One more day of Maymester and I'm ecstatic, yet nervous.  In my almost two years’ experience of grad school, this was my first time taking a Maymester class.  The experience has been shall I say, breathtaking!  I've learned a great deal about new technologies and how to utilize them in libraries.  So, after Friday I will have about 6 days of no school work and summer semester will begin.  I’m only taking one course and capstone in the fall!  I can hardly believe that the END is in sight and I’m determined to finish strong!  I pray that I’ve met all of the requirements and expectations in this course….STAY TUNED!

The Impact of Cloud Computing in Academic Libraries

Introduction

Cloud computing is not necessarily a new concept but an ever increasing emerging technology that is infiltrating academic libraries today.  The “cloud’ is accessible through any Internet web browser such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Safari wherever internet service is available.  According to Mavodza (2012), cloud computing is the “delivering of hosted electronic services over the internet” (p.133).  Tritt and Kendrick (2014) asserts that cloud computing transforms how computing services are accessed and managed by the reliance on “remote access to robust computing power” (p.2).  Anyone connected to the World Wide Web have engaged in cloud computing whether cognizant or unaware.  For example, accessing email daily via web-based accounts such as Yahoo mail or Gmail, organizing photographs using Flicker, “face timing” or “skyping” a distant relative are all examples of common uses of cloud computing technologies. Additionally, data collection services such SurveyMonkey and Google Forms are examples of cloud computing services along with online presentation services such as YouTube, Vimeo, Prezi and SlideShare.  Calendar services such as Google Calendar and Doodle Polls are other examples of cloud computing along with the use of social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. 

The concept of cloud computing is access to on-demand information by way of the Internet to afford users a convenient and flexible avenue to online resources and services from remote locations.  Academic institutions rely heavily on cloud computing to provide resources and support to students who are not on physically on campus, but are distance learners.  Current college enrollment trends suggests that there is a decrease number of first-time freshmen entering college, which implies that many incoming students at academic institutions are non-traditional students who rely on cloud computing to further education.   Furthermore, cloud computing is beneficial and impactful in librarianship by improving workflow and collaboration in virtual spaces. 

Literature Review

There are three main models of cloud computing according to Mavodza (2012) and when deciding on which model to adopt in a library framework, one must consider the kind of services involved, the infrastructure used, the application platform and all associated applications.  The Infrastructure as a Server (IaaS) refers to the space and time that users can purchase in order to use external servers for electronic storage (Mavodza 2012).  IaaS is also used when there is existing software such as an integrated library system or open source software such as Koha.   Software as a service (SaaS) is designed for end users and available over the internet.  Examples of SaaS include file sharing services such as Google Docs, Evernote and Dropbox according to Tritt and Kendrick (2014). SaaS is commonly used by those with limited expertise, staff, time or infrastructure to implement and support various computing services (Tritt and Kendrick, 2014, p. 2). Platform as a Service (PaaS) refers to existing software such as Integrated Library Systems who may use open source software (Mavodza, 2012, p. 134).   

Many academic libraries are adopting the bookless, virtual library concept in a digital age compelling library services to be made available and accessible online; therefore, cloud computing makes the provision of library services virtual.  Cloud-based services that academic libraries offer include delivering electronic books (e-books), online reference assistance (Ask-A-Librarian), and library guides to support academic research. Cloud services allows students to access virtual resources and services via the Internet.  Khot (2014) suggests that e-learning is a growing area for colleges that offer online courses; therefore, cloud computing is the “ideal infrastructure for e-learning solutions by facilitating educational services through cloud providers” (p.243).  Tritt and Kendrick (2014) examines the impact of librarian’s workflow in a study and the results revealed that seventy-two percent of respondents indicated that cloud computing positively altered their workflow mobility, efficiency, and collaboration efforts.  The study revealed that an increase of mobility allowed librarians more flexibility and ability to be more productive while covering service areas in the library.  Khot (2014) acknowledges that cloud computing allows librarians the “time and energy to offer users their needed knowledge based services but not only information” p. 243).  Survey respondents stated that cloud services allowed information to be accessed for numerous locations and devices which is advantageous for students on the go according to Tritt and Kendrick (2014).  The study also revealed that workflow efficiency improved by allowing librarians to deploy services and resources quickly without necessitating equipment or software purchases.  Furthermore, the study indicated that the use of cloud computing allowed more collaboration by allowing librarian’s the ability to share content with users and colleagues at distant locations and other institutions (Tritt and Kendrick, 2014).  Goldner (2010) emphasizes that collaboration is made possible with cloud computing enabling libraries to “share pools of data for cooperative collection building, cooperative preservation or digitization, and cooperative sharing of materials” (p.8).  The use of cloud computing also allows academic libraries to support current library services. According to survey results revealed by Tritt and Kendrick (2014), library service benefits shared by survey participants in the use of cloud computing included mobile flexibility and the convenience of communicating via cloud.  One respondent emphatically emphasized that “collaboration with colleagues in other libraries simply would not be possible without cloud computing” (Tritt and Kendrick, 2014, p. 5).   Tritt and Kendrick (2014) also uncovered that thirty-five percent of survey participants stated that cloud computing was often used to support library services, while twenty-eight percent revealed that cloud computing was always used to support library services.  Additionally, forty-five percent of survey respondents indicated that they were able to implement new library services due to cloud computing (Tritt and Kendrick, 2014, p. 5).  New services such as IL tutorials hosted on YouTube and library assessments through Google forms were a couple of new services implemented as a result of cloud computing.  One final benefit that Tritt and Kendrick (2014) uncovered in the study was the impact of cloud computing on library workplace technology barriers.  One respondent in the study reported that cloud computing has allowed access to services that the campus IT department was unable or unwilling to provide which benefits the library in receiving assistance from third parties when technical help is needed (Tritt and Kendrick, 2014).  Harris (2014) remarks that cloud computing allows for a “decreased need for in-house technical expertise” (p. 2).

            While cloud computing technologies offers a plethora of advantages, there are existing barriers.  According to Mavodza (2012) there are concerns that cloud computing promulgates such as the feeling of a loss of control about data ownership, data security, patron data privacy, usability and standardization issues, bandwidth requirements and backup storage costs.  Tritt and Kendrick (2014) report that according to data received from survey respondents about the barriers to cloud computing at academic institutions, respondents indicated that the lack of time and expertise to train staff hindered the use of cloud computing technologies.  One respondent asserted that “many cloud services require most all employees to use them to demonstrate their full benefits and while progress has happened, many employees are hesitant or unable to learn on their own and require technical training (Tritt and Kendrick, 2014, p. 6).  Furthermore, institutional barriers which prohibit the use of certain cloud computing services such storing data to Dropbox or Evernote and streaming videos due to network bandwidth limits imposed restrictions enforced by the IT department.   Tritt and Kendrick (2014) also reported that survey data revealed concerns about privacy and security.  One survey respondent indicated that there was a lack of trust of sending sensitive and important information “on the cloud.”  Harris (2014) continues to emphasis that privacy and security remains a big concern for libraries who are thinking about cloud computing.

Conclusion

The emergence of cloud computing has promising benefits for academic libraries to promote services and resources to students, faculty, staff, and library colleagues at a distance and remain relevant in a digital information era.  The ability to communicate via cloud saves time and money.  Khot (2014) confirms that cloud computing allows students to “save both time and money when they no longer need to install applications on their personal computers in order to work at home” (p.243).  Libraries and library professions depend on cloud services as a source of information seeking tools when accessing online catalogs such as Worldcat or the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC).

While libraries are consistently undergoing budget restraints and cut-backs, cloud computing allows the provision of teleconferences and webinars via cloud in order for librarians use to continue professional development and training.  The convenience of cloud computing contributes significantly to these online avenues of lifelong learning.  Lastly, librarians are wearing numerous hats while serving in varying capacities such reference and instructional roles.  Cloud computing allows librarians to be available to students by removing the physical time required to help a student with a task such as printing and allot more time for other inquiries such research assistance.  Even with research, cloud computing offers the convenience of students gaining instant access to online library guides which houses academic video tutorials and access to electronic databases such as ProQuest, ERIC, and Academic Search Complete.  These library tools and more can be viewed virtually anywhere while allowing the library to remain a viable and relevant online source of information. Golden (2010) stresses that cloud computing allows the library community to “build a significant, unified presence on the Web” (p.6) which I believe is an important entity in an era where the ways in which libraries are being utilized is changing rapidly.

 In order to make a sound decision while considering adopting cloud computing in academic libraries, library professionals and directors must be cognizant about the advantages and barriers that may affect the effectiveness of cloud computing while considering how this technology may impact and support institutional goals and the mission of the library.

 References

Gopalaswamy, M. g., & Kumar, S. N. (2012). Cloud Computing Technology: A Boon for Library and Information Services. Indian Journal of Library & Information Science, 6(3), 173-179.

Khot, N. n. (2014). Cloud Computing: Types, Services and Application in Academic Libraries. International Journal of Information Dissemination & Technology, 4(3), 240-243.

Harris, S. (2014). Bright Future with Library Clouds. Research Information. Retrieved June 3, 2015 from http://www.researchinformation.info/features/feature.php?feature_id=486

Goldner, M (2010). Winds of Change: Libraries and Cloud Computing. OCLC. Retrieved June 3, 2015 from http://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/events/2011/files/IFLA-winds-of-change-paper.pdf

Mavodza, J. (2013). The impact of cloud computing on the future of academic library practices and services. New Library World, 114(3), 132-141. doi:10.1108/03074801311304041

Tritt, D. d., & Davis Kendrick, K. k. (2014). Impact of Cloud Computing on Librarians at Small and Rural Academic Libraries.Southeastern Librarian, 62(3), 2-11.

GRADUATION...SALUTE TO THE 2015 GRADUATES OF GMC

It's that time of year again!  Wishing all Georgia Military College graduates at the Valdosta campus future success and achievement!  It was bittersweet watching the commencement...so many of my students spent countless hours in the library working on research and class projects.  One student gave me a hug and assured me that if it were not for my assistance, she would not have made it.  This is the compensation that fulfills me...the end result is seeing students walk across the stage.  Pictured below is one of my students who made mornings in the library unforgettable!

Assignment #3 - Option_1

I selected option one for assignment three in which I interviewed the systems librarian at Georgia Military College, Milledgeville campus who oversees the content management system for the library’s website and usage. The interview was administered by questionnaire via email.  In order to capture a complete picture of the library and its resources and service to student, I have included an overview of the library and the resources it provides.

The Georgia Military College (GMC) library supports students and faculty by providing access to library services through its electronic collection of online resources that are consistent with the degree prams offered by this two-year, liberal arts junior college. The mission of the GMC Library is to ensure that students, faculty, and staff have access to and are able to be effective users of information. The library department provides current, unbiased materials on the level of its reading public, will make available to all students, faculty, and staff the resources of the library, assist in the use of these materials,  provide access to materials not located in the library through the Interlibrary loan program, and provide opportunities designed to foster lifelong learning and information literacy.

GMC Library facilities include the 13,000 square foot main Sibley-Cone Library at the Milledgeville campus and five branch libraries. The five branch libraries located in Augusta, Columbus, Fairburn, Valdosta, and Warner Robins are extensions of the Sibley-Cone Library.

The print collection in the Sibley-Cone Library contains over 36,000 volumes. The full-text, electronic books available online add an additional 90,000 academic titles. The periodical collection includes journals, magazines, and newspapers principally in online databases. Database collections include GALILEO, Gale, ABC-CLIO, Facts-on-File, and JSTOR. GMC students, faculty, and staff can remotely access GMC’s electronic resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any computer with Internet access using the current database password. The GMC library homepage and library guides provide links to library resources, services, and contact information for all campus libraries.  

Reference assistance is available via phone, email, or personal visits on campus.  Research assistance is offered via the Ask-A-Librarian chat service on the Library Guides as well as through the Ask-A-Question form on the library’s homepage.  The Library Director and Systems Librarian are the primarily responsible for managing the content management system (CMS).

Interview Transcript

Interviewer:     Katresa Gardner, Electronic Resource Librarian – Valdosta Campus

Interviewee:    Dylan Stephens, Systems Librarian/Cataloger – Milledgeville Campus

Wednesday, May 26, 2015

1.      What is your background in working with various content management systems (CMS)?

·         I didn’t have a background with CMSs directly, but with computers, programming, and networks in general.

2.      In your experience, which CMSs do you feel are advantageous in maintaining and supporting library websites?

·         Those that combine all the library’s resources and then allows all the content to be searchable and accessed through a federated search engine.

3.      What CMS is our college currently using?

·         We currently use Mandarin Oasis.

4.      What was the motivation behind that selection?

·         We chose Mandarin Oasis for having an interface that was user friendly for both the patrons and the librarians.  We also signed up during Mandarin’s early years and got significant cost savings to fit our budget.    

5.      What was the library’s criteria used to decide on the selected CMS?

·         We needed one that combined all of the aspects of the library’s system to include cataloging, circulation, and a report tool.  The interface needs to be user friendly for both patrons and librarians and access needs to work seamlessly for both physical students and those that are only taking classes online.  It needs to combine both the physical collection and the library’s e-resources that can be searched and accessed through one search engine.  The system also needs to be hosted by the CMS vendor and accessed entirely through the internet without the need for an application to be installed.   It also needed to fit the budget of a small community college.   

6.      How long have we been using the current CMS?

·         10 years

7.      What are the advantages and disadvantages of the current CMS?

·         It has all the advantages listed in question 4 except that it only contains records for our physical books and e-books.  It doesn’t have the capability to add our academic journals from our databases, so those resources must be searched and accessed directly from each individual vendor database.

8.      What changes do you foresee in the future with the current CMS?

·         That it will start collecting license agreements from vendors to allow their content to be added to Mandarin’s system.

9.      If changes will occur, what are the reasons for making changes to the existing CMS?

·         The reason will be to have all the library’s resources stored and accessed from a central location.

10.  What are your primary duties and responsibilities as a Systems Librarian/Cataloger?

·         My duties are to administer the integrated library system, prepare copy and original cataloging records according to nationally accepted standards, create reports and extracted management data from library software as needed by library staff, provide instruction for students, faculty, and staff in the use of the library’s electronic resources, extend general and in-depth reference services to patrons in person, by email, and by phone, evaluate and recommend acquisition of appropriate library materials, and assist the library director in preparation of annual budget.

Conclusion

Content Management Systems (CMS) are conveniently changing the way libraries manage the content of the library’s resources and materials. Dylan Stephens is a librarian and although he didn’t have any hands on experience with content management systems, he was able to successfully learn how to use them effectively for the library’s website.  It is encouraging and assuring that librarians are lifelong learners and capable of learning and adapting to new technologies as they emerge in order to remain viable assets in libraries.   When considering what type of CMS is conducive for a library, particularly in this case, a small academic library, cost, user-friendliness of the interface and efficiency/flexibility are factors that should be well-thought-out.  According to the research provided by Connell (2013), the top three elements that CMS users cited as important factors in CMS selection are ease of use, flexibility, and cost (p. 51).

Reference:

Connell, R. r. (2013). Content Management Systems: Trends in Academic Libraries. Information Technology & Libraries, 32(2), 42-55.

QR Code

Here is my QR code that I created from http://beqrious.com/qr-code-generator! 
This QR code will allow you to gain immediate access to my Joomla website!  You can download a QR reader to your mobile device from your app store or Google play store!  Check it out and of course, it is pink:)

CurlieRee's Natural Care Hair Hut Website

JOOMLA...MY EXPERIENCE

Working with Joomla was an enlightening experience for me! To begin the process of my proud web creation, I created an account at https://www.joomla.com/ and gained instant access for a free 30-day trial. Upon creating my account, I received an e-mail confirmation and proceeded to login to explore the learning tools and video tutorials. I also received a second email which provided my login information for future references. I pondered about what kind of website I wanted to build (library or non-library) and I decided to build a site devoted to natural hair care, which is a passion of mine. So, low and behold, I dedicated my website building based upon this concept. Now getting to the details of the website construction…I discovered various features of Joomla! The one thing I realized in my novice state is although the videos are helpful and informative, the hands on part was a bit intimidating.

Here is the error message that got the best of me for about 45 minutes while I attempted to create menu items: 

Nevertheless, I finally conquered it!  I created menus, articles and the template manager to complete my website.  I felt really proud and boasted about my conquest to friends and family. I will continue to build upon the website in my spare time (what spare time!@#?).  Overall, this was a great learning experience and once I found the hidden trash can to get rid of the error message, I was good to go!  This was indeed a learning process and I feel encouraged that I can conquer new technology with time and practice! 

MY JOOMLA WEBSITE: https://kgardner7505.demojoomla.com/

Library Wiki

Introduction:  One of the major primary roles and responsibilities of the reference librarian at the academic institution that will incorporate the use of wikis is to provide library research instruction and answers to questions about research.  By implementing a research reference wiki, the reference librarian may eliminate answering duplicate questions about research and create a platform for students to collaborate virtually about library research.  This will also give the reference librarian additional time to devote to other duties that have been assigned due to recent budgetary cuts.

Main characteristics of Wiki

Population served: two-year junior college serving about 3,000 undergraduate students

Library Type:  Academic Library

Budget:  Limited

Goal of Wiki:  Wiki will be used in a reference capacity to collaborate with students and share answers on repeated answers to common research and reference questions.  This will allow students and reference librarians the ability to interact virtually and serve as an alternative avenue for librarian and student collaboration further promoting the library as a virtual workspace of support.

Recommended Wiki: GeniusWiki

Requirements & Features:

* Offers the ability to switch between Markup or WYSIWYG editors

* Calendar & To-do list available

* Permission controlled

* Full text with advance search options

* Backup and restore features are available

* Easy to install and upgrade (standalone version is one-click setup)

* JAVA is the programming language used

* Includes themes and skins

* Plug ins available

* Comments, attachments, drafts management, templates and keyboard shortcuts are available

* Reliable and stable

* Open source and FREE