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I have a favor to ask the OLA-IT members. My LRC at Tulsa Community College is assembling it's first annual statistical report concerning the use of our databases. We are using the stats that the publishers make available and we bought WebStats to put counters on certain pages (realizing that there are arguments that page counters are useless). I am asking: do any of your libraries assemble a statistical report that summarizes the activity of your library web pages and databases? If the answer is "yes" is there a possibility that we could have a copy? We would like to see how our database experience compares to others in our region. As it stands we have no way of knowing if our experiences are typical on a local/regional level. Any advice is also welcome. Thanks.
Jeff Siddons
Tulsa Community College
PS: I hope this is a permissible use of our blog.
Jeff Siddons
Tulsa Community College
PS: I hope this is a permissible use of our blog.
4 Comments:
Of course it is. This sort of question is just what I was hoping for.
At SWOSU we compile annual stats for databases and webpage separately. I handle the DB stats and because of the non-standard statistical methods each DB I tend to limit what I present in the annual report. So short answer: I would be happy to send to you what I do submit DB wise for the annual report. :)
Also, I find webstat a very handy lil webtracking tool--I use it for library stories.
July 19, 2005 meeting minutes
Hello All!
We had our first online meeting using SigmaChat
(http://www.sigmachat.com/index.html) yesterday—and it worked pretty
well. The one thing you have to remember about SigmaChat is it does require java to be enabled/plug-in installed on your machine. You may need to ask your IT departments to give admin over ride to enable download of the java plug-in (if they don’t permit you to do it)—but since it operates in your browser there are no additional programs to download
(like aol, msn, or yahoo chats) and most should not have a problem with downloading that one plug-in.
We had a total of 8 people attend the online meeting and had a lot of discussion on what our workshop should entail.
If you are interested in reading the entire transcript from the meeting (8 pages) let me know and I will email it to you—but if you would like the executive summary then just read below. Also, if you belong to another OLAgroup (or know of a group) that may be interested in co-sponsoring
this workshop please have the chair of that group contact me so I can fill them in and they can attend our next online meeting!
Thanks for your time and I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting! -- Adri
And incase you miss it below
Next Meeting in the chat room
http://client0.sigmachat.com/sc.pl?id=102876
August 8, 2005 at 1:30 pm
OLA-IT Meeting July 18, 2005
Lasted from 1:38 until 3:04
Attendees:
Adri E-J (SWOSU)
Anna T (TCCL)
Kay B (ola)
Adrienne B (ODL)
Jason G (MPL)
Elaina S (OPSU)
Floater (wishes to remain anonymous)
Marilyn M (NWOSU)
Discussion of workshop and further development of break out sessions and flow:
Workshop will be February 24th at RoseState
Will include the following topics *note* if you have a particular
knowledge of or experience with one of the topics please contact Adri E-J about serving as either a speaker or research resource on the topic.:
Wireless Internet
Currently Adri is looking for people to discuss the
logistics/legalities of adding wireless in libraries. In response to a query to OLA(for Librarystories) Adri has heard back from Cameron, OSU,
Metropolitan LS, Muskogee, TCCL, SWOSU, and an elementary school who have or will implement wireless in their libraries—There are probably more but they have not responded to the query. Perhaps one of these institutions
could talk about the process? (need a speaker)
Databases/Federated Searching
Elaina will lead the session on Database selection (perhaps a
Database Consumer report handout?) as well as the technology and thinking behind “Electronic Resource Management” (aka Federated Search) products.
Adri mentioned how the survey from the OLA Interlibrary Cooperation
Committee last year could assist in knowing which databases and types of databases are used in the state. Adri will help with Elaina with some of the research –but more help is needed.
Related links:http://www.serialssolutions.com/promotion/centralsearch.asp
Open Source Software
Jason mentioned how many of the machines initially purchased
via the Gates grants are becoming obsolete and many libraries may be
looking for inexpensive ways to upgrade to new machines. Adrienne had mentioned open source software earlier and Adri brought up how OSSwould be perfect for libraries with strapped budgets. Adrienne and Adri will lead the OSS sessions and will also look at what libraries in Oklahoma(and
outside of) are using OSStechnologies and how libraries in Oklahomacould benefit from going to OSS. *note* this topic replaces the proxy server topic that was on the agenda.
Related links:http://www.oss4lib.org/ http://www.webjunction.org
Gaming
More public libraries (and school libraries?) are organizing LAN nights (pc gaming nights) in their libraries. We need to find a
speaker from libraries that have had successful attempts with gaming programs to speak about the logistics/legalities/technology involved in developing this type of program. TCCL had a successful gaming night recently have any other libraries in the state tried this? (need a speaker)
Downloading Books (txt & audio)
Jason & Elaine are doing research on this topic but are not presenting it. Need to find a speaker from an institution that has successfully planned/or instituted download of books in text and (hopefully) audio
formats. If anyone knows of such an institution in Oklahomaplease contact Jason and or Elaina. (need a speaker)
Related
links:http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,64282,00.html?tw=wn_story_related
RFID
Would like to find a speaker from an institution that has implemented RFID. Perhaps someone from OSU-Okmulgee(?) or Cameron? (need a speaker)
Next Meeting http://client0.sigmachat.com/sc.pl?id=102876
August 8, 2005 at 1:30 pm
Next meeting we will be giving updates on speakers/research we have found as well as any food recommendations for the workshop. If you have questions prior to the meeting or would like to test out the chatroom please email Adri!
8/8 OLA-IT Meeting Minutes
1:30 - 3:21
Attendees
Adrienne (ODL)
Adri (SWOSU)
Anna (TCCL)
Elaina (OPSU)
Jeanie Johnson (OLA Pres)
Jeff (TCC)
Linda (NSU)
Marilyn (NWOSU)
Nancy(Buckley PLS)
Food & Co-sponsorship
Food will be a catered boxed lunch. Anna will email OLA DRoC chairs about potential co-sponsorship. UCD may be interested in co-sponsoring
and we may hear something from them after their September meeting.
Wireless Internet
We have an interested speaker! Jeanie notified us that Oklahoma Christian University has gone wireless and Tamie Willis is interested in being a potential speaker. Anna will contact Tamie and begin to work out details
Databases
Elaina, Jeff, and Linda will work together on this expanded topic.
Databases has been divided up into two session (replacing RFID).
Database sessions will discuss ERMS as well as Federated Searching.
Elaina said David Landis from Serials Solutions has volunteered to come talk about their FS product. We also talked of discussing the products from the following: Endeavor, Innovative, SFX, and Fretwell Downing.
OSS
Adrienne has been leading this preparation with some help from Adri.
Although there are no libraries actively using OSS products in Oklahoma a couple of state agencies are making the switch--including the Dept. of Commerce. Members are encouraged to look over the rough outline for the session (submit comments) and visit the related links:
Taking the Fear out of Open Source: What’s Wrong with Windows?
-What is Open Source?
-History & People
-Intentions (Free Speech & Free Beer, GNU, Sourcecode)
-What is has become to be (Community)
-Why Open Source?
-Cost (OS v Windows)
-Security (OS v Windows)
-User controls computer / Computer controls user
-Support
System Requirements
-OSS for Windows
-OSS for Linux
-LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, (Perl, Python, PostgreSQL, PHP)
Getting Your Feet Wet With Open Source Software
-Sourceforge
-Freshmeat
-oss4libs
-Free Software Directory
-Live CD’s
Going All the Way
-flavors or distros
-Debian, Redhat, Suse, Mandriva
Related links: http://www.oss4lib.org |
http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue30/techwatch/ | http://www.mamboserver.com/
| http://okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=com_news_rotation&Itemid=59 |
http://www.ala.org/ala/lita/litaevents/litanatlforum/forumpreconf/pc3-morga
n.pdf | http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue10_8/kshetri/
Gaming
Anna is going to network with other librarians in the state who have successfully implemented gaming into their library programming. She will work on an outline for this session and should have a tentative outline by our next meeting.
E-books (txt & audio)
Elaina and Jason have been working on this portion a lot. Below is some of the information they have uncovered.
Sources:
• Hear Here: Audio Book Trends in Libraries(ALA 2005 program)
• www.recordedbooks.com
• www.overdrive.com
• www.audible.com
• www.netlibrary.com
• Aiden E. Street, MLIS, Children's Services Manager, Moore
Public Library (astreet@pls.lib.ok.us)
• Lynn Wallace, MLIS, Access Services Librarian/Faculty Support
Librarian, OSU-Tulsa Library (lynn.wallace@okstate.edu)
• Joan Singleton, Library Director, Bartlesville Public Library
(jsinglet@bartlesville.lib.ok.us)
• Beth DeGeer, Assistant Director, Bartlesville Public
Library(bdegeer@bartlesville.lib.ok.us)
Libraries Investigating Audio and/or Text downloading:
• MoorePublic Library – looking into subscribing to a vendor
service to be piloted at Moorefor the Pioneer Library System
• OSU-Tulsa Library – looking into a product from NetLibrary or downloadable audiobooks
• BartlesvillePublic Library – attempting to go live with their
portable audio book service at the end of September 2005
Audio & Text Book Evaluation
• many of the current vendors downloads are not compatible with
iPod
• vendors explained it is proprietary on Apple's part and that the encryption the vendors used was not supported by Ipod
• never having to worry about someone returning a book late or
damaged
• average costs with discounts will actually be cheaper to
purchase titles this way versus on tape or cd and will last infinitely longer
• virtually NO salaried staff members responsible for processing
the materials
• no need to empty book drops
• no need to check for all the pieces or replace damaged cd's or
tapes
• can be renewed electronically
• as of yet there is no way to return a title early
• meaning once title checks out it stays checked out until the
set time when it expires on the computer
Logistics:
• Would customers be able to download from the library's computers onto their own devices (content control) or would it have to be done from home?
• How much time and money will be spent to advertise/train staff to educate customers?
• consider the times for downloads (broadband vs. dial up)
Walk Thru Example (overdrive.com):
• order copies of a title
• customer logs into library site from home
• customer "checks out" the title which means downloading to
home computer
• title will remain checked out to the customer for three weeks
(stays on customer's hard drive )
• after three weeks are up the book expires, no longer
accessible (but remains on hard drive until erased)
*Remember*
Outlines for the workshop sessions should slowly be coming together. If you have an interest in helping out with a particular session please contact me and I will put you in touch with the organizer of the session.
Also, if you have good experience in scheduling workshops (what occurs when, who should be where when, etc) your help is needed!
I hope to see you all at our next meeting September 9 at 10:00 in the OLA-IT chat room http://client0.sigmachat.com/sc.pl?id=102876
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