Assignment 4 - Raspberry Pi in Libraries

Raspberry Pi Usage in Libraries

Patrick Spurlock

06/06/14

Valdosta State University

Introduction – What is Raspberry Pi?

Introduced in early 2012, the Raspberry Pi is a small, credit-card sized (3.37” x 2.21”) computer, built on a single circuit board (also known as a single-board computer or SBC), that is developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The original goal of the Raspberry Pi was to provide a low cost computer that would serve as a teaching aid for promoting basic computer science in schools.

The Raspberry Pi comes in two variants. Model A features 256MB of RAM, one USB port, and no Ethernet (network) connection. Model B has 512MB of RAM, 2 USB ports, and an Ethernet port. Both models use Broadcom BCM2835 SoC (System on a Chip) architecture. SoC is a method of placing all essential electronics for running a computer on a single compressed chip. The Raspberry Pi SoC contains an ARM ARM1176JZFS 700Mhz CPU (central processing unit) and a Videocore 4 GPU (graphics processing unit). The graphics processor is capable of High Definition video playback using the H.264 video codec at a rate of 40MBits/s. The Raspberry Pi has been ported to use several Open-Source operating systems (from Linux to Android and Chrome OS), and its default operating system is a port of the Linux-based Debian OS known as Raspbian. The suggested programming language for us on the Raspberry Pi is Python (Raspberry Pi Foundation, n.d.).

"RaspberryPi" by Jwrodgers - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Literature Review  

To date, the Raspberry Pi is not being as widely discussed in library literature as other emerging technologies such as 3D printing, but its potential applications in library environments has been addressed in academic, public, and school library literature. While there is not currently a lot of literature on the Raspberry Pi, Sansing (2013) states that the “slim $25 computer is hot and showing no signs of cooling off” in the devices potential applications for schools and that tools such as the Raspberry Pi will bring the “Maker” movement into libraries and schools.

While Mays (2013) sees the Raspberry Pi as being the perfect way for libraries to introduce skills such as computer programming to communities for skill development that will be important in the future job market, Iglesias & Schlegel (2013) and Cooper & Knight (2014) see the Raspberry Pi as being an inexpensive display device for applications such as OPAC (library catalog) machines. Wells (2014) however, feels that library applications can go beyond simple OPAC machines, to fully operational librarian kiosks that are integrated with the ILS (Integrated Library System) and house ready reference information. Additionally, Web (2014) shows how the Raspberry Pi can be used to host content management platforms such as WordPress and for smaller rural libraries can run as fully operational web portals for patrons as a significant cost savings to libraries needing to build Internet access labs.

Application in today’s library and information centers

As illustrated in the literature, the Raspberry Pi has the potential to make an impact of today’s library and information centers. The Raspberry Pi can be used in libraries as a low-cost OPAC access device and as a computer that runs information displays/digital display device for library users (Cooper & Knight, 2014). In both of these scenarios libraries would be able to forgo purchasing expensive standard computers in favor of adapting the Raspbian software to meet single purpose needs. In the area of digital signage, libraries would be able to make digital displays advertising information ranging from meeting room availability to library hours or open computer availability. In addition to OPAC Machines and Digital Display devices, the Raspberry Pi could be potentially integrated with library ILS software to create circulation and reference stations (Wells, 2014). Wells (2014) also suggests, that given the very small size of the Raspberry Pi, libraries could use the device in places where computers could not traditionally go such as on the end caps of library stacks attached to flat touch screen monitors that could be used my patrons and staff alike for checking for item availability and virtual shelf browsing.

Challenges     

While the potential for the Raspberry Pi to be used in libraries as low-cost solutions to devices such as OPAC machines, potential problems in processing power might arise. For instance, the Loughborough University Library in its initial testing of the Raspberry Pi as an OPAC computer found that while the Raspberry Pi worked well with Ex Libris’ Primo the Raspberry Pi worked, but was sluggish or was not acceptably responsive to the library’s Online Reading List System. Initial testing demonstrated that what the Raspberry Pi was fully capable of functioning as an OPAC PC, the lack of a hardware accelerated video driver for the graphical user interface, resulted in the processor having to render more of the processing functions which resulted in slow response times (Cooper & Knight, 2014). However, Cooper & Knight (2014) stated that through community support a hardware accelerated version of the graphical user interface is expected for release and that further testing of the devices as OPAC machines will prove more fruitful.

Another potential challenge for libraries in implementing the Raspberry Pi is the very nature of the systems being open-sourced and Linux-based. In a world where the majority of PC users use Microsoft Windows-based computers, patrons might have difficulty adapting to a stripped down Linux-based operating system. This challenge however can be overcome by strictly using locked-down kiosk (or OPAC/Internet browser only) terminals. However staff and or library IT works will need to be familiar with Linux-based systems and computer programming, otherwise partnerships will need to be made with professionals or able-bodied community users that are willing to provide technical support to libraries.

Conclusion

At the cost of $25 for a simple open-sourced computer system the Raspberry Pi has the potential to make a significant impact in libraries of all types. Whereas a library might currently pay ten times (or more) the price of a Raspberry Pi for a fully functioning Windows-based computer, libraries have the potential to utilize this technology in areas where a fully-functioning PC might be unwarranted for using in single-use tasks such as OPAC of Digital Signage. Beyond this libraries might in the future be able to integrate these devices into their own Integrated Library Systems or take them into areas where computers have traditionally not been able to go such as book-stacks. More than providing libraries with low-cost technological hardware however, the Raspberry Pi has the potential to make real impact in its educational uses within libraries in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning through computer programming in library Makerspaces and enrichment programming. As Mays (2013) states, “ by having devices such as Raspberry Pi’s in our libraries, we can help in educating and illuminating our public.”

References

Cooper, J. L., & Knight, J. P. (2014). Evaluating Possible Uses of a Raspberry Pi in an Academic Library Environment. D-Lib Magazine, 20(5/6), 10. doi:10.1045/may2014-cooper http://www.dlib.org/dlib/may14/cooper/05cooper.html

Iglesias, E., & Schlegel, A. (2013). Using a Raspberry Pi as a versatile and inexpensive display device. Code4lib Journal, (21), 11. http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/8644

Mays, D. (2013). The tiny, affordable Raspberry Pi. Arkansas Libraries, 70(1), 14.

Raspberry Pi Foundation (n.d.). Faqs. Raspberry Pi Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.raspberrypi.org/help/faqs/

Sansing, C. (2013). Life with Raspberry Pi. School Library Journal, 59(8), 34.

Wells, M. (2014). Addressing rural library technology budgets with single board computers: Testing the APC 8950 Rock Circuit Board Computer for patron access. Journal of Library Innovation, 5(1), 1-12.

Assignment 3 - Option 1

For the purpose of this assignment I arranged an in-person interview with the librarian in charge of maintaining the website content for a small university library in southwest Georgia. The librarian that was interviewed is a recent MLIS graduate and in addition to this being their first professional job, it is their first experience in an academic library. While the librarian’s main job duties are currently in cataloging, they were given the task of web maintenance shortly after they began working for their university when they were occupied as the circulation librarian previous to an organizational restructuring within the library. As presented in the interview, the librarian has no experience with web maintenance and had not previously taken any courses in the technology track.

_____________________

Me - Good afternoon! I just wanted to take a couple of minutes to ask you a few questions about maintaining the website at your library.

Librarian - Not a problem.

Me – How long have you been a librarian?

Librarian – I have been a librarian for two and a half years

Me – When did you graduate from your MLIS program?

Librarian - I Graduated in May 2010

Me - When you were completing your MLIS program did you take any courses in technology?

Librarian – No, I mainly took management and public library courses.

Me – How did you end up becoming the website manager for the library that you currently work at?

Librarian - Well, I think that came about because there was no one at the time that was in charge of that in the library and the IT department was not on top of getting things done for the library website. When the library was given the opportunity to have input with the website I was the one nominated for the position.

Me - Before you were nominated to take over had you previously had any experience with HTML coding or building a basic website?

Librarian - No

Me - When did you first hear about content management systems such as WordPress or Drupal?

Librarian - The first time that I really heard about those is when I attended the first training session my second semester here when I was trained on how to make changes to the website. Thats really when I became aware of that.

Me - What’s the name of the content management system that your university is currently using?

Librarian - We are currently using WordPress.

Me - What has the university used previously?

Librarian - Umm… the one that we had used before was Liferay.

Me - Do you know what was the criteria that the University had for choosing WordPress?

Librarian - Umm… I was not involved in that selection process, but from some of the conversations that I heard I think they were trying to select a content management system that was a little more user friendly for the web management people that were going to be using it as well as something that was a little more up to date in their eyes, because they wanted to be able to compete with other academic systems as far as with the website was looking.

Me - What are the benefits or advantages of using WordPress over Liferay?

Librarian - Since I am still new to all of this I am not really sure, but from what I can tell so far it is a lot easier to access and is user friendly, more like Facebook where you can just click and drag things. It’s just a lot easier to use compared to what we were using.

Me - What has the learning curve been in picking up how to use a content management system without having any previous experience in web management?

Librarian - It hasn't been as hard as I expected it to be. I’ve received a lot of training to help me along and since I have a lot of computer experience it hasn’t been that bad. I am still trying to play catchup with learning WordPress because I have missed a few sessions.

Me - Finally, do you think that MLIS students would benefit from taking classes that incorporated building and maintaining websites?

Librarian - I think the best thing is to just do it on the job, you can’t learn it from books or in a class or anything.

Me - Alright thank you for your time!

________________________________

Reflection

Overall I was surprised to find out that this librarian had no previous experience when it came to web design or web management. While I do personally feel that this librarian is a good example of the thought that anyone can learn to use a content management system, I believe that they are incorrect in their belief that MLIS students would not benefit from learning about building or managing websites in an MLIS course. I also believe that they are incorrect in the belief that web design, coding, and management are not subjects that you can learn in books on in classes. If anything, rather than focusing on classes in public libraries and management as stated, this librarian might have benefited from taking the 7500 or 7505 course to aid them in their future work. I am unfamiliar with the Liferay CMS, but I have personal experience with installing and working with WordPress using MAMP. Like this librarian I feel that it is very intuitive, but the comparison to Facebook was a little off in my experience with using that CMS. I must say that I was overall somewhat disappointed in this librarians answers during the interview.

Assignment 2: Joomla

For this assignment I had to create a website using Joomla (http://sparrowlakepm.cloudaccess.net/)

I had some previous experience installing and setting up websites based on WordPress and Drupal using MAMP (which if you want to get some practice working with CMS sites I highly recommend doing this).

First and foremost I did not really like my experience with using Joomla. Unfortunately after setting up my Joomla account I had a hard drive failure that I have spent the better part of 72 hours attempting to recover from (as of writing this I am still having issues with recovering my backed up files onto a clean install of the Operating System), so I am probably always going to associate the frustrations I have been having with my laptop with my Joomla experience.

The first issue that I had with Joomla came when I made the mistake of deleting the the initial Article site. Relating the term article to a blog or magazine post I did not associate the initial article with being essentially the index.html file. This forced me to completely reset the site, but no big deal since I had not added content yet right? As soon as I was set up again I decided to try to install a third party template like I would with WordPress or Drupal, but somehow this did not only erase my website, but it somehow magically erased my administrative site as well, website reset number 2. On my third go I decided to play it safe(r) and followed the instructions for setting up a Joomla site using this guide:

While this guide was helpful I noticed right away that the version of Joomla that the person in the video was using was different than the version of Joomla that the demo version offered (version 3.3). This was not really a big deal until getting to the part about adding the scrolling photos to the main page, as you can see by the lack of scrolling photos on my live site, I could never quite figure it out. At first they were completely warped in appearance, then after a few tweaks they just disappeared entirely and I could never get them to come back.

Overall I think that Joomla is a fairly straightforward interface, but in general I have had a better experience with Drupal and Wordpress (or even Tumblr for that matter). I believe that given more time I could develop a fully functioning website using this platform, but given the short amount of time that Maymester allows I feel like I open a can of frustrating worms and am not sure that I would really recommend Joomla to someone just starting out (or dealing with a crashed hard drive during a school project at least!).

Assignment 1: Finding a Wiki for a Library

The public library that I formerly worked for, the South Georgia Regional Library system, is currently in the process of starting a wiki for patrons to find out information about title holdings, reference resources, and other information of patron interest as well as for hosting information of interest to staff such as training materials and Library Science related information and links. In order to make the decision about which wiki package that the library will use as the backbone of their wiki site, the library has asked for my opinion to help aid them in implementing their new wiki.

The library system serves a diverse population in a mixed urban and rural environment spread across three counties in southern Georgia and is part of the Georgia Public Library Service. The budget for the system is lower than the state and national average for libraries serving a population size in excess of 100,000 and anticipated funds for creating and maintaining a wiki are estimated to be low.

In order for the library’s wiki to better serve the interests of their patrons, staff, meet the library’s budget requirements, and be user-friendly for staff editing, the wiki must meet a few requirements: 1. The wiki must have a free and open-source backbone, 2. The wiki must be windows compatible, 3. The wiki must have a freely available community support base, 4. The wiki must have the ability for user interaction via comments, posts, etc., 5. The wiki must allow for a fully functioning calendar., 6. The wiki must allow rich media content in the form of images, video, etc. 7. The wiki must have the built-in capability for statistics gathering such as ranking content by popularity, etc., 8. The wiki must allow for HTML tagging and WYSIWYG editing., 9. The wiki must be able to filter SPAM and have security features., 10. The wiki must be user friendly!

Based on the libraries requirements and budget my suggestion would be to use the MediaWiki (http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki) platform. MediaWiki is a free software and open source wiki package geared towards education that is written in PHP and is the backbone of Wikipedia. This wiki package meets and exceeds all of the library’s designated requirements when comparing this package to other comparable packages found at http://www.wikimatrix.org/.

For more information about MediaWiki and Wikipedia check out this talk with Brian Vibber (known as Wikipedia's "only paid employee"):

Hello MLIS-7505!

This is my second course in library technology after taken 7500 in the Spring of '13. I am formerly the Community Relations Coordinator for a large mixed urban and rural library system in South Georgia. I currently work as a senior library assistant in technical services at medium-sized public university (HBCU) in Southwest Georgia.

Generally speaking I have been around computers since 1983 and have been online since '92-'93 (including pre-WWW dial up BBS'). I am very familiar with Web 2.0 technologies such as Social Media, RSS, Podcasting, and Blogging. I hope to have a great experience in this class and look forward to getting to know my fellow classmates!

Anyone else been paying attention to their page stats?

SPAM Champ might find this one interesting:

I've been checking on my stats the past two weeks out of interest as to which of my classmates have been visiting my site (not really accurate because anyone could click on anyone else's blogroll to get to this site), but I noticed a lot of traffic out of Russia for some odd reason. A quick web search for information on vampirestat.com, Adsensewatchdog.com, et al and you quickly learn that they are spam sites. No spambot comments yet at least! *crosses fingers*

World's First URL Restored By CERN

As some of you might have discovered when creating your Chronologies, the first website (and thus the birth of the world wide web) went live in 1991 lead by the WWW team at CERN.

CERN, recognizing the importance of preserving the first website, has initiated a project to restore "the world's first website."

So far the earliest copy of the site that team members have been able to find dates back to 1992, and as of yesterday it has gone live at the original URL: http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html

Take a minute to look at a piece of history that has had a major impact on the past 20 years of LIS technology.