It seems that every day there is news of a security breach or invasion of privacy. From ransomware to widespread breaches of private data, the news is full of scare stories. Sometimes it seems that there is nothing that you can do to protect your data. Luckily, there are strategies you can implement and actions you can take to reduce your risk. You can learn to see beyond the hype of media scare stories and learn what’s worth paying attention to by following certain best practices. This issue of Library Technology Reports (volume 54, no. 3), “Privacy and Security Online: Best Practices for Cybersecurity,” answers the following questions: What are the best ways to back up data? What’s the best thing to do if your device is lost or stolen? How do intruders get access to your data? Can criminals hold your data captive and ask for ransom? Is your laptop’s or smartphone’s traffic being harvested when on public Wi-Fi? Should you trust a password manager? Is it advisable to use Touch ID or Face ID on iPhones? How can you browse the web privately and anonymously? How can you protect your privacy on Facebook? Should you use encrypted messaging and email? How? How can you control your privacy if you use smart home devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Home? Using advice from security experts, this report discusses the difference between possible threats and likely risks. It also provides advice on how to make your own security plan and concludes with ideas for sharing this information with your library users.

How can your library-and your patrons-benefit from mobile apps? This guidebook offers a solid foundation in "app-literacy," supplying librarians with the knowledge to review and recommend apps, offer workshops, and become the app expert for their communities. Smartphones and other mobile devices that support downloadable applications-universally referred to as "apps"-can be used to foster productivity, conduct research, or read and study. Additionally, savvy librarians can better serve their communities by gaining expertise in mobile technologies and being qualified to make app recommendations to patrons. This book introduces you to the apps that can help you save time and increase your own productivity as well as serve as a curator and reviewer of apps and resident expert to benefit your patrons. Apps for Librarians: Using the Best Mobile Technology to Educate, Create, and Engage will save you from wading through and learning about the millions of apps available today and direct you to the very best apps in areas important to education, the workplace, and professional development. Organized by function-reading, writing, reference, multi-media, and productivity-apps are profiled with the following information: title, developer, price, platforms, general description, examples of use, and key features that make it worthwhile for learning and creative work. Describes the most important, high-quality mobile apps in specific topic areas of interest to librarians Provides examples of how these apps are useful for education, creativity, and productivity for all types of users, including those with special needs Supplies a detailed checklist of what information to include when reviewing apps Includes an extensive resource guide to books, blogs, websites, courses, and other sources for keeping up with mobile apps Provides notes on app functionality, features, price, and developer as well as any pertinent limitations

Apple has "Siri," Amazon "Alexa," Google "Google Assistant," and Microsoft "Cortana." Learn how you can use a popular technology to improve library services, increase their efficiency, and excel in your career. Digital assistants such as Alexa and Siri can play music, podcasts, audiobooks, and the radio; answer questions; provide factual information; tell stories; and even control devices in your home. What can they do for you in your library? This concise, practical guide will help you to understand the basics of voice computing platforms and appreciate its relevance to you as a librarian, outlining specific applications for this technology in the library. Discussions of potential applications will inspire you to include voice computing in your library services and events and give you the tools you need to do so. You'll also find a list of the best sources on voice computing. In short, you will find everything you need to know about this important and growing technology and how you can use it in your library.

Learn how to help your library patrons deepen their internet searches to more effectively find information, images, videos, statistics, maps, books, definitions, translations, and more. You know how to dash off a quick Google search, but do you know how to go further with your searching to get everything you actually need? Written in an engaging, conversational tone, this handy guide introduces you to shortcuts and some of the hidden features and filters offered by many search tools-such as limiting by site, domain, or date-and to several free but little-known search tools. With concrete examples and practical how-to tips, you'll learn to effectively search Google, Wolfram Alpha, social media platforms, and other internet search tools-and how to teach your patrons to do the same. The information comprised in this volume can be easily shared with patrons to help them in their searches and may be used in information literacy courses. Conduct more effective Google searches Become familiar with hidden features and filters offered by many search tools Learn about several different free search tools and when to use each Teach patrons practices to independently find information

The acceleration of technological change demands that today's information professionals and educators not only be constantly acquiring new knowledge and skills, but also that they cultivate the ability to make sound judgments on which technologies to embrace. Today's librarians and information specialists know it's imperative that they keep up with new technologies. But not all technologies are equally important, either within the library setting or to library patrons. So how does one decide which ones to pursue and integrate into services? In the uphill battle to stay current with new and emerging technologies, deciding which ones to pursue and integrate into services is a major challenge. A secondary problem is simply finding the time to consider the question. Readers of Keeping Up with Emerging Technologies will learn all of the best practices and skills to keep up with new technologies and to analyze the ability of specific technologies to meet recognized user needs-all in this single source. You'll learn the best ways to gather information about new technologies and user needs, to evaluate and analyze information, to curate technology information for others, to set up experiments and evaluate the results, and to present your findings to persuade decision-makers. Written by the former head of user experience at MIT's library system, this guidebook serves information professionals, educators, education technology specialists, and anyone with "emerging technology" or "innovation" in their job titles. It will also be useful for library administrators and those who manage these positions as well as for students seeking a technology-oriented or curriculum-design career path in libraries. Helps information specialists create a strategy for keeping up with new technologies and for making informed judgments on which technologies to test and integrate into library services Provides ideas for designing curriculum for an education technology specialist career track in library school Gives those who are preparing to interview for a technology specialist position a reliable guide for professional growth Identifies which types of resources are most helpful for keeping up with new technologies