Week 12 - Social Networking

The possibilities for social networking are only limited by our imagination and even with the advent of Second Life even this has become infinite.
For libraries to remain relevent to our clients we need to keep up with what is new that's a given.
Social networking is the way for staff and clients to do this.
To be seen to be listening to our clients needs.
To be relevant in this day and age.
To be keeping up-to-date with social and cultural issues in our communities and world-wide.
To be involving all people in events and forums.
To be allowing communication via the various forms available.
Libraries tend to divide their clients into age groups - to cater to their various needs - however maybe we need to not overlook that we should also be providing opportunities for the various age groups to mix and create understanding. Libraries have for many years provide one area for social interaction to occur on a neutral and non threatening environment. Is it because equality seems to be provided to them freely.
People get to talk to each other where as in the street this is getting to be a no no. Libraries provide many opportunities to meet like minded people after all your in the same section of the library browsing.
Library blogs are a form of advertisement of up-and-coming events, forums for people to add comments and to get the opinions of the audiences. Everybody contributing together on issues allow for the brainstorming of ideas and it is surprising what can come from the collective melting pot. Bear in mind that some people are reluctant to view their ideas in person but that doesn't mean that they don't have views and ideas on how something may be improved. This is where on-line blogging can provide a cloak of anonymity.

Week 11 - Online applications

These are really great - cuts down on time consuming emailing back and forwards and allows for sharing and collaboration to get work completed. I think that there is deffinitly great scope for these in the library workplace and also with clients as well. Time and imagination is all that is really needed to see the full potential of all of these applications. There seems to be a tool for everything - there is some really great lateral thinkers out there.

Mashups

The calender would be great to keep clients informed of what is going on in the library as to library events coming up. Also a great way for informing staff of what is coming up, like inservice training and meetings. I'd still like to know more about this!

Podcasts

I really like these!!!
Great for all people - kids have access to talking books on the computer - this would be very popular in rural areas, the library could come to young children via the web.
I just thought the OCLS podcasts to the teens was one way to really get the message across and to encourage more teens into the library.
Even for the older clients podcasts could be a way of informing what new books and services are available.
As an educational tool - great - even better with a video for a faster way to learn library skills and as an introductory tool when arriving in a new workplace.
Yes, more library education tools via podcast!!!

Question

With these answer boards - how do you get the little picture or character against your question??

Answer Boards

Does this have a role in libraries - yes this could be a way for librarians to answer clients information needs but in a way this has been done in the bigger libraries. I can see that in our library we still get some information requests via paper. However more and more requests are coming via email.
I am not sure if patrons would want to waste time rating all items in a public library collection - although it may bring out some funny responses. Now rating services may be of advantage as this could allow libraries to see what areas are really in need of a boost or more funding.

Library thing

Library thing
This is a great way to have a list of all your books in one area. I'm not sure if it would work for a library? but it was really easy to add books onto Library thing. But does it really stop at only books, what about your DVD collection, cd's and audiobooks not to mention the ebooks - we all have such diverse collections in our lives now.!!!

Click here for access to Library thing