It seems that every day we hear about new technologies, tools and websites. The question is always: does this enable us to do something new, or perhaps to do something in a better way? Learning technologists focus on how the tool can enhance learning. My focus is a more specific sub-question: how can this tool improve the library service for users, enabling them to find, evaluate and use the LRC resources more effectively in order to enhance their learning?

I thought I would bring together a few tools or sites that I had played with over the last year:

• QR codes
• Cartoons
• Animoto
  
• Crosswords
• Quizzes

QR codes

The basics of these have already been covered by Sam. I have been following examples of use, from US studies of their potential, to commercial uses such as Google’s ‘Favorite Places’. I also tried things out using my work mobile phone, and was impressed at how easy it was. You just have to download some software to your phone if it isn’t already on there (I used QuickMark software but I have also heard good things about the Kaywa Reader). Then you can point your phone camera at QR codes and in a fraction of a second the code is deciphered and displayed on the screen. You can make your own (e.g. try here or here), or point at the code below.

How might libraries use QR codes? Below are a few ideas:

• QR code on textbooks in the library – scan to get a subject guide to resources that area (e.g. catering), including classmarks to look at, core texts, useful magazines, websites etc.
• Fiction collections – scan the code to get the e-book version, e.g. from
  Project Gutenberg if it is a classic text.
• Reference collection book – scan the code to go through to a reference
  website on that subject (e.g. online dictionary or style guide), or the library’s own virtual reference collection.
• Posters linking to the relevant web pages. Or notice boards could have
  QR codes next to headlines, which when scanned take the user through to a blog entry on that subject.
• Used as part of induction, for an innovative quiz where there are blocks of QR code information around the library, with a sort of treasure hunt following QR code clues on signs and hidden in some books. Students would be lent a phone if they don’t have their own. The hunt would involve using library resources such as the OPAC, and only if things are done in the correct order will they get the correct final code (which might open a safe; be a classmark for a book with a voucher in; it could be a map reference; or something more imaginative).
• Library cards could have QR codes with user information on, or to take the user to their library account on their phone so they can renew books etc (after some other form of authentication too, of course).
• Other uses for QR codes on a physical item, enabling users to see the
  catalogue record, reviews, similar items etc.
• On the OPAC so users can get locations, classmarks and item details onto their phone for finding item on shelves, or adding to bibliographies. This was done at Aberystwyth University as one of the mobile phone enhancements (the OPAC also has the ability to send an SMS with item details to a mobile phone). To view the QR code function, search the OPAC then click on the “QR code” link in the “Availability” section when viewing a record.
• To provide context specific help and information in the library, as
  at Huddersfield University.

Will any of this be commonplace in LRCs in 5 years? Let me know if you are
using them yourself!

Cartoons

Librarians are always looking for ways to get information across to users. Pictorial methods are attractive, but not many of us have any artistic talent. That is where sites like Bitstrips come in, since with Bitstrips it is easy and quick to create a cartoon. You can design your own characters to appear in it, or use the hundreds that are provided on the site already. The system is easy to use – pose the figure, choose a facial expression, stick some props in the background, and add a text or speech bubble; then tweak until you are happy with it. The end result is that you can link to the cartoon on Bitstrips, or download it as an image to use in newsletters and on notice boards. Bitstrips are obviously aware of educational uses, since they have recently launched ‘Bitstrips for Schools‘.

I created a few for my RSC Wales job, see the RSC Wales LR Netvibes account. Also in my other role at Aberystwyth University, to promote our federated search tool. The fact that it is so easy to edit the cartoons means it is simple to go back in and create a Welsh version.

Animoto

I have always been a fan of Animoto. It is a site that lets you upload images and select music, and they get mixed together into a video slideshow which can then be viewed online, embedded on a webpage, or downloaded. In the early days you had to add words to an image yourself if you wanted text, but nowadays there are options to include titles and subtitles, and even to incorporate video clips. The basic version which creates short 60 second clips is free to use; however I took out a subscription so that I can create videos of any length.

I have used Animoto in various ways.

• Sometimes when I am doing a teaching session I like to have looped music and video playing as people come in and settle down: to help create an informal atmosphere, act as a border between the ‘outside world’ and the session proper, and possibly to raise some questions in advance of the session. This is an example I used in a session I ran on using multimedia resources.
• An attractive way of getting a simple message across.
• To promote a new service (ac yn Saesneg)
• As an ‘attract mode’ running on a laptop when you are on a stall e.g. a recent stall I ran demonstrating e-book readers had this animation playing to pull people over.
• A fun way of introducing people with photos and names.
• For your own projects outside of work e.g. presenting a poem, holiday snapshots.

Crosswords

LRCs often like to offer quizzes as ways of summarising information or reinforcing it later. Crosswords are an easy way to do this, something some users might enjoy (though they shouldn’t be over-used, and many students will hate them – it is just an alternative way of giving information). Creating a crossword by hand is a daunting task, and thankfully unnecessary! Lots of software is available. My favourite is Eclipse Crossword, which is free and simple to use, yet powerful and fast. If you haven’t tried it before, why not incorporate a quick crossword into one of your information literacy sessions, leaflets, inductions or competitions, or use one as part of a promotion of resources and services?

Quizzes

At the end of a teaching session it is good to include some way of reviewing the content. Institutions with voting systems or interactive whiteboards can use those, but there are many other options for running a quiz. One of my favourites at the moment is ‘Multiple Choice Quiz Creator‘, which resembles ‘Who Want To Be A Millionaire?’ in format and sounds. I like the fact that you only need a laptop/PC, speakers, and (ideally) a projector. Sometimes I get a student to take part, helped by the rest of the people at the session; sometimes I get people to call out answers; other times I put the lecturer on the hotspot (depending on the vibe of the session and how relaxed people are!) It has proven to be a fun way to finish off with a laugh, with a prize of some sort for the winner (e.g. a USB memory stick or some pens). The quizzes are free to play (since the display software has no limits), but the quiz creator programme itself is only free for thirty days. You can download sample quizzes here if you want to try it out.

Image from Conduit toolbars video

One of the most common queries that Sam and I get is to do with how to promote e-resources in order to increase take-up by staff and students. There are some ideas in the RSC Wales E-resources information area, but an idea that has popped up a few times recently is that of using customised toolbars.

The basic idea is that a toolbar is created that links to (or in some cases searches) the library’s resources, making it easier for users to find quality information for their teaching and learning (see this article). Not all toolbar solutions cost anything – for every company such as Besttoolbars which sells toolbar solutions, there are free options such as the Google Toolbar for Firefox, or Conduit. There are even specialist browser-plugin toolbars for libraries, such as LibX. These can do much more than just link to resources. A selection from the LibX feature list includes:

• The “Magic Button” – simply select an article title and have Scholar & the OpenURL resolver deliver an appropriate (accessible, “paid-for”) copy. This is a feature we use daily for our own research, it’s proved to be a tremendous time saver.
• Lookups of a complete book title, author, or ISBN – usually by selecting & right-clicking on a webpage.
• Proxying a page or link when coming from off-campus.
• Using cues and autolinking to get from pages that a user frequently uses to the library catalog.

Toolbars that appear as browser plugins could easily be installed across a college, with the advantage that IP address recognition can then allow users straight through to online resources. The LRS could also make the plugin available to users for their home computers and laptops, and in conjunction with appropriate access management (e.g. Shibboleth, or proxy solutions) the user at home could also have a seamless experience.

Note that toolbars don’t have to be something integrated into a browser – with a bit of creative thinking an LRS could incorporate them into their webpages, Moodle, the college desktop or even the OPAC. Let us know if you have tried this kind of approach – and how successful it was!

World Book Day took place on 5th March 2009, and as in previous years, many LRCs in Wales took part with enthusiasm and imagination! This post illustrates a few of the things that took place, so read on to find out more (and get ideas for joining in the celebration of books next year). Note that there is a separate website for World Book Day in Wales.

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor; Coleg Ceredigion; Coleg Llandrillo Cymru; Coleg Powys; Ystrad Mynach College.

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor

The three Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor libraries decided to try and raise money to buy books for the children’s ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd, their local general hospital. Staff and students were encouraged to dress up as their favourite character from a book or comic to promote World Book Day. Those that didn’t were expected to pay a £1 fine!

Images from Dolgellau campus events

Student Library Focus Group members were really supportive, wearing fancy dress and going around the college with collection boxes. In all they raised £350.75 towards their cause. One librarian said, “It’s so encouraging to see the students participating in library extra-curricular activities and hopefully raising the profile of the library in the process.”

Images from Glynllifon campus events

Image from Pwllheli campus

Coleg Ceredigion

The Cardigan Campus had a wall display, with lists of the top ten funniest books, top ten children’s books, and a successful paperback ‘SWOP BOX’: ‘Put one in…take one out!’ This is still running…

Coleg Llandrillo Cymru

Coleg Llandrillo linked World Book Day with Comic Relief and are running a book review competition. Students and Staff were told to read a book for fun on world book day – this helped them to promote their Quick Reads section in the library. They then have until Friday (red nose day) to pay £1 and submit a book review. The money will go to Comic Relief and the winner will receive a Digital Radio.

Coleg Powys

Coleg Powys had a promotion based around the slogan ‘Grab a Bag on World Book Day’. On three Coleg Powys sites free, reusable bags were given out in the Learning Resources Centres. Each bag had a library slogan in both Welsh and English. New Quick Read books were on display alongside the Six Book Challenge literature. Lots of students were seen using the bags and advertising libraries.

Ystrad Mynach College

Between the dates 2nd – 6th March the college held a week of celebration called ‘Proud to be Welsh’. Students were encouraged to perform in the atrium where a stage was set up and used for singing, poetry, readings etc. The LRC supported the event with displays of their welsh resources.

Roger Granelli inspiring the students

As ‘World Book Day’ was within this week and they were still focused on continuing to promote reading throughout the college, they invited a Welsh author Roger Granelli to give a talk on his books and writing. The event was used to launch a reading competition to the students, with an ‘Ystrad famous reader’ display of staff and students photos with book recommendations.

In this entry I discussed the interactive rotating panorama of the Deeside College Learning Zone that is used to help new students to find their own way around – both as part of induction, and afterwards. Because it is hosted in the institutional VLE, it isn’t possible to have a look at it without being a member of the college. However you can get an idea of how it looks by going to some of the software used to create it – FlashVR, which creates rotating scenes – and manipulating the beach view panorama there. Then imagine it is a view of a learning resource centre instead! (They have further examples here).

The other software used to create the Deeside panorama is AutoStitch, which ’stitches’ separate images together; these are just a few of the software options available (contact me if you want to know more).

Before stitching the images together they can be edited – this was used as a way of inserting numbers tied to a key in the Deeside College panoramas, so that students can find out what a particular door leads to, or what help is available at a certain desk. It is also possible to make the panorama have hotspots that link to the relevant webpage (or popup information).

There are lots of options for creating virtual library tours in this way, and I would be interested to know of any other examples people have come across – feel free to contact me or leave comments.

[An American library service adopting the zombie principle]

Did any Welsh librarians do anything special in their libraries for Halloween? The whole question of seasonal promotions as a way of encouraging use is an interesting one. Being a zombie fan I think that librarians dressing up is always a good way of promoting the library service.

The posters and bookmarks shown below are an interesting way of drawing attention to the library:

[Poster for a promotion of horror novels - apparently one student asked for a copy of the book. Maybe I should write it one day so it can really be added to our OPACs...]

[Themed series of library bookmarks]

Luckily Wales’ only horror film festival is taking place in Aberystwyth this week – ‘Abertoir‘ – so I can get my zombie fix that way for this year…