Google Docs

Online Productivity Tools & Google Docs

I created a small document on Google Docs and have allowed it to be shared with the State Library Learning 2.0 program. Google Docs is useful for travellers who might have problems downloading and accessing word files. It is particularly pertinent at the State Library on the Reading room computers where Microsoft Word is not available but clients can still create documents using an online productivity tool like Google Docs.

In my work I can't see that Google Docs would have many advantages over Microsoft Word, however, for collaborative projects it might help in editing. For example, it allows editors to see changes made and is somewhat easier than constantly emailing attachments.

http://docs.google.com/?pli=1#all

Mash-ups

I can see the advantages of using mashups to combine different types of media like audio, photographic and video. A mashup allows for different ways of approaching a topic and therefore incorporates many learning forms in the one space. The British Library's use of Google Maps to create their own historical timeline was a good example of how mash-ups allow for knowledge to be charted and stored online in a variety of formats ie. through interactive maps as well as words and pictures. I'm not sure how the State Library could use mash-ups to enhance its collection but perhaps the combination of picture and audio would make for a new approach to oral history and allow input from clients as well.

Below is an exmaple of a mash-up in mosaic form which illustrates our value of "Honesty and Integrity"

http://www.erl.vic.gov.au/events/podcasts.htm

Podcasts

I regularly podcast ABC Radio National programs and have certainly benefited from the access they provide. With podcasts you can access the audio information you require at a time and place that suits you. In completing the exercise for this week I chose to listen to part of Sunnyvale Public Library's podcast of the League of Women's voters speeches given prior to the November election. It demonstrates the importance of podcasts in documenting and archiving audio information.

Podcasts can be used by libraries to broadcast events and talks, meaning that patrons who cannot make a particular event can "catch up" online. The State Library, for instance, makes use of this technology to archive author talks. Similarly, Eastern Regional Libraries in Victoria provides podcasts of their weekly radio show on the library's website, combining more than one type of media in the same place and enhancing the library's ability to "reach out" to different communities.

http://www.erl.vic.gov.au/events/podcasts.htm

Answer boards

I can see the advantage of answer boards in creating online knowledge networks and encouraging "social searching". However, similar to Wikipedia, I think there might be problems with accuracy given that anyone can post an answer without having to verify the information they provide. I find answer boards a bit annoying as they often pop up in response to questions where I am looking for a more reputable source. This said, I did post a question regarding a movie release date on "Yahoo Answers".

Perhaps one advantage of using answer boards at the State Library might be if members were able to answer each other's research questions through social searching. This would tap into the knowledge possessed by many of our professional research clients and those with specialised interests. It would be a good way of creating user communities and might even free some of our librarians' workload. librarians!

LibraryThing & Technorati

I discovered LibraryThing awhile ago through the Learning 2.0 program offered at the State Library of Victoria. I think it's a great tool for introducing the notion of cataloguing to the lay person. LibraryThing provides a social networking element as you can view the libraries of others who share your reading interests. The site will also recommend reads to you, making it personally responsive. I like LibraryThing because it focuses on the importance of books and reading in our lives.

I have set up a technorati account, however, I find that many of the sites encourage rapid input of new information, require regular attention and have the potential to cause information overload (even if it is in an organised format!)