Library Blogs-----Nov. 9, 2010

Libraries are becoming more high tech with updating their patrons or helping their patrons to do projects in the different levels of society positions. An example of a library blog for librarians would be the Libraryman. For patrons, a website that they could look at is http://blogs.loc.gov/loc/ which updates patrons on new bits of information or could visit http://blog.eblib.com/?p=2373.

Blogs help update the patrons on news of events and lists like new books or meetings. The library could have several blogs for book groups to make comments after comments on the book that they are reading or have one for updates on news. The reason for keeping the library blog for patrons is to make sure the patrons are knowledgeable of the different things that are going on.

The library environment is changing course and librarians have to keep up with the different social networks to help their patrons. One of the advantages that librarians have with a blog is that the patrons can write back to them in the comment box. Second advantage is to not waste paper when it could be sent to through a blog or other social networks. One disadvantage of having a blog is that a patron could post a rude comment and the library would have to negotiate in removing the message left or have a written apology. Second disadvantage would be not knowing if the patrons received the information or not.

Degree Program and LIS 458----Nov. 9, 2010

I am an undergraduate who is getting a Bachelor's Degree from the Library and Information Science department at the University of Southern Mississippi. I am in my last semesters of classes and will graduate in Spring 2011. My degree program consists of the required classes plus the minor and elective classes. The required amount of academic hours for graduation is 124 hours. The degree gives the student opportunities to pick the minor of choice but the best idea is to choose wisely on what minor you want to stick with till the end of the completion of the hours. The program is a wonderful way to get a librarian degree to be in a school library or a public library.

One of the required classes that a student will need to have this degree is to take LIS 458. The name of the class is Internet Resources and Applications which is taught by Dr. Scott Klingler who challenges his students to be better and adds a bit of humor to make the course more enjoyable. The objectives are:

'Objectives: After completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Use the Internet to locate and access information
2. Use the Internet to communicate with others
3. Evaluate information located on the Internet
4. Create and maintain web pages
5. Demonstrate how the Internet can be effectively used in a library or other information center environment
6. Discuss ethical and social issues related to using the Internet
7. Be familiar with the history, development, and governance of the Internet '

(Dr. Klingler's Syllubus)

The class puts the information into a new perspective with the chapters required to be read plus the weekly discussion online.