Discover
Firstly, the video Social Networking in Plain English sums it up quite nicely - I'd heard of MySpace and Facebook and perhaps Bebo; however, I hadn't heard of some of the ones on the LeMonde map (eg Hi5, Skyblog) but I did find it interesting that Australia is a big user of MySpace (no surprise but I thought that I'd heard "young people use MySpace and old people use Facebook" - where I think "young" means attending a 'school') whereas New Zealand is a big user of Bebo. Perhaps I'm naive in that I would've thought Australia and New Zealand would've been similar in the popularity of social networking services...
Explore
I thought the article Seb Chan highlighted the importance and relevance of museums (and perhaps libraries as some libraries are 'amalgamated with museum services') in utilising social networking. Our library recently conducted a customer satisfaction survey and this survey was also available online on the Council's website. The online survey was available to all and this was one way that the library could reach its online customers - great! However, how many more customers could have been reached if the library utilised social networking options - although I believe customers would need to be aware of your 'space' on the social network to become part of the 'community' - that is where your marketing and promotion enters the equation.
In more traditional ways, in varying degrees, libraries are already embracing the Research, Marketing, Support, Development aspects through their website; however, an opportunity exists for libraries to make the leap to the next chapter - social networking.
I enjoyed exploring the different examples of social networking and the first one I clicked was the NZ library (as NZ libraries always seem to do fantastic things!) and it certainly had the wow factor - interesting to note in their slideshow of the faces of the customers (couldn't do that in Australia).
In summary, I can see the benefits and the opportunities for social networking in libraries - and as with all new technologies, somebody has to be responsible for it - I wonder if that is where it will fall down - the staffing resources?
Second Life
I'd heard about Second Life when I first joined our Emerging Technologies team at my library - and not long after, I'd heard the news story about a person caught stealing in Second Life but was arrested in 'this life' and I recall the breakfast radio announcer asking the question "were they arrested with virtual handcuffs or real handcuffs?"
Also, people can study university degrees - including library science - in Second Life.
At this point in time, I couldn't imagine our library joining Second Life; however, as Librarians are 'slamming the boards' to answer enquiries - I'm certain some libraries and librarians will be in the Second Life.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Week 11 - Online applications and tools
"Google Docs Rocks!"
I particularly find this one very interesting as our library charge a small fee ($2 per half hour or part thereof) for customers using Word Processing, Excel, Powerpoint or Email/Chat services - and here is Google Docs offering the free word processing facilities....although customers may already know of Google Docs - and possibly are already using it "free at our library".
Explore
Slideshare demonstrated on the 53 slides a number of 'fab freebies for productivity' - and some appear to brilliant! Must explore these further - especially slideshare and omnidrive!!!
But I will also explore Thumbstacks further too - I have created a few powerpoint slideshows over the years and they take up a huge amount of space as an attachment to an email - for future reference, the link for
thumbstacks
I am so glad that I have been continually learning new things even though I'm getting close to finishing this course!!!!
I'm going to investigate what Google Docs can do....and this video summed it up quite nicely...Google docs in Plain English
I've created a document in Google Docs and have shared it using the nswpln@gmail.com email and invited nswpln as a contributor.
Although Google Docs does not have every function of Word, for example, it would be sufficient for a person wishing to create a document and share with others - particularly for collaborating with others - as per the example in the video above. How often have staff sent a document for feedback and you could have several 'updates' floating between several people and one is never sure which is the most recent and accurate version.
As stated above, I could see customers in the future using Google Docs rather than paying us $2 per half-hour to create a basic document and print it out.
I particularly find this one very interesting as our library charge a small fee ($2 per half hour or part thereof) for customers using Word Processing, Excel, Powerpoint or Email/Chat services - and here is Google Docs offering the free word processing facilities....although customers may already know of Google Docs - and possibly are already using it "free at our library".
Explore
Slideshare demonstrated on the 53 slides a number of 'fab freebies for productivity' - and some appear to brilliant! Must explore these further - especially slideshare and omnidrive!!!
But I will also explore Thumbstacks further too - I have created a few powerpoint slideshows over the years and they take up a huge amount of space as an attachment to an email - for future reference, the link for
thumbstacks
I am so glad that I have been continually learning new things even though I'm getting close to finishing this course!!!!
I'm going to investigate what Google Docs can do....and this video summed it up quite nicely...Google docs in Plain English
I've created a document in Google Docs and have shared it using the nswpln@gmail.com email and invited nswpln as a contributor.
Although Google Docs does not have every function of Word, for example, it would be sufficient for a person wishing to create a document and share with others - particularly for collaborating with others - as per the example in the video above. How often have staff sent a document for feedback and you could have several 'updates' floating between several people and one is never sure which is the most recent and accurate version.
As stated above, I could see customers in the future using Google Docs rather than paying us $2 per half-hour to create a basic document and print it out.
Week 10 Mashups - Big Huge Labs
I managed to create a mashup of some of my photos from flickr and registered with fd's Flickr Toys to upload the mashup to my flickr account - this enabled me to then "Blog This" and hopefully it will all display!
Week 10 - Mashups
Wow - I enjoyed the challenge and I could see not only libraries using Mashups but also members of the public for their personal use.
How could a library use mashups?
I could imagine a Local Studies Library using mashups to demonstrate the changing view of the local community.
I could imagine a library using a mashup (such as that on big huge labs) to create images of school holiday activities, storytimes, regular activities (minus faces of children!)
I could also see libraries using mashups for customers to elect to print themselves (eg calendars and 'toys') using images from the library.
As per Libraries411.com (Find Public Libraries near you), I could see the benefits of libraries in Australia putting themselves on the map (so to speak) for visitors to the local area. Actually not just visitors, but also residents in the community unaware of the location of their local library.
With mashups, the options would be endless.....just hope IT departments can see the benefits of a library using such technology.
How could a library use mashups?
I could imagine a Local Studies Library using mashups to demonstrate the changing view of the local community.
I could imagine a library using a mashup (such as that on big huge labs) to create images of school holiday activities, storytimes, regular activities (minus faces of children!)
I could also see libraries using mashups for customers to elect to print themselves (eg calendars and 'toys') using images from the library.
As per Libraries411.com (Find Public Libraries near you), I could see the benefits of libraries in Australia putting themselves on the map (so to speak) for visitors to the local area. Actually not just visitors, but also residents in the community unaware of the location of their local library.
With mashups, the options would be endless.....just hope IT departments can see the benefits of a library using such technology.
Week 9 - Podcasts & Audio
Oh the joys of IT restrictions.....
or that of dial-up.........
I did manage to listen to a podcast from the British Library - I elected to listen to a shorter podcast due to download time and I listened to Steve Cleary, Curator of Drama and Literature, introduces the new British Library CD. 'The Spoken Word: Evelyn Waugh', with an exclusive clip from the CD of Waugh reading from his own work 'Half in Love with Easeful Death'.
Recorded on 17 March 2008.
Unfortunately, when I went to investigate ABC, I discovered that I did not have the software (and I wasn't able to download) required to listen to the podcasts...I found the subject options and tried a couple of different options, but to no avail as you need to copy the URL into your podcast program (such as Juice Receiver or iTunes)
Explore
I listened to Worthington Libraries rhyme "This is the way the ladies ride" podcast which is obviously aimed at a Born to Read/Lapsit program - although it would be great for a parent to learn such rhymes etc to perform with their baby, it certainly is not a substitute for the face-to-face contact of storytimes etc. Young children (and even older children) need to see the facial expressions and actions in reading stories etc - not just listen to a story on a podcast. Having said that, this may be a useful resource for a library to access different rhymes, songs etc to use in their programs conducted in the library. Anyhow, the link for Worthington's podcasts for children is available at Worthington Libraries - Programs2Go
I also investigated Booktalks Quick and Simple and discovered
Audiobook clips from Listening Library which highlights the popularity of audiobook collections in libraries - with the growing number of audiobooks becoming available in MP3 format as opposed to CD format - as many new cars for example, have MP3 & CD compatible players - the demand for MP3 format is increasing....
Podcasts for clients and staff - I could see the benefits of using Podcasts for staff sharing ideas, resources etc in a situation where geographically, the branch libraries are literally hundreds of kms apart.
This also raises the need for clients in such areas having access to podcasts (for example, storytimes) - even though I value the face-to-face aspect of storytimes, I believe it is of greater importance for children in remote areas to not miss out.
How could a metropolitan or regional library use Podcasts? Perhaps for oral histories within the Local Studies collection? For special guest talks?
Although podcasts could be useful in libraries for clients and staff, I do believe people would much rather 'watch' the person they are listening to rather than simply 'listening' - otherwise you wonder if they are in fact 'listening' or concentrating on something else/other tasks etc. People often say they like Audiobooks because they can listen whilst they work, do the housework, drive long distances etc - there are just so many other distractions - I wonder if people actually absorb all that they hear? Which begs the question, are YouTube and Google Videos the better option for Oral Histories and Special Guest talks?
or that of dial-up.........
I did manage to listen to a podcast from the British Library - I elected to listen to a shorter podcast due to download time and I listened to Steve Cleary, Curator of Drama and Literature, introduces the new British Library CD. 'The Spoken Word: Evelyn Waugh', with an exclusive clip from the CD of Waugh reading from his own work 'Half in Love with Easeful Death'.
Recorded on 17 March 2008.
Unfortunately, when I went to investigate ABC, I discovered that I did not have the software (and I wasn't able to download) required to listen to the podcasts...I found the subject options and tried a couple of different options, but to no avail as you need to copy the URL into your podcast program (such as Juice Receiver or iTunes)
Explore
I listened to Worthington Libraries rhyme "This is the way the ladies ride" podcast which is obviously aimed at a Born to Read/Lapsit program - although it would be great for a parent to learn such rhymes etc to perform with their baby, it certainly is not a substitute for the face-to-face contact of storytimes etc. Young children (and even older children) need to see the facial expressions and actions in reading stories etc - not just listen to a story on a podcast. Having said that, this may be a useful resource for a library to access different rhymes, songs etc to use in their programs conducted in the library. Anyhow, the link for Worthington's podcasts for children is available at Worthington Libraries - Programs2Go
I also investigated Booktalks Quick and Simple and discovered
Audiobook clips from Listening Library which highlights the popularity of audiobook collections in libraries - with the growing number of audiobooks becoming available in MP3 format as opposed to CD format - as many new cars for example, have MP3 & CD compatible players - the demand for MP3 format is increasing....
Podcasts for clients and staff - I could see the benefits of using Podcasts for staff sharing ideas, resources etc in a situation where geographically, the branch libraries are literally hundreds of kms apart.
This also raises the need for clients in such areas having access to podcasts (for example, storytimes) - even though I value the face-to-face aspect of storytimes, I believe it is of greater importance for children in remote areas to not miss out.
How could a metropolitan or regional library use Podcasts? Perhaps for oral histories within the Local Studies collection? For special guest talks?
Although podcasts could be useful in libraries for clients and staff, I do believe people would much rather 'watch' the person they are listening to rather than simply 'listening' - otherwise you wonder if they are in fact 'listening' or concentrating on something else/other tasks etc. People often say they like Audiobooks because they can listen whilst they work, do the housework, drive long distances etc - there are just so many other distractions - I wonder if people actually absorb all that they hear? Which begs the question, are YouTube and Google Videos the better option for Oral Histories and Special Guest talks?
Week 8 - Adventure
Answering questions on Yahoo!7 Answers.
I logged in using my Yahoo ID and had the option of electing a different UserID for this exercise - I decided to use the same UserID as my wikipedia ID and I answered 5 questions - very basic questions. I also checked out the Travel category and narrowed it to Canada as I'll be there in a few days (not long now!) - I could see people getting carried away with just answering questions all day (even Yahoo!7 encourages it by the comment "You're on a roll, how about...") or words to that effect....I'm not sure whether librarians could 'slam' this service as some of the questions aren't necessarily searching for facts, but rather for opinions - but it's still a great social networking tool!!!!
I logged in using my Yahoo ID and had the option of electing a different UserID for this exercise - I decided to use the same UserID as my wikipedia ID and I answered 5 questions - very basic questions. I also checked out the Travel category and narrowed it to Canada as I'll be there in a few days (not long now!) - I could see people getting carried away with just answering questions all day (even Yahoo!7 encourages it by the comment "You're on a roll, how about...") or words to that effect....I'm not sure whether librarians could 'slam' this service as some of the questions aren't necessarily searching for facts, but rather for opinions - but it's still a great social networking tool!!!!
Week 8 - Answer Boards & Social Searching - Discover & Explore
What an interesting way to get librarians back in the community - have many libraries noticed their usage, particularly on a Saturday, decrease over the years with more and more users accessing their informational needs by other means - are library buildings becoming more of a recreational place to visit rather than the information place? Think about how many staff were required on a weekend shift and the changing habits of customers - have your staffing resources decreased? I think it's great librarians (and I noticed there were 2 librarians from Australia on the Answer Librarians Wiki 'slamming the boards') are reaching to customers who may have not even thought about the library resources as being able to answer their query - is it becoming a society of it's easier to sit in front of the PC at your leisure and type a question and see if you get any responses and whether the responses are useful or not? Take the online service of AskNow - I'm sure there are some students who will type their homework question in the hope that they'll get the answer straight away.
My library has an online library enquiry email that is sent directly to the Reference desk. My library also participates in AskNow shifts. In a small way, we are reaching the outside community, although it is people contacting our library website and consequently the enquiry email and with AskNow, the patron logs in to post their question. Both of these options, are not technically 'slamming the boards' - but it's a brilliant idea!!!
With regards to rating, reviews etc, our customers can use our library management system to Add a review to an item in the catalogue. They must log in with their library card and PIN number to lodge their review - the review is forwarded to a moderator before it is able to be viewed by others. Our system will display the first name, any middle name initials, and suburb. I thought it would be beneficial for customers to see when a review is submitted by a library staff member - I created a library account for this purpose so should a customer see an item has a review, they will see that the review was submitted by Library Staff - sometimes, in the eyes of the customers, the library staff know best - especially with regards to RA.
My library has an online library enquiry email that is sent directly to the Reference desk. My library also participates in AskNow shifts. In a small way, we are reaching the outside community, although it is people contacting our library website and consequently the enquiry email and with AskNow, the patron logs in to post their question. Both of these options, are not technically 'slamming the boards' - but it's a brilliant idea!!!
With regards to rating, reviews etc, our customers can use our library management system to Add a review to an item in the catalogue. They must log in with their library card and PIN number to lodge their review - the review is forwarded to a moderator before it is able to be viewed by others. Our system will display the first name, any middle name initials, and suburb. I thought it would be beneficial for customers to see when a review is submitted by a library staff member - I created a library account for this purpose so should a customer see an item has a review, they will see that the review was submitted by Library Staff - sometimes, in the eyes of the customers, the library staff know best - especially with regards to RA.
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