Blogging

Our main goal was to discuss blogging and its use among college students.  This was a creative option for students to make note of their courses and other issues related to college life.  It does take some getting used to.  Someone like myself, who never dealt with blogging until now, has quite a few obstacles to overcome when trying to even get to the point of how to create a blog; this is what I asked myself in the beginning of this course.

Even though there will always be two sides to things, blogging is an opportunity to not only discuss what one is up to, but to get input from others.  It makes one feel like they are in a virtual arena and not just standing alone.

Hang in there!!!!

Digital Divide

Even with today's advancements, there still is a digital divide in this country.  When I was a elementary school, my class was just starting to learn about what was then called the Apple computer.  We rarely used it  and after a while, little was discussed about it during the school year.  Now, kids have almost no choice but to know how to use a computer.  They have been integrated in the curriculum of many districts around the country, some to the point where primary instruction is done on one.

The thing is, now computers are all over the place, but there are still a number of people who cannot afford one and have little to no access outside of school or a library.  There was never anything stated as to how everyone would be able to have access, just that they needed to get to a computer at least a few times a week.  Also, as stated in the video about Philly, one of the 'sticking points' was that the carrier did not have to be regulated by the city.  I guess my question is this: how is one supposed to not only get a computer, but pay for Internet access when they cannot even pay to get a cell phone and/or cable.

In San Francisco, there was a plan to get citywide access to the Internet.  That never happened as the then-Mayor, Gavin Newsome, had promised.  There has to be another avenue; at this time, I have no idea what it is.

Audio/Visual Technology

Recently, I visited the Kellogg Library at CSU San Marcos.  After visiting the campus for a class project, I fell in love with the library and visit when I have a chance on the weekends.  One of the areas that got my attention was on the 2nd floor media library.  This was to accommodate patrons who wanted to view and/or listen to tapes, videos, CDs. etc.  One resource that got my attention were the rooms/cubbies that were for those users who had hearing and visually challenged.  There were large screens and some had closed captioning while others were hooked up to headphones so people sitting nearby would not be disturbed.  Fortunately, this was a place where everyone, whether they had challenges or not, could sit in the same area to look and listen to media materials.

I've been to many libraries over the years, but this was the first one where I actually noticed that there was just one large screen or a computer with headphones away from other desks used by patrons.  That, in my opinion, is progress in library technology and service

Learning technology online

My original post regarding our blog topic of our experiences in LT 130 stated that learning technology online is the best way because it is all hands on which I always find is the best way for me to learn. I stand by that statement but would like to add that it can also be frustrating.  I struggle with terminology, things like web browser.. isn't that just your mouse? So if I have to update Internet Explorer why am I required to install a new driver? What's the difference between a Google Doc presentation and a Power Point and why convert one to the other? When I started this class I was running Windows 2007 and had to upgrade to 2010 in order to insert a movie into my Power Point, which I was never able to accomplish even with 2010. Anyway, I have run into some road blocks that made me wish I had a couple of face to face interactions with other students regarding how they are able to accomplish some of the tasks. I have learned a lot though and look forward to completing the challenge of LT 130.

Blogs and Podcasts

Keeping an open channel of communication between libraries and the communities they serve has always been an issue of importance.  Blogs (from the words ‘web' and 'log’) are one approach that can be quite effective if used well.  A general blog about the library can be used to make the community aware of new events, programs, services, etc. without the patron having to actually be at the library (as would be necessary if one where to only employ flyers and the like within the library building).  Users who make use of (increasingly popular) RSS feeds can also become aware of these new announcements without having to visit the blog itself.  Patrons can also use the blog as a means of communicating directly with the library through the comments section of each post.  Podcasts are audio files that can be played on computers and mp3 players that can cover a wide range of subjects.  They can be interviews, informational presentations, a recording of a library program and more.
The Library Blog Center: A good source to find library blogs (includes blogs not only for patrons but also targeted at other librarians).  For examples of good library blogs check out the winners of The Library Blog Awards on this site as well.
Library of Congress Podcasts: Excellent example(s) of what a library can do with podcasts.  While most libraries won’t be able to do things on the same scale (it is the Library of Congress after all) there is still plenty here to gain inspiration from and perhaps try out on their own in some way.

Digital Divide

There are so many things that can be done electronically that can save people time and effort, especially people who help form the digital divide by not having computers. People who do not have the means to own computers or get internet service are the people who could benefit from it the most. Low income or elderly/handicapped people generally have transportation issues; a computer/internet can alleviate the need for transportation by providing a way to shop that provides home delivery, there are also many governmental services that can be provided online as well as social interactions.
 I met a homeless woman recently who was given a cell phone to use for emergencies but it was useless without the ability to activate it online, which she couldn't do because - well, she was homeless.

Digital Divide

The digital divide is definitely something that still exists in the United States.  While ways of using the internet and the advancement of related technologies have progressed greatly (and subsequently the importance of the Internet in our day to day lives), access hasn’t progressed at the same rate.  There are many figures and statistics cited such as 30% of Americans having no access to the internet in their homes or that half of seniors in America do not use the internet.  At the heart of it is a lack of access.  This access has less to do with physical availability to broadband lines (although this is a factor for some) and more to with the economic aspect since according to the FCC “broadband adoption rates for American households are lower, on average, in the counties with the lowest median household income”.  Because many people even within the United States do not have access to the internet or even a computer in their homes they have to rely on outside sources- such as the library.  I believe that providing needed access falls directly within the Library’s mission of serving its community in matters regarding information access and the means to be a capable and fulfilled member of not only our democracy but society as a whole.