Don’t Stress – Its Easel.ly!

The following blog post explores my experience with creating an infographic presentation.  To facilitate this exploration, three creation avenues were test driven:  easel.ly, piktochart, and infogr.am.  I found that infogr.am would be ideal for the presentation of statistical data for its ability to graph numerical figures and provide information in a sensical fashion on both the x and y axis of a chart.  Piktochart offers beautiful, visually stimulating methods to present and narrate data, but was a bit overwhelming and intimidating for a novice user.  The aptly named third infographic creation tool, Easel.ly, “eased” me into this new presentation format and set my mind at “ease”.  The one-minute tutorial featured on the initial screen of the site provided a welcoming, common sense approach to using an infographic to elevate the appeal and effectiveness of the presentation of data collected.  Further exploration yielded an impressive bank of thousands of templates with the ability to filter selections by categories to pair the information gathered with a complimentary graphic layout.  The input process is reminiscent of creating a Prezi presentation and was fairly “easy” to navigate.  I will be employing this resource and the others to “jazz up” the dissemination of information regarding library statistics including but not limited to:  circulation data, facility usage stats, class/grade level competition results, fundraising revenue stats, and much more!

The topic I chose to visually diagram was selected from a bank ideas documented within the archives of the Pew Research Center (PRC) which seeks to conduct research and release its findings to illuminate issues and trends that are important to the American citizenry and the global populace.  The following infographic, extracted from the “Internet, Science, and Technology” section of PRC’s database represents a topic extremely relevant to me as a new librarian – community attitudes about the function and efficacy of local public libraries and their awareness of the wide array of resources and tools available for consumption.  The survey was conducted between October 13 – November 15, 2015 and figures were rounded to whole values.   The responses of those surveyed who refused to comment are not represented.  2,752 adults over the age of 18 residing within random U. S. cities were polled in telephone interviews conducted at various times of the day using both cellular and land-line connections.  The survey was also administered in both English and Spanish.

Source Citation

Rainie, L. (2016). Libraries and Learning. Retrieved June 25, 2016, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/04/07/libraries-and-learning/

 

 

RSS = One-Stop Shopping!

In the age of technology inundation and global domination, it is nice to discover products and services that endeavor to make the navigation of the internet galaxy simpler and more productive.  RSS apps (Really Simple Syndication) seek to streamline the process of locating information on topics of interest by seeking out and automatically delivering new content to subscribers combining top feeds in a single location instead of forcing users to search top news outlets and favored sites to field articles.  Two categories of RSS apps streamline this process – online RSS services which run automatically in the background finding articles as soon as they are published and syncing with apps on a smart phone or computer and native RSS apps which work with other popular RSS services to sync RSS feeds directly onto a chosen device.

For this assignment, I chose the Inoreader as my preferred RSS.  Once an account was created, I discovered that Inoreader would be a good fit for me because as a novice, it provided a great starting point and a gentle, easy way to group feeds based upon topics of interest and place the content into folders for later review.  I can subscribe to Twitter and Google+ to access or broaden topic retrieval searches, and this feed reader allows for permanent storage of information free of charge (with advertisements).  Leisure time is rare commodity and I’ve come across a number of dynamite ideas for library programming that I would like to revisit once my focus can shift from completing course work back to reading for pleasure and practical application.

In an effort to earn the extra points offered, I have created a campus library tumblr page accessible at the following address:  http://goodman-mustangs-read.tumblr.com

Five blogs that I chose to follow on Tumblr and through Inoreader are featured below:

1.      Deep Life Quotes

o   Web address:  www.LiveLifeHappy.com

o   This site, created by Robert Tew, seeks to inspire followers with uplifting, motivational quotes about the human experience.  Powerful and thought provoking content.

o   I chose to follow this site because I believe whole-heartedly in the healing and inspiring power of words.  Quotes featured offer well-phrased directives to navigate life’s challenges and celebrate its beauty.

2.      School Library Programming

o   Web address:  http://schoollibraryprogramming.tumblr.com

o   SHSU Library Science Course LSSL 5368 offers a host of library programming ideas, to which I have contributed, to engage readers and support freshman librarians starting out on this amazing journey.

o   This site is bookmarked on my home, campus and laptop computers.  Self-authoring quick, large, and year-long programs taught me the value of planning, preparation, and execution of quality library programs and the course blog placed ideas I can use and build upon for years to come at my fingertips.

3.      Harris County Public Library

o   Web address:  http://harriscountypl.tumblr.com

o   Within this blog, Grace, the Harris County Public Library’s eBranch Librarian, posts about books, libraries, reading, and other fun stuff to motivate readers and promote literary initiatives.

o   My students and I reside within the northern portion of Harris County.  The public library provides an amazing array of programs, activities, and great text selections throughout the year.  It is a wonderful extended resource and enhancement to the school library program.

4.      Library Displays

o   Web address:  http://librarydisplays.tumblr.com

o   Within this blog, a professed high school librarian posts and captions images of bulletin boards and library displays she has created to bolster visual appeal and increase traffic within the campus library.

o   Displays do more than beautify a space, they promote interest and garner attention.  I’m always interested in ways to attract reluctant readers/visitors and sustain the interest of frequent flyers as well.

5.      The Kirkus Review Book Blogger

o   Web address:  https://www.kirkusreviews.com

o   Book reviews and recommendations from one of the most trusted names in the literary industry since its creation in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus.

o   In addition to best seller and ALA award winning lists, I have in the past turned to the Kirkus Review for insight on titles that are making a big splash in the sea of well-crafted literature to drive the selection of texts for my own children and now for the campus library as well.

Using Facebook and Twitter to Highlight the Relevance of School Libraries

Using Facebook and Twitter to 

Highlight the Relevance of School Libraries

Social media networks are preferred meeting spaces for the world's busy populace.  The following blog post highlights how school libraries have begun to use ever-popular Facebook and Twitter pages to gather, share, motivate, and spur followers to action.  

This task was one originally met with a bit of trepidation, as I was not yet a member of Facebook nation.  To earn credit for the task (and a bit of a cushion in the form of bonus points), I created a Facebook page for my campus library - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012461497149

The Facebook site was extremely user-friendly and provided gentle guidance to help me arrive at a decent product.  My Twitter account had been previously established and gave me an opportunity to connect with a host of heavy-hitters and great thinkers within this realm of educational technology.  I found it difficult to resist retweeting and commenting on a number of truly amazing, innovative ideas shared within the "Twittersphere".  I instantly saw the value in creating both a Facebook and Twitter presence and the endless possibilities they afford in the way of providing innovative ideas, continuous learning opportunities for personnel, ideas on marketing the campus library and establishing it as a vital component within the school community.  

Facebook Reflection:

The following represents a small sampling of ways I observed school libraries using Facebook during my search:

-     Promoting contests and soliciting support for library initiatives that require little more than casting votes to increase the facility’s opportunity to win books to augment the physical collection (St. Mary’s CBGS Belfast – voting link:  http://www.nationalbooktokens.com/schools#.V1fVTk1OXVI) -     Celebrating the year’s successful initiatives (Immaculate Heart Middle and High School - national library week / St. Paul’s Anglican Grammar School – joint study session with high school students for collaboration and idea sharing – creation of library communities) -     Sharing researched findings / articles from trusted literary sources like the School Library Journal to further educate the masses  (M.I.T. Media Lab – reposting of an SLJ article on coding – “Never Too Young to Code”) -     Spotlighting/highlighting effective, engaging programming and innovative librarians (we must learn to celebrate and market ourselves to make others want to visit if for no other reason than the see what all the fuss is about…)

-     Posting and sharing photos and site access links to solidify presence and document patronage User/visitor comments existed in the following forms: -     Pledges of support from members of the library community -     Periodically, mean-spirited, “Negative Nellys” display digital courage hiding behind their computer screens spewing hateful foolishness. For example:  a self-proclaimed “education major” at New York University authored the following post in response to the SLJ article post “Never Too Young to Code”.  He shall remain nameless as to not increase his celebrity and further spur his misguided views:        Code and be a good little toxic gadget maker to ruin future generations and the planet itself! Yeah!

Perceived advantages and disadvantages of using Facebook to promote school libraries:

Advantages: -          Span, reach, wide dissemination of the information -          Advertise library events to increase patron participation -          Promotion of successful initiatives -          Solicit support for library initiatives -          Establish relevance and solidify the importance of funding and supporting libraries on school campuses Disadvantages: -          Vulnerability to mean-spirted rants by malicious commenters with the potential to taint the views of innocent visitors to the site. -          Herding of sites among those sharing similar names that may contradict the positive vibes being sent out.

Twitter Experience Reflection

Twitter is the equivalent of a global cocktail party without the frill and the fluff.  Here, newcomers and experts alike mingle and offer ideas on topics of interest and relevance within the poster's area of expertise.  It is always a vote of confidence and a nod of affirmation when a respected poster "likes" a comment a freshman librarian has shared.

Many of the twitter feeds I followed spoke to the passionate commitment educational technology specialist have in regard to integrating tools, activities and techniques that appeal to 21st century inhabitants and learners to positively impact their experiences and views on the reach and relevance of school libraries.

The following represents a small sampling of tweets/retweets made during my Twitter sessions:

https://twitter.com/MrsJBJohnson5/status/741060134999203840 Linda Braun @lbraun 2000 - This is a retweet about professional development opportunities made available through YALSA in the form of webinars, webcasts, and more! https://twitter.com/kathyschrock/status/739966285224775680 Kathy Schrock @kathyschrock – Google cardboard cases made out of graham crackers to encourage patrons to “devour” learning expeditions!  Who says learning can’t be delicious?! https://twitter.com/TheCLAlliance/status/740695099173154817 Connected Learning @TheCLAlliance - I began following this organization after reading a post by Buffy Hamilton @buffyjhamilton.  This tweet identifies an awesome way for those facing lengthy hospital stays to beat boredom by joining, exploring, and creating as members of the MakerSpace movement!