OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE AND LIBRARIES

Faster, stronger, cheaper and a hell of a lot cheaper…. in fact FREE! ‘Open Source’ software is a fantastic innovation which Libraries are embracing globally and will, I think, be the way of the future, as libraries become innovative with using/redesigning these programs.

The great thing about ‘Open Source’ is that it supplies the original coding (programming) software to users and this means you can modify the code to suit yourself:  read it, change it, or even build new versions. This is not to be confused with ‘Free Software’ that is similar but doesn’t necessarily mean it is free. This refers to ‘freedom’ not actually to the cost. Users are free to use it but the ‘source code’ is not available.

USEFUL WEB 2.0 APPLICATIONS AND LIBRARIES

Over the last 18 months or so I have been excited about learning about Web 2.0 tools and their usefulness in a library situation. Although at first it was very daunting with a bit of perseverance I have developed new skills and found ways to include these tools within my own life and work within the library and introducing them to other staff and students and helping them to become familiar with them. Teachers and students are becoming so innovative at using the Web 2.0 technologies to enhance their school work.

I personally use Shelfari which is an excellent tool for organizing my reading materials. The virtual bookshelf helps me to record, rate and review the book I have read as well as books I intend to read or have leant to others. I have introduced this tool to many workmates, including book clubs.

CLOUD COMPUTING & LIBRARIES

I believe cloud computing is the future… like it or not! Operating your business using ‘Cloud’ computing reduces the costs of running businesses considerably. There is a reduction in cost for purchasing and maintaining IT hardware, software and service costs. Purchasing lots of programs and having to regularly updating to the newer version will be a thing of the past as the cloud will always have the most up-to-date programs. I believe this will also reduce the amount of IT staff needed to service and maintain computers as maintenance and upgrades will become a lot easier as the service providers will take care of this.

Using the ‘Cloud’ will improve data backup and disaster recovery as I would assume it would be more reliable and would be constantly backed up with not as much chance of viruses getting into your items. It will more than likely be providing businesses a faster time to market their business to their clients and the world.