Open access

   



Open access, I've learnt, is the practise of having unrestricted access to peer-reviewed scholarly journals via the internet.  Studies indicate that open access articles are more likely to be viewed (and cited) than those articles bound by subscriptions.   This is particularly useful to researchers in developing countries where many institutions simply cannot afford subscriptions to recent journals. Peter Suber,  an expert in the field, provides an overview on the subject: http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/overview.htm

DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) / www.doaj.org is a well-known website used to list journals while African Journal online/ www.ajol.info hosts journal articles by African authors.  The Directory of Open Access Books - www.doab.org - strives to increase the discoverability of open access books.  Yes, open access books are also available.  It makes one wonder what type of services libraries would be offering 10-20 years from now - are they going to house books at all?  

'Libraries (and librarians) will survive'

Our challenge this week was to add a link to our blogs.  I took up the challenge and started surfing in earnest - for something quirky, but relevant to libraries.  So I came across this video put together by the staff of some regional libraries in Virginia (USA).  It deals with a worldwide phenomenon - dwindling budgets.  Sound familiar?
Staff at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library rewrote the lyrics to a popular 1978 disco hit 'I will survive' originally sang by Gloria Gaynor.  The rewritten one describes a typical day in the life of library staff - we can all relate!! Enjoy!

 

 

It's all in a day's work!

'Sandy says'

So 'Sandy says' that we should download the app for QR codes onto our smartphones as it was quite useful.  I thought that sounded quite doable.  I'll let you know that I'm no stranger to the 'Idiot's guides..' in our library's collection - so to download the app for the QR codes I consulted the online version in the form of 'Google'.  After deciphering some step-by-step instructions, I eventually managed to download the app onto 'that computer in one's pocket' - as 'Sandy says'. 

Since starting my studies in 2012 my colleagues have always been intrigued (and involved) with whatever I was doing at the library school - bearing in mind that they studied librarianship some 20 odd years ago.  It was no exception when I told them about the QR codes.  Soon we were scanning every QR code we could lay our hands on - as 'Sandy says' - from magazines to newspapers.  We were gleaming with excitement as we witnessed QR codes being translated into webpages - very much like kids in a candy store. So my QR code app proved to be quite a hit - thank you, Sandy!!

... and so I continue my  arduous yet fascinating journey in cyberspace.  I am yet to join the 'birds' (Bernie's words) in Twitter ... baby steps for me, thank you!

One step at a time 

Wednesday 'woes'

The role of 'blogger' was undertaken with much trepidation as I confess to being technologically incapacitated.  I was labelled this on numerous occasions by various people in my social scene.  In creating this blog I have surpassed my own expectations (and theirs).  I am almost afraid to acknowledge that I am looking forward to my next adventure in cyberspace.  I see that it involves twitter, podcasting and QR codes -all only 'heard about' terms to me, but I am sure that Sandy will shed some light on that. 

To all my cyberspace classmates: If I can do it, so can you!! With only one week to go before the deadline for our research essays, I am sure that most of us are 'burning the midnight oil'. 

There's light at the end of the tunnel

Welcome to my 'blogarithms'

Well, well! My first experience at blogging - nervous moments.  In my 'not too distant past' my experience with logarithms was somewhat perplexed.  Let's hope that my experience with 'blogarithms' will be smooth sailing.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!!