Wikipedia, Gaming, Privacy, and Technology

So I am a little behind on reading my American Libraries and filling you all in on what is going on in the library world. So here are some snapshots of the past few months of American Libraries.

In August we see a look at Wikipedia and its use. The article starts by pointing out that many schools and teachers are not allowing students to use Wikipedia as a source when researching and writing papers. Some school systems have gone so far as to block the website all together from being accessed in the school library. It is suggested that instead of taking such drastic measures, librarians and teachers should take the opportunity to use Wikipedia as a tool to teach information literacy. This gives them a chance to teach students how to evaluate sources. So what can students learn from looking at Wikipedia entries? First off students can learn about whether the entry is bias on the topic and also to decide if the article is a good entry or a bad entry. From there the students can then learn about the sources by going to the citations in the entry and then tracing the original sources that the author cited. This teaches them how to search for and gather resources, what variety of sources are available at the library, how to request an item from interlibrary loan if the library does not own the item, and it also “gives the librarian a chance to explain how this content is different from what one might find with solely a Google search” (47). Not only does this teach them about searching, but it shows the variety of reliable sources that are available as well as make them more comfortable with using the variety of print and electronic resources. Our roles in this don’t stop there. After we librarians have helped them find the sources, it opens up the opportunity to teach students how to read, review, and analyze these resources critically as well as how to evaluate the source to see if it is useful for them.
The August issue also takes a look at gaming in the library. The article does this by looking the misconceptions about gaming. The first misconception about gaming is that it is a new activity in libraries. This is not the case. The article points out a few examples going back as far as the 1800s in England. How many times have you heard about chess, Scrabble, or other such games being available at library programs? Gaming is just not limited to video games. The second misconception about gaming is that it is only supported by a limited amount of libraries. The articles points out that 77% of libraries support some form at gaming, even if it is just having games available in the children’s area or allowing customers to play Web-based games on the computers. Third misconception about gaming is that it making an arcade out of the library. While there is much publicity about Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero, people need to keep in mind that there are many types of games available and it is a matter of finding the right fit for the right group you are targeting. After looking at the misconceptions about gaming, it looks at gaming being a form of participatory storytelling and some of the other advantages of gaming, such as the interactions being a way to improving “the relationship between players outside the game, even crossing traditional social boundaries” (51). Games give us a look into a different world with different rules and skills that are needed. A nice way of looking at gaming is that “librarians can consider gaming as ‘Storytime for the rest of us’” (51).

Now let’s turn to September. This month’s issue focused on privacy. The first article on privacy pointed out how many companies and the government collects personal data on people. It then points out that privacy isn’t just about records, but also includes surveillance cameras and the fact that “we’re increasingly invading each other’s privacy and exposing our own personal information” (57). Much of this comes from people, especially younger generations, using blogs and social networking websites. Rumors and gossip are now making its way on to the internet. So what does privacy involve? The author goes on to point out that “privacy is about much more than keeping secrets; it is also about confidentiality” (58). Some examples given were how libraries collect information on what our customers are reading, but that we have an obligation to keep this confidential, as well as doctors have our medical information, but also have a duty to keep it confidential. Maintaining data security is another aspect that is obligatory in possessing data. Having control over our information is another part of privacy; just because a company or the government has it “doesn’t mean that they should be allowed to use it however they desire” (59). So in conclusion “privacy thus involves more than keeping secrets—it is about how we regulate information flow, how we ensure that others use our information responsibly, how we can exercise control over our information, and how we should limit the way others can use our data” (59).
One of my favorite columns in American Libraries is by Mary Pergander called Working Knowledge: Professional Development. This month’s column is about continuing your education. This is not necessarily talking about pursuing a degree, but more about working on new skills, such as new computer skills, learning a new language, perfecting the speaking in front of an audience, etc. Some suggestions on how to accomplish these are looking into local adult education, maybe through local high schools or community colleges, parks and recreation centers. The local library system or state associations are other options. If you don’t want to take a class, maybe look at your local college or university for a lecture series or guest speakers. Taking advantage of employer tuition support is another option. Learning on your own at home by using CDs or DVDs from professional conferences, listening to podcasts from organizations, such as ALA’s Public Library Association are ways to learn as well, especially if you have a long commute. There are also free web-based tutorials that you can find also. There are many options for picking up those cool new library skills.

One of the featured articles in October’s issue is about libraries connecting with communities. The article talks about a study the done on public libraries called the Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study. In the study, they have visited 63 public libraries in Delaware, Maryland, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia with a mix of urban, suburban and rural libraries. They also talked to a mix of library users, staff, and trustees. When talking with the staff, “most directors told us that technology has become a selling point for the library” (53). By adding virtual users to the count of walk-in users of the library one library was quoted saying that “we’re seeing over 1,600 people a day” (53). With the downturn in the economy, many libraries are turning to grants, fundraising, and gifts when looking for funding for the library. When it comes to technology in the library “some staff estimated they spend up to 80% of their time on troubleshooting technology and teaching people how to use it. Helping people perform tasks such as filling out a job application can consume several hours and involve teaching such basic tasks as setting up an e-mail account” (53). With the amount of technology being used in public libraries, staff interviewed for the study “expressed concerns about their technical skills (or lack thereof). They said people expect more, better and faster service, and they count on library staff to be technology experts” (53). Even with this being the case, libraries are training their staff and helping with developing skills of their staff by sending them to trainings, having their IT people train frontline staff, and offering computer classes to the public, as ways to help train both staff and the public. The article also talked with the public also. When talking with the public, many were satisfied with the computers that were available within the libraries, with many saying that the computers were the primary reason that they come into the library. Many learned what they know about using computers for the staff at the library. Of the public that was interviewed “everyone agreed it is important, even essential, for libraries to provide public access computing” (54). The study can be downloaded for free at www.ala.org/plinternetfunding .
Also in October’s issue is the Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings for 2008. This study rates public libraries as well as takes a look at changes in public libraries, such as reference answers, circulation, funding, FTE staff, visits, and other such topics. With this study going into its second decade, the article takes a look at the history of it as well as other similar studies being done by other groups. More information on this can be found at www.haplr-index.com .

I know this is a lot of snapshots of the American Libraries magazines for August, September, and October. I hope you enjoyed reading them!