WE[B] HAD A TRIP –TO AN ENDLESS TRIP! (REFLECTION)

The class had waited for weeks for this event, an incomparable day-trip.

Everyone was prepared . Everyone wanted to have fun and mingle with their classmates – have a few laughs, pictures and even share ideas.

At this very moment, everyone is equal. There were no boundaries. Everyone is seizing the moment. Everyone needs a break. Everyone needs to relax for awhile. Everyone needs an out-of-town trip. Everyone wants to see new sceneries…like National Cultural Center, Mt. Makiling Shrine, Kainan sa Palaisdaan, IRRI and UP Los Baños…wherein we’re away from the crowd…from the busy streets of urban areas. Everyone wants to breathe some fresh air from the green field of Mt. Makiling.

Everyone is young at heart. Every second counts.

Everyone was heading towards the same direction. Everyone wants to learn. The long, bumpy and winding road made this trip worthwhile.

Everyone is hungry. Everyone is craving for food – not just the exquisite, mouth-watering fresh buko, ginataang tilapia, ginataang kohol and grilled pork chops but, more importantly, we’re craving for food for the mind. Here, there were immediate needs that need to be satisfied – The hunger and thirst for knowledge.

It was a well-planned trip but, there were flaws. There were unforeseen circumstances; from late departure, speeding van, hot weather, traffic and burning clutches..

Like this one-day trip, enrolling in LIS 260 class was planned. Everyone has their set of expectations. Some people has prejudices. Some people does not. But, everyone was open to new ideas. It was a part to continuous education and life-long learning. As students, we should be open-minded and willing to learn and accept opportunities that can help in our personal and professional advancements.

As students or information seekers, we are not defeated by time and age. We should be open and willing to take risks in order to satisfy our hunger for knowledge, experience. We should be courageous and eager to see what these means can bring us. And this should be our main drive to for continuous education. Besides, education is a good investment.

It is also a way of keeping ourselves updated in the technological and intellectual developments. In this regard, it was heart-warming to know that my alma mater, UP, remained at the forefront of the knowledge society as a leading institution of open learning and distance education. And It is a great privilege for me to study in this premiere institution, become part of it, nurtured, molded by it and be able to witnessed its centennial academic excellence.

Furthermore, with technological and intellectual innovations along with human intelligence, the U.P. Open University provides high quality-continuing educations through distance learning. It develops the discipline and capability to become lifelong learners. It reaches to aspiring individuals with big dreams beyond the four corners of classrooms. And i think with that, the service it gives to the Filipino people and to our country is priceless.

In a life-long learning, everyday is a new day. And a new day is a chance for us to learn and enjoy a new trip. From a conducive learning atmosphere among learning partners within the classrooms to getting familiar with the structure and components of Computer system, IR systems, library database systems, Web 2.0, Library 2.0, Librarian 2.0; In general, we were given the opportunity to internalize and grasped what we have learned in class. We are able to think of practical applications of it, not just only in our profession but, in our daily lives.

Having an in-depth knowledge gives us immunity from unforeseen circumstances that may lead us to stagnancy or immobility. High quality education equipped us with this.

Information is indeed pouring. All we have to do is explore and exploit it towards our own advantage. We are empowered to set the direction for our welfare, and for our profession. Technological and intellectual advancements provide us the means for uplifting our profession – to be the one of the best products of U.P in our profession. Dedication and Excellence is our commitment.

In this fast-phase society, everyone is changing. Everything is changing. Change is a constant thing. And it is inevitable. We should accept it whole-heartedly for the sake of continuous education and life-long learning, not just inside the classroom but, throughout our lives.

WE(B) LIVE in a very dynamic and challenging environment. With the changes brought about by these innovations, WE(B) CHANGED, WE(B) CAN CHANGE, and with these changes, WE(B) HAVE LEARNED and WE(B) continuously LEARNING . Everything spawn from our human intelligence, it is our crops and we should take credit for it. WE(B) EARN I.T. And God provides us the opportunity to see the fruits of our perseverance and hard working, all we have to do is enjoy and live it.

Moreover, we are in a established education system. Our major concern is how we can be effective and efficient individual learners, educators and information seekers. We can reinvent ourselves and our environment.

There is nothing wrong in education. Like what is represented by a man with arms wide-stretched and face facing up, we should selflessly offer ourselves to the betterment not just of our selves, but of our profession and our society as a whole.

With this, it was a fantastic trip though an adventure bound by time. It was worth an experience. It was an interesting story to tell. In this adventure, we can say that we have survived. It was a short-lived experience, but, it was an unforgettable and life-changing experience.

It is just a beginning of a life-long learning. It just the tip of the ice berg and the start of another long bumpy and winding road ahead of us.

So sit back.

Relax.

Enjoy another trip… an endless trip.

Oras

Tik-tak tik-tak oras ay lumilipas

 

Tik-tak tik-tak tatahakin ang piniling landas

 

Tik-tak tik-tak mga pangarap mo ay papagaspas

 

Tik-tak tik-tak o buhay mo lang ba ay mawawaldas?

 

Tik-tak tik tak buhok mo ay kukupas

 

Tik-tak tik-tak bawat yabag mo ay magiging lakas

 

Tik-tak tik-tak mga salita mo ba ay mapawawalan lang ng malas?

 

Tik-tak tik-tak mga luha mo ay lalagaslas

 

Tik-tak tik-tak pagpikit ng mga mata, na syang huling magiging bukas

 

Tik-tak tik-tak hanggang sa hininga mo ay mautas

Batang Paslit

Batang paslit , mata mo ay nakapikit

Pagdilat ng mata, pag-asa mo ay ipiniit

 

Mga mata mo na mapaniil, sa di kalayuan ay nakatingin

Naghihintay, nagmamasid, para sa sikmurang naniningil

 

Nagtyatyaga sa barya, matustusan lng ang pangangailangan,

Nitong buhay na aba, pati hininga ay bilang na

 

Lilibot kung saan-saan, bawat hakbang ay pag-asa

Hihinto pagkagat ng dilim, kahit na saan man abutin pa

 

Ginapos nga ng kapalaran, katahimikan mong inaasam

Ngunit masasabing kaisipan mo ba’y pinili nila?

 

Namulat ka sa maling sistema, ngunit sa iyong sarili ay hindi alintana

Hikahos man sa buhay, tingin sa sarili ay di dapat na maawa

Di nga dapat sayangin ang iyong luha, pagka’t dito’y wala naman mapapala

 

Sa iyo ngang paglaki, kaagapay lamang ang iyong sarili

Ngunit tinuligsa pati sarili, sanhi ng lipunang makasarili

Sa isang mundong itinakwil ka, sarili mo nga ay itinali

 

Nakuntento ka na muna sa gawaing mali, kahit luha pa ang syang maging sukli

Sa pagnanais mo na maingat ang sarili, kahit isangla mo na pati ang iyong puri

 

Dala nga ng kahirapan, inilugmok pa lalo ang iyong sarili

Sa mabahong estero, sa madalim na eskinita ka naglalagi

 

Sitwasyong kilakhan, sayo’y bumubuo

Sa iyong pagkatao, sa kaluluwa’t isipan mo

 

Sa mga mahal mo sa buhay, ika’y nga’y di mag-aatubili

Iaabot ang iyong kamay, kahit pa sa hukay ay di magsisisi

 

Sa isip mo nga ay wala kang magawa, di mo rin ginusto

Sayangin ang iyong buhay at mag-isip ng di wasto

 

Ngunit kung bibigyan ka ng pagkakataon, lahat ay itatakwil mo

Upang sa pagdilat muli ng iyong mga mata, naghihintay ay isang panibago

Bukang-Liwayway

Pag-inog ng mundo, takip-silim ay paparating

Kadiliman ay babalot, saan man nakatingin

 

Lagaslas ng tubig, himig sa pandinig

Kuliglig at kulisap, syang kasalo sa magdamag

 

Lagitik sa kakahuyan iyong mauulinigan

Alingawngaw nyang malakas, syang babasag sa katahimikan

 

Sa ihip ng malakas na hangin, daho’y unti-unting hahalik sa lupa

Mababasa’t matutuyo, kalauna’y sisimsimin na ng lupa

 

Kawayan na matayog, pipiliting ibaluktot

Yuyukod rin kapagdaka, upang lupa ay maabot

 

Patak ng ulan, dumampi sa bawat talulot

Dadaloy hanggang sanga, at sa ugat ay manunuot

 

Bituin sa kalangitan ay nagtatago sa karimlan

Upang sa takdang panahon muli’y masilayan

 

Sa kumpas ng panahon, ulap ay hahawiin

Maskara’y aalisin, sa tabing na seda, sa likod ng takip-silim

 

Pagkatapos ng unos, pag-asa’y biyaya

Magsisilbing sandata, pagyapos sa bagong pasimula

 

Matinding paghihirap, di mababanaag

Ligalig na nadama, lilipulin hanggang sa wala

 

Kapanatagan sa pulang ulap, sikat ng araw ay ganap

Paningin na ay nakatuon sa bawat pagkakataon

Katahimikan na, ay sa loob, nadama ng lubos

 

Pagsilip ng araw, liliwanagin ang sanlibutan

Iaabot ang mga palad, sa sinag ay ipamamalas

 

Magsasaboy ng ningning, pagkislap gayundin

Ibayong lakas at ligaya, kagalakan iyong maaatim

 

Kadakilaan ay sasambitin, kalooba’y saklawin

Tuklasin ang kapalaran, liwanagin ang daan

 

Hamog sa dahon ay marahang dumaloy,

Pagdilig sa sanga’t palumpong, sa sikat ng araw ay natuyo

 

Lamig ng simoy ng hangin, sa luntian ay hininga

Marikit na mariposa, huni ng ibon ay nagsisilbing melodiya

Tunay ngang isang hudyat, bagong umaga ay nakahanda na

 

Bigyan ngang diin, Pasasalamat ay bigkasin

Yumukod at gumalang, ihandog at magtanghal

Tanging iuusal, wagas Nyang pag-ibig nga’y nariyan

We(b)Live, We(b)Change/d, We(b)-L/earn/ed I.T!

Title:  Introduction to Modern Information Retrieval

Author: Chowdhury, G.G.

Date of Publication: 2004

 

 

Title of the Article: Some AI Techniques for Information Retrieval

Author: KK Shukla

Publisher: DESIDOC Bulletin of IT

Date of Publication: 1996

16(4), 13-18.

URL: http://publications.drdo.gov.in/gsdl/collect/dbit/index/assoc/HASH3f28.dir/dbit1604013.pdf

 

 

Title of the article: Searching the Web

Author:  Arvind Arasu… [et al.]

Publisher: Stanford University/ACM Transactions on Information Technology

Date of Publication: 2001

            1(1), 2-43.

URL: http://katie.at.northwestern.edu/cmc/arasu-searching-the-web.pdf

 

 

Abstract:

Primarily, Web is just a massive collection of web pages stored on the millions of computers across the world that are linked by the internet. But today, it is indeed the basis for our many information tasks.

These articles discussed collectively discussed the following: complexities of web information retrieval or web information searching with regard to distribution of web resources and its types and formats; size and growth of the web; deep versus surface web; categories, access and quality of information in the web; frequency of changes of web pages; ways of finding information on the web; search engine software and its main components; common search and retrieval features of web search engines and; artificial intelligence techniques in modern information retrieval.

 

Things that I’ve learned from this Reading Assignment:

            World Wide Web or the Internet brought significant changes in the way we access information. Web also gained rapid acceptance with the creation of web browsers and Artificial Intelligence techniques that fully utilize internet connectivity to effectively locate and disseminate information worldwide.

            Web information retrieval is complex. Web offers different categories, types and formats of web “data” resources that are distributed all over the world through inter-networking.

            Given that the web undergoes dynamic changes overtime, hence, finding information in the web needs expertise in web per se as well as information retrieval system.  Web-based information seekers have to be wary and should keep their selves knowledgeable of these changes. Herewith, multifaceted measures are indeed required to locate, index, access and retrieve them.

            Moreover, many information seekers use a search engine to begin their web activity. Initially, they submit a query, typically a list of keywords, and receive a list of web pages that may be relevant, pages that contain the keywords. It is up then to users how they can evaluate efficiently and effectively these generated information resources, and extract what is/are essential with regard to their current information needs.

            In this regard, having at least a basic knowledge and clear understanding on how search engine works, its components and special features would help us in attaining successful web information retrieval wherein we retrieve essential information in the web with regard to our information needs.

            For further researches concerning the web, the link structure of the web contains a lot of useful information that can be controlled to support keyword searching and other information tasks on the web. We can also study other sources of information such as query logs and click streams that can be used in improving web searching.

 

Implications of things that I’ve learned from this Reading Assignment:

            As a researcher, I can say that I found the search engine Google Scholar very useful, especially in searching available researches in the web with regard to publishing industry as well as publishing issues and trends.  

            Moreover, though in Google Scholar generates research results of different file formats based on my query statement, a basic knowledge in using Boolean operators really help me in my research. I can access and download related and informative files in PDF, PowerPoint and in Word format free of charge.

            Since Google ranks web pages based on popularity, it is anticipated that unnecessary or irrelevant files are included in the generated search results. Searching for related articles or files from the search results then are quite tedious and time consuming.

But, it is okay, that is part of any job/task, it is given. You and I can handle this; it is just a piece of cake! Nah, just kidding! Besides, what is the use of our knowledge on the effective evaluation of information retrieval system then if we cannot surpass this problem? Good and practical decision-making is all that we need to resolve this issue. Web information retrieval is complex, and so as problem related to it.

With modern information retrieval, technological and intellectual innovations provide us the means of enhancing our access to, our services and delivery of information per se. From the traditional information retrieval system to CD and Online searching and then to web information retrieval system, alongside our continuously increasing information demands, these undertakings definitely drives and heightens the development in the field of information searching/seeking as well as in the field of information retrieval.

As I have said in my previous reading assignment, technological and intellectual innovations spawn from human intelligence and then continuously regenerate new set of information needs/demands as by-products. Technological and intellectual innovations are inevitable and so as human intelligence. As human intelligence continuously proliferates, technological and intellectual innovations serve as mere products of human intelligence as well as their sole proof. Thus, no one can contest about these claims for they are facts already.  

Within this context, within the context of web information retrieval, WE(B) LIVE in a very dynamic and challenging information environment. With the changes brought about by these technological and intellectual innovations, WE(B) CHANGED, WE(B) can CHANGE. And With these changes, WE(B) have LEARNED  and WE(B) continuously LEARNing because these are products of human intelligence thus, these are our own crops, and so WE(B) EARN I.T!

 

 

 

 

 

Technological and Intellectual Innovations + Human Intelligence = Online and CD-ROM Systems

Title:  Computerized Information Searching

Author: Jill Lambert, Peter A. Lambert

Publisher: Bingley

 

Title:  Introduction to Modern Information Retrieval

Author: Chowdhury, G.G.

Date of Publication: 2004

 

Title of the article:  Online Information Retrieval

Author: Library of Kaunas University of Technology

URL: http://internet.unib.ktu.lt/chemija/online.htm

 

 

Abstract:

 

Primarily, information searching or information seeking methods can be classified into manual, online or through CD-ROM – from information searching from printed abstracts and indexes to online searching via hosts and local searches using multimedia search services for all types of information sources.

On the other hand, these scholarly articles focused on discussing and differentiating Online and CD-ROM database systems with regard to information search services. These articles with regard to Online searching, tackles important points to consider in evaluating and selecting online search services as to search and retrieval facilities, search interfaces, provision of simple and advanced user interfaces, data structures and records formats, cost, time required for searching, cross database searching facility, communication facilities, support services as well as additional facilities such as current awareness services and selective dissemination of information services. Moreover, it also deals with the components and basic steps in an online search. It demonstrates how online information searching operates.

Furthermore, these articles emphasized the weakness of prior databases on magnetic tape that it is not particularly useful since all information is in linear format. Moreover, all of the records in a magnetic tape have to be searched in sequence in order to obtain information about perhaps just one or a few times. And then conversely, this method of searching has been replaced by online searching wherein information context is stored not on magnetic tape but on magnetic disc or CD-ROM discs. Magnetic disc would normally be held on a mainframe computer and accessed via a telecommunications link. CD-ROM discs can be read by a CD-ROM player and searched using a microcomputer, thus requiring no telecommunication link.

In CD-ROM database searching, a single piece of information can now be accessed without the necessity of searching all the other items in the file.

On the whole, online information or seeking is defined by Library of Kaunas University of Technology (1999) as:

“the acquisition of information from a distant computer via a terminal or personal computer, involving an interactive dialogue between inquirer and computer. Here, the computer handles a number of databases stored in electronic files with the information retrieval service (IRS) or “host”, makes it available to interested individuals. The computer then matches any input search terms against its files and displays any resulting matches which can then be putted out or download by the researcher (Library of Kaunas University of Technology,1999)”.

Online search services are accessible through web interface and have number of common search and retrieval features as well as difference in their database coverage, search interface and output features.

Moreover, online search services are composed of the following: 1) information providers or database providers give access to an online node; 2) search service provider or vendor, which provides access to the database and software for conducting the search; 3) communication links that connect the user with the host and the database and lastly; 4) a local workstation through which the user is linked to their service.

The basic steps in online search are as follows: 1) study the search topics and develop a clear understanding of the information requirement; 2) get access to an online search service; 3) log on to the service provider; 4) select the appropriate database to search; 5) formulate search expressions; 6) select the appropriate format for display; 7) reformulate query and; select the mode of delivery through downloading chosen records online or send an offline request.

 

Things I have learned from this reading assignment:

 

1. CD-ROM system is a system wherein CD has a high storage capacity so it is possible to publish a disc containing all or part of a database. The amount of information which can be held on one CD depends on the size of the database (e.g MEDLINE — .computer version of Index Medicus). The software in CD-ROM disc is usually installed on the hard disk of the microcomputer so that the disc is immediately searchable. What’s good in using CD discs for computerized searching is that the system is”stand-alone”, requiring no telecommunications link to a distant host computer. In addition, CD-ROM databases re either leased or bought outright by the library for a set amount.
2. The benefit of computerized searching whether online or CD-ROM is speed and possible to carry out a more effective search. Databases can be updated with batches of references much more rapidly than the equivalent batch of references can be produced and distributed in printed form.
3. The cost of publishing a CD- ROM database system are generally economic to update every 2-3 months or so. In addition, CD-ROM based systems is much cheaper compared with online wherein there is no other further payment. However, CD-ROM based system is not updated compared with the online.
4. Online Searching is a very flexible technique and it is possible to restrict the search hence, lowering the costs. One method is to limit the search by date, restrict the total # of references produced by excluding papers in foreign language or as well through existence of skilled library personnel.
5. Online and CD-ROM system are part of the computerized information searching and example of modern information retrieval system in general. Online and CD-ROM systems both make use of Boolean logic, truncation and avoids stop words in order to generate relevant information/data to user query.

 

 

Implications of new things I have learned to my work/to me as a person:

 

 

The advent of computer and trends in Information Technology continuously drives and heightens the development in the field of information searching/seeking as well as in the field of information retrieval.

 

Advancements in the storage media alone largely influence the view on information storage and retrieval per se with regard to the continuous improvement of the capacity of storage media to store a much larger quantity of information for a long time, for future use.

 

The information seekers, including also information specialist or information professionals should be the one to decide what best method of searching to be use in order to answer users’ information demand if will it be manual, online or CD-ROM or combination of all.

 

In choosing Online or CD-ROM system, familiarization with both the Online and CD-ROM system package and the set-up procedures associated with it takes time. In addition, good back-up procedure will obviously prevent the possibility of the database being accidentally destroyed.

 

Moreover, in establishing a personalized database or maintaining a database requires careful planning, decision-making, effort as well as setting a thorough understanding on its advantages and disadvantages.

 

Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness and Cost-benefits of using the specific type of database/information search services are important factors to consider. Practicality is also important with regard to cost/finances of using a database system. It is a matter of deciding what best way to address this concern and still not sacrificing the quality of information service or output of service per se.

 

Technological and intellectual advancements provide us a lot of way on how to develop better information services. However, it does not mean that we have to take everything from it just to keep ourselves up from the fast phase development. What matters most is our efficient and effective usage of whatever technological means we prefer to use that best fits our current needs as well as foreseen needs.

 

Technological and intellectual innovations are inevitable and so as human intelligence. As human intelligence continuously proliferates, technological and intellectual innovations serve as mere products of human intelligence as well as their sole proof. Existence of Online and CD-ROM systems are just examples of these evidences.

 

In relation with my work, we are not just concern with the technical aspects but also with the prospective market of Online and CD-ROM system for the reason that we, as local publisher has been trying to address the need of libraries nationwide through the promising development of tailored products  such as CD-ROM and Online database systems.

 

CELogic Inc. is a subsidiary of C & E Publishing Inc., dealing with imported electronic information resources from well-known publishers worldwide. C & E Publishing Inc. serves as an aggregator.

 

Moreover, the Company has now established Information and Communication Technology division (ICT) wherein it focuses on the local development and production of software or program for the prospective local and international market.

 

Hence, technological and intellectual innovations spawn from human intelligence and then continuously create new set of information needs/demands as by-products.

When It Rains, It Pours! – Was It Really A Series Of Unfortunate Events?

Wednesday, the best day in the week, came out as an extraordinary day!

 

It was really one HELLen of day as most of us thought! Was it just really a series of unfortunate events? Hmm what do you think? What can you say about that? We’ll find out from this critique!

 

The rain was pouring yet, it was very humid.

 

Most of us came from the office, and was already a bit exhausted and hungry due to traffic as well as the weather.

 

Some of us traveled from far north, grasping that this would enlighten their inquisitive minds and would keep them abreast of the recent advances in the field of library and information studies.

 

The forum’s registration process took so long. The registration fee was P200 pesos; quite unaffordable.

 

Moreover, the programme was not given upon registration. We did not know then what would be the flow of discussion and if the speaker would provide us a “free” softcopy or hardcopy of her presentation for perusal. Unfortunately, the softcopy of the presentation instead was sold in CDs for 50 pesos.. Amazing! Was it a fund-raising project? Hmm a good sum to start!  lol No, just kidding!

 

Kidding aside, though it was then a very tiresome trip I may say; interested partakers came from different areas nationwide, mostly within the region, still gathered together in this one big “memorable” event of the year.

 

The spacious-elevated room became crowded with different persons from all ages, eager to learn.

 

Everyone foresee that this event is an opportunity for us in terms of professional growth.

 

Willpower really counts in education. Nothing can stop each and everyone from learning, even weather.

 

In addition, I and my colleagues got caught up in MRT from Quezon Avenue. However, the forum purposely started 1:45 in the afternoon, instead of 1:00pm. It was such a blessing; we have arrived at the venue even before the forum started.

 

Most of us came early and so participants, including me, were jaded and heavy-eyed inside the air-conditioned multimedia room. Then, a foul smell came from nowhere, what a distraction! We were awakened! Throughout the forum, it was undeniably a great struggle!… struggling to breathe, struggling for a chance to concentrate.. struggling to get a peace of mind! Whew, what an experience!

 

Anyway, seriously, in general, despite these series of unfortunate events, we were still receptive and enthusiastic about learning something new. We indeed hoped then to search what we have been looking for, “INFORMATION”.

 

Now, was there really any information/s that was/were drawn from this forum? Hmm yes, of course, there are!

 

Primarily, the forum just provided us a brief overview of the information per se, advisory reference services, basic strategies of information searching, search engines; web/search harvesting, pathfinders as well as tools for library resources.

 

Everyone came not just as individuals, but as professional information seekers, still needing to be continuously educated. This event could have been a promising battling arena for information professionals and other intellectuals in order to come up with a favorable response for everyone with regard to strategies in information searching; an interactive and informative community of information specialists where everyone are free to share their views, opinions and knowledge about the discussion.

 

Unfortunately, the presentation proper failed to prepare the audience for an interactive and informative discussion. It was quite disappointing to know that the said forum generated an unfavorable result. The presentation lacks information. It does not provide an in-depth discussion on strategies of information searching.

 

It failed to consider the possible information needs/demands of prospective audience. How about the needs of exhausted information professionals who traveled from far north just to attend the said event, hoping that when they’ll get back to their respective places, they can responsibly and confidently cascade what they have learned from it? Does the information from the forum suffice for their needs? Quite alarming and disappointing, am I right? I guess that would be an issue of collective intellectual, professional and social responsibility, where we, as part of information society/community.

 

Hence, as information specialist, from imparting knowledge alone, one way or another, we directly or indirectly influence the professional growth of our colleagues and so we should be responsible in everything that we do.

 

Moreover, the forum failed to serve as a public meeting or presentation involving a discussion usually among experts and often including audience participation. The speaker failed to communicate effectively among her audience. Effective communication is vital in every interaction in order to come up with a satisfactory feedback. We need it in order to understand and learn effectively, not just ourselves but also others.

 

With these inadequacies, it was not surprising that few people instigated in imparting of knowledge and their views during the discussion. They felt that they were also responsible for the growth of their colleagues.

 

As information specialist, it is our great responsibility to impart knowledge and information to anyone who need it, not just because it is a part of our professional responsibility but, more importantly, as part of our social responsibility as an individual.

 

Furthermore, “good reputation should not be equated with “expertise” in the field. It is just a measure of all your achievements in your career, in black and white. Being successful as an information professional/specialist or in any other profession, is a matter of how you practice effectively and impart everything that you have learned unselfishly to anyone, helping them towards their professional and personal growth and development.  That’s our major responsibility.

 

Professional seminar or forum like this is rare to happen. Thus, when it happens, then attendees pour.

 

Series of unfortunate events are also rare. When it happens, it happens a lot all at once.

 

And lastly, thru responsible and knowledgeable professionals, learning and imparting knowledge and information can be highly efficient and effective – fluid, like rain; and when it rains, it pours.

 

Three Web 2.0 Technologies and How It Can Be Used in Libraries

Title: Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries

Author: Jack M. Maness

URL: http://www.webology.ir/2006/v3n2/a25.html

 

Title: How to Use Web 2.0 in Your Library

Author: Phil Bradley

Edition: 1^st ed.

Place of Publication: London

Publisher: Facet Publishing

 

 

Abstract:

 

From Web 2.0’s perspective, these articles discussed Library 2.0 theory and implications of Web 2.0 technologies for libraries. In addition, they address how Web 2.0 technologies such as synchronous messaging, streaming media, blogs, wikis, social networks, tagging, RSS feeds and mashups can be used in libraries.

 Moreover, it was emphasized in these articles that Library 2.0 is user-centered; it provides multi-media experience; it is socially rich (collaboration and user feedback) and; it is communally innovative wherein is seeks to continually change its services in order to find new ways to allow communities, not just individuals to seek, find and utilize information.

 

 

Three Things I have learned from this reading assignment:

 

 

1.                  Synchronous Messaging (Instant Messaging “Chat reference” services) – It allows real time communication and collaboration between individuals between patrons and librarian. In addition, these chat reference services can be prompted when certain user seeking behaviors are detected. Moreover, it can also provide immediate access to library staff in the reference services in terms of reference query work as well as for running searches and contacting colleagues.

2.                  Social Networks (e.g. LibraryThing) – social networking could enable librarians and patrons not only to interact but to share and explore one another’s interest and activities as well as change resources dynamically in an electronic medium. Users then can create accounts with the library network, identify their common interests, and the network recommends resources to users, based on similar profiles, demographic, previously accessed resources, and a host of data that users provide. Furthermore, librarians can consider user feedback from social network and would somehow identify their information needs or interests, and then be able to identify what prospective library materials to be included in their library collection.

3.                  Tagging – Users can create subject headings for the materials in the collection; thereby users can participate or help librarians in cataloging process. Tagging can make lateral searching easier considering both standardized and user-tagged subjects (taxonomy and folksonomy).

 

 

 

Implications of these new things I have learned to my work/to me as a person:

 

Web 2.0 technologies allow/transform library services into user-centered wherein users are empowered to set the direction. Using Web 2.0 technologies in libraries obviously requires highly competent librarian, embracing both traditional and contemporary librarianship – having in mind that the most important aspect of librarianship is connecting people and technology and matching information with their information needs.

 

Using web 2.0 technologies would definitely improve or enhance library services. Technological innovation is inevitable. However, librarians and information professionals are free to choose what Web 2.0 technologies to explore and exploit in order to provide better library services.

 

 

 

References:

 

Books:

 

Bradley, Phil. 2007. How to use Web 2.0 in your library. 1^st ed. London: Facet Pub.

 

Electronic Resources:

Maness, Jack M. 2006. Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries. Retrieved July 10, 2008 from, http://www.webology.ir/2006/v3n2/a25.html

What is Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and Librarian 2.0?

Title: How to Use Web 2.0 in Your Library

Author: Phil Bradley

Edition: 1^st ed.

Place of Publication: London

Publisher: Facet Publishing

 

Title: Library 2.0: The Challenge of Disruptive Innovation

Author: Paul Miller

Publisher: Talis Company

URL: http://www.talis.com/resources/documents/447_Library_2_prf1.pdf

 

Title: Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries

Author: Jack M. Maness

URL: http://www.webology.ir/2006/v3n2/a25.html

 

Title: Corporate Librarian 2.0: New Core Competencies

Author: Alexander Feng

URL: http://units.sla.org/division/dpht/division_info/travel-presentations/feng_essay.pdf

 

 

Abstract:

 

These articles provide a brief collective overview of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 technologies and how to become Librarian 2.0 using Web 2.0.  Primarily, Web 2.0 technologies have developed because of the advent of Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML). Through Web 2.0, user can control their environment which allows them to create resources that are unique to them. It also means that resources can be combined in new and exciting ways into what are commonly referred to as mashups. Web 2.0 based products will have ongoing improvement or changes according to the needs of users over the course of time.

 

In addition, Library 2.0 is about sharing information, recognizing that we as individuals do not seek and utilize information as individuals, but as communities. Library 2.0 is a social network interfaces that user designs. It is indeed a user-centered virtual community. It is a personalized OPAC that includes access to IM, RSS feeds, blogs, wikis, tagging with controlled schemes and public and private information within the library’s network. Library 2.0 is the application of interactive collaborative and multi-media web-based technologies to web-based library services and collections. Library 2.0 is an application of Web 2.0 in the library setting. In this context, Web 2.0 provides new and interesting resources for librarians. Library 2.0 is about ensuring that users are served quickly and effectively as possible using Web 2.0 technologies that can assist them in providing better library services. Thus, becoming a Librarian 2.0 is a great challenge on how to use effectively the Web 2.0 technologies in the library and information science setting.

 

Three Things I have learned from this reading assignment:

 

1.                  The community in Web 2.0 becomes involved as co-creator of information; there is collective intelligence.

2.                  Web 2.0 resources can be used to make the life of the information professional less complicated in their day-to-day work in their own profession but, also as librarians to quickly and easily create new resources for their users.

3.                  In general, the strength of the professional is in their understanding of the knowledge, value and distribution of data wherein Web 2.0 allows librarians in the technical control and development of resources.

 

Implications of these new things I have learned to my work/to me as a person:

 

Exploring and Exploiting Web 2.0 technologies offer a lot of benefits in providing much better services for patrons. It is a matter of choosing what technology is appropriate for our needs, utilizing them, promoting them and then if necessary, discard them in the future and move on to using another technology that is more appropriate again for our needs.

 

Together with this advancement, as information professionals, our role also changes. Technological innovation is not a threat but, a great opportunity for us to be better equipped and broadly educated in order to attain professional growth as well as personal growth.

 

Thus, Web 2.0 technologies would allow me to reestablish information mastery and add value to company I am working with in the future.

 

 

References:

 

Books:

 

Bradley, Phil. 2007. How to use Web 2.0 in your library. 1^st ed. London: Facet Pub.

 

Electronic Resources:

 

Miller, Paul. 2006. Library 2.0: The Challenge of Disruptive Innovation. Retrieved July 10, 2008 from, http://www.talis.com/resources/documents/447_Library_2_prf1.pdf

 

Maness, Jack M. 2006. Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries. Retrieved July 10, 2008 from, http://www.webology.ir/2006/v3n2/a25.html

 

Feng, Alexander. Corporate Librarian 2.0: New Core Competencies

 Retrieved July 10, 2008 from, http://units.sla.org/division/dpht/division_info/travel-presentations/feng_essay.pdf

Why There Is A Need To Evaluate Information Retrieval System Prior To And Subsequent To Its Application?

Title of the Article: Modern Information Retrieval: A Brief Overview

Author: Amit Singhal-Google, Inc.;

Publisher: IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee on Data Engineering

URL: http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~anhai/courses/784-sp08-anhai/ir_overview.pdf

 

 

Abstract:

Due to the invention of computer, people realized that computers could be used for storing and mechanically retrieving large amounts of stored information/knowledge. IRS is broadly categorized into in-house database and online database including CD-ROM, internet and the World Wide Web. Primarily, basic searching of text with a computer emerged in the 1950’s wherein words were used as indexing units for documents and measuring words overlap as a criterion for retrieval. IR models are based on the general principles that documents in a collection should be ranked by decreasing probability of their relevance to a query (Probability Ranking principle). Probabilistic IR models estimate the probability of relevance of documents for a query. IR systems inverted lists wherein in a given user query, it is only interested in scoring/indexing a small number of documents that contain some query term. IR systems can use single word or multiple-word phrases as indexing terms. Phrases are then much reliable than words.

Information Retrieval System (IRS) is designed to search for and retrieve specific facts or data either actual information or documents containing the information that fully or partially match the users’ query. IRS has three major areas and these are: 1) items of information; 2) users’ queries and; 3) matching queries with the document database. Likewise, IRS has three major components, and these are: 1) document subsystem; 2) users subsystems; 3) searching/retrieval system. In general, IRS’s main purpose is to analyze the content of the document or information, users’ queries, and then retrieve relevant records that match user’s needs. IRS also aims at collecting and organizing information in one or more subject areas in order to provide it for users as soon as they asked for it. On the whole, IRS is group into Subject Content Analysis and, Searching and Retrieval.

There is a need to evaluate Information Retrieval System prior to its application because it is important to identify and study the feasibility, appropriateness/suitability and reliability of an Information Retrieval System in catering the users’ needs and as well as benefits it can offer  in providing a much better quality service for information seekers. It is putting IRS into context of information demand. On other hand, it is also important to evaluate IRS subsequent to its application in order to assess its performance in providing good quality service considering its cost. Evaluation is the measurement of the value of IRS in providing high-quality service in terms of Effectiveness and Efficiency which are parameters of IRS. Effectiveness deals with on how IRS attains its objectives. Efficiency focuses the response time and the amount of effort given the user in interacting with the system. Thus, it is a determinant of how well does an IRS satisfy the information demand in the society at a minimal cost.

A good IR system should retrieve as many relevant documents as possible (high recall) and it should retrieve very few non-relevant documents (have high precision).These articles presents various criteria in evaluating IRS but, it was emphasized here that IR system evaluation is mainly an  evaluation of the search effectiveness in terms of Recall and Precision. Recall is the proportion of relevant documents retrieved by the system and; Precision is the proportion of retrieved documents that are relevant. However, it is also important to identify specific percentage ratios such as Recall ratio, Precision ratio, Fallout ratio and the Generality ratio. Recall ratio is the percentage ratio of relevant retrieved items. Precision ratio is the ability not to retrieve irrelevant items to user query. Fallout ratio is the proportion of irrelevant items that has been retrieved in a given approach. Generality ratio is the proportion of relevant documents in the collection for a given query.

Furthermore, relevance of retrieved documents and search effectiveness can be achieved through Term Weighting formulation and, Query Modification. In terms of Term Weighting, there are three factors to consider, and these are: Term frequency (tf), Document frequency (df) and, Document length. Term frequency (tf) focus on that repeat multiple times in a document are considered salient. Document frequency applies wherein words that appear in may document, are considered common and are not indicative of document content. Document lengths given emphasis when collection has documents of varying lengths; longer documents tend to score higher since they contain more words and word repetitions. In Query modification, Relevance Feedback and Pseudo-feedback were given emphasis. Relevance feedback (RF) happens where user judge some documents as relevant for their query, a system then can automatically, generate a better query – adding related new terms for further searching (e.g. stemming). In addition, Pseudo-Feedback (PF) is the meaningful query expansion in the absence of any user feedback, given that the top few documents retrieved by an IR system on the general query topic, IRS assumed that the top few documents retrieved for the initial user query are “relevant” and does relevance feedback to generate a new query and this expands new query is then used by the user. To sum up, in evaluating IRS, availability of information and selectivity of output should be taken into consideration. Coverage, Recall and Response Time in delivering information is important as well as Precision, Usability and Presentation of output of IRS in matching user needs.

 

THREE THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN THIS READING ASSIGNMENT

 

1.) Information Retrieval System (IRS) should be evaluated to be able to determine its strengths and weaknesses.

2.)   IRS’s level of performance determines the quality of service it can give to users as well as user satisfaction.

3.)  Statistical techniques continuously provide key advances in the field of Information Retrieval.

 

 

IMPLICATIONS OF NEW THINGS I HAVE LEARNED TO MY WORK/TO ME AS A PERSON

 

As a Product Research Coordinator under the Research and Product Database Department of C & E Publishing Inc, I was given the opportunity to address any research related with our In-house Database as well as Internet or World Wide Web.

 

In terms of our in-house databases, I would say that it is evidently ineffective and inefficient with regard to information retrieval.  Hence, this affects some of the daily transaction of the company.

 

However, the Higher Management is currently trying their best to address this concern.

 

Primarily, as per request, we cater the needs of our account/sales executives as well as or individual clients and school clients with regard to generated listing of our available titles per disciplines, with their corresponding complete item details such as title, author, edition, copyright, price, publisher, book type (for discounting), quantity/stock and location details.

 

We’re using three different in-house databases, and these are: 1) ACCPAC system which is from Sage, use for automation generation of inventories per discipline and per branch, assembly of items as bundle/set, deletion of item details as well as other customized reports; 2) ICD portal for is used for manual checking/searching of items per ISBN, Title, Author and Publisher and: 3) IT portal is the main template for ACCPAC System and ICD portal. IT portal is used mainly for item entry including its complete item details, table of contents, overview, and information about author/s as well as subject classification. In general, the company’s website gets the all item details from the IT portal.

 

The dilemma here is the reliability and accuracy of item details entered in the IT portal, specifically the subject classification of the items including other bibliographic details contain in the database. Since the Company’s website, the ICD portal and the ACCPAC system is highly dependent to the content of the IT, it is obvious that any wrong information from the IT Portal would also result to wrong information generated from these databases.

 

Another problem is that, these databases have limited capacity with regard to the amount of subject classification that can be included in the database. Hence, in assigning specific subjects of available items in the IT portal, as an information specialist and a trained cataloger, I am reluctant to assign a broad subject for a particular item when the determined appropriate subject is unavailable in the database. This problem then resulted to wrong classification and clustering of titles in the database.

 

            Moreover, with ACCPAC system, we can generate customized reports depending on the chosen parameter field such as Branch, Beginning Date of inventory, Ending Date of inventory, Type (Account Set Code for discounting) and Subject Code. These parameters has corresponding discrete values presented in a dropdown menu, like for instance, the listing of our specific warehouse and branch nationwide as well as the listing of general classification of our products. The problem in ACCPAC is that users cannot generate reports simultaneously and the selections are vague in terms of subject categories. However, generated reports can be exported to different formats.

 

In addition, when a listing on specific subjects is being requested to us, we first export the generated file to excel format and then start filtering the data within the file accordingly. It is a very tedious task. In manual filtering, we should have at least a prepared list of indexing terms or keywords about the specific subject or discipline. It is vital particularly when we are not really familiar with the scope of the specific subject that we are looking for. Thus, if we do not have that listing as our reference, we will find it hard to search for relevant titles in the file.

 

With the ICD portal, we can search for a particular item according to its ISBN, title, author and publisher. However, in this database, we avoid searching for specific item by keyword for the reason that it can only give a small amount of relevant data within the collection. In using keywords, the database is restricted only in generating titles that contains that search term only in the beginning or at the end and not within the title itself. It is then very difficult to search for specific topic using the ICD portal.

 

On the whole, I can say that these databases need to be overhaul for the reason that these problems hinder us in providing a good quality information retrieval system. And lastly, the abovementioned criteria for evaluation of Information Retrieval System should be taken into consideration in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a specific information retrieval system, and how well they effectively and efficiently provide relevant information/data for a specific query.

 

 

References:

 

Books:

 

Vickery, Brian C. & Vickery, Alina. (1987). Information Science in Theory and Practice. London: Butterworths.

Chowdhury, G.G. (2004). Introduction to Modern Information Retrieval. 2^nd ed. London: Facet Pub.

Electronic Resources:

Modern Information Retrieval: A Brief Overview. Retrieved July 4, 2008, from http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~anhai/courses/784-sp08-anhai/ir_overview.pdf