Library/Media Technology 115 Internet in Libraries

Library/Media Technology 115Internet in Libraries Wednesday 6:00- 8:50 PM R-206 Instructor: Ron Karlin (661) 362-3358 ron.karlin@canyons.edu

What this class is about… • An introduction to the basic concepts concerning the Internet as a technology and information resource • An introduction to concept involving the application of the Internet by libraries

What to expect… • Information about the pertinent topics disseminated via Power Point slide shows, Web site demonstrations, and assigned readings

What is expected from you… • That you show up for class… • …and participate • …and do the assigned readings before class meets • And that you do the writing assignments and turn them in on time!

What will the final project consist of? • 1. An annotated bibliography ( 10-15 sources ) on any topic that has some relationship to what has been discussed in class, to be approved by the instructor (note: spelling, punctuation,and grammar count, as does creating correct MLA citations) • 2. A oral report (no more than 10 minutes long!) in which you present the ideas discussed in your paper. This involves more than just reading your paper aloud. You may, for example, want to use handouts or a Power Point presentation. These are just two examples. Be creative!

What will the final exam consist of? • A series of multiple choice questions that will cover information discussed in class lectures and assigned readings as found in the packets given to you.

Percentage weight of assignments • Final exam: 10% • Final project: Written 20%, Oral 20%, 40% total • Two individual article commentaries, 10% apiece, 20% total • Class participation: 30%- this includes involvement in class discussions (mainly based on the readings); participation in weekly lab activities and a written lab report • Final grade: 90-100 points=A;80-89 points=B;70-79 points=C;60-69 points=D

About class participation…. • DO: speak! comment! ask questions! • DO NOT: shout things out without raising your hand (leave that to the instructor); insult or belittle you classmates. In short, be respectful. And now without further adeiu…

Regarding office hours… I have no specific office hours, but I am very easy to contact if you need to discuss something with me. Simply call me at 661-362-3358 or email:ron.karlin@canyons.edu

Introduction to the Internet So what is the Internet anyway? There are several ways that you can view it…

… as a technology • that has its origin in a project called ARPANET created in 1969 by the U.S. Department of Defense. • that uses a series of protocols (commands) called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) • that has branched out in a number of directions since its creation, such as the World Wide Web, which by using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), allows users to easily navigate back and forth within a document and within the Web as a whole.

…as a communication medium • that allows individuals or groups to send electronic mail (e-mail) to any other computer that has an Internet connection, regardless of where the parties are geographically • that allows for the transmission of multimedia (sounds and images) including music and television

…as a research tool • that may provide access to educational, social and governmental information and may allow you to retrieve outstanding information resources not available elsewhere • that may provide access to overly biased, ill-informed and ill-conceived misinformation and may cause you to be completely misled if you don’t use it in an intelligent, aware manner

Why is the World Wide Web unique? The Web not only uses the revolutionary method of hyper-text but allows for the use of multiple formats and protocols. Examples are CGI (Common Gateway Interface) which allows online forms to be sent and received; and PDF (Portable Document Format), which can have appearance of “real” printed text.

Web sites: who creates them? When a Web site is registered, it is assigned a top-level domain name. This is the result of the Domain Name System (DNS). How can you tell who created the Web site? Here a helpful key…

.edu Indicates that the site was created by a person or persons affiliated with an academic institution. This could be the be the Web site of a university, a department in a university or an instructor in an academic .nstitution. Example: http://www.ucla.edu Note: academic institutions are also noted for hosting Web sites and maintaining listservs.

.com . Most often indicates that you are looking at a commercial Web site. This will often mean that the creator or creators of the site have an ulterior motive: selling goods or services. Example: http://www.walmart.com

.gov indicates that this is the Web site of a governmental department or agency Example: http://www.access.gpo.gov Note: the U.S. Government is the most prolific publisher in the world; much of that information is only available electronically.

.org indicates that the creators of the Web site are a non-profit organization. This means that they do not exist specifically for the purpose of selling goods or services. They more likely will be “selling” ideas or an agenda (though they may be selling memberships or t-shirts) Examples: http://www.nra.org http://www.aclu.org

Other significant Internet technologies • Telnet: allows for dial-up use of another network’s computer. Example: library online catalogs • FTP (File Transfer Protocol): allows for the transfer of large files or programs from one computer to another. • USENET: created for the purpose of exchanging messages among Internet users who have an interest in like topics. These like topics are organized into newsgroups.

How “big” is the Internet? Here is some idea…

How does the Internet serve as an information resource? • Through newsgroups (usenet) • Through media sites (Examples: cnn.com, msnbc.com) • Through online databases and repositories • Through informal communication via e-mail

Possible roles the library can play in an “Internet society” • As a gateway to online information via library Web sites, Web catalogs • As a place where the library’s clientele can access electronic information via public access terminals • As an instructional facility in which users can learn new skills related to the Internet via workshops

Possible roles the Internet can play in “Library land” • As a resource that enriches what the library has to offer to its clientele • As a resource that enhances the library’s services to its clientele • As a resource that adds to and supports the library’s over-all mission and purpose, be it educational, recreational

Why is it important for you as Library Technicians to be comfortable using the Internet? • You may be called upon to perform reference service that involves use of the Web • You may end up working at a library that has a Web-based OPAC and/or a sizable virtual reference collection • You may need to communicate with colleagues on site and at a distance using e-mail • It’s important that you keep up with new developments in technology.

The Internet and Libraries: Worlds Collide? The Internet is by its very nature a dynamic, ever-evolving medium. Can it be incorporated into a traditional , often very static institution like the library? Perhaps the question is not why but how…

Library/Media Technology 115 Internet in Libraries