Archive for the ‘google’ Category

Always in Beta: Using Mashups at Your Library

Thursday, February 1st, 2007

Art Rhyno, Systems Librarian, Leddy Library, University of Windsor

  • Here’s Art’s presentation
  • Mashups are a merging of APIs / disparate sources (e.g., Google Calendar, Flickr, Blogger, del.icio.us, Google Maps) to create new services.
  • Art has used Google Calendar to create ads for library instruction sessions which are accessible from many other access points.
  • Here’s a mashup directory
  • memorable quote (Art quoting one of his SLIS profs): “Your users will always be more interesing than you are — give them a tool that doesn’t get in their way.”
  • There’s an application called SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) which cuts-up images into thousands of ’tiles’ that are required by Google Maps mashups.
  • Mentioned Talis Mashing Up the Library Competition 2006
  • Art tested indexing the catalogue with Google Desktop.

Michael Vandenburg, Database Librarian, Kingston Frontenac Public Library

  • Created mashup of Amazon and KFPL’s new RFP (Request For Purchase) application so that Library staff could submit purchase requests (to the appropriate collections people) directly from Amazon
  • Created interesting mashuip of Google Maps and OPAC whereby geographical subject headings were highlighted on a Google Maps. Used CIA location/country codes.