Emerging Technologies In Library Websites
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This document discusses emerging technologies in library websites such as blogging, RSS, and improvements to the online public access catalog (OPAC). It provides an overview of what blogs and RSS are, examples of how libraries are using them, and benefits like making library services and events easier to market and keeping information instantly updated and accessible through feeds. The document also discusses ways libraries can enhance their OPACs, such as through WordPress plugins, and examples of new interfaces like AquaBrowser that aim to make the OPAC experience more visual, intuitive and social.
Emerging Technologies In Library Websites
- 1. Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University1Blogging, RSS, and the OPACEmerging Technologies in Library Websites
- 2. Blog (or Weblog)Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University2A frequently updated website managed by one author or a group. Uses specific software to post, update, and organize content for a targeted audience. Started in 1995 as way to organize and share links on personal websites. Around 2000 the blogging revolution begins. Blogger launched in August 1999. In 2004 blogs became more mainstream. Now being used by corporations, news, and political groups.
- 3. Found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXIWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University3Blogs in Plain English
- 4. Blogging and LibrariesWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University4Blogging Pros Marketing library services and events Easy to update Website stays current Community participation Many Free & Open Source OptionsBlogging Cons Need people to maintain regularly More vulnerable to comment abuse
- 5. Example: Ann Arbor District Library (aadl.org)Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University5Marketing Library Services & EventsMany levels of information Main page presents patrons with broad information Different blogs help direct patrons to specific information
- 6. AADL Website FeaturesWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University6Main page is a blog that highlights featured events Subject based blogs available throughout site Collaborative effort by library staff Comments are enabled and edited for inappropriate language
- 7. Found at: http://www.aadl.org/node/401Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University7AADL Comment Moderation
- 8. Blogging & LibrariesWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University8Enhances Library Services Encourage Community Involvement Blogs for book clubs or teen groups Blogs for training and classes Plus many others!Easy Archival Instant archiving when published Automatic, searchable index created List of Blogging Libraries: Blogging Libraries Wikihttp://bit.ly/blogging-libraries
- 9. Found at: http://www.westportlibrary.org/bookblog/Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University9Westport Public Library Book Blog
- 10. Found at: http://sjcpl.lib.in.us/gameblog/Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University10St. Joseph County Public Library Game Blog
- 11. RSS IntegrationWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University11What is RSS? Stands for “Really Simple Syndication” A file format used to aggregate content to online services, client software, websites, or blogs. RSS goes hand-in-hand with blogging software. Tied into blog, when blog is updated the XML file is updated and then the newsreader is notified
- 12. Found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsUWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University12RSS In Plain English
- 13. Found at: http://searchengineland.com/search-illustrated-the-power-of-rss-feeds-12084Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University13Power of RSS
- 14. RSS and LibrariesWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University14RSS Pros Streamline information Most currently updated information comes directly to patron Add instant content to your site from other sources Examples: Local events, weather, news Offer patrons access to their account information through their newsreaders Holds, checkouts, due dates from their online accounts. Self-Administering Do not need to maintain a list of subscribers for newsletters RSS Cons Many sites still don’t support RSS feeds Some aggregators don’t support every format (RSS, Atom, RDF, etc.) Users may visit your site infrequently Smaller hit counts Services like FeedBurner can track feed circulation
- 15. Found at: http://www.hclib.org/pub/search/RSS.cfmWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University15Henepin County Library RSS Feeds
- 16. Found at: http://www.code4lib.org/2006/robertsonWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University16The Future of the OPACWays libraries can improve their OPACs From code4lib “Lipstick on a Pig: 7 Ways to Improve the Sex Life of Your OPAC” book cover images book reviews live circulation usage history recommendation engine RSS live librarian support (link to virtual reference) shortcut, durable links to specific items
- 17. The WordPress OPAC (WPopac)Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University17Library Catalog as a BlogAutomatic RSS FeedsUser ToolsFind Similar Items Request Holds (redirecting to account login)Add to DeliciousCommentsStatic URLArchiveNew entries to the catalog are at the top
- 18. Found at: http://library.plymouth.edu/Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University18WPopac Now Scriblio
- 19. AquaBrowser: Queens LibraryWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University19SearchUses simple query box, similar to current OPACsDiscoverVisual Map (or “word cloud”) Displays other relevant search terms to help users find related informationRefineFilters original query by Format, Subject, Genre, etc.
- 20. Found at: http://aqua.queenslibrary.org/Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University20AquaBrowser: Queens Library
- 21. ConclusionWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University21BlogsMakes it easier for libraries and patrons to participate in their communitiesProvides a forum for discussion on library services and eventsRSSQuick and easy way for patrons to subscribe to library informationAllows other users to put your content in their sitesOPACBlogs & RSS are just a few of the tools that can make the library OPAC more user friendly and efficient
- 22. Additional ResourcesWinter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University22Wikipedia definition of blog: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WeblogWhy and How to Use Blogs to Promote Your Library Services: http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov03/fichter.shtmlWikipedia definition of RSS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_(file_format)FeedBurner: http://www.feedburner.com/ RSS FAQ: http://www.johncletheroe.org/pc_int/rssfaq/index.htmAquaBrowser: http://www.medialab.nl/
Editor's Notes
- #19: Note that when this was first presented, WPopac was a catalog built in WordPress, but now has been converted into an open source content management system for libraries. Some of the same spirit behind the original WPopac idea is still present in Scriblio.