Drupal is free software that anyone can use to organize content on the web. This could be a wonderful thing for libraries, since it is easily accessible and there is no cost involved.

Libraries are using Drupal to organize information in interesting and creative ways.

Cowles Library (the undergraduate library at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa) has used Drupal to manage their content in a clean, usable way. They have used several modules (all of which are also free to use), and they are responsive to other libraries questions who are trying to use Drupal.

Drupal allows libraries to manage all their content in one place–if a library has a website, a blog, and a staff intranet (accessible to staff only, for important information that is useful to staff), they can keep all these things on Drupal in one place. They do not have to have content stored in 3 different places. Each library controls access to their content, but it is possible for a library’s users to interact (by leaving comments, tagging, etc) so that libraries and their users can learn from each other.

 Some of the drawbacks to Drupal are that it is not vendor supported (since it is open software), and if any modules are added to it, the module version has to match the Drupal version (If you have Drupal 4, you can’t use a module designed for Drupal 5). One of the libraries that use Drupal mentioned that they are concerned because their website developer left, and they are having a hard time finding a new person that has heard of or is experienced with Drupal. With any new technology, libraries want something that is sustainable and can be maintained. The University of Calgary Library (http://library.ucalgary.ca) has to scrap their Drupal site every night so that they can update content on it (this information was last reported on October 10, 2008 on http://drupalib.interoperating.info/node/158, so they could have fixed this problem by now). This does not seem very user-friendly for staff.

For libraries to utilize Drupal, they need to be committed to it, have staff that are knowledgable about using it, and able to get both staff and users to accept it.

The same is true for me in trying to predict what capabilities we will have on the internet in the future.  One idea I came across in “Web in infancy, says Berners-Lee” (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7371660.stm) states: “Sir Tim predicted that the web’s ability to engender collaboration could one day see the web being used to help manage the planet”. This is an interesting idea to consider. Countries could use wikis, for example, to develop agreements that affect their populations. One example is NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement). The countries involved could develop polices on a wiki and then share it with each other. It would be easy to fine-tune the policies on the wiki, and they would not necessarily have to meet in person. This way, ideas can flow freely and the countries involved can truly collaborate and brainstorm together. Each individual country could use blogs to disseminate information to their citizens. Any concerns individuals might have could be added as comments to the blog. The governments would be able to put forth their ideas, and the citizens can feel like they are contributing as well. The environment is another area where we could use technology to communicate with other countries. Since our actions do not affect just the environment we live in, and we don’t want to negatively affect other areas of the world, we can develop policies together on how to save the planet for future generations. I am sure there will also be many developments that will make the tasks we do now even easier.

When a user adds their review to material in the catalog, other users can see what other people liked or didn’t like about the material. A parent, for example, can see what others are saying about a title their children are interested in reading. The catalog records can be searched by any text in the record, so this can also be useful when a user is not sure what a book is called or can only remember part of the story.

This can also be a great thing for people who work in libraries. This can be a great way to find out which materials are being used and if the users are happy with the collection. The library does not have to go out and do a formal survey or evaluation, and the users can leave a comment or not. If the library sees that there are a lot of negative comments in a particular area, then it can help them reevaluate their collection.

It is a big change in how libraries have traditionally done things, but if we stay stagnant and do not reflect our users’ needs, we will no longer be relevant and will become dusty old buildings that house books.

I found MySpace because I had a need; I was looking for a support group of parents with autistic children. I connected with people all over the country.

Then I started thinking about my job (I work in a public library). How could we use MySpace? MySpace can be a great tool for outreach, especially teens and other people familiar with technology. If we created a presence on MySpace, we could reach the teens where they are already hanging out, and we could also draw on their experience. We could ask the teens to help us create our presence on MySpace, and they could feel more involved in our library.

I wanted to look at public libraries that are using MySpace now. How are they using it? Could our library use this tool?

 This is Plattsmouth (Nebraska) Public Library’s MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/pplpn68048). They have made an attractive page that is pleasing to the eye. They have pictures of their library, information about their programs, and they can be added as a friend. People can find out information about the library without having to leave their home.

Omaha Public Library (http://www.myspace.com/omahapubliclib) has added their newest materials to their MySpace. It is easy to browse to see what music or movies you might be interested in.

  Hennepin County Library(http://www.myspace.com/hennepincountylibrary) has included a link to their library’s catalog, so you can search for materials without even being on the library’s website.

One way is to rank libraries against each other using statistics. Thomas Hennen has created the HAPLR index (Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings www.haplr-index.com). He uses federal data, all information that is publicly reported, and then uses the data to rank libraries.

This is a fine method, except for the fact that statistics only tell part of a library’s story. Statistics don’t convey the frantic parent who is researching his/her child’s symptoms late at night and accesses the library’s databases. The parent who then thanks the library for subscribing to the databases that can give him/her more information. Statistics do not convey the joy the children feel when they attend story time. Statistics don’t mention the great interactions librarians have with their users when they help them find something.

American Libraries has posted the HAPLR ratings in the October 2008 issue of its magazine, only to find that the data is invalid because the data used was the same data from 2006. Apparently there was some kind of technical error. This only goes to show that technology is only as good as the people who are using it. You can see the article here: www.ala.org/ala/alaonline/. This does not change the fact that by looking soley at statistics a library’s “story” or context is being ignored.

Statistics can be helpful, but to evaluate a library, you need to look at the whole picture. Libraries of about the same size are ranked in each category, but each library’s community is different. Each community has different needs and goals. Instead of ranking each other, wouldn’t it be better to collaborate? Libraries could pool their resources and help more people by working together. It’s not about winning an award or being the best in my mind. Libraries exist to serve their communities and be shaped by their communities.

What I like about the internet is collaboration. Web sites are created to share information, and we can search freely and quickly.

This sense of collaboration fits libraries. Any library’s goal is to help its community whether it is an academic, public, school, or special library. Libraries can use the internet and its tools to their advantage.

My library (a public library) just had a Staff Institute Day. We closed the library to the public for a day, and our staff spent time learning about Web 2.0 technologies. There were people on our staff that were not familiar with some of the tools (such as blogging, wikis, and social networking sites), and others who are very comfortable with them. What I liked was that we all got to learn together, and we have been challenged to think creatively about how we can use the tools to help serve our patrons better.

I see this as a real opportunity to grow and change. I can see things we can do to interact more with our community. I hope and believe our patrons will be excited to really be a part of their library.

The next step was email. Why would I write emails when I could just call and talk to somebody? I did not see the point at first. This was when my friends (mostly my guy friends) said that I could send a message any time of day, even 3:00 in the morning, and the recipient could open it whenever they wanted. I laughed at this, because I could not imagine being up at 3:00 am, sending messages to people. If I had something to tell somebody, I could just wait until the next day when I was awake. Little did I know that I would learn to become a night person, because I am a single parent now and can’t get anything done until my son goes to bed.

I really see the value of email today, because my family and friends are scattered all across the country.  I don’t always have the time to call them or leave a message, and sometimes I don’t know what to say. By writing an email, I can take my time composing what I want to say, and the recipient can read it when it is convenient for him or her.

I work in a public library now, and I see how important the internet is. People come in to our library every day to check their emails, to play games, to research, and to talk to each other. I want to learn what is involved in creating content on the internet, and also to create content that will be useful for the patrons of my library. My goal is to help people, and to be useful. The class I am taking now, Internet Fundamentals and Design, will help me to further understand the internet and create useful (I hope) content. I look forward to what the future brings for the internet and connecting to others.