Emerging technologies in hospital libraries

1
Emerging technologies in hospital libraries

• Alexia D. Estabrook, MSLS, AHIP
• Information Services Librarian
• Providence Hospital, Helen L. DeRoy Medical
  Library
• alexia.estabrook_at_providence-stjohnhealth.org

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Blogs

• Definition
• Blog is short for weB LOG. A weblog is a type of
  web site that is frequently updated and intended
  for general public consumption.

3
Blogs (cont.)

• Uses in the hospital library
• Announcements (i.e. - What's New)
• What's New at Affinity Libraries
• Outreach
• Nursing Research Show me the evidence!
• New Acquisitions lists
• New Books at Affinity Library
• Exchange of Information
• Library Link - John D. Dingell VA Medical Center

4
Blogs (cont.)

• Related Links
• Getting Started with Blogging Software
• Weblog Compendium
• Medical Libraries that blog
• Commonly used Blog applications
• Blogger
• Wordpress
• TypePad / Movabletype / Vox / LiveJournal

5
RSS

• Stands for
• RDF (Resource Description Framework) Site Summary
  
• Rich Site Summary
• Really Simple Syndication

6
RSS (cont.)

• Defined
• A family of XML formats for sharing content among
  different Web sites.
• Often used in the delivery of blog feeds and the
  content of news-like sites.

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RSS (cont.)

• Raw RSS not useful on its own
• Example of raw feed
• Detroit Free Press Headlines
• Feed readers format RSS / XML into readable
  format.
• Bloglines
• Scripts format RSS / XML feeds so you can
  integrate them into your existing site.
• Information Today, Inc.

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RSS (cont.)

• Uses in the hospital library
• Pushing Information
• New Acquisition lists
• Ann Arbor District Library
• TOC delivery
• Adding XML links to EJournal a-to-z lists
• Pushing TOC RSS feeds out to patrons

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RSS (cont.)

• Uses in the hospital library
• Pulling information
• Save searches in XML
• PubMed
• EBSCOhost
• Subscribe to blogs, news sites, and TOC
• Bloglines
• Filter blogs for specific topics
• Technorati

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RSS (cont.)

• Related Links
• Information Pizza
• RSS Compendium
• Commonly used Feed Readers
• Bloglines
• FastBuzz
• NewsGator

11
Wiki

• Defined
• A wiki is a web application that allows users to
  add content, as on an Internet forum, but also
  allows anyone to edit the content.

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Wiki (cont.)

• Uses in the hospital library
• Reference tickler file
• Policies and Procedures
• Best Practices
• UBC HealthLib-Wiki - A Knowledge-Base for Health
  Librarians
• Library Success Wiki
• LISWiki
• Simple Content Management system
• Conference collaboration
• Internet Librarian 2006 Conference Wiki

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Wiki (cont.)

• Related links
• Wikis A Beginners Look
• Commonly used Wiki applications
• Pbwiki
• MediaWiki

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Conclusions

• Web 2.0 applications can be a free or low cost
  way to add value to your services.
• Server-side options mean you dont necessarily
  deal with IT.
• Applications are relatively easy to set up, even
  easier to maintain.
• You dont need to know the nuts and bolts of
  technology to use.