Congratulations Everyone! You’ve made it to Week 2. This week we will be focusing on Basic Internet Skills. For some of you, this will be old hat. For others, prepare to learn something new! To keep things manageable (and frustration levels as limited as possible), we’ve broken up this week’s training into 4 TASKS focusing on the following topics: Web Browsers, Search Engines, Evaluating Websites, and Printing. Your tasks are posted below and under the Weekly Assignments page: Week 2.
Each task will take between 5 and 15 minutes to complete for up to 1 hour of professional development per week.
- You may decide to do one task per day for 5 to 15 minutes of professional development for 4 days
OR
- You may complete all the tasks in one day for up to 1 hour of professional development per week.
Feel free to visit the Internet Resources page for links to download different browsers, links to various search engines, and a Quick Reference Guide to Internet Explorer.
TASK 1
Introduction to Browsers
Web browsers are programs used to view and access websites and information on the World Wide Web. Popular web browsers include Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. Safari is common for Apple users. Each browser has many of the same parts, even though they may be set up slightly differently.
Look over the labeled parts of this window in Internet Explorer. Click on the image to see a larger version.
- If you are already familiar with web browsers, skip to the assignment.
- If you would like more information, view this VIDEO on web browsers. Be sure to use headphones or speakers.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify the parts of a web browser
Take this brief QUIZ on the different parts of web browsers.
TASK 2
Introduction to Search Engines and Keywords
Search Engines are websites that are used to find information and specific sites online. Some of the most popular browsers are Google, Yahoo, Bing, and Ask. Keywords can be used for specific topics and phrases.
- If you are comfortable using Search Engines, skip to the assignment.
- If you are not comfortable using Search Engines, watch this VIDEO on Search Engines. Be sure to use headphones or speakers. (Apology–when I mention parentheses in the video, I am actually using quotation marks.)
- Practice by following these steps:
- Click on your choice of search engine here: Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ask
- In the search bar, type in the following keyword: library
- Now type the full name of YOUR library in the search bar. Example: Citizens Library
- Try typing the full name of your library and the city. Example: Citizens Library, Washington
- Finally, type the name of your library in quotation marks. Example: “Citizens Library”
- Something to think about: How did your results change?
ASSIGNMENT: How to improve search results
- Compose a new email message to TechWAGGIN@gmail.com with the subject heading: “Search Engines.”
- Answer the questions below:
- If you were searching for information on technology in libraries, what keyword(s) would you use?
- What three things can you do to receive more accurate search results?
These are subjective questions, so there are multiple correct answers!
For more Advanced Searching tips, view this webpage.
TASK 3
Introduction to Websites
Websites can hold a lot of information, but not all websites are reliable sources of information. One of our roles as librarians is to help patrons evaluate where the information is coming from.
One way to do this is to analyze the URL. Visit this PAGE from Think Quest. Be sure to read about commonly used URL endings, as these can be a great hint in evaluating the authority of a site.
For more in-depth research, make sure websites pass the C.R.A.P. Test commonly used to evaluate research sources. To view a larger version of the image below, click on it.
Image used with permission from the Mercer University Library.
ASSIGNMENT: Evaluate a website using the CRAP Test
- Using your keywords from Task 2, search for information on technology in libraries.
- Select one website from your search results.
- Evaluate the website using the CRAP Test. You may have to click on different links to find enough information to make your decision. Explore!
- Go to this week’s post on the home page. At the bottom of the Week 2 post, click “leave a reply.” Click here for more information on how to leave a reply.
- In the comment box, type a one-sentence description of the site you chose.
- Include a link to the website by copying and pasting the URL.
- Answer the following in your reply: Did the site pass the CRAP Test? How did it succeed/fail?
***Additional Materials: How to Evaluate Websites***
http://olinuris.library.cornell.edu/ref/research/webeval.html
http://www.lib.umd.edu/ues/guides/evaluating-web
TASK 4
Introduction to Printing
Printing from Web Browsers can be tricky. Each browser has its own steps to print and variations on “Print Preview” screens. Especially in libraries, where patrons are usually charged for printouts, we highly recommend using your browser’s “Print Preview” option.
Beware the “Print” Icon at the top of your browser window! If you see this icon, it may send your pages directly to the printer without allowing you to review them. This is especially common in Internet Explorer. When in doubt, click on the arrow next to it in order to select “Print Preview.”
Find out how to preview and print from your web browsers. Click on the images to view.
Internet Explorer
Firefox
Chrome
For information on how to print from an e-mail, visit our Email Resources page. For more tips, read “Everything You Need to Know About Printing E-mails.”
ASSIGNMENT: Practice the steps to Print a Webpage and Printing from an E-mail
If you already know how to Print a Webpage and E-mails—you may skip this Assignment.
- Open your preferred browser.
- Visit a webpage of your choice. If you are indecisive (like Katy), feel free to use your library’s website or www.TechWAGGIN.wordpress.com.
- Use the instructions provided in the images. DO NOT COMPLETE THE LAST STEP (Clicking “Print” or “OK” in the Print Box) unless you would like to actually print out the pages you have selected.
Step 4 of this Assignment is OPTIONAL
4. Instead of completing the printing process, take a screenshot when you arrive at the last step. E-mail it to TechWAGGIN@gmail.com. Want a reminder on how to take a screenshot? Watch last week’s VIDEO. Password: “Library.”
http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/ital
A publication of the library & information technology association, a division of american library association, that published journal articles about library technology. Yes, the information is up to date and current, If this were the information I was looking for this website would pass the CRAP test.
Penn State Digital Library Technologies seeks to proved IT systems & services to support PSU libraries. http://dlt.its.psu.edu/
C: general date of 2012–1 subsection downloaded 1/29/13
R: high (but VERY general)
A: high
P: vague
http://www.libraryedge.org/ Yes, this site did pass the crap test because the information was up to date, the address was an org instead of a com and the point of view was from a library perspective.
http://www.alatechsource.org/?gclid=CK7d8qePr7UCFYWo4AodkWwAeA
C. 2013
R. all info from American Library Association
A. again ALA
P. To keep libraries up-to-date on all latest technology
Yes, this site passed the CRAP test using latest technology material.
Information was recent, citing dates to 2011. The information was definitely relevant showing how technology is put to use in libraries across the U.S. with references noted. The information was from the American Library Association and was basically to inform the audience as well as to persuade some. Following the guidelines, this site passed the C.R.A.P. test.
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/law_librarian_blog/2013/02/pew-americans-like-technology-in-libraries.html
The information was relevent to the search topic, published within the past month. There are many references provided to back up the information. Based on the C.R.A.P. Test, this website would be reliable.
My website is for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for the Division for Libraries and Technology. http://dlt.dpi.wi.gov/
C: The information provided appears to be current, although I could not find a date on the website, even under the copyright page
R: Provides Reliable information about what the department is and all the contact information
A; The creator is listed right at the top of the website with all of their contact information
P: The purpose is to provide information about the key programs for the Division for Libraries and Technology
This website passes the CRAP TEST
I was deliberately looking for a website I thought might “fail”…harder than I thought it would be, given the topic! Anyway, the Google listing is: “Public Computers in Libraries | Technology in Public Libraries”, and I hoped it would give current info. on technology appropriate for public libraries. This is actually a blog, and the writer’s solution to saving money on public access computers is to build ‘em yourself!
It is Current — dated January 2013; however…Reliable — not so much; Authoritative — no author info. or credentials; Perspective/Purpose — he wants us to build our library computers (thus saving appr. $150 ea.) but gives no specific info/details.
For me, this site failed the CRAP Test.
I looked at the Library Edge site at http://www.libraryedge.org
This site provides libraries with a way to evaluate their technology, pinpoint areas of improvement, increase understanding of how public technology access supports community goals and generate data for advocacy and fundraising.
C.the material was very current
R.high-very balanced
A.excellent-provided feedback
P.high-inform and train
Website: http://www.thedigitalshift.com/
The Digital Shift is a website dedicated to topics that focus on technology in libraries and the shift to digital resources.
Currency: This site is copyrighted 2013 and has multiple articles posted daily. They also have a Twitter Feed that is up to the minute.
Reliability/Relevancy: The majority of the site’s content is curated from LJ & SLJ
Authority: Library Journal & School Library Journal
Purpose/Point of View: The intended audience is librarians and since the information is often shared by those in the field, it is spot on.
Passes the CRAP Test with flying colors!
website: http://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/americaslibraries/librariestechnology
The 2011 ALA report on technology in libraries passed the CRAP Test. It is from a very reliable source (American Library Association, also citing other academic and governmental sources); the content is recent; the point of view is objective, although definitely views libraries as a valuable resource.
Pass.
I chose a blog called the Disruptive Library Technology Jester ( http://dltj.org/ ) where you can you can browse the musings and visions of a library technologist as he walks the fine line between the best of the library profession on one side and the best of technology on the other. It is current, as it has already been updated multiple times this year. The creator has worked for OhioLink and holds degrees in Systems Analysis as well as library science, so he seems to have an understanding of library technology. His purpose within this blog is to present a wide range of ideas and concepts some of which he intends to have his audience rip apart, others that are to be held up as a holy grail without him telling you which is which. With that in mind, I believe this website does pass the CRAP test, but you have to work for it. He provides many links back to original sources and some of his articles are announcements of useful tools. Some of his articles are a tad more opinionated however, so while you should not necessarily rewrite verbatim anything you find in his blog, it can be useful as an accompanying source.
I found a site about computer classes being offered at the Boston Public Library.
C – the material is very current. It describes classes currently offered at the library.
R – It is the library’s actual website, so it is reliable. It is .org.
A – the Boston Public Library is the one publishing the information.
P – the information is presented in a way that is easy for anybody to understand. It describes the topics being covered in each workshop at the library.
This website passe the CRAP test.
The website was http://www.bpl.org/general/tech_training.htm
I chose http://www.librarytechnology.org/, a trade organization specializing in library automation and technology.
CRAP Test Summary
C- This site is constantly maintained by Library Technology Guides and should be current with today’s technology information.
R- The content on this site is provided by individuals that work in the library technology field. It has several member organizations that belong to it and it would be peer reviewed and balanced.
A- Marshall Breeding is the publisher of the website and writes much of its content. He has been blogging on library technology since July 2007.
P- This website has no advertisements. It does have corporations as members. These corporations are “Library Automation Companies,” and may want to sell their products by having favorable articles written about them. The intended audience may include potential customers for these companies.
I found a web page http://www.librarytechnology.org/LibraryTechnologyReports.pl which is part of http://www.librarytechnology.org/, a site devoted to the objective consideration of all aspects of technology and automation in libraries.
The site passed the CRAP test by
• Having an “.org” address
• Providing current and reliable data from international surveys which includes detailed information on the results as well as how the data was obtained; the reader has access to the original data
• Providing an authoritative viewpoint; the author of the website is Marshall Breeding, who is an “independent consultant, speaker and author,” (not necessarily authoritative) but is an editor and author for the American Library Association.
• Having the intent (purpose)” to provide comprehensive and objective information related to the field of library automation”
http://www.librarytechnology.org/- Web site provides information on current library technology. The information passed the CRAP test.
C-The information is up to date.
R-The information is provided by Marshall Breeding, author of the American Library Association. There is very detailed and relevant information provided, some of which is provided through surveys. Most of the website is geared towards technology, but does provide search engines for locating libraries throughout the world and a bibliographic database.
A- The survery and blog data are provided by Marshall Breeding, an expert in the field. The website provides wonderful links to various new articles and hot trends in the field of technology in our libraries.
P- It is very clear that the intent of this website is to unbiasly inform the reader of the current trends in library technology and provide the reader with feedback on what is and isn’t working for libraries in this area.
http://techsoupforlibraries.org/
The site is “Tech Soup” for libraries. It is a non profit site funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. It is updated frequently. I feel it passed the C.R.A.P. test.
My second result was http://www.iup.edu/page.aspx?id=8595 , Library Technology Services at IUP, which I chose because that’s my undergrad alma mater and it amused me, even though I doubt it would give me much useful info on library tech in general. It’s a page advertising the technology resources available through Stapleton Library at IUP.
C The copyright date says “2007-2013,” and it’s likely that links such as “View current rates” for service fees are there to make updating this frequently changing information as easy as possible. Pass on currency.
R Reliability is right on, since the page is maintained by the Library Technology department in question. Relevancy is completely off. This information would have been useful to me as a student if I needed to use the services there, but it doesn’t teach me anything about technology in libraries in general beyond one example of its use in a particular mid-sized university. Pass on Reliability, Fail on Relevancy.
A This is the Library Technology Services department laying out exactly what they do. No one has more authority to say so than themselves! Whether they do their jobs well compared to other university library tech folks is something we can’t tell, but the information is communicated clearly and questions are answered before they are asked, so they certainly seem to understand what they’re talking about. Pass on Authority.
P This page is designed to inform students, and most likely also professors and prospective students-and-parents, of all the technology-related services offered by the IUP library. It’s mostly straight-up informative, listing the facts of what’s offered, but it’s presented in a positive, helpful way designed to persuade the reader that they should really take advantage of these resources. Pass on Purpose/Point-of-View.
So the page passes the CRAP test if someone wants to find out what technology is available through IUP’s Library Technology Services, how to use it and when, but fails if someone wants to find out anything else.
http://newtbham.wordpress.com/ Site from the Univ. of Birmingham where techies
evaluate the relevance of new technology as it pertains to their library.
C. The entry I read was dated 12/4/12
R. Members of the group are all employed as professionals at the university. Their motto is “Where Libraries and Technology Meet”.
A. Group is comprised of Library Services, eLearning , and IT personnel.
P. The purpose of site is to bring together experts from various areas of technology to benefit the University’s libraries.
Site passed the C.R.A.P. test.
http://www.govtech.com/e-government/Technology-in-Libraries-Critical.html
The site appears to be, among other things, a collection of articles relating technology to state and local government.
Did the site pass the CRAP Test? I’d say it passed, but wouldn’t quite give it a five-star rating (because the article was nearly 3 years old)
Currency: The entry at the above link was dated 6/30/2010 so I don’t know that I’d consider this to be “current enough”, considering the topic
Reliability/Relevancy: The information was very relevant, if dated. Reliability? I’d say it has that as well.
Authority: One person authored the article – no credentials are provided and it appears she is no longer a staff member
Purpose/POV: The purpose of article (and the site in general) is to provide information to local and state governments. This particular article was researched.
I believe the site passed the CRAP Test.
Currency: Information cited in the main article was from 2007-2008, but another study from 2011-2012 was also included on another page.
Reliability/Relevancy: This was an overview of technolgy in public libraries, published by the American Library Association. References were cited for staatistics. Although information was general, it seemed to cover the topic well.
Authority: The American Library Association is a credible organization.
Purpose/Point of View: The intended audience was libraries or persons planning to use library technology. It was meant to inform and persuade. Obviously, it has a vested interest, but the information was factual and references were cited.
I used this same web site, quite a coincidence because Norma is my sister. I agree the site passed the CRAP test. It was informative and relevant. The ALA is a credible organization and presented a great case for meeting the technology needs of the community.
I Feel this website passed the test. c- The information was slightly outdated, but a link was provided to more current info.
r- the site seemed reliable -lots of refeences cited. and the topic was certaily relevent!!
a- ALA- need I say more?
p- obviously it was approaching this with a bias -I love libraries , but the information was supported by references cited.
http://www.librarytechnology.org/
C. site is current
R.information comes from a reliable source,a survey consisting of 15.
A. Marshall Breeding
P.He is trying to inform libraries what is available to them
http://www.wikipedia.org
The online encyclopedia.
Currency – The site remains up to date and is constantly being updated with new information.
Reliability – This is a tough one. While a lot of the information found on here is very accurate, it is impossible to take anything you read without a grain of salt because anyone can edit the information.
Authority – While many people who write or add to an entry do at least some research (and usually cite it within an article), as said, other people can edit the information as they please. Normally, users won’t edit articles without facts just for the heck of it, and moderators are vigilant of people who do so, but it’s still possible.
Purpose – As a tool for learning at least general information about something, it’s very helpful, but can only be used as a secondary resource. Not something you can cite for a paper as a source.
For “passing” the CRAP test, it would get about a C+.