Nice Nhet

Our class in LIS 260 went on a fieldtrip at UP Los Baños, Laguna last September 13, 2008. This was a part of our learning experience to be able to appreciate how an open source web-based application is used at UP Open University (UPOU) in particular the Moodle.

 I have to admit, I am super, very-very, to the max EXCITED!!! Try to imagine me waking up as early as 3:00 a.m. without having a good night sleep and arriving at the meeting place (UP Lib) around 4:30 a.m., only to discover later that we are scheduled to leave at 6:00 a.m. Hahaha!!!

 For the first time I saw the UP Library to be dark, silent and creepy. I really can’t bare myself looking around the trees imagining that I would see a “white, floating, long-haired woman.” Yiiiiiih…. After an hour (5:30 a.m.), I finally saw my classmates coming one by one. Yehey!!!

 Looking back, if we put together all the happenings within that day it was indeed a great experience like a fruit salad. Each and every ingredients composed the delicious and colorful endeavor. Although it’s hot and with a bit of hassles at first, we were able to explore UPLB happily and arrived home safe and sound.

 This event really made the class closer with one another. I had the chance to talk with my other classmates whom I don’t usually talk to inside the classroom. It was a nice feeling that I was able to exchange laughter, jokes and smiles with them outside the campus. The kulitan and picture-picture moments gave more sparks in the trip.

 Thanks to the following:

• Ms. Audrey and Mr. Larry for accommodating and touring us at UPOU.
• Prof. Primo for giving us an overview of the Moodle and how it plays an important role in the UP Open University.
• IRRI Cafeteria for the delicious and affordable breakfast.
• Kamayan sa Palaisdaan sa Bae for the sumptuous and super delicious lunch with the floating cottage effect and live “harana” band.
• To our Kuya drivers for the safe trip (with steaming aircon) Smile!!!
• To Melvin and Jem for organizing the tour and most especially;
• To Ma’am Sharon, without her UPLB trip will not materialize.

 This fieldtrip really developed camaraderie and socialization among the class. This is something that I will treasure.  

Looking back many years ago, library’s information retrieval systems has evolved and improved dramatically. From the traditional type like catalog and indexes, here we are with the fast and reliable computers. This technology in the library makes the searching easy and fast.

 

Classical information retrieval is text retrieval kind of IR. These are usually the library patrons and more on recall based searching. You usually need bunch of references in a particular topic and could possibly offer one correct answer and small or limited pieces of information only.

 

However, in the Web information retrieval we are searching more using different task and with high precision. No more exhausted searching. Web-based searching is a magic to everyone. It is available anywhere and anytime and with unlimited searching. it has a great impact to everyone and has help the world of business, entertainment, academic etc.

 

Web-based information retrieval in the library contributes to fast delivery of information to the users.

 

Personally, I enjoyed searching using the web but it doesn’t necessarily mean that I will forget the books which are more reliable. I may say that web-based searching is an additional reference but we should not be dependent on it because not all information found in it is 100% reliable.

 

Looking at the overall picture, web-based searching is more challenging, easier and faster compared to the traditional one but at some aspects books and printed materials are more dependable in a research.

 Digital media refers to electronic media that works on digital code. It is also defined as the creative convergence of digital arts, science, communication, social interaction, education, technology and business for human expression. Examples of digital media are cellphones, compact disc, digital video, digital television, internet, World Wide Web, video games etc.

Through the WWW, various and overflowing information emerged in different forms like audio, video, 3D presentation, animations etc. Access of information becomes more interesting and creative for the researchers. With the information explosion, most libraries started to equip their services and think of ways to meet the present demand. The Digital media opened the door for the digitization in the library.

A good example was a project called National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) in the Library of Congress for the collection and preservation of digital information. To lead this effort, the congress passed the Public Law 106-554 which is a special legislation appropriating $100 million to the Library of Congress with the goal of developing a national strategy to collect, archive and preserve the growing amounts of digital content, especially materials that are created only in digital formats.

With the help of their partners from different organizations, they have come up with the following goals:

1. Identify and collect at-risk born-digital content.

2. Build and support national network of partners working together to preserve digital content.

3. Develop and use technical tools and services for preservation.

4. Encourage public policy to support digital preservation.

5. Show why digital preservation is important for everyone.

Apropos to this technology, the need for digital media management system arises and becomes very useful for big organizations handling large chunk of digital data. Since media needs to be stored, indexed and managed having good digital media management software will help in archiving, retrieving, tracking and manipulating the digital data. It is a matter of choosing appropriate software that fits your requirement.

Having a digital library is having a network of multimedia system giving the clienteles fingertip access. The following are the ADVANTAGES of the Digital Library:

1. NO PHYSICAL BOUNDARY- users need not to go the library physically.

2. ROUND THE CLOCK AVAILABILITY- can be accessed at any time.

3. MULTIPLE ACCESSES- same resources can be used at the same time by a number of users.

4. STRUCTURED APPROACH- provides access to much richer content in a more structured manner.

5. INFORMATION RETRIEVAL- able to search term, word or phrase of the entire collection.

6. PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION- exact copy of the original can be made any number of times without any degradation in quality.

7. SPACE- has the potential to store much more information and requires very little physical space.

8. NETWORKING- provides the link to any other resources.

9. COST- maintaining a digital library is much lower than traditional library.

Putting up a digital library is not always favorable and rewarding. Aside from the computer viruses, lack of standardization for digitized information, health hazard nature of the radiation from the monitor etc. here are some DISADVANTAGES:

1. COPYRIGHT- digitization violates the copyright law since the content can be freely transferred without the knowledge of the author. The challenge is to how a digital library distributes information while protecting the copyright of the author.

2. SPEED OF ACCESS- the speed of access decreases as more and more computer gets connected to the internet.

3. INITIAL COST IS HIGH- the infrastructure cost like hardware, software, leasing communication circuit is relatively high.

4. BAND WIDTH- there is a need for a high band for transfer of multimedia resources but the band width is decreasing due to its over utilization.

5. EFFICIENCY- finding the right material becomes difficult due to large volume of digital information.

6. ENVIRONMENT- many people find reading printed material easier than reading on the computer screen.

7. PRESERVATION- due to technological developments, digital library can rapidly become out-of-date.

With the aforementioned positive and negative aspects of digital media in the library, I have reflected that we should take the challenge and be open to this technology. Like in business, we should meet the present demands of our customers to be effective. They are the blood and the reason for our existence. Digital media makes the searching easier and more accessible to the researchers that leads to customer satisfaction. It brings us closer to the world and it widens everybody’s horizon in researching in just a few clicks. It is really a great technology to maintain.

Through this, the role of the librarian becomes more challenging in terms of packaging and repackaging of information, for electronic publishing, for reference purpose etc.

At Marikina City Library, we have Computer Section where users may avail 30 minutes of Internet searching for free. This section is strictly for “online researching” only and is really in demand and always occupied. Sites like friendster, youtube, etc. are not allowed to be opened here. Aside from the fact that they may enjoy it for free, users find online researching fast and easy rather than going to the card catalog, get the call number, go to the selves, scan and browse the content etc. Yes, we also encounter problems like viruses invading the computer unit, overloading of some AVR, malfunctioning hardware etc. but we have Management Information System (MIS) department to maintain and troubleshoot these problems.

We are also working out on purchasing ten more computers to meet the growing demand for Internet searching and have prepared for making the library a Wi-Fi zone so that researchers may bring their laptop and do the searching in their respective tables.

On the other hand, traditional library should be maintained because other clienteles prefer printed materials right before their eyes or they are not versed or comfortable with digital media. We should make sure that we meet their needs as well. In addition, printed materials are also useful especially when there is no internet connection or when it is brownout.

For me, the library should pursue digitization and have this technology but NOT totally to replace the traditional library.

 

References: http://digitalpreservation.gov/library, http://liswiki.org/wiki/Digital_library

 

We were required to attend as per instruction of our professor in LIS 260, Ma’am Sharon a forum entitled “Strategies of Effective Searching of Information” last July 16, 2008. The rain was continuously pouring at that time due to typhoon Helen but it never hinders us to attend the much awaited forum.

 

I am fortunate that the City Government of Marikina shouldered the forum expenses amounting 200 pesos each participants. I am with my two (2) officemates and we are on official business.

 

I am so excited and set a very high expectation in the forum. The topic is very timely for my LIS 260 and for my profession. I also assumed that aside from the usual searching technologies that I know, I will add something advance in my list thru this forum.

 

Summing up the event, I came up with the following comments:

1. The speaker just read her PowerPoint presentations and was not able to explain the content thoroughly.
2. The transition in each slide was too fast. Therefore, important details were not given emphasis and clarifications like the Information Literacy Program, Web Harvesting, EBSCO, Pathfinder etc.
3. The questions raised by the participants were not answered by the speaker satisfactorily instead, she diverts her answers in other issues and connects it to the raised concern.
4. The forum was not able to attain their stated objectives which are as follows:
   1. To learn the new techniques in searching information.
   2. To know the research tools in searching information.  For me, no NEW techniques and tools were presented and it was not explained well to the participants.
5. It seems like the speaker was in hurry to finish her presentation and it was obvious that she was not prepared for the forum. Even the PowerPoint presentation was not that impressive. She even included her son’s photo commenting “anak ko yan, gwapo no? which is not necessary in this formal event.
6. No kit or handouts were given instead, she offered a CD copy of her presentation with additional 50 pesos payment and making side comments like “di naman kami katulad ng PAARL na maraming pondo.” Business? We were supposed to get that copy for free because we already paid 200 pesos.
7. Lack of certificates. Unfortunately, I am one of those who were not given the (low cost or xeroxed) certificate which is needed as our attachment and proof for attending the forum. They told us that they will email our certificates later. Well, there was lack of coordination between the organizers to reproduce additional certificates since the anticipated number of participants increased.
8. No evaluation sheet or feedback form was given for our comments and suggestions. This will indeed help them to improve next time.

 This was actually my very first time to attend a seminar displeased and disappointed because I cannot extract anything new and updated on the content. The 200 pesos payment for two-hour forum (which is actually reading of slides only), with children snacks and photocopied certificate is for me too much or expensive.

 

My 200 pesos would have bought eight kilos of rice where I could enjoy eating with my family for two days or my allowance for one day or 10 hours internet surfing in a computer rental shop.

 

Maybe because I expected too much and it was not achieved, it was really not worth the pay. I am sure that I am not the only one feeling this. There are others who came a long way outside Manila leaving their loaded work, filing a leave of absence, ignoring the heavy rain, having a long trip and paying the expensive fare, I am luckier!

 

The title should have been BASIC Strategies in Information Searching. Their title and objectives were really deceiving to the real content being presented.

 

Eyeing on their objectives, “to learn NEW techniques in searching information” was really interesting. Sadly, I may say that they fail to meet their own objectives. I should suggest that the speaker of this topic must be a Librarian 2.0 or someone more expert in this field. The speaker must also be equipped and capable of answering the participants’ queries.

 

After the forum, I told myself I should have spent my day at the UP Registrar’s office for my campus I.D or should have cataloged many books or have uploaded my new reading assignment. Sorry to say, but I really wasted my time in the said activity.

 

Our ordinary class with Ma’am Sharon and recently with Sir Robert was incomparable with this forum.

 

But looking at the experience positively, I learned the following:

 

As organizers we should:

1. Invite a speaker expert in the subject matter.
2. Give a clear title to the forum.
3. Make sure the “fee” you are to give suits the type and quality of the forum that you will have.
4. Make sure that all the participants will get certificates after the forum.
5. Ensure that the participants will learn something new and will look forward for another forum.  

As a speaker:

1. Make sure you can meet the participants’ expectations base on your profile.
2. Prepare a very nice and interesting presentation.
3. You must have mastery on the subject matter you are to discuss.
4. Know your participants for you to know the level of your presentation.
5. Avoid too much side comments when delivering your presentation. It makes some of the participants irritated.

Sorry I’m a bad girl :)

TITLE OF THE ARTICLE: Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries

AUTHOR: Jack M. Maness

PUBLISHER: Webology

URL: http://www.webology.html

 

ABSTRACT:

The article discussed the definition and theory of Library 2.0. , Web 2.0 and Librarian 2.0 and its implications to the libraries.

 

The technologies under the Web 2.0 were also identified and discussed which are as follows:

1. Synchronous Messaging – also known as instant messaging (IM) which allows real-time text communication between individuals. It was employed to provide “chat reference” service in the library where patrons can communicate with the librarians.
2. Streaming Media- uses both video and audio media. Through this, library instruction was delivered online incorporating more interactive and media-rich facets. The text-based explanation  was replaced by experiential tutorials like the Peer Reviewed Instructional Materials Online (PRIMO)
3. Blogs and Wikis- blogs enable the rapid reproduction and consumption of Web-based publications while wikis are essentially open web-pages where anyone registered in it are allowed to publish, amend and change the posted information.
4. Social Networks- enables messaging, blogging, streaming media and tagging.
5. Tagging- enables the users to create subject headings and it allows users to add and change not only content but content describing the content.
6. RSS feeds- provide the users to syndicate and republish content from other sites or blogs on the Web.
7. Mashups- is a hybrid application where two or more technologies of Web 2.0 are combined.

 

THREE THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY READING ASSIGNMENT:

With further analysis of the different Web 2.0 technologies, I have chosen three (3) best applications for the library and they are:

 

ü      Social Networks which is for me is an all-in-one package of online information dissemination that promotes interaction between the librarians and patrons. Both parties may also share and exchange resources as well. The role of this technology widens the scope of the library. In addition, the presence of the user’s online recommendations and comments gives way to the improvement of the library services.

 

ü      RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds in the library gives the users an easier access of information regarding the new items in the collection, new services and new subscription databases by republishing these updates into the their sites. RSS is really simple because the users do not need to go to the library’s site regularly instead, the information about the library’s update will automatically go to the user’s site…. Cool….

 

ü      Mashups which is a hybrid application must not be out of my list. Having this technology will mean having a Library 2.0. that is a user-centered and user-driven.

                       

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW THINGS I LEARNED TO MY WORK / TO ME AS A PERSON:

There is really a lot to explore in this field. Web 2.0 invaded the library world to the fullest. It enhanced and elevated the services and features of an information storehouse.

 

It is really a must to have an internet connection in the library because it connects us outside and widens our linkages.

 

I can compare the Web 2.0 in the library as cooking in the kitchen. The fire is the burning passion of the librarian and the users to utilize quality information, the pan is the library as a whole, the ingredients are the information which are seasoned, sauteed and well monitored, the ladle is the Web 2.0 technologies used to manage the information and the cooks are the librarians and the users that prepares and taste the sumptuous information.   

TITLE OF THE ARTICLE: Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries

AUTHOR: Jack M. Maness

PUBLISHER: Webology

URL: http://www.webology.html

 

ABSTRACT:

The article discussed the definition and theory of Library 2.0. , Web 2.0 and Librarian 2.0 and its implications to the libraries.

 

The Web 2.0 has substantial implications for the libraries and contributes to the intimate changes on how it provides access to the collections.  It was conceptualized by Tim O’Reilly and Dale Dougherty of O’Reilly Media in 2004. They said that the Web 2.0 is not a web of textual publication, but a web of multi-sensory communication. It is a user-centered Web. The current state of the Web today has evolved into a more interactive and multi-media driven technological space.

 

With the enormous influence of Web 2.0, the concept of applying it to the library services and collection began and was lately tagged as “Library 2.0”. It was defined as the application of interactive, collaborative, and multi-media web-based technologies to web-based library services and collections. The following are identified as the four (4) essential elements of Library 2.0:

1. It is user-centered
2. It provides a multi-media experience
3. It is socially rich
4. It is communally innovative

 

On the other hand, Librarian 2.0 acts as a facilitator and provides support to Web 2.0. They are not primarily responsible for the creation of the content. Thus, the development of the content involves the help of the users who interact and create resources with one another and with the librarians.

 

THREE THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY READING ASSIGNMENT:

ü      I appreciated the value of Web 2.0 as it gave meaningful change in the advancement of libraries making its collection more interactive and more accessible.

 

ü      Library 2.0 is a virtual reality of the library. There is an interaction with community, librarian and may share knowledge within the group. I also learned that Library 2.0 is not merely about searching but sharing of information.

 

ü      I may say that Librarian 2.0 serves as the guru of the information age. They must understand the Web 2.0 opportunities and must be an expert in the major tools it offers.

                       

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW THINGS I LEARNED TO MY WORK / TO ME AS A PERSON:

Well, I started to day dream as I read this article. How I wish Marikina City Library will be called Library 2.0 and me as Librarian 2.0 as well :)

 

 

This new readings motivated and inspired me to strive more in learning and discovering the most innovative and advanced technology used in the library. It was such a fruitful achievement giving information using this technology. It will take time to have this, but it is not impossible. With the fast transition of technology today, I should really start preparing myself to catch up with the trends and never stop learning :)

 

TITLE OF THE ARTICLE: Evaluating Interactive Information Retrieval Systems:  Opportunities and Challenges

PUBLISHER: CHI’2004 SIG (Special Interest Group)

URL: http://research.microsoft.com

 

ABSTRACT:

The article described how important the Information Retrieval System is to a wide range of enterprise, government, education and commercial applications. With its importance, the end user search experience is usually an impoverished one. Because of this, the need to evaluate IRS emerged to articulate why this is the case and to identify opportunities for improving the IRS.

 

Some of the criteria used for evaluating IRS were also defined which are: Relevance, Comprehensiveness, Subjective measures including user satisfaction and cognitive load, Quality of product and Confidence in product.

 

In addition to these aforementioned criteria, there can also have a few generic measures that would apply to interactive information retrieval systems regardless of domain and type of search and they are: Time to locate first relevant document, Time to generate sufficient set of relevant documents given task, Improved throughput (time to determine relevance of documents) and Confidence in recommendation or answer.

 

THREE THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY READING ASSIGNMENT:

ü      Information Retrieval is the science of searching for information within documents, databases and the World Wide Web. It is the engine especially in the library to deliver quality service and customer satisfaction in terms of giving the correct and accurate information.

 

ü      I realized that defining what criteria to be used in evaluating IRS is difficult and complicated. The usability of the information system is also an important criterion that allows the user to complete the basic task in reasonable amount of time.

 

ü            I have seen how demanding an Information Retrieval System is in terms of updating and upgrading to meet the challenges of searching effectively and efficiently.

 

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW THINGS I LEARNED TO MY WORK / TO ME AS A PERSON:

This topic made me recognize Information Retrieval System as a bridge of the researcher towards the document or information. IRS is indeed a part of the library’s daily operation. Fruitful information is never useful without an efficient Information Retrieval System.

 

Using the set categories in evaluating the IRS will help me out on how effective Marikina City Library is. Applying the fastest and accurate IRS to the library will indeed contribute to a quality service which most of the libraries aims to attain.

 

As one of the librarians of Marikina City Library, it is a challenge to us to evaluate and improve the information search techniques that we have and use the different criteria indicated in this article as guide to what is the best strategy in making the information retrieval system enjoyable, fun and effective.

TITLE OF THE ARTICLE: Boolean Searching

AUTHOR: Danny Sullivan

PUBLISHER: Search Engine Watch

URL: http://searchenginewatch.com

 

ABSTRACT:

The article described the Boolean search commands to be useful to professionals, students, etc. for searching through traditional databases for years. They are overkill for the average web user. In fact, many professionals might benefit by abandoning Boolean commands when using web search engines. But since there is a comfort level in using what is already familiar, the Boolean commands at the major search services are always in demand. Here are some of the Boolean operations:

1. OR – means any of the specified search items. It is described as a “Match Any Search” and it expand a search

· OR failed to work correctly in AOL Search

· OR will not work to find different phrases in Google

2. AND – is used to narrow a search and using the + symbol which is generally a good alternative

· You may find slightly different number of retrieved documents when compared to using the + symbol in AOL Search

3. NOT – is used in order to require that a particular search term NOT be present on web pages listed in results. Describes as “Exclude Search”. Using the – symbol is generally a good alternative.

· You may find a slightly large number of retrieved documents when compared to using the + symbol

4. NEAR –  is used in order to specify how close terms should appear to each other

· In AltaVista, near means that the terms will appear within 10 words of each other.

· You can control the exact number of words apart by using near/(the number) in AOL Search.

· In Lycos, near means the terms will appear within 25 words of each other.

5. NESTING ( ) – allows you to build complex queries. You may nest queries using parenthesis

 

THREE THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY READING ASSIGNMENT:

ü   I learned the importance of Boolean search in gathering information effectively. Knowledge of Boolean searching techniques is important for researchers to be successful in constructing searches in the catalog, databases and the Web. There are different requirements in the usage of Boolean command depending on what search engines you are using. In Excite, Google and MSN Search, the Boolean commands must be in uppercase and in Inktomi-services like HotBot, we should set the menu option on the homepage or advanced search page to “Boolean Phrase” when using Boolean commands.

 

 

ü   Aside from the advantage that Boolean commands allows us to find more specific information within each search field, I also learned that there are some problems like not all commands are applicable to other search engines, there are inconsistencies on the result to some search engines if Boolean command is applied and you must know the proper Boolean command used in a particular search engines because each have different format in recognizing Boolean.

 

 

ü   Even though Boolean searching has a lot of discrepancies or inconsistencies I was able to weigh its pros and cons and on my personal point of view, Boolean is better than nothing at all.

           

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW THINGS I LEARNED TO MY WORK / TO ME AS A PERSON:

As a librarian, knowing the different uses of Boolean commands helped me to be more effective and efficient in searching. This new knowledge will add up to my information searching skills. I can also impart this to some students since we have 30 minutes free internet inside the library. Using this Boolean strategy will help them maximize the 30 minutes search.

  

I got interested in this topic and I look forward to more readings later. I was amazed knowing that my strategy sometimes in internet searching was called Boolean searching.

TITLE OF THE ARTICLE: How does a Computer Process Data?

PUBLISHER: Abiva Publishing House Inc.

 

ABSTRACT:

 

A computer needs to go through a process called Data-Processing Cycle or DPC. The following are the steps in Data processing:

 

1. Collection of data – where we get all the data needed for processing.
2. Input – All the collected data are entered into the memory of the computer. We use keyboard or mouse in this process.
3. Processing – The computer arranges or processes all data entered into it. The data becomes information that we can use. It happens in the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
4. Output – In this step, the processed data is shown to us. We can see them in the monitor or printer.
5. Storage – which means “space for keeping something.”  In this step, processed data are stored for future use. We may also use diskette or USB in this procedure.

 

THREE THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY READING ASSIGNMENT:

 

ü      I learned that computers undergo many steps to process a data and just like any other cycles, it is never ending and it must go to step by step procedure.

 

ü      Using the mnemonics, I may tag the five steps of data processing as “CIPOS” to remember collection of data, input, processing, output and storage.

 

ü      Lastly, from my further readings, I also realized that data processing becomes the process of converting information into data and also the converting of data back into information.

 

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW THINGS I LEARNED TO MY WORK / TO ME AS A PERSON:

 

It was indeed additional information on how the computer works internally. I really appreciated the invention of computer more aside from the fact that it gives a huge impact to the mankind.

 

 In my work, it is more of realizing the value of this equipment which is my everyday partner in the office. These processes inside the computer are the key to its efficiency.

 

In a brighter aspect, we may imitate the organized process of the computer to our lives to be effective and worthy. We collect the good experiences that we have, we input them in our memory and we process through reflection and learning from it, the output is seen through the application of the new learning and we store permanently in our mind and heart this wisdom.