Everyone I know is online...

The concept of online communities has jumped forward in leaps and bounds and everyone I know is 'on' one or more online communities.

Online communities are not only a way to stay in touch or to find new people but it is being used as a distribution tool for things such as activities and events or spaces where you can voice your political, environmental (just about any issue you like!) perspectives.

I think Libraries could use online communities as a 'step up' from email alerts. Imagine having all available borrowers signed up as the libraries 'friend' online. You could directly message people about notices and events; or people could post FAQ's on the libraries 'wall' so that not only will they be able to see the response, but others will have access to these FAQ's and so time could be saved by not repeating information!

Messages could also be posted by Authors soon to be doing a talk at the library (or they could even become friends if they wanted allowing greater access to themselves). Spaces detailing Staff Picks, book reviews could be available, as well as peer reviews on new books and upcoming new book orders!

If borrowers caught onto the idea, i think the possibilities could be endless.

Google Docs

Having been a gmail and google user long before web 2.0 I was surprised I hadn't thought to use this application before!

I think it is great in terms of not needing to carry a portable storage device in order to save work!

If the library had a publicly accessible account they could post items there for viewing. Or, simply create items in google docs and use the email database in order to share these documents with our borrowers!

Mash me up!

This concept of Mashups is very new to me! But I like the concept.

In terms of how this application can be used in the library, the first thing i thought of was Children and Youth Services.

These age groups respond much better if information is presented in an interesting way. Using my jigsaw mashup as an example, information such as new books, new authors or activities could be presented in a format that is attractive and interesting to a young mind which may help them retain the information better.

Something like this could be used in the library in general for promotions or competitions.

Podcast

I believe that podcasts are the way of the future. Nearly every member of Gen Y has an ipod or similar device. And, as Gen Y is our next generation of leaders and decision makers it is this group who we want to appeal too!

Podcasts could be used in library as a distribution tool for local community services. Or for information for how to use the library and the services it offers which can be made available in multi-lingual formats, helping to achieve effective communication where a language barrier may have been prohibitive. In this sense podcasts can also allow librarians to provide better services as they would be less time poor in borrower queries as some could be simply solved by lending an ipod or similar with the information in a step-by-step format for that borrower to use. An example may be providing information and navigation in the use of the online databases.

And this would be just the beginning!

Answer Board Librarians

I think many of our borrowers don't realise the amount of information a librarian can offer. I think we are viewed as cataloguers and shelvers! I think many of our borrowers would enjoys answering surveys or get involved in a discussion group to not only find out what our librarians have to offer but what our collection (in particular reference) can offer and than rate what we do well, what we can do better or even, what we should start doing.

It's a LibraryThing...

Call me a nerd and take me to heaven - I love LibraryThing!

Not only is it practical and social; it's so much fun. Yes, I realise I love books and therefore am slightly predjudice, but I can see this application being useful for library services also.



I think LiraryThing would be an excellent tool for the bookclubs that are run throught the library. As members only meet once per month in person I think LibraryThing could be a great way of connecting these members in the interim times. Not only could they create there own forum in which to dicuss any issues or thought, but they could have access to world wide reviews and further information on the books they are reading which in turn would contribute to their overall reading and bookclub experience. And this is just once use I can think of!



I can see myself spending a lot of time with LibraryThing!

Delicious...mmmm...

An interesting tool! I cant see the advantage of this for personal use as it feels a little like sharing personal information but for libraries this site is a good way of giving users access to importatnt stored web information. If libraries had a direct link onto their delicios website they could give users access to sites which update frequently and therefore always share up to date information which is important in terms of community events and local interest pieces.

Video Online

YouTube and Google Video are great! What a great way to spead information via the video medium. And I think its great that there is feedback on each video by way of the rating system and also that there is links to similar topics. It makes researching the everyday things that much more interesting.

I also like the idea that this is an inexpensive medium, widely received by all - a great way to get a message across with very little effort! I have opted not to imbed my own video, but I could see this tool being used by Libraries for advertising things such as storytimes, authortalks, localstudies seminars, anything that people may not be familiar with but would be coaxed into coming along if they find there interested piqued by seeing a little bit more about how it works and what is on offer!

The world is getting Wiki'd!

What I like about Wiki's is the ability for numerous people to contribute to one topic. Its like a virtual classroom except there isn't the issue of real time conversation, so you can be in a different state, a different country, a different timezone but still all be contributing to the one common item. People can contribute to topics as much or as little as they like!


The other thing I think is amazing is that all changes can be dated so your wiki can be like your own little evolving creature.


I think wiki's like Booklovers by Priceton Library are a fantastic idea. Imagine being able to broadcast information from the readers advisory team or having the library bookclub regularly updating a wiki so all borrowers could have access to the different reviews on items, find out what items are new, as well as see the services on offer by the library and become more involved.


The idea of having an industry wiki is also appealing because I am a firm believer that knowledge sharing is a key factor for success. Knowing what other's have found to be sucessful practice would be beneficial in trying new things and could help people like myself make contributions to improve the libraries' services and even encourage professional development.

Looking forward to meaningfully contributing to one myself!

Welcome to RSS

What I like about RSS and Newsreaders is that you have information available to you without having to spend time browsing for it - which is exactly it's purpose! Not often these days a concept matches the solution exactly!You will find following the sites I chose for my Bloglines page and why:

• ABS Bloglines for Librarians - I selected this site as it was recommended and I feel that if you want to get anywhere in your career; listening to the recommendations of the experts is a good place to start!
  
• Dictionary.com Word of the Day - This site was of interest as I have felt that as I am getting older and spend more time away from the classroom my vocabulary seems to be diminishing, so I am hopeful this site will help build it again!
  
• iTunes top 25 songs - This was chosen as an interest and because I have a terrible memory and can never remember who sings the current songs I like!
  
• Librarians Internet Index: New This week - This site was chosen because I feel that you need to be up to date in your industry if you want to be successfull.
  
• Powerhouse Museum Photo of the Day - Again selected as it was a reccommended site but I love the work the Powerhouse do so this was an interest site for me anyway!
  
• Quotes Of The Day - Again, another site selected to keep the brain stimulated!
  
• The Shifted Librarian - I selected this tool even though it is US based it will help give a concept of the librarian in the changing technological world.
  

All in all I found this topic of RSS feeds new and interesting! I hadn't even blogged before taking on Web 2.0 and the the concept of RSS had never even crossed my mind (but i had always wondered what the orange button on sites was for)!
I think if Libraries could find a way to use RSS to keep borrowers up to date with activities and events aswell new release items it would appeal to those who are embracing these new technologies and maybe even draw more borrowers to join!

Flickr

This image (see URL link below) struck my attention because of it uniqueness and beauty.

For me it said "No matter how many useful databases are created; no-one can present information in an interesting format like a building architect can!"

The winding staircase is magical and the composition of the patterns in the floor and walls is simply amazing.

I hope some day i will have the privilege of witnessing something beautiful as this in person! It's almost ironic seeing so much (of what is likely to be) bland law information in such a spectacular environment.

To see image go to URL:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/justinorourke/245132397/

life long learning

I'm not sure how other feel about this topic but I find the concept of life long learning easy to accept and quite frankly I am looking forward to it!
Having already completed a degree, I am currently completing a tafe diploma and relish the idea of moving to postgraduate learning next. I guess you could say I am a little addicted to learning! I have committed myself to life long learning not only to assist with my career progression but I feel that if I'm not learning I can never be the best at what I do.
In terms of life long learning in relation to libraries - I feel this will be viatally important as we not only need to keep up with new mediums of information, but we will need to know how to deliver that information in an interesting way to maintain our attraction to an ever evolving user group who are becoming very tech savvy! The best defence is a strong offence!