Web 2.0 and Libraries November 19, 2009

Web 2.0 is: “Web applications which facilitate interactive information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design and collaboration on the World Wide Web.”

- Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0

Web 2.0 is different because: “Traditionally, information flowed in one or two directions. Through the new Web, content flows in a variety of directions that depend on the behavior of those who produce the information and those who use it.” -Paul Bausch; Keynote Speech for “Northwest Online” library technology conference

Web 2.0 works in libraries because of: -Openness, Ease of Use, Innovation, Social Interaction, Creation of Content, Sharing, Decentralization, Participation, and Trust

Blogs Public blogs promote the library and allow for dialogue between users and staff.

Staff blogs centralize communication, reduce email, and increase staff proficiency in using 2.0 technology.

Best Practices for Library Blogs Train staff well and build enthusiasm through contests, parties, etc.

Hold off on full-scale publicity until there are significant posts and comments on the blog.

Consider appointing someone to provide editorial oversight.

Examples of successful library blogs: Blogging platforms that offer free hosting: Ann Arbor Public Library: http://www.aadl.org/ WordPress: http://www.wordpress.org/ NY Public Library: http://www.nypl.org/blog/ BlogSpot: http://www.blogspot.com/

Drupal is an open-source blogging platform for users with their own web hosting: http://drupal.org/

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) “A family of web feed formats, specified in XML and used for Web Syndication.”

News, weather, stock updates; also includes blogs or any other frequently updated content

Aggregators: “manages user’s subscriptions to feeds from various sources and updates with new content automatically”

-Find popular aggregators at: feedster.com, pubsub.com, blogpulse.com, technorati.com

Aggregators and RSS can be useful to libraries in many ways, including: -Notifying patrons of important events and providing circulation updates -Pushing new materials and services -The possibilities are endless!

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Bouwman, E., DeCicco, D., Elichko, S., Post, J., Wesolek, A.,

Sources - Stephens, Michael. Library Technology Reports, Jul/Aug 2006, Vol 42, Issue 4. - The Cluetrain Manifesto. www.cluetrain.com - Ten Steps for Staff Buy-in. www.flickr.com/photos/michaelsphotos/sets/72057594085037908 - Emerging Technology Committee Post: http://tametheweb.com/2D05/11/emerging_technologycommittee.html

Instant Messaging “Real-time synchronous conversation between two people via the internet.”

A powerful tool to facilitate communication between librarians, and between librarians and patrons

Great for reference services; patrons may feel more comfortable seeking information anonymously.

Makes it easier for librarians to collaborate, build connections, and build bridges across staff/faculty divide.

Staff need to be trained in IM reference. Many standard reference skills still apply.

IM services must be promoted; encourage employees to include IM name on business cards, add your library name to your web presence, etc.

One-stop-shop for IM resources:

http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Online_Reference

Wikis Wiki Resources

Wiki Editing Tips, Library Success Wiki, www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Tips_page

Ward Cunningham’s Wiki Design Principles, http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?WikiDesignPrinciples

Sample Library Wikis BizWiki: Ohio University Library business resource wiki; www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/bizwiki

LibSuccess Wiki: Best practices and information for library services and projects, www.libsuccess.org

LISWiki: A collective wiki for articles and information about the field, www.liswiki.com

Online Hosting Sites Google Sites, http://sites.google.com/

Pbwiki, http://pbwiki.com

Seedwiki, www.seedwiki.com

Flickr Flickr Resources

fd's Flickr Toys, http://bighugelabs.com/

The Librarian's Trading Card Pool, www.flickr.com/groups/librariancards

"10 More Reasons to Use Flickr in Your Library," http://tametheweb.com/2006/05/10_more_reasons_to_use_flickr_1.html

"Tame The Web: Libraries and Technology: A Weblog by Michael Stephens” http://tametheweb.com/library_20web_20/flickr_rocks_my_world/

Getting Staff Ready to Become a 2.0 Library

Listen! Ask your staff for feedback.

Involve! Staff should be involved in all planning stages.

Tell! Tell stories about how the new tools are being used; don’t rely on statistics.

Share! Don’t be secretive about future changes.

Report! Share information gained from conferences and meetings.

Research! Know what the technology you are adopting is and its best use.

Manage! Make changes in a timely fashion and keep meetings productive.

Meet! Have official meetings to discuss technology.

Play! Have staff play and experiment with new technology.

Celebrate! Observe new changes and celebrate their creation.2

Bouwman, E., DeCicco, D., Elichko, S., Post, J., Wesolek, A.