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!