eBooks

I'm growing more convinced that ebooks are more important things than we think. The amount of information in use and around us can't be properly used and accessed with traditional means. For instance, I'm writing this blog on a cell phone. I just started to use Swype as a super fast way to type. Without it. I'm sure I wouldn't type as many blog posts on my cellphone. But the technology allows me to get these posts out at rates previously not tenable. I'm sure now I will be a more frequent blogger. 

The print book, I am sure is not the best way to use information in the twenty first century. This, will be proven over the rest of this decade. With six more years left, the end of this decades will look radically different from 2014. However, the gap between the technocrats, and the,"others" is growing. Many don't want to join in on all the fun. They are scared, and rightly should be. I'm sure a historical overview of the vicissitudes throughout history will show a constant fear of change, especially a fear that resided amongst governments and those in power. However, the fear now is amongst the population. 

The changes in human brains are requiring that more complexity be added to everything from simple kid cartoons, to television shows. Music videos and videos games. And now books. Just like a tv show from the 1950's would be too dull for our twenty first century minds. So too are print books. Now augmented reality definitely changes things and throws a wrench into the demise of the print book. Being able to augment the pages and add a layer of reality to the print world is the only way that such a format could survive. But it will resemble the ebook in many ways. 

The ebook is the future. 

2nd day with Glass at JJC Library

Today was another fascinating day with Glass at JJC library. Fighting off the onslaught of those curious individuals wanting to try on glass was perhaps the low point of the day. At the developer's/explorer's price, this is a difficult decision to make. I would assume that most explorers want to share this wonderful technology with all, but the same price barrier that prevents the masses from owning a pair is also the same barrier that may prevent those masses from trying on an explorer's pair. With that said, I only let one of my colleagues, a fellow Librarian try them on. While navigating to my blog's control panel I stumbled upon an article on Glass. This article referenced the serious probably that fog and humidity causes for the glass lens on Glass. Under these atmospheric condition it is very easy for the aluminum foil the encases the glass to peel. Fortunately, further forum investigation revealed that Google does replace this type of damage free of charge to explorers. I started taking pictures via Glass of all those that asked me "Is that glass?", by using the voice recognition feature of Glass.

Patron: "Is that Glass?"
Me: "Ok, Glass; take a picture!"

I will post the picture later.

I also spent some time considering what I will use Glass for in the Library. The most obvious (to me), use of Glass would be to assist in the searching for quick reference information through voice recognition and also as an aid to find books on the shelves. The latter would be a phenomenal project and would require that the library be mapped out, possibly, with Google Maps; similar to how The University of Virginia mapped out their Library. This would be a bog project but the benefits would allow us at JJC Library to serve our patrons and meet their information needs early on as they begin to funnel into the Library with their own wearables. I wonder though if physical books would still be in demand. I know they definitely will be in demand by some forever.

1. The project would require using a agoogle maps API to map out the Library's interior
2. Making sure that all the proper permissions are given from the institution.
3. Creating a user oriented layout that is both aesthetically pleasing and also has many features that will allow user to interact with the interface. Some features would be:

• 3D models that would allow for further inspection of individual objects within the Library's layout; for instance, virtual tours of classroom, conference rooms, study rooms, etc. 
• Pop ups with informational videos and captions.
• Virtual assistants
• GPS location of Staff and especially Librarians
• Computer terminal availability as well as room availability

Just some thoughts will add more later.....


 

Day 5 with Glasss at JJC Library

Day 5 is upon me and I had some frustration with Glass. Glass would not work for me last week Day 3 and 4. Glass had some serious power issues. Apparently the device goes into a low power state in which it will not boot up. Their is just a battery indicator that continues a fiil-up motion portraying that a device is charging. Google Support was helpful and gave me tips on how to troubleshoot the issue. They told me to plug glass into the wall via a charger. Let it charge for an hour and then unplug the charger and then plug it back in. Repeat this three times, then let it charge overnight. Apparently, this recycles the device. So it took a whole day (yesterday) to complete the process; and lo an behold it worked! However when I put Glass on this afternoon in the Library, it was back in that state again! Wow! This is a big problem!

First Day at JJC Library

My first day at JJC Library with Google Glass was an awesome experience! I have recently changed jobs so have not been posting. Upon walking into the building, right away the stares began. I was wondering what was bringing the extra attention on then I remembered that I had on glass. I discovered some thing about glass on my first day at JJC that I didn't know about initially. I realized that the battery isn't as bad as everyone says. As long as you are aren't shooting long videos non-stop or watching a movie, then the battery seems to hold up much better than expected. The use of Qr codes is a great way to use Glass in the Library. Many materials now come with Qr codes on them and this allows quick access to the information being link to through the code. This is great for reference interviews when information is quickly needed. However I have found that there needs to be some practice before engaging a patron with the use of glass. You don't want to be in a position where trying to figure out glass lengthen the Reference interview, in turn, irritating the patron, who may be in a rush or just don't want to play with your toy! Stay tuned for further updates!

21st Century Librarian?!!!!

First Morning With Glass

My first morning with glass was not with out incident. I still had the charger cord connected to glass and took it out the power supply as I rushed out the door. Unfortunately I did not realize that I dropped the earpiece on my front steps which caused my glass experience today to be limited. However, when I arrived at the library I was met with many stares and some people begged me to try them on, but I did not yield. I did feel bad though as I want everyone to experience glass. I wish that I could purchase a few for the library as I have seen other Libraries across the country do. I helped one student find some background information on the harlem renaissance by utilizing glass. Glass searched the internet for: 'harlem renaissance,' and then displayed an array of results. I clicked on the first one, wikipedia, and then glass kindly read the article to me, while I stood there looking at the glass screen. The student was looking at me as if i were a MS Windows application that she was waiting to load. I guess I was accessing brain memory.... So far glass has been awesome!!!

Opening Google Glass

This is the live event of opening Google Glass!!!

Anticipating Glass

This blog will cover a librarian's quest with Google Glass. The possibilities for Glass in the library has really piqued my interests and I am very excited about sharing my experience with those interested in Libraries or anyone who wants to know. I plan to create a video of me opening glass for the first time in my next post. Be on the look out!!!! I will also host a Hangout on Air Event and broadcast it to YouTube and possibly some other sites. I plan to use Glass in the Library as a Reference tool as part of the concept of Peripatetic Librarianship, which is similar to iRoving; but expands on the concept to include a pedagogy that allows students to  interact with Librarians on their own terms and in whatever manner they choose. Basically, the Librarian will always be available and easily accessible.