This is the final post in a series of three postings where I provide a brief overview of top trending web 2.0 tools which are not covered in the book The Cybrarian’s Web An A – Z Guide to 101 Free Web 2.0 Tools and Other Resources. Please feel free to e-mail me (cybrarianweb101@gmail.com) similar tools you have discovered which are useful for libraries.
Dropbox is a free service that allows users to save, store and share content (documents, photos, and videos) on multiple devices (desktop, laptops, mobile phones) and on the native Dropbox website. Sharing this content with others is as easy as sending a URL link via e-mail to a file stored on the service. The service is offered as a paid monthly subscription or free service. The latter offers up to 18 GB free and support is provided for multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Mobile.
Tool @ work in Libraries: Promote this tool as a free service for storing and sharing content in multiple formats (documents, audio, video, images).
Infographics Tools
The infographics industry is currently booming as website creators and marketers are incorporating informative graphics to visualize a great story or visually explain a problem. This mass appeal lies in the fact that infographics are portable, highly visible thus attracting a lot of information, and simplifies the presentation of voluminous data.
Here are links to three tools that can be used to develop customized infographics:
Tool @ work in Libraries: View these effective use of infographics to market library services on Pinterest.
Project Gutenburg Authors Community Cloud Library
Project Gutenberg, developers of the first online platform for free eBooks, has progressed to the next logical step and created a free self publishing portal for authors. The purpose of this portal referred to as the Authors Community Cloud Library is to “create a cloud service for contemporary writers to share their works with readers”. There is built in two way interaction for authors and readers as every eBook has its own Details Page, Star Ratings, and Reader Comment area. Users can easily search for their favorite titles by keyword or limiting by genre categories such as adventure, art, biographies, children literature, education, fantasy and technology. There is no charge for using this service. Registration is not required for reading or downloading the eBooks. However, registration is required to upload a book or post a comment.
Tool @ work in Libraries: Promote this tool on main library portals (blogs, webpages, library guides) as a self publishing platform for contemporary authors to publish their works and as a social network meeting place for readers and authors to share ideas.
Tumblr
Tumblr is a free blog hosting platform and curation service offering professional and fully customizable features that allow ‘Tumblrs’ to effortlessly share content (text, photos, music, videos, quotes, audio, slideshows) from their web browser, mobile device, desktop or laptop.
Tool @ work in Libraries: Visit these sites to view Tumblr at work in libraries:
- The New York Public Library
- The Rose Memorial Library Blog
- Arlington Public Library
- iPads and Tablets in Libraries:
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