Chapter 5 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 7), “The Things No One Seems to Talk About,” concludes the technology report with a discussion about a few useful topics relating to crisis management that the author has seldom, if ever, heard discussed among his peers.
Chapter 3 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 8), “Using the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit,” covers a few different approaches for how to use the toolkit (as a whole or in pieces). It also uses anecdotes from the pilot process to illustrate how the toolkit can be utilized (e.g., to discuss connection speed problems with an internet service provider beyond describing the connection as “slow”).
Chapter 3, “Transcripts,” of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 3) introduces the concept of transcripts and specifically delves into the reasons that transcripts can be of use even if videos are already captioned, including not only how they expand access but also how they facilitate other ways of using and navigating video content. The chapter also explains other advantages of offering descriptive transcripts for all audio content. It concludes with best practices for transcripts that will improve access to video content.
Managing IT in a library crisis means managing the crisis. Be flexible—in approach, with staff, and with yourself. Understand going in that you aren’t going to be able to cover every base and no one expects you to. If you’re an IT manager you have a whole team that you’re leading. If you have been as fortunate in your career as I have been, that means that you have a team of colleagues with great skills and great ideas. They’ll be relying on you to make difficult decisions (and take responsibility for them), keep organizational communication active (both vertically and laterally), and coordinate their efforts, as well as enacting ideas of your own. The organization will be relying on you to project confidence, make yourself as available as possible, and react in an agile fashion as conditions change.
There are numerous considerations to take into account when designing a repository. It can be valuable to choose the appropriate cloud service provider, implement project management strategies, understand the requirements of all stakeholders, and assess available resources before starting development of the project. It is also helpful to have some understanding as to the technical solutions that cloud service providers offer.
Chapter 2, “Captions,” of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 3) introduces the concept of captions, including the history of their development. It explains the difference between closed captions and open captions. The chapter also introduces the key audiences for captions in different settings and how they use captions. It details the key considerations in deciding how to create captions. It also offers best practices for creating effective captions that will provide meaningful access for users.
Chapter 1 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 2), “Mobile Technology in Libraries,” presents a brief overview of the mobile revolution that has taken place in the past twenty years. It covers the technology involved, current statistics focused on mobile technology growth, how mobile technology has changed business practices, emerging trends with mobile technology, and how mobile technology is affecting today’s library.
Chapter 3 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 6), “Components,” explains that metadata application profiles (MAPs) have four components: the application, entities, properties, values. When an application requires a MAP, entities are the things described. Arguably the main purpose of a MAP is to identify properties describing entities. Properties have values also described by a MAP. MAP components are familiar to metadata professionals, but MAP contents have changed, largely due to the increasing adoption of linked-data practices.
Chapter 3 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 4), “Creating Adaptable Digital Preservation Workflows,” focuses on engaging with donors and creators before materials are acquired by the institution. This engagement should include educating donors about what disk imaging and digital forensic procedures could uncover and getting the donors’ informed consent for these digital preservation methods. The second half of the chapter details specific steps for acquiring digital materials from a donor and how to document that transfer process.
The onset of a crisis often presents IT departments with sudden challenges. Departments need to respond swiftly to these problems and prioritize crisis response work. Chapter 2 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 7), “Triage and Immediate Challenges,” describes that process.
Chapter 5 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 2), “Mobile Technology in Libraries,” covers how mobile technology and tools can benefit library staff. This chapter includes providing smartphones and tablets for staff, using mobile devices for outside library events, using mobile devices for video and social media, creating a photo booth for customers, and using tablets as digital signage, catalog kiosks, and exhibit accessories. Staff-focused mobile apps are also discussed.
Many crises involve interruptions of access to physical spaces and materials. Chapter 3 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 7), “Transitioning to Digital Services,” discusses how library IT departments can help their libraries transition to digital services to serve patrons and preserve as much resource availability as possible.
Consider some suggestions and general guidance when building the repository. There are some possible failure points to look out for, and it can be particularly important to pay attention to costs when working with cloud technology, as they can quickly grow when using readily available cloud resources.
In order to adequately discuss crisis, we need to define what a crisis is. Chapter 1 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 7), “What Does a Crisis Look Like?” describes crisis conditions and what they consist of.
Chapter 2 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 8), “Using the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit,” covers the self-guided portions of the toolkit (sections 4–8), showing examples of toolkit resources and how they support technology troubleshooting efforts.
Chapter 4 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 8), “Using the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit,” discusses the origins of the toolkit and how the author built upon field experience in small libraries in Colorado and Texas to discover areas where libraries needed technical guidance. It also illustrates some of the ways the toolkit has been used by various organizations to better library services and technology.
Chapter 2 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 4), “Creating Adaptable Digital Preservation Workflows,” introduces what a workflow is. It then moves on to discuss why documenting current digital preservation practices as a workflow is important. It also provides a method for documenting workflows, alone or in a team setting, and includes references to other potential documentation methods.
Chapter 1 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 57, no. 8), “Using the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit,” covers the history of the toolkit, describes its open licensing, and explains how a group of subject matter experts were pivotal to its success. It also credits leaders and advisory boards for both the Toward Gigabit Libraries and the Gigabit Libraries and Beyond projects.
The process of building a digital repository can be a large and potentially difficult undertaking for libraries. A digital repository can be a valuable resource for patrons and community members but may require significant technology resources to successfully implement. Cloud resources can be used to create digital repositories that meet the needs of different institutions.
