Final Project link

Here's the link for the final project.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dws_k4pvW0v405nFkeq7FtqYYYQmCXbBoaAjq0LOBuM/edit?usp=sharing

Digital Libraries vs. Institutional Repositories

Digital libraries often have a much more comprehensive and diversified collection that IR's do. In this way they are much closer to the traditional "library." Depending on the scale and scope of the collection, digital libraries can provide an impressive depth of information from the comfort of your own home. It is now possible to view actual pictures and scans of antique artifacts that you would have to travel hundreds, if not thousands of miles to see. However, most of these organizations require extensive funding and support to stay afloat. Creating a digital library can be challenging, but it is a resource that is worth building.

While institutional repositories don't provide the same depth and breadth of collection variety, they provide a unique information source. Depending on goals of the repository, there will be a unique collection of research papers and scholarly works. IR's are often based on a subject area such as science, mathematics, technology, and humanities, however, IR's may cover a very broad knowledge base, again depending on the goals of the repository. IR's also provide a unique opportunity to preserve the heritage and history of an institution, particularly a college or university.

Digital libraries and IR's are unique resources that provide the opportunity to share specialized knowledge with a community of digital scholars. It is vitally important that both of these resources continue to grow and develop for future users and scholars.

Dublin Core+Practical Experience=Light Bulb

Recently I have had the opportunity to use the Dublin Core Metadata scheme and I think I like it. When I first learned about DC in the obligatory cataloging class, I understood it in a very general, theoretical way. Now that I have had some practical experience, it makes a great deal more sense and I can see how useful it really is. Not to say that I want to jump into cataloging, but I have a new appreciation for DC how it helps with organization and discovery.

Joomla, part 2

Working with Joomla has been a very interesting experience. While I share many of your frustrations with the CMS, I have to say once the site is set-up and I understood how the administration side works, I began to like it. There are many useful plug-ins, modules, and templates that can make a good site, great.

One of the features I like about this system is the media manager. At first I was frustrated with this feature because I didn't understand how it worked, but once I watched the tutorial, it made sense to upload the media you wanted to use in one location. That way you didn't have to hunt it down later.

However, I wish that this system would include a module map for every template, similar to WordPress, so you can have a "map" of the site. It makes it easier to see what goes where and helps the developer keep a clear picture of how the site needs to be organized.

Overall, this was a good learning experience, not that I'm anxious to do it again, but I would be willing to work with Joomla in the future.

Joomla, part 1

Time for assignment 2 and my first encounter with Joomla. I have used WordPress for a previous class and found that it was easy to use and set-up. I am hoping that Joomla is of like-mind. I haven't set up a page yet, hence part 1. After spending some time creating webpages from the ground up, I have a new found appreciation for CMS's. I just wonder if Joomla will err more on the side of Drupal, which I know nothing about, or WordPress. However, from what I have seen in the Webinars, I think this process will be fairly straightforward. Hopefully...

Wikis

The library in question is the Jefferson City library in Jefferson, GA and is part of the PINES consortium and is located in a rural area. The exact budgetary information is not available, but it is a small public library, which has at most two full-time librarians and a few part-time staff members. This institution will need a wiki that is either free or very inexpensive and user-friendly.

While going through the set-up, the options I chose are as follows:

• A hosted wiki, which would be hosted through PINES

• A WYSIWYG editor

• A page history to keep track of edits and possibly vandalism

• A unique domaine name, that hopefully has not been taken

• The ability to apply corporate branding for the PINES consortia

After completing the wizard several options came up including: Wikia, Wikispaces, Zoho Wiki and EditMe, to name a few. I chose Wikispaces because it is free and easy to set-up. The purpose of this wiki is to promote the Jefferson City library and provide a free and valuable resource for its patrons. If it was my responsibility to set-up the wiki, I would populate it with information about the Jefferson City library, including community events, provide tutorials and lib guides, and post regular points of interest such as book reviews.

Social Networking Overload

In the weeks leading up to this class I was under the impression that Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace were the only names in social networking and now I see that isn't true. There is now so many SNS that it makes you wonder: how much is too much? Is social networking intended to be confined to a select few programs or is it up to the users how many SNS are developed? Just to give you an idea of how many SNS are out there, check out this link, it may surprise you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites