staff deal with misspellings, etc? We can expect a lot of that, but circ staff are the ones who are typing the information into our database so they can edit it as they enter it.

There was also a situation where a young patron couldn’t check out his book at self-check because his barcode was damaged. He was able to step 12 inches to his right, fill out the registration for a replacement card, and then get a new card at the desk. However, he had to check his books out there because the self-check machine did not allow him to type in his number. We are currently starting to think how we will have to change the way we do things so that each patron doesn’t run into an exception which prevents him from using self-check. We need to really think differently and be open to doing things differently to make self-check and self-registration possible.

Funny spam subjects

Every once in a while, the Library Chicken and I exchange funny spam subjects.  Usually they’re just based on bad grammar or some superlative description of our woman- (or man-) hood, but sometimes they’re just ridiculous and funny.  So I’ll post them whenever I get a chance.

Today’s funny spam subject:

dirt-encrusted toothache

Disgusting.

Back to the mobile version thing

I told you I had a bee in my bonnet.

Ever since I saw the post by Superpatron about mobile versions of library websites and catalogs, I’ve been looking for a solution to our lack of one. Then yesterday, I discovered Google Mobilizer via Christina Laun’s 57 Useful Google Tools You’ve Never Heard Of. (Were you blocked when you clicked on Google Mobilizer? Read on.)

It’s so cool! Basically, you plug in the URL of the website you want to view in a mobile version, and it happens. You can further simplify it by choosing to omit images. Our catalog becomes usable on a mobile device.

Here’s the problem: Websense, our library’s Internet filter, classifies Google Mobilizer as proxy avoidance software.

And because proxy avoidance sites are the ones that people use to get around our filter and view porn and other stupid stuff on public computers, we have to filter it out.

Grr. This just makes me grumpy.

I’ll be here

I’m going to visit my future in-laws on Saturday for vacation. Their house is at the foot of a mountain and it’s gorgeous there. I plan to relax, crochet, get some sun, go whitewater rafting, go swimming, read, and do nothing related to a computer (although I do plan to take pictures and share later!) See you when I get back.

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Another GREAT list-making tool

This was has been right under my nose.

Who would have thought that OCLC’s unassuming Worldcat.org would have a fabulously useful booklist-making tool? I had looked at Worldcat’s website several months ago, before I moved into this job, when our director sent us a link to the site. But since I’ve been recently investigating tools for making booklists, I’ve been checking around for any more possibilities. I actually stumbled upon this function of Worldcat because I was looking for mobile versions of library catalogs, posted by Superpatron (I’m a new fan, Superpatron! You’re awesome!) Now I’ve got a bee in my bonnet about mobile versions of library websites, and I have an e-mail in to the systems librarian at Harris Co. Public Library, because they use Dynix for their regular catalog (we use Sirsi’s iBistro). Take a look at their cool little mobile site, where you can search the catalog, renew your books, see new book titles, and more.

Anyway, back to making a booklist. In my previous posts I’ve been concentrating on the goodness of Goodreads, which is excellent and especially excels in social networking. Worldcat.org is a tool to search the catalogs of libraries everywhere, but they’ve added this function that lets you create an account and make & share lists of books that you create. It’s really easy to use: you just search for a book, click Save to, then choose a list: Book I Recommend, Books I Own, Books to Check Out, or create a new list. You can keep your list private or make it public and share it with others. The best part is, that when you view a book in your list, you can link to your library’s catalog (based on the zip code you enter in your profile) where you can then place a hold on it. Here’s a screenshot:

I just think this is amazing and incredibly useful. So I’ll be adding it to my list of tools to help patrons keep track of their books. This is a jewel waiting to be discovered!

Recently someone asked what are the differences between LibraryThing and Goodreads.com. I use and like both of them.

To me, the main difference between Goodreads and Librarything (LT) is that Goodreads is more social in its nature. LT seems to be a better tool for cataloging your own collection, in a librarian-like manner. Apparantly people
want to be able to do this. In fact, the whole left side of the page (where
people naturally start reading) is filled with tabs to help you catalog, edit and share via your blog your books that you read (pushing information OUT). If you look over on the right, the tabs there are related to discussing books with
others, joining a group, searching for local information, or checking out the Zeitgeist (what other LTers are doing on LT). It’s also text-heavy: almost no graphics except book covers, and the layout reminds you vaguely of a card catalog. I mean, it’s BROWN!

Goodreads is completely different in its focus, which is its users. When you log in to Goodreads, your homepage doesn’t show your books that you’ve marked as read, currently reading, or to-read, it shows what your friends are reading (sucking information IN). In fact that’s the tagline. When you look up a book or find one through any of its book discovery tools, the first thing listed, even before the title, is the name of a user who’s reading it. Your inbox, where you get e-mails from other users, is right next to the place that says you’re logged in. Little bibliographic information is included–just enough to know how long the book is, plus the publisher. Most of the information is a review written by the first person who added the book. And the rest of the page includes reviews
written by other people. Goodreads has “librarians” who aren’t MLS librarians–they’re users who are allowed to edit bibliographic information. So, it’s highly social in its nature, and it’s about book discovery and talking about books with others.

Lisa, who gave us a tour through Goodreads in our last Geek Out, Don’t Freak Out! video (see last post), said “I ♥ Goodreads”. It was so darn cute. It really is a neat site, and while I don’t ♥ Goodreads the way I ♥ Twitter, I have to say it’s the one that every book lover should see.

Geek Out, Don’t Freak Out! May 2008

Just finished the May version of Geek Out, Don’t Freak Out! on Youtube.  May’s session was about Goodreads.com, which we’re encouraging patrons to use as a way to track their books.  Since ACPL has a hold limit of 5 tites now, patrons need tools to keep track of the books they want to read, and Goodreads is very useful that way.  Watch the videos (Part 1 & Part 2) to learn more!

Jott again

Turns out I’m not the only one completely dazzled by Jott. Check out this article in the New York Times about Jott, ChaCha, Google411 and Reqall.

Speaking of Jott, last night while I was at home I Jotted a bunch of things to Twitter when I saw a baby bunny in my backyard. I Jotted that I saw it, and that he like my weeds and grass, then I threw some cherries out for him, and then a robin made off with one of the cherries. Here’s how my Tweets turned out:

Hey Robin, just made off with Cherry, he is no dummy. http://tinyurl.com/5rougu about 14 hours ago from Jott
I just threw some cherries out for the bunny, not it’s time for my dinner. http://tinyurl.com/6jm7yd about 14 hours ago from Jott
The baby bunny is enjoying my weeds and tall grass. http://tinyurl.com/66eeuu about 14 hours ago from Jott
I just thought a baby bunny about the size of a sweet potato eating clover in my backyard. http://tinyurl.com/5oy3pa about 15 hours ago from Jott

The power of Twitter

I just started a new Twitter account called @ACPLLibraryCamp to publicize Library Camp 2008. I started adding people by going to a famous person’s Twitter account, looking at their followers, and following their followers. Within about 30 minutes, three more famous people were following ACPLLibraryCamp. That’s pretty darn quick! I am hoping to use Twitter as one way to publicize our Library Camp. I also sent e-mails to a bunch of people I don’t know, but that was tough because in most cases I had to dig for them. Twitter is so much quicker!

For the record, @sabram gets the prize for the first person to respond as a follower. Now, what should the prize be?

Library Camp 2008 @ ACPL

Library Camp 2008 @ Allen County Public Library

September 16, 2008

wiki at https://librarycamp2008.pbwiki.com/

Library Camp 2008 will take place at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana* on Tuesday, September 16, 2008. This unconference will feature guest speaker David Lee King from the Topeka & Shawnee County (Kansas) Public Library.

*Our address is 900 Library Plaza. Google Maps still refers to our address as 900 Webster St. It’s the same place on the map.

At Library Camp we’ll focus on library technology, innovation and problem-solving. Wikipedia defines an unconference as “a facilitated, face-to-face, and participant-driven conference centered around a theme or purpose”. Unlike other conferences, Library Camp costs nothing except the price of gas, food and lodging if you plan to stay overnight. Everyone eager to discuss libraries, technology and innovation is welcome, students and professionals alike.

ACPL’s Library Camp will follow the Pecha Kucha Night format: people who want to share will give 6-minute presentations, followed by 1-minute Q & A. We will cram 8 presentations into one hour. Are you up to the challenge? Contact Sean at srobinson[at]acpl.info if you are interested in presenting.

To add your name to the list of attendees, please e-mail mkiser[at]acpl.info. You will receive an e-mail with an invite key so you can add your name and contact information to the wiki.

Tentative schedule

When	What
8-9 am	David Lee King
9-10 am	6-minute presentations
10-11 am	Breakout sessions
11-noon	David Lee King redux -or- breakout session
Noon-1:30 pm	Lunch (on your own)
1:30-2:30 pm	Breakout sessions
2:30-3:30 pm	Breakout sessions
3:30-4:30 pm	Meet & greet, talk about the day, gaming
4:30-5:00 pm	Wrapup
5:00 pm	Head down to J.K. O’Donnell’s for a brew, meal, or both