Archives - Page 4

• February/March

  Vol. 55 No. 2 (2019)

  Library Technology Reports (vol. 55, no. 2), "Mastering Mobile through Social Media: Creating Engaging Content on Instagram and Snapchat," by Paige Alfonzo

  In this issue of Library Technology Reports, Paige Alfonzo explores the ways libraries can maximize their presence on Instagram and/or Snapchat, paying special attention to the transitory world of Instagram and Snapchat Stories. She starts with a mini-case study based on interviews she conducted with 11 standout library professionals who are using the aforementioned platforms in very effective ways. She then builds upon these ideas to bring you a series of practical ideas, tools, and resources you can implement to enhance your library’s content on these primarily mobile applications. This report can be used by individuals at any stage of the marketing process from considering if your library is ready for Snapchat and/or Instagram to finding new ways to craft fresh content on your established account(s). Currently used by many librarians to tap into the exclusive world of the teen to young adult crowd, Instagram and Snapchat provide a unique and valuable communicative avenue to reach these demographics. The intention of this report is to provide you with considerations for platform management and offer new ideas and concepts to get your creative juices flowing.

• January

  Vol. 55 No. 1 (2019)

  Library Technology Reports (vol. 55, no. 1), “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Libraries,” Edited by Jason Griffey

  This issue of Library Technology Reports argues that the near future of library work will be enormously impacted and perhaps forever changed as a result of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems becoming commonplace. It will do so through both essays on theory and predictions of the future of these systems in libraries and also through essays on current events and systems currently being developed in and by libraries. A variety of librarians will discuss their own AI and machine learning projects, how they implemented AI and to what ends, and what they see as useful for the future of libraries in considering AI systems and services. This report concludes with a discussion of possibilities and potentials for using AI in libraries and library science.

• November/December

  Vol. 54 No. 8 (2018)

  Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 8), “Index-Based Discovery Services: Current Market Positions and Trends,” by Marshall Breeding

  Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 8), “Index-Based Discovery Services: Current Market Positions and Trends,” provides an updated look at the realm of discovery products implemented in libraries, focusing especially on how these products have been implemented in academic libraries. The scope of this issue focuses primarily on index-based discovery services. This genre of products was established in 2009 and has since become a mainstay of academic libraries. Despite broad interest, the number of players in this product category has remained limited and constant. Throughout the report, Marshall Breeding shares data he has gathered describing the use of the following discovery services among colleges and universities in the United States: WorldCat Discovery Service and its predecessor WorldCat Local from OCLC, Summon and Primo from Ex Libris, and EBSCO Discovery Service from EBSCO Information Services. Almost a decade has transpired since the introduction of these products. Libraries have made a substantial economic investment during that period, which warrants a look at some of the patterns in which discovery services have been implemented in libraries and what trends we may anticipate in the future.

• October

  Vol. 54 No. 7 (2018)

  Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 7), “Video in Libraries,” by David Lee King

  In this issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 7), “Video in Libraries,” David Lee King explores how libraries can leverage videos’ popularity to share information and enhance their marketing efforts. He explains why libraries should make and post videos and strategies for creating video content. Throughout this report, King covers varying aspects of making and sharing videos—from best practices to video content creation, including the types of equipment, tools, and staff resources you’ll need to start incorporating video into your library outreach and marketing.

• August/September

  Vol. 54 No. 6 (2018)

  Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 6), “Virtual and Augmented Reality in Libraries,” by Hannah Pope

  This issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 6), “Virtual and Augmented Reality in Libraries,” provides an overview of virtual and augmented reality (VAR) and how it can be used effectively in libraries. The report covers how to build a VAR library program and discusses devices best suited to meet your library’s needs and budget. Chapter 1 delves into the history of virtual and augmented reality and how it has become more accessible to library users. In chapter 2, Pope discusses the use of virtual and augmented reality in libraries and how these technologies are being used to enhance patron learning. Chapter 3 takes a look at the available VAR devices for libraries and recommends which setup works best for varying library types, taking into consideration different space constraints and library budgets. Chapter 4 looks at user engagement and potential real-world applications of virtual and augmented reality. The final chapter delves into the future of virtual and augmented reality and how libraries are able to help shape that future.

• July

  Vol. 54 No. 5 (2018)

  Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 5), “Integrating the Library in the Learning Management System,” Amanda Clossen, Editor

  Library resource integration in a local learning management system (LMS) can be streamlined through the application of the Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) standard, which allows connectivity between the LMS and other learning tools. Despite its convenience, the implementation of an LTI tool can be a complicated process both technically and administratively. This issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 5), “Integrating the Library in the Learning Management System,” follows the case study of the Pennsylvania State University Libraries’ large-scale implementation of Springshare’s LTI tool within Canvas. Beginning with the data gathering that guided our strategy, this report will cover the technical aspects of implementation, with a focus on guides and reserves. Our exploration into embedding librarians within Canvas will also be addressed, as well as our outreach and assessment efforts. Through Penn State’s experience, major roadblocks and pain points will be illustrated, as well as ways to anticipate and easily overcome these challenges.

• May/June

  Vol. 54 No. 4 (2018)

  Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 4), “Accessibility, Technology, and Librarianship,” Heather Moorefield Lang, Editor

  This issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 4), “Accessibility, Technology, and Librarianship,” edited by Heather Moorefield-Lang, looks into the wide definition of accessibility for library patrons, both face-to-face and online, within the area of instruction. This topic is discussed in some depth in schools of library science as well as in faculty development and instructional design. This report will encourage readers to think more critically about the technologies that faculty and staff use to address the needs of all patrons served. This report will also aid in identifying and using new methods for addressing the needs of all patrons through a wide range of modalities (closed-captioning, transcription, sign language, video, text to speech, image to text, etc.).

• April

  Vol. 54 No. 3 (2018)

  Privacy and Security Online: Best Practices for Cybersecurity, by Nicole Hennig

  It seems that every day there is news of a security breach or invasion of privacy. From ransomware to widespread breaches of private data, the news is full of scare stories. Luckily, there are strategies you can implement and actions you can take to reduce your risk. You can learn to see beyond the hype of media scare stories and better understand what’s worth paying attention to by following certain best practices. Using advice from security experts, this issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 3), “Privacy and Security Online: Best Practices for Cybersecurity,” discusses the difference between possible threats and likely risks. Hennig discusses security best practices for password managers, backing up data, using public Wi-Fi, mobile devices, mobile payment systems, private browsing, social media, and more. The report provides advice on how to make your own security plan and concludes with ideas for sharing this information with library users and a bibliography of resources.  

• February/March

  Vol. 54 No. 2 (2018)

  How to Stay on Top of Emerging Technology Trends for Libraries, by David Lee King

  Technology has changed the face of libraries and is continuing to change how we work and how we deliver services to our library customers. This issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 2), “How to Stay on Top of Emerging Technology Trends for Libraries,” focuses on personal strategies you can follow to keep up with emerging technology trends and provides you with suggestions for how you can incorporate these trends into your library. This report explores four major areas: why you should stay on top of technology trends, the trend watchers you should follow and how to follow them, practical ways to incorporate new technology trends into your library, and how to prepare for and know when not to pursue current trends. The goal of this issue of Library Technology Reports is to help you become better prepared for technology changes now and in the future.

• January

  Vol. 54 No. 1 (2018)

  Library Spaces and Smart Buildings: Technology, Metrics, and Iterative Design, edited by Jason Griffey

  We are on the edge of a huge set of technological changes that will alter how we can measure library spaces. New advances in sensor technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, computer vision, and more have brought the ability to monitor spaces in ways that were previously unthinkable. In Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 1), “Library Spaces and Smart Buildings: Technology, Metrics, and Iterative Design,” I’ll explore these technologies and provide librarians and other interested parties with a look into what’s possible in the current state of technology for smart library buildings. Looking at three different projects that involved space metrics and analysis in libraries, this report shows how Virginia Tech; Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and the Measure the Future project are using technological tools to analyze library spaces to improve their environment for their users. Virginia Tech is researching how furniture movement acts as a stand-in for patron activity. Concordia University experimented with a project that monitored noise levels. The Measure the Future project is using computer vision to see how patrons move around in library spaces and derive “attention” measures from those movements while doing so with a strong protection on any sort of identification of patrons. Finally, we will look at what the next five to ten years of technological progress will bring and how that might change the possibilities for a smart library.