Explored ELM's mobile site (Electronic Library for Minnesota). It was a good reminder of the databases ELM offers, and I added an icon to our iPad for quick access. We have links to most of the databases directly on HCL website so I usually access them that way.
Hennepin County has a mobile platform using Boopsie (but vendor may change.) The app is accessible in the lower left corner. BookLook allows you to scan a book's barcode at the store and see if HCL owns it. The mobile site has a Metrowide Calendar of events at all county library systems.
HCL uses apps for Overdrive (digital ebooks and audiobook downloads), Zinio eMagazines, Freegal music downloads. I use Overdrive on my Kindle Fire for ebooks and audiobooks. When I teach an ebooks class, the thing that trips people up the most is remembering to sign up for an Adobe Digital Editions account first. It is recommended that people check out ebooks through the full library website, not the mobile version.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
23 Mobile Things 2014 #10 Sharing Photos
Our Library system has an Instagram account. There are a lot of standardized guidelines on how we must tag and caption images at HCL. Instagram is like the Twitter of photo sharing.
I reviewed the Snapchat tutorials but did not make an account because I don't think I will use it. My teenagers are probably on Snapchat. Photos disappear after a few seconds after viewing, unless it is saved as a story, in which case they are viewable for 24 hours. This may give a false sense of security, because there are apps that can save the image, or someone can take a screenshot. More secure options are Wickr and Silent Circle.
I reviewed the Snapchat tutorials but did not make an account because I don't think I will use it. My teenagers are probably on Snapchat. Photos disappear after a few seconds after viewing, unless it is saved as a story, in which case they are viewable for 24 hours. This may give a false sense of security, because there are apps that can save the image, or someone can take a screenshot. More secure options are Wickr and Silent Circle.
23 Mobile Things 2014 #9 Editing Photos
I tried Line Camera for iPad. The beauty touchup tool is cool. I also liked the design Chalkboard. Unfortunately the borders ("frames") seem to need to be purchased.
We used PhotoGrid for National Library Week. On iPad we took a picture of patron answers to a daily question board and arranged them into a collage. Then we posted to Flickr.
BTW Flickr upgraded this week, changing "sets" to "albums". Also, tagging is different. I couldn't figure out how to tag on the iPad, but was able to do it on PC.
We used PhotoGrid for National Library Week. On iPad we took a picture of patron answers to a daily question board and arranged them into a collage. Then we posted to Flickr.
BTW Flickr upgraded this week, changing "sets" to "albums". Also, tagging is different. I couldn't figure out how to tag on the iPad, but was able to do it on PC.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
23 Mobile Things 2014 #8 Social Media
Earlier posts from the original 23 Things on a Stick introduced me to Facebook, which I use regularly. I don't post very often, as a reaction to certain people who overshare. It's a great way to keep in touch with out of town friends and relatives. I keep strict privacy settings.
I will not do Foursquare - too "Big Brother"
I tried Twitter a couple years ago but find no use for it. I don't have much interesting to say, and am not interested in 90% of the tweets and don't have time to sort through the minutiae. The "Mom This is How Twitter Works" tutorial only made me more confused! Who knew there were so many ways of following and being followed?
When I was job hunting I took some classes on LinkedIn and set up a professional page. I visited it a lot, but not so much now that I am working. It is a good way to network and keep in touch with former colleagues. I get invitations to annual "alumnae" get togethers through LinkedIn.
GetGlue/TV Tag: As if TV weren't enough of a waste of time. Aren't my favorite shows enjoyment enough, without needing to reinforce watching with stickers?
Sorry so negative (mocking even?) on the social media; I have better things to do with my limited time! But I appreciate learning about some of the options patrons might be using.
I will not do Foursquare - too "Big Brother"
I tried Twitter a couple years ago but find no use for it. I don't have much interesting to say, and am not interested in 90% of the tweets and don't have time to sort through the minutiae. The "Mom This is How Twitter Works" tutorial only made me more confused! Who knew there were so many ways of following and being followed?
When I was job hunting I took some classes on LinkedIn and set up a professional page. I visited it a lot, but not so much now that I am working. It is a good way to network and keep in touch with former colleagues. I get invitations to annual "alumnae" get togethers through LinkedIn.
GetGlue/TV Tag: As if TV weren't enough of a waste of time. Aren't my favorite shows enjoyment enough, without needing to reinforce watching with stickers?
Sorry so negative (mocking even?) on the social media; I have better things to do with my limited time! But I appreciate learning about some of the options patrons might be using.
23 Mobile Things 2014 #7 - Pinterest
I took a look at Pinterest, even though I wanted to avoid that time-suck. I might use it to save websites (more visual than "favorites"/"bookmarks"). The library board sites listed were interesting.
23 Mobile Things 2014 #6 - Docs
This Thing is frustrating me on my Kindle Fire. I can't find the CloudOn app for Kindle. (Kindle doesn't seem to support Google apps either. Not sure I want to go sideloading.) The CloudOn pros: takes no space on your device and is so similar to the real Office 2010. cons: must be connected to the internet and I'm not able to access it. Help?!
Not to worry though, since the Kindle Fire HDX comes with OfficeSuite Viewer, which allows you to open, view and print office documents. To edit I could buy a Word app for $3.99. (Doubt I'd do much Xcel or PowerPoint editing on my tablet - full suite costs $15.)
Most impressed that I can open and EDIT pdfs!!
Not to worry though, since the Kindle Fire HDX comes with OfficeSuite Viewer, which allows you to open, view and print office documents. To edit I could buy a Word app for $3.99. (Doubt I'd do much Xcel or PowerPoint editing on my tablet - full suite costs $15.)
Most impressed that I can open and EDIT pdfs!!
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