Comments on: Online Discussion 3: Perceptions of Libraries http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/ Just another WordPress.com weblog Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:11:19 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Ian http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-135 Ian Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:52:14 +0000 http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-135 I think that libraries need to diversify their holdings and programming offerings in order to improve their perception and integration into the community. Younger generations that are growing up as electronic resource natives have less motivation to utilize library resources. They have a tendency to want information immediately, and will tend towards Internet resources instead of using the library. If there were other activities that the library could offer, such as gaming nights, that appeal to the interests of youths, then it would be possible to establish a link to their everyday life. This, in turn, could lead to increased utilization of library resources as the youth is already actively part of another aspect of the library. I think that libraries need to diversify their holdings and programming offerings in order to improve their perception and integration into the community. Younger generations that are growing up as electronic resource natives have less motivation to utilize library resources. They have a tendency to want information immediately, and will tend towards Internet resources instead of using the library. If there were other activities that the library could offer, such as gaming nights, that appeal to the interests of youths, then it would be possible to establish a link to their everyday life. This, in turn, could lead to increased utilization of library resources as the youth is already actively part of another aspect of the library.

]]> By: phyllis http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-131 phyllis Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:48:40 +0000 http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-131 The discrepancy between the rates of library use and library card holders scream that we aren't providing what the people want. I found 75% to be a high rate of library card holders. Hopeful, I guess, that people want to participate and want to use the service, but the majority go less than 1X per month. My local library offers many popular and helpful databases - but many aren't accessible through their website, which according to this data makes all of the difference. The discrepancy between the rates of library use and library card holders scream that we aren’t providing what the people want. I found 75% to be a high rate of library card holders. Hopeful, I guess, that people want to participate and want to use the service, but the majority go less than 1X per month. My local library offers many popular and helpful databases – but many aren’t accessible through their website, which according to this data makes all of the difference.

]]> By: John Schu http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-129 John Schu Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:07:46 +0000 http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-129 In response to this section of Lorna's post: "It’s really unfortunate that my public library and I’m sure many (if not most) others are shelling our major cash for these programs and databases only to have them go unused. I think that one way to get our patrons more interested in using the library as an information tool is to show them all the wonderful resources that we have that we have not made them aware of” This year our school board started asking questions about teachers use of Discovery United Streaming, an online streaming subscription program that enhances instruction through materials from AIMS Multimedia, PBS, Planet Earth, BBC, and Clearvue. The board realized that few teachers were utilizing the technology. ..and it turned out that VERY few teachers actually knew how to navigate the database or were unaware of it. Two years ago teachers were given the resource and offered zero training or information. Only those who stumbled upon it started using it (maybe 4 teachers out of 50). Therefore, I volunteered to run a practical hands-on workshop that allowed teachers to see all of the extraordinary resources available. Teachers walked out with folders full of streaming videos to enhance instruction. Due to the success of the small informal training sessions, a small group of teachers will continue to give these workshops (without compensation) to make teachers feel comfortable with technology and be motivated to use it. Small steps… John Schu In response to this section of Lorna’s post: “It’s really unfortunate that my public library and I’m sure many (if not most) others are shelling our major cash for these programs and databases only to have them go unused. I think that one way to get our patrons more interested in using the library as an information tool is to show them all the wonderful resources that we have that we have not made them aware of”

This year our school board started asking questions about teachers use of Discovery United Streaming, an online streaming subscription program that enhances instruction through materials from AIMS Multimedia, PBS, Planet Earth, BBC, and Clearvue. The board realized that few teachers were utilizing the technology. ..and it turned out that VERY few teachers actually knew how to navigate the database or were unaware of it. Two years ago teachers were given the resource and offered zero training or information. Only those who stumbled upon it started using it (maybe 4 teachers out of 50). Therefore, I volunteered to run a practical hands-on workshop that allowed teachers to see all of the extraordinary resources available. Teachers walked out with folders full of streaming videos to enhance instruction. Due to the success of the small informal training sessions, a small group of teachers will continue to give these workshops (without compensation) to make teachers feel comfortable with technology and be motivated to use it.
Small steps…

John Schu

]]> By: Sue H. http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-127 Sue H. Mon, 05 Nov 2007 04:51:54 +0000 http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-127 The internet is growing past expectations according to that latest study based on polls and the webpages of every library has to address the needs of users who have become reliant on the internet search engines for information. I like Katharine's idea of using links to google or amazon, etc, on the library's webpage. It gives the user another dimension to search in. Kyle's right in that they are sloppy ways to search, but people are accustomed to using them and sooner or later they'll need to use the library's database in order to gain the necessary/deeper information for research, etc. I found it interesting that Amazon.com was used by 92% of library directors for browsing and purchasing. Was this public or academic? I use the Chicago Public Library website and find it pretty easy to use and I've never had a tutorial for that particular website. Honestly, I can't rememeber anything else on the website besides the search tools, so I think that Lorna makes a valid point when she stated that libraries need to advertise their online databases. Maybe start having contests that include monthly Q's from the Book Club selections, and include something for the teens, etc. Just draw people in, and draw them to the website so that they get familiar with it and then start to utilize it as a resource. The internet is growing past expectations according to that latest study based on polls and the webpages of every library has to address the needs of users who have become reliant on the internet search engines for information. I like Katharine’s idea of using links to google or amazon, etc, on the library’s webpage. It gives the user another dimension to search in. Kyle’s right in that they are sloppy ways to search, but people are accustomed to using them and sooner or later they’ll need to use the library’s database in order to gain the necessary/deeper information for research, etc.

I found it interesting that Amazon.com was used by 92% of library directors for browsing and purchasing. Was this public or academic?

I use the Chicago Public Library website and find it pretty easy to use and I’ve never had a tutorial for that particular website. Honestly, I can’t rememeber anything else on the website besides the search tools, so I think that Lorna makes a valid point when she stated that libraries need to advertise their online databases. Maybe start having contests that include monthly Q’s from the Book Club selections, and include something for the teens, etc. Just draw people in, and draw them to the website so that they get familiar with it and then start to utilize it as a resource.

]]> By: Lorna http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-126 Lorna Mon, 05 Nov 2007 03:47:36 +0000 http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-126 The website of the library where I work offers several extremely helpful reference databases regarding a variety of topics from the general (FirstSearch, ECO) to the specific (Auto Repair Reference Center, HeritageQuest). We even offer the Rosetta Stone language program in several languages through our website. The problem is, however, that no one knows about these things. While I was working at the circ desk about a month ago, a patron came up who had put the Rosetta Stone CD-ROM program on hold, and had been waiting for it for ages. She was completely surprised when I told her it was available online for free (and with no limitations in terms of a check out period). It's really unfortunate that my public library and I'm sure many (if not most) others are shelling our major cash for these programs and databases only to have them go unused. I think that one way to get our patrons more interested in using the library as an information tool is to show them all the wonderful resources that we have that we have not made them aware of. Every month our newsletter goes out with word of great programs that our library is offering in the physical library space, but without a single mention of the online databases that are just seconds away. We don't only need to be counting the numbers that walk through our doors every day. We need to be counting the number of hits on our websites and figuring out ways that we can make that number go up. I'm also not surprised that college students have the highest rate of library use, both physical and electronic. Not only have college age people been raised in the advent of the Internet and current technological trends, but college students are generally required to go to the library for training in the computer labs during one of their class periods. They experience the databases first hand and then go on to implement them into their own research. We need to find a similar way to get our public libraries' reference databases into the hands of their patrons. Use every teachable moment possible at the reference desk. Offer classes specifically in the use of the library website. By letting these resources go to waste, we are letting our patrons believe that the library has nothing more to offer them than books, which (as great as those books are) is completely untrue. The website of the library where I work offers several extremely helpful reference databases regarding a variety of topics from the general (FirstSearch, ECO) to the specific (Auto Repair Reference Center, HeritageQuest). We even offer the Rosetta Stone language program in several languages through our website. The problem is, however, that no one knows about these things. While I was working at the circ desk about a month ago, a patron came up who had put the Rosetta Stone CD-ROM program on hold, and had been waiting for it for ages. She was completely surprised when I told her it was available online for free (and with no limitations in terms of a check out period). It’s really unfortunate that my public library and I’m sure many (if not most) others are shelling our major cash for these programs and databases only to have them go unused. I think that one way to get our patrons more interested in using the library as an information tool is to show them all the wonderful resources that we have that we have not made them aware of. Every month our newsletter goes out with word of great programs that our library is offering in the physical library space, but without a single mention of the online databases that are just seconds away. We don’t only need to be counting the numbers that walk through our doors every day. We need to be counting the number of hits on our websites and figuring out ways that we can make that number go up.
I’m also not surprised that college students have the highest rate of library use, both physical and electronic. Not only have college age people been raised in the advent of the Internet and current technological trends, but college students are generally required to go to the library for training in the computer labs during one of their class periods. They experience the databases first hand and then go on to implement them into their own research. We need to find a similar way to get our public libraries’ reference databases into the hands of their patrons. Use every teachable moment possible at the reference desk. Offer classes specifically in the use of the library website. By letting these resources go to waste, we are letting our patrons believe that the library has nothing more to offer them than books, which (as great as those books are) is completely untrue.

]]> By: Mary http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-125 Mary Mon, 05 Nov 2007 03:45:14 +0000 http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-125 Kyle, I see your point. But I feel like the genie is out of the bottle as far as Google is concerned. That's all my kids do is Google something when it comes to library research. Do I like that? No. Do I show them how to use our school district's database and insist that they use just that database for projects? Yes. But invariably they go back to Google. They like it. It goes back to the idea of how fast can I get information. Kyle,

I see your point. But I feel like the genie is out of the bottle as far as Google is concerned. That’s all my kids do is Google something when it comes to library research. Do I like that? No. Do I show them how to use our school district’s database and insist that they use just that database for projects? Yes. But invariably they go back to Google. They like it. It goes back to the idea of how fast can I get information.

]]> By: Laura http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-121 Laura Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:01:22 +0000 http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-121 First I have to agree with Maggie, Libraries don't know how to sell themselves. My library Director is a firm believer in "whoring" the library out. Meaning if it gets our name out there, we should do it. But again, not all libraries are fortunate enough to have a director like that. What I found was so interesting in the freerangelibrarian article was the fact that not very many library directors knew what were going on. I know in my library, while the director believes that we should do all of these things, she hasn't a clue as to what we are doing. I think the first thing that needs to be addressed is that library directors need to be involved in not just managing the library, but running the library. They should know what is going on, what types of programs there are, different reference databases that are available to our patrons and so forth. Another big thing us as librarians can do in our own libraries is talk to one another. I don't know how many times a week something has happened and I didn't know it. Co-workers need to be able to talk to one another and let each other know what is going down. If there is no communication, how are we suppose to help our patrons? Finally, I am a firm believer that social networking is a tool that will be around for quite some time. My library has a blog for our staff that we write important or fun information on. While it seems to be a good idea, not very many people read the blog on a regular basis, therefore people are still out of the loop. In order for social networking to happen, people need to learn the basics of what social networking is. Once we do that, technology becomes our friend instead of our enemy. One more thing, as for the website and the percentage of people that use library websites being down, It's understandable. Library websites aren't geared toward the patron, they are geared toward the librarian so it is like an extra ready reference tool. Libraries need to re-evaluate the area in which they serve and take a look at their website. If it doesn't fit the area, fix it. Lara W. First I have to agree with Maggie, Libraries don’t know how to sell themselves. My library Director is a firm believer in “whoring” the library out. Meaning if it gets our name out there, we should do it. But again, not all libraries are fortunate enough to have a director like that.
What I found was so interesting in the freerangelibrarian article was the fact that not very many library directors knew what were going on. I know in my library, while the director believes that we should do all of these things, she hasn’t a clue as to what we are doing. I think the first thing that needs to be addressed is that library directors need to be involved in not just managing the library, but running the library. They should know what is going on, what types of programs there are, different reference databases that are available to our patrons and so forth.

Another big thing us as librarians can do in our own libraries is talk to one another. I don’t know how many times a week something has happened and I didn’t know it. Co-workers need to be able to talk to one another and let each other know what is going down. If there is no communication, how are we suppose to help our patrons?
Finally, I am a firm believer that social networking is a tool that will be around for quite some time. My library has a blog for our staff that we write important or fun information on. While it seems to be a good idea, not very many people read the blog on a regular basis, therefore people are still out of the loop. In order for social networking to happen, people need to learn the basics of what social networking is. Once we do that, technology becomes our friend instead of our enemy.
One more thing, as for the website and the percentage of people that use library websites being down, It’s understandable. Library websites aren’t geared toward the patron, they are geared toward the librarian so it is like an extra ready reference tool. Libraries need to re-evaluate the area in which they serve and take a look at their website. If it doesn’t fit the area, fix it.
Lara W.

]]> By: Kyle http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-118 Kyle Sun, 04 Nov 2007 19:54:29 +0000 http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-118 Mary, Google-type search bars do nothing but drown the user in millions of hits. I went to the UIUC site and I indeed found it useful, but I believe that some unexperienced users (either undergrad students or public patrons) would be turned off to the fact that they have to decide amongst the hits where to start. I find Bowdoin's search tool to be useful because it makes the student think about what they want first: Do I want books, no, I want articles so I'll choose that tab. Google search bars reinforce lazy searching. I'm not denouncing all federated searches like this, but I think that there are some learning hurdles attached to them. Mind you, my angle is always focused on the academic side of librarianship where teaching information literacy is of main concern. Mary,

Google-type search bars do nothing but drown the user in millions of hits. I went to the UIUC site and I indeed found it useful, but I believe that some unexperienced users (either undergrad students or public patrons) would be turned off to the fact that they have to decide amongst the hits where to start.

I find Bowdoin’s search tool to be useful because it makes the student think about what they want first: Do I want books, no, I want articles so I’ll choose that tab. Google search bars reinforce lazy searching.

I’m not denouncing all federated searches like this, but I think that there are some learning hurdles attached to them.

Mind you, my angle is always focused on the academic side of librarianship where teaching information literacy is of main concern.

]]> By: Kelley http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-116 Kelley Sun, 04 Nov 2007 06:50:01 +0000 http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-116 Libraries have to focus on marketing themselves to the public they serve or the public will not see the need to keep funding libraries in the future. Libraries need to realize the importance of their webpage. Considering that people prefer the internet, libraries need to monopolize on that and gear their webpage toward the internet user. Libraries that adapt to the popular culture are doing the right things. The library in Joliet has the ability to browse the online catalog, reserve items and even has a drive through so patrons don’t have to leave their vehicle to get the items they want. However, these innovations are useless if the public does not know they exist. Libraries need to start thinking of themselves in marketable ways rather than just trusting that the public knows what a library is and will travel to find out what the library offers. People who don’t know what they can find at the library will not be likely to utilize its services. I know I have heard many times people starting a conversation with did you know you can get movies, or music, or audio books and most often the response is: really? Wow! We tend to go to Borders or Barnes and Noble, mostly because we know what they have, we know where they are, and we can shop online or at the store. Libraries are often located in out of the way streets and how often do you hear of a library advertising their services? Not much, it is great to offer services, but if you don’t get the message out that you have them, they will not be utilized. People say their usage will most likely be flat, but that does not mean that they will be using them, it means that those that don’t already use them, still wont and those that do realize what a great deal they have, will continue to use them. Libraries have to focus on marketing themselves to the public they serve or the public will not see the need to keep funding libraries in the future. Libraries need to realize the importance of their webpage. Considering that people prefer the internet, libraries need to monopolize on that and gear their webpage toward the internet user. Libraries that adapt to the popular culture are doing the right things. The library in Joliet has the ability to browse the online catalog, reserve items and even has a drive through so patrons don’t have to leave their vehicle to get the items they want. However, these innovations are useless if the public does not know they exist. Libraries need to start thinking of themselves in marketable ways rather than just trusting that the public knows what a library is and will travel to find out what the library offers. People who don’t know what they can find at the library will not be likely to utilize its services. I know I have heard many times people starting a conversation with did you know you can get movies, or music, or audio books and most often the response is: really? Wow! We tend to go to Borders or Barnes and Noble, mostly because we know what they have, we know where they are, and we can shop online or at the store. Libraries are often located in out of the way streets and how often do you hear of a library advertising their services? Not much, it is great to offer services, but if you don’t get the message out that you have them, they will not be utilized. People say their usage will most likely be flat, but that does not mean that they will be using them, it means that those that don’t already use them, still wont and those that do realize what a great deal they have, will continue to use them.

]]> By: Mary http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-106 Mary Sat, 03 Nov 2007 02:06:07 +0000 http://lis701fall2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/online-discussion-3-perceptions-of-libraries/#comment-106 In response to Katharine and Kyle, I went to the UIUC site Katharine listed and loved it. This site seems to have the user in mind, allowing him or her to have in one stop a starting point for investigation. As for Kyle, I don't see what the advantages are with the Bowdoin College library site you mentioned. I used the same search terms with both the UIUC search engine and with the Bowdoin College library search engine and I got more starting points for further investigation with UIUC. At the UIUC site, since I am not a student there, I could go no further than Google Books, but what is wrong with this approach? What do you mean by the comment, "we are doing a disservice to our users by reinforcing incorrect search habits"? Who are you talking about? And what search habits are you referring to? In response to Katharine and Kyle,

I went to the UIUC site Katharine listed and loved it. This site seems to have the user in mind, allowing him or her to have in one stop a starting point for investigation.

As for Kyle, I don’t see what the advantages are with the Bowdoin College library site you mentioned. I used the same search terms with both the UIUC search engine and with the Bowdoin College library search engine and I got more starting points for further investigation with UIUC. At the UIUC site, since I am not a student there, I could go no further than Google Books, but what is wrong with this approach? What do you mean by the comment, “we are doing a disservice to our users by reinforcing incorrect search habits”? Who are you talking about? And what search habits are you referring to?

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