Ways to Solve the Ebooks in Libraries Problems Once and For All

March 6, 2011 by · 2 Comments
Filed under: ebooks
Social Tagging: ebooks

If you are anything like me, you have probably had enough of all the headaches and problems associated with libraries purchasing and checking out ebooks. It seems that the publishers either try to put too many limits on ebooks or there are too many decides and enough applications and programs to read ebooks to drive librarians crazy and if it’s driving us nuts what is it doing to our patrons? For what it’s worth, here are some ideas about how to solve the ebook problem once and for all.

1. Publishers could offer a library only ebook version that could be read on all platforms and that would cost more than a patron would pay. Each ebook would also be able to be read an unlimited amount of times by a specified number of patrons at once. For example, if the ebook costs $10 for a non-library to purchase, it would cost $30-$100 for a library to purchase depending upon the number of licenses acquired. Back in the days when we had video stores, they paid more for each video than a retail customer would because it was being purchased for rentals. Why can’t ebook publishers offer the same service to libraries?

2. There needs to be a device like overdrive available for academic libraries, or maybe even overdrive could release a version for academic libraries.

3. Ebook collections now available only in places such as ebrary and netlibrary which cannot currently be read on devices such as the kindle and the book need to be modified so that they can be read on portable devices. Not necessarily on the kindle and nook specifically but on portable devices or on an application that is downloadable to PCS, Macs and the ipad.

4. Ebook publishers need to license their ebooks for libraries in large batches such as 20, 50, 100 etc. Thus making it easier for libraries to buy a copy of an ebook and then have it available for a large number of patrons or students in the case of academic libraries. For example, say a college library has a book that is on a required reading list for a class. They should be able to purchase an ebook copy and have it available on all of the computers in the library at a reasonable cost and without hassle. In fact, many database providers that also sell ebooks already do this such as Gale and Ebsco. Why can’t Amazon, Barnes and Noble and any of the other ebook providers do this too?

5. Publishers need to stop being greedy and realize that working together with libraries can only benefit them in the long run.

What other ideas do you have about how to solve the ebooks in libraries problems that currently exist?

5 Great Survey Resources for Library Surveys

February 27, 2011 by · 1 Comment
Filed under: research tools
Social Tagging: surveys

Do you need or want to take a library survey but you don’t want to spend a lot of money or end up with a bunch of papers laying around?

Here are 5 great online resources for creating and administering library surveys.

1. Polldaddy- this easy to use site lets you collect surveys via your blog, facebook, twitter, website and more. The basic plan is free whereas to collect a large number of surveys there is a small cost.

2. SurveyPopUps.com This website lets you create free surveys that pop up when someone leaves your website. You could use these for your library to collect stats and information about your patrons impressions of your library website.

3. FreeOnlineSurveys.com- Use this site to create free embedded surveys on your website or in email without extra software or programing. A simple and easy to use site.

4. Survey Monkey- Survey monkey is one of the most well known and while it can work well, there limits on free surveys make it on the best option for collecting a large number of surveys.

5. Wufoo.com- this site allows you to embed forms on websites and collection information as well as surveys. The features are a bit fancier however, the limits on a free account will probably not work for most libraries so you will probably need to pay.

Use Google Voice to Offer Text Reference

February 16, 2011 by · 2 Comments
Filed under: google, texting
Social Tagging: google voice • texting

Unless your head is in the sand you have probably heard of Google Voice as a Google application but did you know that you can also use it to offer text messaging for your library?

My academic library recently started doing this and so far it is working quite well. We aren’t yet getting the kind of usage we would like but for free it’s easy to use and convenient.

Here are the steps we took to implement it:

1. Created a Google email account for our library.
2. Created a Google Voice account for the same email.
3. Created labels inside the account for each library employee and for each major category that people may contact us about. These include things such as reference questions, library catalog, recommendations, item requests, database and computer problems, etc.
4. Developed a work flow procedure for determining who answers the texts we receive and when.

Have you used Google Voice for texting for your library? If so, how did it work? If not, have you considered it?

Great places to find free images for library marketing and more

February 9, 2011 by · 6 Comments
Filed under: flickr, images
Social Tagging: free images

Where do you go to find free images you can use for your library marketing, for your patrons to use and more?
It can be a challenge if you don’t know where to look. Here are some great places.

1. Flickr- The commons. While I’m sure you already know about Flickr, did you know that flickr allows you to search for images that are marked for use without violating copyright?

2. Google Images- The advanced search for images that you can use anywhere. Do an advanced search and choose the option- licensed for commercial reuse.

3. Image Chef Use this awesome site to modify and create your own images.

4. Free Stock Links A large collection of several places to find free stock photos.

5. Web 2.0 Badges Find a whole bunch of web 2.0 and other badges.

Twitter and Powerpoint Combine for Powerful Library Literacy Sessions

January 29, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: library literacy, twitter
Social Tagging: library literacy • twitter

Powerpoint presentations in library literacy sessions can be boring if not done correctly. However, there are lots of ways to make them work and to encourage interaction. What about using twitter along with power point?

I recently discovered this tool- Power Point Twitter Tools. Although I have not yet tried it, it looks like it could be great for library literacy presentations. You download this program and it lets you use twitter to provide surveys and interaction inside your power point presentations.

Have you used this? Thoughts?

QR Codes in the Library

January 22, 2011 by · 3 Comments
Filed under: mobile marketing, QR codes
Social Tagging: QR codes

Have you used QR Codes in your library at all? We haven’t done it yet but we are looking to start soon. I found this great presentation all about how to use QR codes in your library.

In the Stacks with QR Codes on Prezi

Thoughts? Comments?

Social Media and Library Trends for 2011

December 21, 2010 by · 8 Comments
Filed under: Social Networking for Libraries
Social Tagging: social media trends 2011

Social media is becoming more and more a must for libraries and many libraries are finding that when used properly it can be a great tool to save money and promote library services and collections.

That said, here is my list of social media and library trends for the new year 2011.

1. Mobile applications- this is a big one. Libraries will start using a variety of these this year including those designed for library websites as well as by library database vendors and other library related mobile applications.

2. QR Codes- These are starting to show up and become popular in the business and marketing worlds and they will start to be used in libraries this year.

3. Google Applications- whether it’s collaborating with google docs, using google voice for text messaging or any of the other google applications. Google has a lot to offer libraries and more libraries will start using these.

4. Twitter- While more libraries may be using facebook, in many ways, twitter can offer more to libraries especially when it comes to reference and instant answers to questions.

5. Virtual reference- While this is already offered at many libraries, new trends and offerings in the social media world make offering this service more practical than before. Whether it’s installing an instant chat application on a facebook fan page, using a live video site such as ustream.tv or one of the many other free applications available through social media, virtual reference is more doable and approachable than it has been in many years.

6. Increased collaboration between librarians at more than one institution as well as between faculty and librarians will occur thanks to social media tools that make this possible. Examples include twitter, twiddla, and many other white board and online sharing applications.

7. Teaching social media classes- I started doing these at my library this year and I believe many more libraries will follow suit.

8. Using social media as a teaching tool and not just as a tool for library promotion. New applications by library vendors such as lib guides and gale and many others make this possible and we will only continue to see even more of these in 2011.

What other trends in libraries and social media did I miss?

5 Great Library Youtube Videos

November 25, 2010 by · 1 Comment
Filed under: videos
Social Tagging: youtube

Here are what I think are 5 of the best library related youtube videos. Some are funny, others are interesting and others are well, let me know what you think.

Mr. Bean at the Library.