Social Networking

The idea from "Spotted an article" about members supporting each other gained my interest. There are so many questions that can be answered by another library member; just listen in to the conversations whilst people line up at the information desk. I have often had to thank one member for helping another, and me.

Being involved with Reader's Advisory work, I can see that discussion between members of recommending what to read next could be invaluable; and probably give the library ideas on what they have missed buying.

This then could lead onto a marketing opportunity of letting our members and anyone else who joined how interested we are in their suggestions and how quick we are to implement them.

It would be interesting to see how many people would join in. And this could lead to great opportunities for networking. That author who lives locally and would love to come and give a talk and naturally his friends, also authors, would like to give talks as well. Or maybe they would like to give a lecture on writing. Then there is also the poets groups, the writers groups, the artists groups etc. all wanting to participate with the library in some way.

As they say, just one ripple is all it takes ..........

Google Docs

I can see many uses for Google Docs, one being the ability to collaborate with other staff on a document, presentation etc. without the need to attach emails etc. At first I thought this is what we are using wikis for, but, of course, Wikis don't have all the Office capabilities of Google Docs. Also in some instances, just a couple of the group may be working on something, and it is too new to share with everyone.

The other purpose I am thinking of is training library members in the use of various library services. If a presentation has been given in the library put it on the web and then let others know about it.

And, of course, the person who can't attend the meeting, type the minutes straight in and they can receive them immediately.

Lettering for Signage

I couldn't get the mosaics to work, but how much fun could you have with this one.

Mashups and the library world

This photo was taken at an Adelaide farm, and it was fun to make the calendar.

I can see that mashups would be very useful for any business, including libraries, in that you can combine different points of interest, without having to know alot about web design, so staff could be much more involved. For myself at the moment I need to learn alot more.

Podcasts and Vodcasts

It would be great to vodcast our author talks like Mosman does, but at the moment our technology doesn't seem to agree.

Another useful way to use them would be for online training of our catalogue and databases, and this could be for both staff and the public. Imagine the time and money the library could save here; and then if some people still needed the personal touch, that could be arranged as well, but I am assuming that it would be alot easier when using with either podcasts or vodcasts.

The major stumbling block, however, seems to the the quality of the recording material. Some of the examples were really poor and hard to understand, where others were top notch. I've heard proper recording material is very expensive, but our library is investigating.

Customer Surveys

Our library tries various methods to survey our customers, some in line with council.

I must say at this point if people know a way to survey customers in the manner in which they like to be surveyed, could you please share this information.

I feel really listening to their comments (if at all possible with an unbiased and undefensive view) and passing them onto the appropriate people with the customer receiving an answer or seeing a result probably rates quite high with most people.

Slamming the boards

Our library has a link so that people can ask online questions, and at the moment it is not getting much use, so if slamming the boards had more meaning to our customers then it sounds like a great idea. Even if we used it by having a FAQ link and organised the ones we thought would interest people or better still have them add the ones they found most useful.

http://del.icio.us/mhills

Bookmarking with del.icio.us makes total sense for the individual and for libraries. To have a portable bookmarking system is ideal and also to be able to look at what other people have bookmarked that have the same interests as you is a great time saver. This will be very handy for the borrowers to do their own exploring once the library gives them a lead.

Chocolate sculpture

Video Sharing Online or Webcasting

I had a look at YouTube and Google Video to check out the difference, but I really couldn't see any. What I did learn though was that alot of people out there take videos the same way I do; not very well. However, I can see a great use for this technology for people travelling to share with family and friends and for relatives living geographically separate. Actually even for people who don't have the time to watch your video when you do.

Now for libraries in particular. Mosman is an excellent example of webcasting author talks. Now for the library whose technology isn't able to support storing videos, a link to YouTube or Google Video might just solve that problem. Must think about this some more.

The other application I can see is for guided tours of library databases and catalogues. These really need to be promoted more and what better way to do it than with the borrower at the time that suits them. Not sure which library worker will be prepared to be videoed, but hey they're are so many challenges in this technology world of ours.

Wikis

I have been involved with the Reader's Advisory Wiki, where many librarians from different libraries share ideas and information. Just log in to www.readersadvisory.wetpaint.com and have a look.

We have also started one in our own library so that we can share information without the inevitable flow of emails. Again everything takes time, and this exercise is no different, but we will get there.

http://bloglines.com/

Maybe with this link I will keep more up-to-date.

RSS Feeds

I must admit I have been a lover of keeping up with whats new for awhile now using RSS feeds. I am interested in Australian literature that is being discussed, so I subscribe to "Matilda". I also subscibe to "About Contemporary Literature". I have now also included the ones suggested in this weeks lesson. I have to add though like everything else, I wish I had more time, I don't check them as regularly as I should.

Incredible re-binding of books, masks, and small sculptures by Catalyst Studios.

This is an example of using old book covers for making different types of craft. I saw a fabulous display whilst at Melbourne Markets after the Library Technician's Conference.

box kite sculpture / info kiosk

box kite sculpture / info kiosk, originally uploaded by themystic.

What a temptation - the book. It can stop us doing all sorts of things - housework, worrying, exercise - anything!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Readers' Advisory

Readers' Advisory is my passion at the moment, so I can see a blog working very well for this purpose. The following are some ideas:

Genre Lists
Author Talks
Vodcasts from popular author events
Staff Reviews
Borrower Reviews
Online Book Chat
Comments

I think it is great that individual staff members will be able to put up their suggestions for additions to the blog without the poor systems librarian having to do all the work.

This is the reason I want to learn more and more about Web 2.0, to be able to make suggestions that don't create so much work for other people, to make me more self reliant.

Libraries, the future and Web 2.0

Public libraries need to be perceived as a community space, which is comfortable and friendly when you visit physically; and a website that is easy to navigate, intuitive and interactive when you visit remotely.

Our patrons, members, clients, customers, contacts, friends (whatever you want to call them) vary so widely that it is impossible to be all things to all people all the time. Libraries need to think of who their audience is for a particular product (product being: event, blog, items for loan). More surveys need to be carried out to find out what particular groups want, we need to implement as much is feasible and then evaluate, evaluate, evaluate. No point having something that takes hours of work for one or two people's enjoyment.

Projects need to have well worked out objectives that the staff agree on. What one person thinks is a fabulous response is another person's disappointment. Quite demoralising when you are all excited about how well your project is going when someone else comments, "Wow you must be really disappointed."

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME

Wow!!! My colleagues told me the most difficult part about starting your own blog was what to call it. Well mine actually didn't take that long because I decided not to worry about whether it would be found on the web, what relevance it had to other people, but only that I could relate to it. (I hope I read it right "You can change it later".)



The "OK my life has been taken over" factor was when I was looking through the templates of choice and clicked the continue button, assuming there were more options, when I received the message "Your blog has been created for you." Well alright then, I guess we get on with it; it is Friday night after a long week. I hear you groan, "That poor lonely creature doing Web 2.0 training on a Friday night." It's ok though, being a busy woman I have decided that if I have the energy and the interest to do something the best time to do it is NOW!!! OK my friend did cancel our dinner date, but hey she was sick.



Ready, steady, go it's on with the blog