The biggest selling features of an iPad is its portability and thin, light weight design. However, when you are on the go-to and from conferences, meetings, work and home, it can be tricky protecting any device from scratches and wear. Function meets design in a recent article by Lifehacker. Contributor Allan Henry hit the streets to find iPad specific protective covers. Henry explains why a select few made the list, in the article 5 Best iPad Cases (December 2013.)
Many librarians assist patrons, often students, with research. As you know, it is important to take into consideration the varied skill-set for each patron and the types of resources available. In the article, Tacit Knowledge and the Student Researcher, author Barbara Fister identifies practical approaches to library instruction from the perspective of today’s researchers. Some ideas discussed in this Insider Higher Ed article (June 2013) includes:
Tip: For those librarians that have been in the field for many years, Fister reminds us that accessing some materials has changed over time, which may not be common knowledge for all researchers.
Would you like help selecting the best devices for a specific grade level?
If your school services various devices, or if you are thinking about purchasing additional devices, this article may help. Edudemic posted a brief review of the following four technologies, 1) OS, 2) Netbook, 3) Notebook, and 4) Tablet. Author David Matheson provides a brief overview with pros and cons of each type of device. Then, he links these uses to the general tasks needed at various grade levels. Click here to read the full article, How to Pick the Best Devices for Your Grade Level (August 2013.)
An article in Brain Hive placed by a high school librarian refers to the impact Tumblr had on her teen patrons. Robin Brenner professes that using this form of social media is even more affluent than Facebook or Twitter. Robin goes on to list essential tips (8) on how she successfully marketed library resources, to teens, with Tumblr. She also shares her top picks for current sites categorized by Teen Lit Tumblrs, Tumblarians, Teen Authors who Tumble, etc. Click here to read, Power Tumbl’ng: Why Tumblr Is a Great Way to Reach Teen Patrons (September 2013.)
In a related post, The Library Is Open: A Look at Librarians and Tumblr (June 2013), Molly Mcardle talks about how librarians have and can incorporate Tumblr in their work. Molly quotes other types of librarians targeting a wide range of patrons who also use Tumblr.
In a recent ACRL TechConnect post, Eric Phetteplace provides advice for library technologists that may feel as if they are going solo and unequipped to address pending tasks. He generalizes common issues into the following four areas:
Click here to read the full article, Advice on Being a Solo Library Technologist to read tips on how to circumvent these common road blocks.
Tip: Although this article is directed to Academic Libraries and their respective staff, the advice is very applicable to all technology users in any library type.