Library Toolbars...Oh My!

-Light your way into the future-

I was monitoring my blogline feeds today and came across an interesting post from, "The In Season Christian Librarian." The post, written by Linda Jones, talked briefly about library toolbars for patron's home computer. I was not familiar with this because my own local library does not offer this tool.

How cool would that be to have a library toolbar!

The post directs you to another blog, "Stephen's Lighthouse," that discusses library toolbars. Stephen's Lighthouse gives a few suggestions on toolbars.

Check this out for yourself.

"EffectiveBrand is a free toolbar creator. And they're easy to create!
Check out this library toolbar at Lansing Public Library, Ottawa Public Library or Oakville Public Library. Notice the direct marketing of library services in the features listing at Lansing PL. There are dozens of library toolbars already in the gallery at EffectiveBrand (Try searching 'library' in the gallery link and you'll ind a variety.)I've been interested in the concept of a custom toolbar for libraries ever since I saw the great one a few years ago at the Harris County Public Library. This is a great way to gain 'shelfspace' on yur users' monitors. You'll always be there as a presence and service reminding them about the books, but also your events, databases, virtual reference, story hours and more" (Stephen's Lighthouse).

I think that library toolbars would be a great addition to patron's computers. The toolbar could create a library presence in the home for children, teen, and adult utilization. I know I would like this feature, and would most definitely use it. I also believe that by having a library toolbar for children and teens in the home would remind them to use the library rather than the Internet to find solutions and answers.

Another great idea "Stephen's Lighthouse," mentioned is incorporating a library toolbar into the business world and community. For example, the library toolbar could be placed on a community's small business computers. This could make the community aware of the library and create a tight-knit community setting. Additionally, it allows businesses to use the library's resources.

According to Stephen's Lighthouse, the library can work with the community, businesses, patrons,etc. to specialize a toolbar. I think this is a plus, so that the toolbar can be adapted to fit the needs of all patrons within the community.

What are your thoughts?

Are Librarians becoming extinct?

-Overtime Civilizations Become Extinct-

I was traversing through bloglines when I decided to check out a blog feed from, http://www.librarian.net/.

One post caught my eye. This post dated Jan. 31st, 2007, is titled, "33 reasons librarians are still extremely important." Read the post below.

"A no-nonsense list, good for any sort of situation. My favorites are 24) The Internet is subject to manipulation, and 32) Libraries are a stopgap to anti-intellectualism. [thanks forrest]"

I went to the link that contained a very informative article written by Will Sherman. After reading the article, "33 Reasons Why Libraries and Librarians are Extremely Important," I started to think about issues facing the future librarian in the 21st century and beyond.



As a fairly new grad student in the SLIS program, I asked myself a few questions.

• Will I have a career as a librarian in 10 years or beyond?


• Will librarians fade away, as library materials become a part of the digitized world?


• Will human librarians be replaced by virtual librarians?


• Will physical libraries become extinct?

Will Sherman seems to think not. He believes wholeheartedly that librarians are here to stay and backs up his beliefs with his 33 reasons. Be sure to check out these reasons for yourself. They seem logical to me.

I also agree with Sherman and his reasonings. I especially agree with reason number nine, "Libraries aren't just Books."

Libraries are so much more than books on a shelf!

Libraries are a place for fellowship with community, cultural awareness centers, social networks, informational hubs, learning institutions, relaxation centers, and lastly a place where one can seek help and guidance.

This brings me to my next point. Librarians will not become extinct because there will alwys be a need for a physical person to guide and assist patrons who need help. Libarians are informed of information technology. Some patrons may not know how to utilize the rapidly changing technology and resources filling our world. This is where the expertise of the librarian comes into play.

After reviewing Will Sherman's article, I am not terribly worried about the extinction of the librarian. I just think that as the library moves into the future, it is crucial for librarians, library organizations such as the ALA, librarian administrators, etc. continue to build the skills and resources necessary to adapt to the fast-paced technology.

What are your thoughts?

**Children & Information Technology**

My thoughts on high-tech tools & the Information World

With the explosion of information technology, we are seeing a plethora of high- tech informational tools invading our homes, businesses, schools, and yes, libraries.

Libraries provide tools of information for the community. The traditional book is slowly, but surely, taking a backseat to the "Online World," of the Internet, websites, online databases, e-books, social online networks, wiki's, and on and on and on!

Personally, I prefer traditional paperback or hardback books. I have to feel the book in my hands, turn the pages, and smell the newness of the book. I like to curl up with a good book versus my laptop. I know personally that there are others like myself. So no, I am not that weird!

However, I do love the "Online world," and love the introduction to innovative technology in our lives. In a way, it makes me feel a wee bit smarter when I learn something high-techy that others may not know.

Libraries are introducing the high-tech world into their facilities and services at a steady pace. There are now online databases, online catalogs, computer stations, live chat reference, library blogs, storytelling, and so much more. This is awesome!

Children and Information Technology/High-Tech tools

I recently read a post on another blog, http://community.livejournal.com/library_grrls/

The member, tealightwhimsy, poses this question on January 2oth, 2007:

"Hello everyone, I'm a first year MLIS student and a bit of a newbie here on LJ. I have an assignment coming up in which I have to describe some issues involving information technology and, since my focus is on children's librarianship, I wanted to relate it to that. However, since I do not actually have experience in children's librarianship, I really don' t have any exposure as to some of the major IT issues in children's librarianship today. The one thing that comes to mind is the ever-present issue of content filtering but I was wondering if any of you could point out some other issues that are important to you?"

Just thinking out loud....

Children already participate in high-tech society. Children are surrounded with computers, mp3 players, IM, video games, computer games, cell phones, etc. Let's face it, children of the 21st century live in a high -tech world. They learn differently from older generations. I believe that libraries need to form a plan on how to incorporate the high-tech tools into the library setting. Libraries are doing just that for the most part, but there are numerous issues that need to be addressed. Below you will find a common issue facing libraries and their children/teen patrons.

A view on video games in the Library

Recently, I explored the issue of incorporating "gaming," in the library setting. Several libraries do have gaming in their libraries. For someone that is not familiar with gaming, it is video games. Video games for some, are considered a source of information technology, while others believe games are a drain on the brain. I believe, that games are informational, instructional, and applicable to the library setting. While some games can be "just a form of entertainment," there are just as many that are educational. Many games teach children and teens alike social skills, math skills, reading skills, life building skills, scientific skills, etc.

One of the roles of a library is to provide the community with sources of information and to provide patrons with evolving informational tools. Video games are considered an informational tool to many patrons. Thus, we must provide these tools to the community.

Even so, there are many obstacles:

They include:

1. Costs
2. Circulation issues
3. Patron's care of items
4. What to provide for patrons. ex. video games, gaming consoles, controllers,
5. What ratings should be provided. ex. Mature, Teen, Everybody, etc.

I personally do not play video games, but feel libraries should provide this form of information/resource for patrons. It is just a matter of how to provide them.

What are your thoughts???