Tame The Web » iPods in Libraries?!?

Thomas Brevik on iPad

Michael — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:18:32 +0000

Thomas and I have worked together at Internet Librarian International 2008 and back in the day doing a podcast or two about Library 2.0. He’s one of the good thinkers in LIS who I wish I had more of a chance to sit with and talk. Glad to see his take on the iPad this morning.

http://lib1point5.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/ipad-and-libraries-some-thoughts/

For libraries the iPad will have little immediate impact. What it probably will do, if it is a hit in the marketplace, is that it will fuel reader demand for e-books. I predict that it will be a slow development, but maybe too fast for many librarians. When the demand for e-books is for Nora Roberts latest romance novel, rather than some science fiction blockbuster or main stream popular science non-fiction, and the person wanting the e-book is the harassed mother with three kids running around her at the library desk, then e-books will have arrived in the library. This could happen if the iPad really hits it off with the public.

For libraries there are two main challenges:

1. How do we get content from the library to the iPad and similar devices, and can libraries use iBook or the AppStore as a delivery method? I think there will be several opportunities, and that binding libraries to a cooperation with Apple to get in through the iBook store probably will be difficult and even counterproductive. There are at least two avenues to go, either create an international LibraryBook app (open source of course), that will work on any operating system, or cooperate with the creators of any of the open source apps that are out there to deliver books through them. Both avenues has their pros- and cons, but I believe that to secure a future for the library brand it would be a good idea to develop a special library app.

2. Will the iPad and iPad like devices change the media habits of readers? Very likely. The iPod and iPhone has both changed a lot of behaviour and expectations from library users, and how other devices are viewed and used. I expect to see increasing demand for content on tablets from readers and probably pressure on the library to deliver certain types of content, i.e. ebooks.

I’m looking forward to getting my hands on an iPad and try it out in my library.

So am I – to try it out with my students and colleagues at Dominican.

LIS768 Group Projects Day 2

Michael — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:46:01 +0000

The New Digital Divide

This group explored the New Digital Divide.

The New Digital Divide

View more presentations from newdigitaldivide.

Their project blog: http://classes.tametheweb.com/newdigitaldivide/

Hyperlocal Libraries

http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dcg5kv2v_11cq59zkcw

Mobile Librarianship

Presentation at Google

Handout

Video:

OCPL iPhone & iPod Touch App

Michael — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:51:30 +0000

Via the Lone Wolf Librarian:

Pew: The Mobile Difference

Michael — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:31:39 +0000

http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/5-The-Mobile-Difference–Typology.aspx

8% of adults use mobile devices and broadband platforms for continual information exchange to collaborate with their social networks

7% of adults actively use mobile devices and social networking tool, yet are ambivalent about all the connectivity

8% of Americans find mobility lighting their information pathways, but have comparatively few tech assets at home

16% of adults are active conduits of content and information for

61% are anchored to stationary media; though many have broadband and cell phones, coping with access is often too much for them

How to Manage Your iPod Class

Michael — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:57:52 +0000

Rick Roche writes:

I had several surprises:

I expected audiobooks to be a primary interest with the group because we promote iPod books that we circulate from the reference desk. Music, however, was the primary interest of this group. Only a couple had borrowed our iPods for the audiobooks. Several did express interest in the audiobooks once they had heard of them.
No one had listened to a podcast. Most had seen the folder on the iTunes software but did not know what it meant. The group was surprised to learn that podcasts are free to download.
I had a slideshow to use as an introduction but I hardly used it, as questions and discussions started right away. We spent most of the time actively involved with iPods and iTunes.

Are other libraries doing classes like this?

Are iPod Banning Schools Cheating Our Kids?

Michael — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:11:08 +0000

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9018594

So many college students I’ve met — even at some of the nation’s top universities — are there because they have an aptitude for memorization. Many straight-A high school students have few interests, little curiosity and zero inclination toward intellectual discovery. Our system rewards the memorizers and punishes the creative thinkers.

An iPod, when used during tests, is nothing more than a machine that stores and spits out data. By banning iPods and other gadgets, we’re teaching kids to actually become iPods — to become machines that store and spit out data. Instead, we should be teaching them to use iPods — to use that data and to be human beings who can think — and leave data storage to the machines.

By banning iPods, we’re preparing our kids for a world without the Internet, a world without iPods, a world without electronic gadgets that can store information. But is that the world they’re going to live in?

Let me pull out a bit of the above for emphasis:

Many straight-A high school students have few interests, little curiosity and zero inclination toward intellectual discovery. Our system rewards the memorizers and punishes the creative thinkers.

That nearly knocked me off my chair. Who do we want eventually running our libraries? Rote memorizers or creative thinkers. To me, the answer is obvious and as I prepare for my third year of full time teaching, I see where the emphasis should be.

NCSU Learning Commons

Michael — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:41:41 +0000

NCSU Learning Commons Originally uploaded by mstephens7

There’s just so much good here! Take a look at North Carolina State’s Learning Commons Web presence:

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/learningcommons/

Live computer availability
Web cam of “The Brickyard”
Flickr photos
“We want your Ideas” for eboards
Commenting form
Borrow laptops, cameras, iPods, GPS units, etc

I’m incorporating this and the Loyola Information Commons into my new talks.

Testing iTunes Widget

Michael — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:21:20 +0000

I got the fever

Michael — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:05:38 +0000

I got the fever

Originally uploaded by mstephens7

100 Million iPods Sold

Michael — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:24:19 +0000

100 Million iPods Sold

Originally uploaded by mstephens7.
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/04/09ipod.html

http://playlistmag.com/news/2007/04/09/ipodanalysis/index.php

100 Million iPods Sold

Michael — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:23:48 +0000

100 Million iPods Sold

Originally uploaded by mstephens7.

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/04/09ipod.html

http://playlistmag.com/news/2007/04/09/ipodanalysis/index.php

iPods & Training for Staff

Michael — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:20:38 +0000

Rob Coers, my Dutch partner for presentations at Internet Librarian International, just posted about iPod training he recently completed:

http://www.robcoers.nl/weblog-artikelen/bibliotheek-spijkenisse-en-ipod-nano.html

He translated the post as well:

In september 2007 the Spijkenisse Public Library in The Netherlands won the 4th IFLA International Marketing Award with their campaign “We miss you”. Library director Huub Leenen awarded his staff (21 people) with a iPod Nano. I had the honour to do a hands on training to help the staff on the way.

Altough usage is very easy, managing your music on iTunes is sometimes a pain. Specially for those who are not used to be downloading music and working with a new program like iTunes. Subjects we covered:

iPod as phenomenon
iTunes, iTunes Library, playlist and organizing your media
downloading music
finding and subscribing to podcasts
examples of podcasting libraries.

What a fantastic way to make your staff familiar with current technology and motivate them in their job!

iPhone…iWant…iLust

Michael — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 11:47:44 +0000

Ohhh…sweet technolust…

Driving back to Illinois this week I caught up on my Mac podcasts, including one of my favorites Mac Break Weekly. The podcast included loads of news about Apple’s new product the iPhone, and I realized that my personal technolust will surely get the better of me. I want this phone!

That said, I wonder how many geeked out folks will doing just what I did:

T-Mobile Rep: “T-Mobile Customer Support, how can I help you?”

Me: “Yes please, when does my contract expire with T-Mobile?”

T-Mobile Rep: “August 2008.”

Me: (Ouch) “And how much is the fee to break contract?”

T-Mobile Rep: “$200.”

Me: (Ouch) “Good to know…”

T-Mobile Rep: “May I ask why you are asking about the contract?”

Me: “I want an iPhone!”

T-Mobile Rep: “Well, T-Mobile has a wide selection of phones that will play music…”

Me: “..But those phones aren’t the iPhone…thanks for your time!”

T-Mobile Rep: “Have a good day.”

I will, especially when cradling the sleek lines and smooth surface…. sigh..

Anyway, Aaron discusses how libraries will have another menace to stop at the front door (humor, folks) and I wonder if library technology departments or emerging tech groups might want to get in line for one, to understand what it means for service, access and the possible impact on the way the world communicates. Seems most logical to me — and fun!

Finally, David Pogues gives us some FAQs:http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/01/11/the-ultimate-iphone-frequently-asked-questions/

More on ITunes in Libraries

Michael — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 14:34:29 +0000

http://theubiquitouslibrarian.typepad.com/the_ubiquitous_librarian/2006/11/sharing_via_itu.html

The Ubiquitous Librarian ponders using iTunes in academic libraries in some pretty darn cool ways:

How can libraries use this? Let’s put information literacy to the side for a minute, because sure, you could host tutorials and content about the library (itunes plays videos) but let’s think bigger. Last week we had Maya Angelou give a talk on campus, why not dump that video or podcast into an iTunes library—as well as other speakers and events? How about a weekly student interview series or alumni talks? How about sporting event replays or the coach’s talk show? How about short commercials highlighting different clubs, organizations, or services on campus?

And my favorite bit, TUL ties it to the bigger picture:

This hits two of my big themes: target the niche and immerse the library within the community.

TTW Mailbox: Sharing iTunes & Copyright

Michael — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 15:42:48 +0000

Joshua Zehner, Assistant System Administrator at the Fulton County Public Library in Rochester, IN, writes:

Hey, I was surfing you flickr account and I found those pictures from Cherry Hill Public Library in NJ. I was really interested in the three or four photos of their “Listen Before You Borrow” station. Our library would love to do this expect there is one issue my boss has with it, copyrights. Is it legal to rip your collection onto a pc for everyone to listen to, but yet allow those same CD’s to be checked out at the same time? We would love to implement this station into our library, as long as we can get past this one hurdle. Any information about this would be very helpful and appreciated. Thank you.

Thanks Joshus for writing! It seems that Cherry hill has been doing this service a while, it’s very friendly and no one seems to be complaining. That said, i’m really at a loss about whether or not this violates copyright. As a try before you borrow service, it just make the process easier than getting a CD off the shelf, popping it into a listening station player and trying it out. I think iTunes actually protects the music more than haviung folks bring their laptops into the library for a massive ripping session into itunes from CDs in the collection.

I confess: copyright confuses me. I am learning more as I prep for classes and Dr. Kate Marek is guesting in my class in a few weeks to present on the topic (I’ll be all ears), but in my mind, it seems ok. I’d love to hear from others who might help my thinking…

Some links:

Chris Kupec uses iTunes at his library: http://tametheweb.com/2005/03/ttw_mailbox_chelmsford_public.html

John Blyberg on making iTunes work in networked settings: http://www.blyberg.net/2006/09/12/sharing-music-with-itunes-and-mt-daapd/

And Chris Kupec also reports this week: I discovered that the Windows version of my iTunes to OPAC script works with info from the iTunes Store too, not just your own personal library. The AppleScript version doesn’t allow me to get info out of the store. Very strange, but a plus for PC-centric public libraries! Might be a way to push teens to use the library more, if they could play with iTunes at home, and order up the CDs from the library. I also have a version of the script that I modified to help me with CD and movie ordering. Check out Chris’ blog at http://homepage.mac.com/ckupec/iblog/index.html