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A presentation on web services for small and underfunded libraries (isn't that all of us?) for Computers in Libraries 2009.
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The 10 LOL Cat Laws of Web Services for Smaller and Underfunded LibrariesSarah Houghton-JanDigital Futures Manager, San Jose Public LibraryAuthor, LibrarianInBlack.net
LOL...whatsie?#1: LOLcats are photos, of cats usually,
with funny, gramatically incorrect captions
#2: The captions often play on memes and “in-jokes” previously generated by other LOLcat photos
#3: They spout all sorts of wisdom.
LOLcat
The 10 LOL Cat Laws of Web Services for
Smaller & Underfunded Libraries
#1: Talk with customers
Instant messaging (AIM, Meebo, Plugoo)
Chat Widgets (IM or web-based chat window on webpages)
Voice Over IP (VOIP like Skype and other services)
Video Chat (some IM clients, Skype too!)
Text messaging (SMS)
UNLV's IM Service
Put chat windows and “assistance” links where
customers are UPSET
Screenshot courtesy of David Lee King, Topeka Shawnee County
Public Library
Text Messaging (SMS)
Cell phones and SMS are now more popular than ever
Offer both circulation and reference services via SMS ($)
“For pay” (rather cheap) and hack options (which have security and feature issues)
Reference Service via SMS
#2: Interact with Customers
Welcome comments on everything
Respond like a human being
Example: offer Online Book Clubs with a mix of staff and customers
San Jose Public Library's Teen Book Club on
LibraryThing
Blogs for Recommendations
Blogs (each entry is its own review)
-or- Wikis (subject/age based pages w/ reviews)
Encourage full staff participation
Offer a template w/ tags and categories
Welcome customer comments and entries
#5: Be EngagedUse EngagedPatrons.org (free and
low-cost Web 2.0 services for libraries run by Glenn Peterson of Hennepin County Lib.)
Events Calendar with online registration
Blogs
Google Maps mashup for library locations
Library contact form
RSS feeds + other stuff too!
#3: Be SocialBe present where your users are
Be realBe reliable and continuously new
$10 = 5000 Facebook Flyers to targeted
audiences
Facebook Flyer image by Steve Lawson: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuttlibrary/1546577200
CHEAP ADVERTISING!!!
#4: Use MultimediaPhotographs / Images
Podcasts
Videocasts
Games
Westmont Public Library
http://www.flickr.com/photos/westmontlibrary/549380055/
Exploit Image Generators
GeneratorBlog.blogspot.com
ImageGenerator.org
ImageChef.com
Podcasting & Videocasting
people who can talk/sing
digital microphone (free)
Audacity (free)
a Blogger blog (free)
people who aren't camera-shy +
digital video camera ($100+) +
Avidemux editing software (free) +
a Blogger blog (free)
#6: Offer Treatsies
People like shiny objects,
Ask them what they want.
Then find them some.
There are many of a treat in HCPL's catalog
Staff Avatars!a la Nashville Public Library
“My Account” Text Messages
#7: Exploit the FreeFree web hosting, statistics, and web
gadgets
Tap the Google Wonderland
#8: Respect Customers
You never know when you're lunch.
Expect the best, not the worst.
Treat customers with respect, regardless of age of which services they use.
#9: Offer Users Choices
How to contact you
How you communicate with them
How they find things online
What they find online (content & format)
Mashups = Choices People are mashing up your library's
content.
Why not advertise that?
Library ELF: account tracking and alerts through e-mail, RSS, and text messaging
Library LookUp: click on this bookmarklet when on a webpage with an ISBN to look up item in the catalog
LibX Toolbar: Direct access in web browser to catalog and more (other toolbars too)
Library Elf
Good Catalog = Choices
Can’t change ILS? Consider an overlay!
AquaBrowser ($)
Endeca ($)
LibraryThing for Libraries (fewer $)
VuFind (open source)
WorldCat Local ($)
LibraryThing for Libraries
#10: Keep going!Try new things!
Push administrators (they like 24/7 nature of web services, minimal staffing and cheap costs, highest ROI in the library)
Rejoice in failures (it means you're pushing boundaries!)
And why do we do all of this?
Because we're proud of our Because we're proud of our services, and there's nothing services, and there's nothing
worse than blending in...worse than blending in...
Questions?
Sarah Houghton-Janweb: www.LibrarianInBlack.netemail: [email protected]: LibrarianInBlackSkype: LibrairanInBlackFacebook:
facebook.com/librarianinblack
Ask her anything. Really!