A listserve discussion was asking about different programs or activities people are doing in their libraries using Raspberry Pi devices. We are sharing them with you here:
We are using Pi mostly with a camera for Social Media campaigns. Our IT department uses them to monitor wireless networks.
One of the coolest things about being in the library profession is seeing the big diversity of dictionaries, and other exciting reference sources! (Yes, I’m a big library nerd – it’s a happy thing!)
And now there is a neat new dictionary: a Sideways Dictionary of technology terms. “It’s like a dictionary, but using analogies instead of definitions. Use it as a tool for finding and sharing helpful analogies to explain technology. Because if everyone understands technology better, we can make technology work better for everyone.
Here are a few samples:
Bandwidth —
It’s like a water pipe
that serves the shower, washing machine and dishwasher in your apartment. If you run all three at the same time, you’ll notice a drop in pressure and whoever’s in the shower will get annoyed.
It’s like a road.
A single-lane highway has low bandwidth and things clog up, especially in rush hour. A multi-lane highway is wider and faster, so even if a big file is chugging down the inside lane, there’s plenty of room to overtake.
It’s like a stream supplying several paddy fields.
Sometimes your neighboring rice farmer will try to hog the supply or sneakily divert some of your water into his field. Time to change your WiFi password.
It’s like the stairway in an office block.Easily big enough for the normal comings and goings of the hundreds of people who work there. But suddenly pretty narrow when there’s a fire alarm and everyone rushes out at once.
IP Address —
It’s like a postal address for the internet.
This is a numeric address that identifies where a destination computer is attached to the Internet, similar to a postal address for a destination residence or business.
It’s like telephone numbers.
The telephone system works because each number is different. The numbers also contain general information about which country and region you are in. With IP addresses, you can have a static address (the same number all the time – like your landline), or a dynamic address (a temporary number assigned each time you make a call – like using a random payphone).
It’s like the number on your team shirt.
Michael Jordan will always be 23. Wayne Gretsky will always be 99. But most players will take whatever number they’re given.
It’s like the postal system of the internet.
You address a package, drop it into the system, and someone gets a nice web page through their letterbox.
Check it out for yourself, and share it with your patrons!
We know that several of our CMLE members are working with technology, so wanted to pass on this call for contributors to a column for the Journal of Academic Librarianship, Even if you are not working in an academic library, you may still have experience that would be valuable for this audience. I would guess there would be interest in the work high school library people are doing to get students ready for higher education of all sorts. And of course people working with technology in college libraries of all types would have something valuable to contribute.
If you are interested, but but not sure where to start; feel free to check in with us at CMLE Headquarters! We can help brainstorm ideas, get your work outlined, and help edit before you submit it.
Share your ideas and your experience with the profession!! Your voice is valuable and important to hear!
Proposals sought for single authors or contributors for new monograph covering different aspects of analysis and assessment across technical services.
Proposal submission deadline: March 17, 2017
ALCTS Monographs is seeking proposals from single authors or contributors for a new monograph covering different aspects of analysis and assessment across technical services, from beginning to end. The purpose of the monograph will be on how to incorporate assessment and analysis work into a library’s existing workflow.
Intended Audience: Technical services managers, administrators, and deans, anyone interested in learning more about employing assessment in their work.
From the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL):
The ACRL Instruction Section, Instructional Technologies Committee, has published their latest Tips and Trends article, “Digital Labs,” written by Suzanne Julian and Patricia McPherson. Tips and Trends introduces and discusses new, emerging or even familiar technologies that can be used in library instruction. In the latest installment, learn about digital labs in academic libraries, the services they provide and how they can benefit library instruction. “Digital Labs” is freely available at http://bit.ly/tipsandtrendsfa16.
Our committee would like to see what’s happening at the digital lab in your library and invite you to share images to our Digital Labs album. We developed this album because we wanted to create a resource for digital lab personnel to highlight their space and a forum where those considering developing a digital lab or makerspace can turn to for ideas or inspiration. We welcome your contributions and encourage you to share it with colleagues who might want to share their work.
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