Google Gadgets and Libraries
Google gadgets are showing up everywhere. This week I will be highlighting Google gadget use among professional organizations.
Today is library day.
Libraries are adopting gadgets quite quickly. I will be showing off some of their gadgets, but I also want to touch on how people are communicating and interacting which is a large part of why Google gadgets are becoming so popular among librarians.
Denver is a great example of a public library using Google gadgets, the gadget shows how libraries can use Google gadgets to distribute information about their events.
This gadget displays the upcoming events and classes offered by the NYPL
Here are a few from University libraries…
This library didn’t stop at Google gadgets, they have a browser search plug-in and a toolbar as well. Wow.
Here is their gadget…
It searches their library and serves as a great tool for their patrons. Peta Hopkins, the author of this gadget said on her blog that she based it on another libraries gadget, lets check that one out…
The University of Western Australia
Sure enough, the gadget for UWA is the same thing, but Peta was able to adapt this gadget to her own library.
This is what makes gadgets so great. Once a useful application has been created, it can be easily adopted for other libraries. Both of these libraries give generous thanks to Matthias Liffers who has created many innovative things for the modern librarian (including the original of these gadgets).
There are more examples of libraries using gadgets, this one was created by David Lippert of Portland, Oregon…
The MIT library just recently got into the game too…
by creating both a Google gadget and a Facebook application.
There are many great ways to use Google gadgets for libraries, so if if you have one already for you library why not share the knowledge?
You can also visit the library gadgets page in the Gadzi gadget directory where libraries can submit their gadgets. It would be nice to see a large section of library Google gadgets so that they can be displayed in one place to compare and get ideas from.
If you are a library using a gadget or if you are a developer with some helpful hints for librarians, you can email gadgets@gadzi.com for free inclusion into the directory.
Related posts:The Google Gadget Directory Changes
Where to Submit Google Gadgets
Google Rolls out Google Gadget Ads
September 4th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
hey Pat, this is great stuff.. and I like the new look, though I always found the ’sprinked with fart jokes’ very uplifting