Uses in the Library

Protopage would be a great addition to any library. It allows the viewer to look at many different websites at once. These seperate windows to other websites are called widgets. A library could use Protopage in many ways. For example, it could be the homepage for any of the computers that the patrons use. There could even be a separate one for the staff as well.

Some Widgets that could be used on Protopage for libraries are:

• Reading ideas/lists
• How to videos
• Catalog search
• Type in Demonstration Page
• Interesting article of the day
• Book of the day or week
• Calendar of monthly programs
• local and national news headlines

Here's an example of how one Medical Library has set up their widgets:

This is South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Library Services Page: 

(General, n.d.).

Another nice feature about Protopage is the ability to have many pages. Each page can be something different. Pages at the top could be different genre's that way patrons can go to whichever one they are interested in, instead of searching through the page to find what they are looking for. Some pages could also be the how to videos, mentioned in the above as well.

Here is an example of how a school library has set up their Protopage pages:

This is NLRHS West Campus' Library Page:

 (Home, n.d.).



As you can see, there is plenty to put on a Protopage and each one will be unique and different. There are a lot of great features for a library to use with a Protopage. I personally feel that a Protopage would be a great home screen for any library computer. It gives the library the opportunity to let the patrons know what is going on in the library that month and even for the year. With the ability to change the layout to your needs, the library can do just that.  Overall there is just so much to explore with Protopage that the possibilities are endless when it comes to library use. 


Some questions to think about:

1. If you work in a library do you think Protopage would be useful to you? If you do not work in a library, could you think of a way to make Protopage work in a library?

2. Are there some other ways Protopage could be used in the library?

3. Have you ever used or heard of Protopage before and if yes, what for?

References

Home. (n.d.). NLRHS West Campus Library [Protopage page]. Retrieved April 14 2014, from http://www.protopage.com/nlrhswestlibrary#Untitled/HOME 

General. (n.d.). South Tees HospitalsNHS Foundation Trust Services [Protopage page]. Retrived April 14 2014, from http://www.protopage.com/southteeslibraries