GREENING THE LIBRARY!

READING ASSIGNMENT:  GREENING THE LIBRARY!

TITLE OF THE ARTICLE(S): Green library

AUTHOR (S):

PUBLISHER(S):  

URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_library

Abstract of the article(s): (1-2 paragraph/s):

Green design is an emerging trend which is defining the library of the 21st century.   It is also known as sustainable libraries which are being built all over the world.   They are part of the larger green building movement which is having a unique role in the green building movement due to its mission, public and pedagogical nature.

Because of the long-term nature of the library, green design is potentially less expensive than standard design, as heavy up-front costs often pay for themselves, waste is reduced, efficiency is increased, and energy and water are conserved. Evolving libraries of the 21st century are integrating sustainable practices, because it is becoming the most cost-effective way to do things.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

1. I learned what makes a library green.  There are so many factors which include minimizing the negative impact the building would have on the environment and rather it should have positive impact.
2. I learned that reducing the use of water and energy by designing in a way that maximizes the use of natural renewable resources is important.
3. I also learned that by integrating actual greenery and vegetation into the building and site design is good, especially the use of drought resistant and native vegetation.  Also, maintaining high standards of indoor air quality to help ensure the health of the people who inhabit the building is imperative.

Application/Implication of the new things I learned to my work/to me as a person:

I understand that green design is an integrated process. No one aspect of a building's architecture makes its green architecture. Buildings can be designed in a way in which, good design in one category helps another category fulfill its goal.

I also understand from this survey that libraries have been expanding the scope of their mission statements, to include working for the betterment of mankind. Again, that technology is no longer a barrier and that greening is a great image of the library.

HEALTH CONCERNS OF COMPUTER USE!

READING ASSIGNMENT:  HEALTH CONCERNS OF COMPUTER USE!

TITLE OF THE ARTICLE(S): Health Problems Caused By Use of Computers.

AUTHOR (S):  By Purva Mewa

PUBLISHER(S):  

URL: http://www.healthoma.com/health-problems-caused-by-use-of-computers/

Abstract of the article(s): (1-2 paragraph/s):

We are in a complex society that the use of computers is increasingly becoming inevitable. From writing a letter in the office to choosing the colour to paint living room its computer in use all the way. And it doesn’t look like there is any escape from computers or a more suitable replacement for them at least in the near future.

With countless conveniences, the computer also brings some health issues.  We sit in front of the computer looking into the screen without taking a break and blinking eyelid. This hurts many parts of our body.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

1.      Frequent use of the computer system may cause lower back pain.  This is caused as a result of wrong type of chair or desk, or sitting on the edge of the chair.

2.      The use of computer may cause neck pain this is as a result of constant movement of the neck up and down, left and right.

3.      I learned also that one of the computer hazards is pain in the wrists and fingers.  When chair are not properly adjusted it may cause that.

Application/Implication of the new things I learned to my work/to me as a person:

By implication chair not adjusted properly can result into knee, buttocks and shoulder pains. I gained from this article that breaks and wrist exercise are very important in order to reduce the risk hazards.  And that I should ensure adequate room temperature which is also important. 

Also, for me to avoid dehydrating I should work in a room with fewer computers and people and avoid endless rounds of tea and coffee.

OPEN PUBLISHING!

READING ASSIGNMENT:  OPEN PUBLISHING.

TITLE OF THE ARTICLE(S): What is open access publishing?

AUTHOR (S): 

PUBLISHER(S):  

URL: http://library.lanl.gov/openaccess/

Abstract of the article(s): (1-2 paragraph/s):

What exactly is an open access publication? There are many definitions, but in a nutshell an open access publication is a publication that provides immediately free online access to all users worldwide.

A process that gives all authors, photographers, artists and other creators equal access to consumers and equal voice in the market. It eliminates arbitrary barriers that publishing houses and publishing associations establish and maximizes success by ensuring all content gets equal opportunity for exposure.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

1. Open publishing and publications have experienced substantial growth, expansion and uptake in recent years.

2. The need for this type of access has been driven by the out-of-control costs for scholarly publications.

3. The current system of scholarly publishing is not sustainable.

Application/Implication of the new things I learned to my work/to me as a person:

So, I personally learned that considering open publishing provide the following benefits:

• Increased dissemination of publications.

• Articles can be cited sooner.

• Articles potentially cited more frequently and

• Institutional costs for scholarly publishing are decreased.

Open Source Software!

READING ASSIGNMENT:  OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

TITLE OF THE ARTICLE(S): What is Open Source Software?

AUTHOR (S):  By Vangie Beal.

PUBLISHER(S):  

URL:  http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Computer_Science/2005/open_source.asp

Abstract of the article(s): (1-2 paragraph/s):

Open source refers to a program or software in which the source code  that is the form of the program when a programmer writes a program in a particular programming language is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original design free of charge.

The rationale for this movement is that a larger group of programmers not concerned with proprietary ownership or financial gain will produce a more useful and bug-free product for everyone to use. The concept relies on peer review to find and eliminate bugs in the program code, a process that commercially developed and packaged programs do not employ.

Open source software is typically created as a collaborative effort in which programmers improve upon the code and share the changes within the community.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

1. I learned that open source initiative is when programmers can read, redistribute and modify the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves. 

2. I also learned that open source sprouted in the technological community as a response to proprietary software owned by corporations.
3. That proprietary software is privately owned and controlled. In the computer industry, proprietary is considered the opposite of open.

Application/Implication of the new things I learned to my work/to me as a person:

The implication here is that community is getting more and more adoptable to coding and redefining its programs.  As codes are redistributed freely to general public even people who don’t know how to do programming but have interest in it can easily learn from those codes.

And for me personally, this would aid me in improving in coding systems especially in high-level languages as countless codes are being made available online to use for free in a community driven setup.