Here is my attempt to publish a Google Docs document to my blog. I must say, that isn't exactly what I had in mind. I wanted to just post it as a link. *sigh* Obviously, I have much to learn. :-)

One additional note that makes Google Docs a web app to consider using is that it is available on the web and at any time. You don't have to have Word, Excel, or any other program installed on your computer, and you can access documents when you are away from your own computer. Shiny!

Having said that, I still don't plan on using Google Docs regularly. However, one probably shouldn't say never, eh?

IDEAS FOR USING GOOGLE DOCS IN THE LIBRARY

Internal Uses

• Monthly Statistical Report
• Volunteer Database
• Incident Report
• Section Documents (i.e. SRP, etc.)

The first possible internal use for Google Docs that occurs to me is the Monthly Statistical Report that all Supervisors must file. Our separate reports are emailed to the Library Services Manager, and then forwarded to Shelly to compile into a single report. Perhaps the template could be set up by Shelly and then each supervisor would contribute their portion. Shelly could then compile the copies for the Board wihtout a lot of further input. Just a thought, anyway.

We currently have the Volunteer Database set up on the network. It might also be possible to use Google Docs for this document.

The Incident Report is another document which is added to and edited by a number of people. This might be another possible use of Google Docs.

Also, perhaps some sections would find it useful for other documents which are used or edited by several people. I can see possibilities for Children's SRP documents.

Week 7 - Online Productivity Tools

This task was to explore Google Docs, one of the many new web apps that can replace traditional software. In this case, Google Docs can be used instead of Word, WordPerfect, or other word processing software.

The advantages are that Google Docs can be shared so that they can be used and edited by several people at the same time. Revisions can be tracked, but there is really only a single copy of the document rather than many copies or versions emailed back and forth.

For this Challenge, I have been using the Challenge Tracking Sheet along with the other Challenge organizers. Also, just for this task, I created a simple spreadsheet, which I am really using as a database, and a very simple document outlining some possible uses for the Library of this tool.

Was it easy to set up?
Yes, both documents were ridiculously easy to set up. However, I kept them very simple, so perhaps it wasn't a true test.

Was it easy to use?
Very easy. Google Docs is far simpler than Word (though I still prefer WordPerfect) or Excel. The tool bar is very clear, and as I have used Gmail for a couple of years, very familiar.

Would you use it on a regular basis?
At the moment, no. I don't see any need for it myself. I really prefer WordPerfect for all of my word processing uses, and I have no need at the moment to share any documents. However, who knows what may come up in the future.

What was your favorite feature?
That documents could be shared, used, and edited among several people at the same time. Such a time and effort saver over emailing copies back and forth a dozen times.

What was your least favorite feature?
Didn't have one, actually. Sorry.

How could the library make use of Google Docs, either internally or for the public?
I really cannot see any possible uses for the public. However, there are several internal uses that might be worth considering: GoogleDocs