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Candidates facilitate and advocate for flexible, open access to library resources and services according to the ethical codes of the profession. Candidates design and develop strategic solutions for addressing physical, social, virtual, economic, geographic, and intellectual barriers to equitable access to resources and services.
Integrated Library System (ILS) Software
Integrated Library System (ILS) Software
Library systems software was designed to digitize a number of library operations including item check-in, cataloging, circulation, purchasing, and the online public access catalog (OPAC). ILS software has been found to improve opportunities for patron services by enhancing the concept of, “library as a place” motivating patrons to interact with their, “home” library more frequently. It also made requesting books easier for users. Participating in course discussions and writing response journals required taking a deeper look at questions that should be asked before purchasing a new library system. Completing this activity allowed me to explore and evaluate various open source system (OSS) software used in libraries. I developed a better understanding of how to operate these systems, how to select an appropriate system for different types of libraries, and how to purchase software online. I am interested in researching additional information about more libraries moving from Koha to Evergreen in order to make resource sharing within a consortia easier. Evergreen and Koha are the two most popular OSS ILS in the United States due to their customization possibilities (Singh, 2019).
Cieślak_Purchasing an ILS.pdfAssistive Technology
Assistive Technology
Imagine you accepted a job in a new library and realized that it had no adaptive or assistive technologies. Which technologies would you select for this library? How will they enhance the library experience for patrons?
This was the situation I was presented with in another course discussion recently, my response is below. The activity aligns with and helped me better comprehend ALA Core Competence 4A which involves technological knowledge and skills, information, communication, assistive, and related technologies as they affect the resources, service delivery, and uses of libraries and other information agencies.
Cieślak_Adaptive and Assistive Technologies.pdfDevices such as whisper phones can provide low-tech options for creating quieter libraries through voice amplification and acoustics. They promote accelerated learning and higher performance outcomes by aiding in the development of literacy.
Completing the following research allowed me to understand that sometimes, "assistive technology" does not have to be expensive to be considered effective. Technology assistance can be as simple as adjusting computer screen brightness.
Creating a presentation explaining how to perform various computer operations for users with vision impairments was a useful project that also prepared me to make similar tutorials.
Cieślak_Whisper Phones.pdfCieślak_Visual Impainments.pdf
Tutorials
Tutorials
Creating online learning tutorials are strategic solutions for addressing barriers to equitable access to resources and services. After reviewing the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP) online learning tutorials and knowledge base, I believe these elements will be key concepts for the future of libraries. FLP uses the term, “ehomework” to describe a link that directs users to a page of databases that will be useful for homework and research. Users need a library card number to log in to the databases. The knowledge base is a directory of information on topics that are frequently asked about.
Using this framework as a guide, I plan to create an ehomework tutorial that would assist users of all ages with homework and research. Google sites is the format I am most comfortable with when completing this type of work. I have also used other website developing tools such as Wordpress and Squarespace which I think are good alternatives. I would add links to databases the library uses to an ehomework page and links to information about topics that are popular among the library’s users on an FAQ page. The website could be used as the library’s main site or the links to ehomework and FAQ pages can be added to the library homepage.
Tutorials can also be completed in PDF format, slideshows, and many other ways like filming them and uploading videos to websites like YouTube, TeacherTube, or Skillshare. The following video is a quick demonstration of the web based staff client for Evergreen 3.0 on a mobile tablet.
Free Resources
Free Resources
ACCESS PA, Power Library, and Chat with a librarian are examples of free resources that can be used to break economic barriers. Librarians should also be available to answer questions through a variety of other methods such as text message or email.
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