This document provides recommendations for free and easy-to-use technology tools for libraries, including Google Calendar, Google Docs, Zoho Creator, Screenjelly, Dropbox, Gimp, and Remember the Milk. It discusses considerations for open source tools like privacy, access, and uptime. Examples are given of how each tool has been used by various libraries for tasks like event booking, documentation, databases, tutorials, file sharing, graphics, and task management. Resources on open source software and cloud computing for libraries are also referenced.
Keep It Simple, Stupid: Free Tech Ideas for Libraries
1. Keep It Simple, Stupid
Free and Easy-to-Use Tech Ideas
for Your Library!
Bill Helman
Integrated Digital Services Librarian
University of Baltimore Langsdale Library
Alison K. Cody
Public Relations & Instruction Librarian
Loyola/Notre Dame Library
2. With a little help from . . .
Cindy Fisher
First-Year Experience Librarian
University of Texas Libraries
University of Texas at Austin
Michael Spelman
Branch Library Supervisor
Madison Public Library
Madison, WI
3. First, a word about open source
Photos by flickr users lorispindler,
nathaninsandiego, digitalmagicphotos &
gamedayfocus
6. Things to consider
Privacy
Who owns your content?
How easy is it for someone else to get the keys?
Access
Only at a computer.
...with an internet connection.
Uptime
Recent Google and Amazon fails
Is there power at the library?
Installation
It's totally DIY!
...uh, maybe I should have called IT.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dykam/3840747324/
11. Dropbox
http://www.dropbox.com
http://www.flickr.
com/photos/darksidex/2533
664443/
Use Dropbox as a free (if limited) webserver
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8190488/index.htm
Or to share project files with colleagues at other libraries
12. Gimp
http://www.gimp.org/
Make a sign for a printer that kind of
looks like R2-D2
http://is.gd/gYHXFF
Or a sad-Mac sign letting users know
"this iMac is broken"
http://is.gd/5xy1lx
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rore/3312733806/
13. Remember the Milk
http://www.rememberthemilk.com
Script a library due date
reminder
http://is.gd/vczAn0
Or use it as a project
management tool
http://is.gd/Uh7aHx
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jelles/2902422030/
14. Resources: Open Source & the Cloud
Free and Open Source Software for librarians and
libraries (great explanation of FOSS @ beginning)
http://www.innovation.ukzn.ac.za/InnovationPdfs/No36pp1-
16keats.pdf
Free/Libre and Open Source Software and Libraries
Bibliography
http://www.zotero.
org/groups/freelibre_and_open_source_software_and_libraries_bi
bliography
Library Cloud Atlas:
A Guide to Cloud Computing and Storage
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6695772.html