Activity 14: Learning Express Library

This database has expanded since I last showed it to others. There's usually an impressed reaction whenever I've shown it to people looking for study manuals and practice tests -- especially GED, TOEFL and ASVAB. 

I took part of a grammar test and found I could use some refreshing...ugh! A person has to concentrate pretty hard when reading the material on the screen. For those of us who learned with paper and pencil, the format could be challenging. That said, the content appeared loaded with good examples and easy to find reasons and remedies for mistakes.

Activity 13: Statistical Abstract of the United States

I was having fun finding out random facts about sports, health practices, Minnesota, then oops...encountered a page saying "Available in Print Edition Only". Not sure if Sun Ray will be housing a print edition or not. Will be finding out soon...

Exporting to PDF or Excel is really quick and searches come back really fast. Searching online seems to go very quick -- I've used the print edition perhaps a couple times using the index which now can seem cumbersome compared to keyword searching. Although flipping through print indexes can lead to another method of discovery withing certain topics.

Activity 11: Search Engines Beyond Google

Seemed like the listed search engines came back with similar results-lists based on my recent searches. Another one I experimented with was Dogpile -- pretty clean presentation.

Activity 12: History Day

Thank you for this opportunity to discover the National History Day project details. I've always been taken by surprise that "it's that time of year again..." for history projects and by that time, I'm just trying to help find source materials for students' requests. Now I have a broader understanding of the scope and goals for this rite of passage for some.

Activity 10: Transparent Language

Transparent Language has changed since the last time I used it -- for the better. The previous version was user friendly, too but this version runs faster and has a more contemporary look to everything from the connecting options to cultural pictures to the flashcard format. 

I like the bite-sized pieces of learning steps. The positive reinforcement of seeing the percentage complete jump up quickly helps keep the momentum going.

It appears not all of the languages have expanded options for the Explore and Connect sections. 

While we can't use it while driving a car like audio discs or files, the multi-media format keeps things fresh since we can jump around the learning formats without losing track of our progress.

The mobile app is a nice surprise for learning where ever the mood strikes.

Activity 9: Catalog Tips and Tricks

Showing searchers the links to the subject links is helpful as they often haven't seen that. I like the series links in the enhanced content although sometimes I encounter an item without the link. Linking to the KDL What's Next database somehow would be helpful -- this database is usually infallible for checking series' order: http://ww2.kdl.org/libcat/whatsnext.asp


The recommended reads or read-alike links often list items that SPPL doesn't own. Maybe there is a way to then link to recommend for purchase or only link to SPPL items.

Pointing out the School Library Journal review in the enhanced content usually is a good starting point for age level recommendations.

Activity 8: Points of View Reference Center

• Who are some potential audiences for this database?

High School and college students plus, people on a person inquiry on a topic on interest.

• What are some ways you promote this database to a potential audience?

School and class visits, when a person is stuck in finding an interesting topic for a report or project.

• How would you teach a potential audience to use this database?

How about hosting a Point of View Challenge? Topic ideas could be submitted in a box during a tour and when ready to show the database, the topic could be drawn from the box. The database could be projected on the big screen and volunteers could take turns navigating the database. A short team report could be composed based on the research including the citation, pictures and permalinks, etc. Print it out and hand everyone a copy.

Activity 7: Novelist

1. Looked at the Classics recommendations reads. Novelist comes back with results much faster than it used to, which is great. The format is clean and easy to read.
2. I think I'll use Novelist when someone is looking for different books to read when they've exhausted a certain author or series.

Activity 6: OneClick Digital

1. This went much easier than I thought it would...and remember hearing a couple years ago this database did not operate so smoothly. So far I like it.

Activity 5: Freegal

1. Seems like Freegal has improved its database since I last used the service. Much easier to search and get the results I'm looking for rather than irrelevant links. The album covers are a nice search result option, too. There seems to be more classical music now, however the children's music offerings are still limited. Can't wait to compare sound quality on my mobile device.
2. My mobile device seems stuck on the Terms of Agreement page with "Please wait..." message. I'll try finishing the app at home.
3. Patrons that I've helped who are really into music downloading have been happy learning about this service.

Activity 4: Zinio

1. This is the first time using Zinio for me although I've helped a couple patrons get started at Sun Ray in the past. Creating an account was pretty easy and searching as well. I like having a magazine on my mobile device.Keyword searching the magazine is a great advantage.

Activity 3: Cloud Library

1. At the time of my using the 3M app, the categories did not load -- maybe the wi-fi connection was slow. I think I prefer Overdrive over 3M.

Activity 2: Overdrive

1. My experiences have been pretty successful so far with Overdrive both as a user and helping patrons figure the system out. Patrons love the free service!
2. Checking out a book on my iPhone was easy! Reading the small screen format takes a little getting used to however...

Activity 1: Register

Am looking forward to learning more about the library's technology by finishing the DiscoTech 2014. I hope I can follow through!