Category Archives: technology

Video Sharing: Google Hangout Recording

by Jessica Posted on March 19, 2013

For those who missed yesterday’s Google Hangout on video sharing, check out the recording on the TBLC YouTube Channel.

If you have questions from the event about recording, sharing, YouTube or Vimeo, please send an email to:

Matt Smith smithmm@tblc.org
Traci Avet  avett@tblc.org
Jessica Riggins rigginsj@tblc.org

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What’s Trending in Technology: OverDrive’s Next Generation

by Jessica Posted on January 22, 2013

OverDrive-Med-A-EOverDrive Next Generation Library is here! Over the last few weeks, OverDrive has released a new layout with faster searching and a crisper display of ebooks and audiobooks to be used on your library’s website. The new site uses a technology called responsive web design that gives the patrons the same searching and viewing capabilities whether they are using a mobile device or their desktop computer. The checkout process is also a little easier than before since it is only one step.

OverDrive READ is a new way for patrons to read their ebooks in the web browser they are surfing in. “See Book, Read Book”, OverDrive’s new tag line, takes browser-based reading of ebooks to a new level. The customizable reader allows the patron  to read anywhere from their mobile device, tablet, or desktop computer. The main advantage is that they don’t have to download any new software to read an ebook.

OverDrive has recommended that the best browser to optimize your reading is Google Chrome, but other browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Apple’s Safari, or Microsoft’s Internet Explorer are compatible. Take a look at the complete list of devices and browsers that are compatible with the new OverDrive Read feature.

I am going to test a few of the features and show you below. One feature I like is the “bookshelf.” This new layout provides an easy way to quickly read an ebook. Take a look at the screen shot below. It automatically tells me the date and time that my ebook expires, what my checkout titles are, and how many I have remaining without leaving the screen I am on.

bookshelf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, I tested to see how easy or difficult it was to read the book in my browser. After clicking “READ (in your browser),” a new tab opened in Google Chrome. Since it was my first time, they provided me with a step-by-step chart on how to use the new browser-based reading system. (Screen Shot below)

OverDrive -Clip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, I can finally start moving through the contents of my book and start reading. As you can see from the screen shot below, you can adjust everything from the font size, justification, line spacing and even the color/background of your reading environment.

OverDrive read2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a short video from OverDrive’s next generation website explaining the new features.

 

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What’s Trending in Technology: Instagram- what libraries need to know

by Jessica Posted on December 20, 2012

When Instagram came out, the growth was huge. It spread like wildflowers with unique filters and sharing with friends. Then Facebook bought them for a cool 1 billion and the users grew even more. Now they want to sell us out. What did we think?

Instagram dropped the bomb that they were going to sell “our” pictures in their new Privacy Policy & Terms of Service. Then the Instagram universe cried out in disgust. Instagram listened and made some changes, saying they won’t sell our photos to advertisers. Here is what we need to know.

This information was released from Kevin Systrom, co-founder of Instagram in a blog post on their site entitled,  “Thank you and we are listening”

Advertising on Instagram: The initial language made it seem like they were going to sell your photos; this is not their intention. They are rewording and updating the language in the terms of service to make sure this is clearly written. There was also commotion about whether your photos can be part of an advertisement. Kevin reiterates in his statement that Instagram does not have plans for this, and they will remove the language that states as such.

Ownership Rights: Instagram users will own their content and Instagram will not claim any ownership rights over your photos.

Privacy Settings:  In your account settings, if your photos are private, Instagram will only share your photos with the people you have selected and approved on your account.

The current Privacy Policy can be read here.

So many of us enjoy Instagram and have set up library accounts to share all our photos. I will keep an eye on this development and update our blog with the new information.

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Free Cloud Storage Sites for Libraries

by Jessica Posted on November 27, 2012

There are tons of free cloud storage sites out there for libraries to use. Cloud storage helps libraries move away from managing and providing up-keep to local servers for accessing web-based services. These online applications allow you to use technology without administering a local server, and help free up time dedicated to technical support. This gives users a platform they can access both inside and outside the library. Here is a breakdown of a few that are free. These will help you manage your documents and collaborate efficiently.

Google 

  • 5 GB of free storage
  • Suite of applications that includes docs, spreadsheets, and forms
  • Creation of online files with the availability to edit and share in real-time
  • Integrate your Gmail and Google+ accounts

Google Anywhere: web browser, iPhone, iPad, Android

Sign up: Google Drive

Dropbox

  • 2 GB of free storage
  • Store photos, docs, and videos
  • Access from a computer or mobile device
  • Availability to share all or specific documents with colleagues

Dropbox Anywhere: web browser, iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry

Sign up: Dropbox

SkyDrive 

  • 7 GB of free storage
  • Sync files and download the desktop app
  • Share photos, files, and docs with colleagues who can work on them in real-time
  • Integrate Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, in your browser

Skydrive Anywhere: Available on your phone, tablet, PC, or Mac

Sign up: Skydrive

iCloud 

  • 5 GB of free storage
  • Access to files and documents from whatever device you’re on
  • Integrated into all your applications like photostream, documents, Safari, iBooks, calendar, contacts and mail

iCloud Anywhere: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch; Mac and PC

Sign up: iCloud

My personal favorites are Google Drive and Dropbox. I can easily create new documents and upload word, excel, or PowerPoint files right to my drive, seamlessly sharing them with my colleagues. “Drive” even allows you to send private messages to those who are sharing the document as well as making them public for others to view. I also use Dropbox for my library organization documents like planning events, sharing videos, and saving minutes from meetings. The only downfall to Dropbox is  being limited to 2 free GB. However, Dropbox will provide up to 18 GB of free space if you refer new people to the site (500 MB per referral).

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How to create a Secret Board on Pinterest

by Jessica Posted on November 20, 2012

If you already have a Pinterest account and you have been pinning and organizing all of your pictures, posts, and websites, it’s time to learn something new! Here’s how to create a secret board in Pinterest. Secret boards allow pinners to hide specific boards from followers and other viewers.

Every user can add up to three secret boards. Existing boards cannot be made private because other people may have already repinned items from that board.

How to set up a secret board:

  • At the bottom of your profile page, below all of your boards, there will be an area for secret boards.
  • Click on the secret board to add the board name and category.
  • You can invite certain people to have access to your secret board, or no one at all.
  • If you would like to turn your secret board into a public board, you can change the options in your settings.

Secret boards on your mobile device:

  • Both for IOS and Android devices
  • Click on your profile tab in your app, then your boards tab, and scroll to the bottom to create a secret board

Examples on why a secret board would be useful:

  • If you are planning a surprise event in the library
  • New children’s or youth program in the process of creating
  • Party for the friends of the library or trustees
  • Retirement party for a colleague

Follow Me on Pinterest

Looking to learn more on Pinterest? Check out What’s Trending in Technology: Pinterest

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What’s Trending in Technology: iPhone/iPad Pocket Projector

by Jessica Posted on November 5, 2012

How many times have you been in a meeting and wanted to quickly share an image or document you have on your phone? But no way to do it? I think we have all been there at one time. Well the time has come for some simplicity. Sharper Image has created an iPhone/iPad pocket projector.

This little gadget fits right into your pocket and projects for up to 1.5 hours on a battery charge on a flat surface. You can share images from as close as eight inches in front of you or as far as ten feet ahead. You can attach this little projector to a small tripod or let it stand alone.

What a great little invention! I have been in situations where I had to pass my phone around to show people how an app works, or images from an upcoming project. This little projector would definitely save time, help you get your point across a little faster, and provide you with the convenience of having everything in your hand!

I think eventually we will be able to project images right from our phone, but this is definitely a step in the right direction! Check out this short video on the pocket projector!

Cost: $299.99

Vendor: Sharper Image

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5 Productive Apps for Librarians

by Jessica Posted on August 23, 2012

 

 

 

These 5 apps will help you manage time, energy, and become more efficient throughout the day at the library!

  1. Evernote
  2. Dragon Dictation
  3. Dropbox
  4. Join.Me
  5. HootSuite

Evernote: makes it easy to save information from your workday using your computer, phone, tablet, or the web. You can easily save articles, images, and more to your account,  helping you organize and archive valuable information. You can use folders, tags and comments to catalog your notes, articles and lists. You can even share your notes from a library meeting or collaborate on projects like a new program for teens.

Availability: on both mobile devices and your home or work computer.

Mobile: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows 7 phones

Computers: MAC OS, Windows, Safari, Chrome and Firefox

Integration: gather information from any location and organize it into a single place.

Dragon Dictation: voice recognition application that lets you speak and record  yourself even when your hands aren’t free. You can record and send notes, reminders, and lists to yourself all by using your voice. The app allows you to easily speak and instantly see your text. You can use this for an email message, a list of items to weed from the collection, or a reminder to tell another librarian about a new topic.  This can provide you with some extra time as it is faster than typing on the keyboard.

Availability: iOS , Android, and Blackberry

Integration: send your spoken text to Facebook, Twitter, SMS, and email right from the application

Dropbox: is a free service that lets you bring your photos, documents, and videos anywhere and share them easily. The nice thing about Dropbox is that you will never have to email yourself a file again! With Dropbox you get 18GB of free cloud storage. You can access your items anywhere from a computer or mobile device. You also have the availability of sharing your documents with library staff at another branch or campus.

Avaiability: iOS , Android, Kindle FIRE and Blackberry

Integration: use it at work, at home or on the go with your mobile device

Join.Me: is a great way to get staff or colleagues on the same page even if they aren’t on campus with you or in the library branch. Join.Me is a screen sharing tool that can be used for meetings, reviewing documents, training librarians on a new topic, or just to share some quick information. You can use the free Internet calling option to talk with colleagues and show them what’s on your screen. You can chat and have up to 250 viewers.

Avaiability: on both mobile devices and your home and work computer.

Mobile: iOS and Android

Computers: Windows or MAC and open in one of your web browsers

HootSuite: helps you manage all of your social networks.  With your social media dashboard you can maintain multiple social profiles, schedule when messages and tweets will go out, and analyze traffic to your social sites. Integration is available for the following social media outlets – Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, foursquare, Myspace, WordPress, mixi and much more!

Avaiability: on both mobile devices and your home and work computer.

Mobile: iOS, Android, Blackberry, and Keitai

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What’s Trending in Technology: Outlook.com

by Jessica Posted on August 14, 2012

If you can remember what your first free email service was, it might have been Hotmail. Hotmail was originally launched back in 1996 and now has over 3 million users. Microsoft is getting ready to completely change the interface of Hotmail.com. The new look will be revamped and moved to Outlook.com.

Over the next few months current Hotmail users will have the ability to check out the new Outlook.com interface and give it a test drive. Microsoft has not set a date, but eventually all hotmail users will  be migrated over to the new Outlook.com. One of the biggest changes you’ll notice is a clean interface. Microsoft wanted something that would be easy to use and reduce clutter on the screen.

New Features 

It’s been real Hotmail, but now it’s time for something new and fresh!

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Google Indoor Maps for Public Libraries

by Jessica Posted on July 28, 2012

Google Indoor Maps for Public Libraries (Live Online)

FREE Webinar Presented by the Florida Library Association

Date:     Tuesday, August 21

Time:    1:00  – 1:45 pm EST

In November 2011, Google launched Indoor Maps, an exciting addition to the award-winning Google Maps. Indoor Google Maps will enhance your building’s overhead or satellite view by replacing that with a floor plan of your building’s public areas. This innovation helps visitors find their destination in large or unfamiliar spaces. The process to get involved is simple and unobtrusive. As Indoor Maps is a relatively new feature of Google Maps, your floor plans will be dramatically featured to mobile users of Google Maps at no cost.

This webinar covers a comprehensive review of Indoor Google Maps and explains why libraries are participating. Attendees have the opportunity to learn about an innovative step in digital mapping and ask in-depth questions following the presentation.

Topics covered:

  • What Can Indoor Google Maps Do For You?
  • Project Basics
    • Creating Indoor Google Maps
    • Keys To A Good Map/Uploading
    • Public Vs. Private Areas
    • Maintaining Maps
    • How To Get My Location On Your Maps
    • Once You Are Live…
    • Product Roadmap
  • Examples
  • Questions

Learn more:

Presented by:   Vani Patel, Business Development Specialist, Google Maps

Cost:      Free and open to all Florida library staff

Register here

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