Thing 15: Advocacy for Libraries

There were a lot of different issues that I came across that Librarians were advocating for.The strongest issues I came across were Literacy, Privacy and Librarianship.

There was a general concern about the high percent of illiteracy in this modern world of technology.
The advocacy campaign that I became aware of was the Right to Read campaign. This campaign is a European wide campaign to reduce the literacy problems across Europe. I attended the Right to Read Conference which was promoting the campaign in Ireland.

The most influential speaker for me was the Princess Laurentien from the Netherlands.

She also showed us an animated video called The Story of Lisa, which showed the cycle of illiteracy. This had a profound resonance with me because I could not read until I was ten and it had me thinking what could have happened if my mother had not kept trying.

The 8th of September was the International day of literacy which saw this interesting video Do not Read This. It highlights how much literacy is so much a part of everyday modern life.

There was talk about the greater need for privacy and better privacy laws. One of the talks I went to was about online privacy and the Library Freedom Project. This talk was run by the A&SL section the speakers were Philip Bradley and Alison Macrina from America the founder of the Library Freedom Project. What stood out for me the most is that American libraries put signs in their windows to inform their users of CIA data requests.

The third was advocating the skills of librarianship. There was a discussion of what could be done and the suggestion of a promotional video was talked about. A few days after that conference Christopher posted a video from the 1970's Do you want to be a librarian?  on LinkedIn. The video is a promotional video for librarians which is still relevant for librarians today but with an expansion of new roles and a loss of some of the traditional roles.

When I further research I discovered that Librarians are good at exploiting video as a media platform. I also came across several modern videos used for promoting and advocating for libraries.

This video captures the mystery of libraries. The Wonder of Libraries

These two videos show that librarians have a sense of humor and are not afraid to try new things Librarian Rhapsody and UCC Library Student Card.

I quite like all of these videos.

Yesterday I was shown the TEDxDublin Talk by Helen Shenton in my Library Management class. I think this is the perfect answer to the question "Do we even need libraries anymore?" it not only answers the question but shows you how they are needed. 

Part 15: 23 Things Course Rudaí 23.
Tasks: Look at some library advocacy campaigns, write about your thoughts on the subject, if you have ever been involved in one and thoughts on how effective they are

Thing 16: Collaboration Tools

I am looking forward to using more of the tools covered in this Thing 16. I  will have ample opportunity in this semester to do so because a lot of group assignments are planned. Before this I used Skype for group projects before. Now I have more tools to add to my Collaboration repertoire.

I had only viewed documents Google Docs before. But just recently I set up some Google Docs for me and my partner for my first group assignment of the semester. The document automatically saves to the cloud as you work on it which is a plus. The only drawback is that there are limited formatting and presentation options for text compared to MS Word.

I have added to the  Thing 16 Google Doc.

I had thought I had never used Doodle before. I had chosen what days I was free for proposed dates a few times. 

Part 16: 23 Things Course Rudaí 23.
Tasks: Add some information to Rudaí 23 Google Doc OR Set up a Doodle meeting

Thing 18: Communicating through Photographs

I downloaded and joined the Instagram app and got immediately distracted by all the nerdy groups to follow and look at. I commented on a post from the American Library Association of two young sci-fi fans holding signs about reading and Library of congress which was of a gorgeous illustration of Moses. My username is "clairwalton".

Flicker Photo (Share alike (Creative Commons) posted on Twitter by Kristina Alexanderson)

Troopers of 2012 Album: https://goo.gl/RfI9Qs

I really like how the photographer caught the reflection of the figurine in this photo.

It turns out I did not need to add my phone number to my Flicker account, not sure if I had one before but I was able to sign-in using my Yahoo account. I found it much easier to find library groups on flicker than Instagram. But all the photos I wanted to post were copy righted so I found one that was under creative commons and I couldn't help but post.

I also found a nice picture of Trinity College's Long Room posted by Pablo Fernandez on Flicker.

I am no longer working in a library anymore I was working in a research library when I was in Teagasc and the library did not use a photo aggregation site. but they did take photos of their events and publish them on their website and LinkedIn page.

Instagram and Flicker would be useful in for a library to promote and document events run in the library by sharing promotional materials and event photos. They could also be used to promote special collections and exhibitions.

Part 18: 23 Things Course Rudaí 23.
Tasks: Open a liker account and download a creative commons picture to use in your blog And Open an Instagram account and find a library account and start a conversation by commenting on one or two images And Think how to use these applications in a library settings

Thing 13: Professional Organisations

I actually had just gotten my confirmation of joining the LAI the day before the Rudai post for Thing 13 was posted.

I first went to the Library Association of Ireland's webpage. On their page there is a tab for membership and under this there is information on the types of membership and how to join. I wanted to join mainly to be added to the mailing lists of several of their groups to be kept informed about the library events being organised. At the time I was in a library jobbridge and had yet to start my library course so I was unsure what type of membership I should sign up for. There are several different options for the type of membership. I went to their website and filled out the online application form.

I also joined some library associations groups on Linkedin when I joined.


Part 13: 23 Things Course Rudaí 23.
Tasks: Look at Library Accociaton's website and write about thoughts on becoming a member

Thing 12: Attending Conferences

I was really lucky with my Jobbridge in Teagasc because my supervisor Maire Caffrey told me to go to every conference and seminar I could while I was on my Jobbridge. This meant that attended an awful lot of conferences in 2015.

I was advised not to limit myself to a certain library sector, so I attended conferences and seminars on many different subjects and in many different areas.

As I was encouraged to attend all the conferences, workshops and seminars. I attended as many as I was able. To attend the conferences I just had to inform my supervisor that it was on.

I am going to talk about the first seminar I went to.

"AISHE Seminar: Biblometrics and publications impact"

This seminar was held in the Maynooth University Library on the 5th of May 2015 and was run by AISHE (All Ireland Society for Higher Education). I was told to sign up to this using eventbrite  on my first day of my Jobbridge because I was going to be working with Bibliometrics.

I was very nervous attending this event because I had only started my Jobbridge on the previous Monday. I had not yet started my Library course and at first I felt like I should not be there. But the attendees and organizers of the event were very friendly.

I found the topics covered at the seminar very useful because I worked on a Bibliometric report and helped set up their Incite platform.

The seminar started at 09:30 and ended at 15:30. There were a total of five speakers spaced though out the day.

In the morning the topic of bibliometrics was introduced to us, with various definitions, procedures and metrics used. This was followed by an introduction and demonstration of MyRi Project an online bibliometric education resource site. We were informed that the website was in the middle of having its content updated.

We had a a short break and then had a practical session. We got to use the InCites and Scopus platforms.

After lunch we were introduced to Alternative Metrics Altmetrics and the various platforms were discussed and a live demonstration of the "Altmetric" platform.

As an added bonus at the end there was a talk about the impact that open access and institutional repository was having on the researchers at Maynooth University with two amazing case studies share with us.

I took some notes in a note book but the slides were also made available after the event so I could pay attention to what was being said.

I got less nervous as I attended more events.

My advice for attending conferences is to be prepared. Know where the conference is being held and how to get there, if you are going by public transport leave with plenty of extra time for any unexpected delays. Bring a notebook to take notes of the key topics or areas of interest, I was advised to also use it to help keep track of new names. Also be prepared to talk a lot and know what your library is currently doing (and how) eg. events and project.

Some Honorable mentions

Open Acess Week events
Library Week events

"Right to Read Conference"

"Librarians & Online Privacy" an A&SL Talk by Alison Macrina

"Abstract to Audience: A guide to conference presentations" run by the Career Development Group of the LAI

Part 12: 23 Things Course Rudaí 23.
Tasks: Write about a conference you attended OR one you would like to attened

Thing 11: Reflective Practice

I have already made and posted several study plans but my ability to follow them is pretty lacking these days because random things keep happening so I have to change my plans at a moments notice. So I am throwing out the plan and going for posting any two posts a day, except Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I have  to admit that the completion of Rudai posts on time was dire. The original plan was to  start posting on the second week of July, catch up with the previous posts by the time I was to start my masters and have a weekly post schedule. I think the main problems are I did not want to post out of order  (so even though I had some of the newer posts complete I was reluctant to post) and I tried to put too much content in each one. Another problem is I am a perfectionist and was afraid to post with spelling and grammar mistakes. There were also circumstances beyond my control but I have already discussed this in a previous post.

I have made several study plans and revisions. The important thing at this point is to get at least one post up a day. I have just started my second semester and already I am having to tweak my plans.

I will just have to make some of my posts shorter than I would have liked.

Part 11: 23 Things Course Rudaí 23.
Tasks: Make a study plan if necessary OR Write about how you are managing your time

Thing 14: Augmented Reality

When I first read the title for this session my brain went straight to Virtual Reality, from the holo-deck in Star Trek to the full world immersion of Sword Art Online or The Matrix.

After several mutinies of Sci- fi nerdyness and daydreaming… I mean…contemplation; I immersed myself in the week’s literature and even read an extra article or two.

You might ask why did I go straight to Virtual Reality?

There are many reasons the main one being that I have had a keen interest in Virtual Reality from a young age and have enjoyed many books, movies, TV Shows, games and Anime/Manga which covered the subject.

I am fascinated by being able to project your own visualized world and share it with others, perhaps one day you will be able to project your inner thoughts and mind and share your own experiences and memories this way. (Using a mix of VR and cybernetics). This might be a way to store memories that can then be used to help Amnesia or Alzheimer’s suffers recover or keep recovery journals.

Are Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality really different?

The simple answer is yes but there are similarities. The main difference is that Virtual Reality is a full world immersion experience (the 3 examples at the start of my post), whereas Augmented Reality is not even though some of the AR technology involved is the same but only up to semi-immersion. (You still see and interact with the real world).

Here are two articles if you would like to find out more of the differences.

Tech Times and Wareable.com.

I also read an article on where augmented reality is today. 

Dueling Realities. 

Back on topic…

I was introduced to Augmented Reality (AR) as a first step towards Virtual Reality (VR) technology.

This was at an Augmented Reality panel arranged by Epic-con, in the conventions second or third year (can’t remember which) which demonstrated a certain companies (Can’t remember) AR technology. They asked for a volunteer from an audience member to try it out. The only conditions being you couldn’t be epileptic, light sensitive or a migraine suffer because not enough research had been done at the time as to the effects on these groups AR might have at the time. The volunteer also had to sign a disclaimer. This reminded me about the main character in The Last Book in the Universe by Roadman Philbrick.

The set up involved electrodes, goggles, gloves and a toy and lots of electrodes.

Exploring AR Applications 

I downloaded and tried out several AR applications. Layar and Aurasma required you to scan images with their logos to access AR content. I scanned a few images I Googled. One of the images allowed me to change a models outfit by swiping.

Aurasma also had image banks, but I was unable to figure out how to interact with them on the phone except for adding to favorites. 

The LibrARi was not available to download on the playstore, I am not sure if this is an iPhone only app. I also tried Anatomy 4D but again I didn't have anything to scan for it.

I remembered that one of the IT guys in Teagasc had suggested to try the Augment AR app, so I downloaded it a gave it a try. Again like Aurasma and Layar, Augment requires a specific type of picture to be scanned for material. I tested it out all three using AR cards and materials I already had. I found Augments image banks much more user friendly, you could just select the image you wanted to interact with using AR. The image banks even had moving images, my favorite being the dancing skeleton. 

And then I got distracted by the nerdy AR applications, in particular the Vocaloid ones...

The more interactive the AR is the more fun it is. Nintendo are planning on releasing an AR Pokemon game for the mobile phone.

I have not experienced much AR in libraries, the closest being QR codes. QR codes can be used for AR material but I have not seen any myself. I have used AR in gaming before. My 3DS was pre-installed with some AR games one was Face Raiders and one simply called AR Games. For Face Raiders you simply take a picture of yourself and shoot at flying AR heads. The other you simply scan one of the AR cards, depending on the card you played different games. Also the rhythm game projectMiraiDX came with 19 AR cards which has extra playable content as well as extra intractable characters and songs. 

How AR will affect the library…

I can visualize several uses for public libraries and some for academic and special libraries. 

When you scan AR material you get:

1.  A download of the poster, flier or brochure instead of the website link, or 
2. Details that can be added to your mobile devices or Google calendar, or
3. Preview chapters of books (scan covers or barcodes), or
4. Book reviews, or
5. A copy of the page(s) you need in a college text (under copyright), or
6. Animated book characters in the children section, or
7. Promotional videos or animated promotional materiel 

I think for AR to be effective there needs to be a generic AR application that can scan all the different AR object just like the QR scanners. If you want to scan a QR code you don't have to worry what app you have, but for AR you do. For the most accessible it might be best to distribute AR content with QR codes at least for the moment. Unless there is an application that already exists, if anyone knows of one let me know.

I will probably try to create an AR campaign sometime in the future.

Part 14: 23 Things Course Rudaí 23.

Tasks: Take a look at Aurasma or Layar apps and try creating a campaign with one of the apps OR Take a look at another AR app such as Anatomy 4D or LibrARi demo.