Ruminations on Web Page Design

I enjoyed the experience of creating a useful website. I took an HTML course 6 years ago, but never had the need to use it after that class. So I was basically starting from scratch.

As with many of my LIS assignments, the most difficult part of the project is coming up with the idea. Useful content is always a challenge for me. I hate the idea of reinventing something that is already on the Web, but once I developed a practical reason for the website, a staff page for shelving aides, it was much easier to plan the storyboard and develop links that were useful.

As a potential add-on to the existing Oak Park Public Library, I maintained the look of the official website by recreating the heading and format from the original home page. The logo is not as clear as it could be as it was copied from the website, not the original file.

One of the most useful things I learned during this experience is the ability to create PDF files for free. This utility is useful for anyone outside of the HTML experience. I also appreciated the wealth of information available on the web that provided handy details to be used on-the-fly.

I also learned about list elements. List tags are similar to table tags, with <ol> being an ordered (numbered) list and <ul> being an unordered (bulleted) list. Each list item is tagged with <li> </li> list item within the <ul> or <ol> command.

Much of my frustration came from the idiosyncrasies between Firefox and IE. Links, styles and images all were a challenge when viewing in the different browswers.

I also appreciated the dedicated lab time for the entire course. It allowed me to have an uninterrupted block of time to work on the coding, something that would have been difficult in my home situation.

Finally, I am glad that I took this course as I am finishing the program, as I have noticed that the job openings that I am interested in are requesting more web related skills.

Crowdsourcing—

The group dynamic gets a different spin with NPR’s “11 Central Ave.” Listen to show 31 to hear the alternate reality to collaboration on the web and the financial realities of collective intelligence.

Bibliography for Podcasting in Public Libraries

Podcasting in Public Libraries

 

Print Sources

Abram, Stephen. “Podcasting: the Short Course.” Information Outlook 10 (2006): 34-35. ArticleFirst. OCLC. Dominican University, Chicago. 18 June 2007.

Donohue, Nanette. “Library 2.0: What’s Next in Tech.” Illinois Library Association Reporter 2 (2005): 18-19. Library Literature and Information. Wilsonweb. Dominican University, Chicago. 18 June 2007.

Fichter, Darlene. “Creating Engaging Audio Content: Podcasting.” Online 30.6 (2006): 46-48. Library Literature and Information. Wilsonweb. Dominican University, Chicago. 14 July 2007..

Morris, Tee, and Evo Terra. Podcasting for Dummies. 1st ed. Hoboken: Wiley, Inc, 2006. 1-340.

Murdock, James. “On Air At the Library: Teens Sound Off Through Podcasting.” VOYA 29 (2006): 402-403. Library Literature and Information. Wilsonweb. Dominican University, Chicago. 18 June 2007.

Sampson, Jo Ann. “Launching Into the Podcast/Vodcast Universe.” Computers in Libraries 26 (2006): 10+. Library Literature and Information. Wilsonweb. Dominican University, Chicago. 18 June 2007.

Websites

Podcast Overview

“Lansing Public Library Podcast Information Page.” Lansing Public Library. 14 May 2007. 15 July 2007

Instructional Podcasts

“Atlantic Free Public Library: Online Databases.” Atlantic City Free Public Library. 19 Apr. 2007. 15 July 2007 http://www.acfpl.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=352

“Basic Business Research.” Sunnyvale Public Library. 20 Apr. 2007. Sunnyvale Public Library. 15 July 2007

Interviews

“Christina Saller: Dresden Survivor.” Kankakee Public Library. 10 Nov. 2005. 20 June 2007

Storytime/Children

“Denver Public Library Podcast.” Denver Public Library. 6 July 2007. 15 July 2007

Teens

“Orange County Public Library System Podcast.” Orange County Public Library System. 6 July 2007. 15 July 2007

Library Professionals

“Seattle Public Library: Audio for Professionals.” Seattle Public Library. 6 May 2007. 15 July 2007 (No RSS)

“LibVibe: the Library News Podcast.” LibVibe. 12 July 2007. 15 July 2007

Post #5 Is the Web 2.0 bubble about to burst?

Web 1.0 fights back. Blackboard ( our favorite web app) fires a shot at Second Life. I was not wildly impressed with my first viewing of Second Life. I’m not sure why I would go to all the work of making an avatar for an online class discussion.

Facebook is not all that friendly to libraries, either. The Facebook terms of conditions don’t allow users to imbed search apps, including catalog searches– the exact thing that libraries are trying to do. So, libraries can attract Facebook users, but not show anything useful. Librarian.net has some interesting, if cynical theories on the reasons behind the blocks.

YouTube pulls guitar lesson videos due to copyright infringement. The videos used a portion of a Rolling Stones song as a teaching tool. When I first heard the story on NPR, I thought instructional videos were a great idea and could be implemented in libraries for all kinds of subjects. Just don’t use copyrighted music or books. So, if you were thinking of recording a storytime, DON’T DO IT! Record an instructional tape on how to use a software application, STOP! YOU’LL GO TO JAIL!! Record a sing-a-long, LOOK OUT FOR THE RIAA!! (Paranoid episode completed.)

I really don’t think the Web 2.0 bubble will burst (after all Web 3.0 is right around the corner) but there is still a lot to be  resolved between the assumed freedom of the Internet and the rights of the  content providers.