Learning And Using Library 2.0

What Is Library 2.0?

Using social technologies to expand library services.

This philosophy expands to include gaming in librarys, "information commons," iPod and laptop checkout, etc.

Web 2.0

Social Software

(examples; popular software available; brief description of each)

Blogs and RSS

Blogs can be anything from diaries to newsletters to event updates. RSS is the technology that enables blogs to "push" content to blog aggregating websites like Google Reader or Bloglines. RSS can also be used to "push" non-blog content. The popular comic "Unshelved" has an RSS feed, and my library's digital collections produce RSS feeds for new items and for any search query.

• example library/librarian blogs
• Blogger, LiveJournal
• RSS-published comics (Unshelved)
• RSS updates / search queries (recent digital collections)

Wikis

Wikis are perhaps the hardest of these technologies to explain, but one of the simplest to use. If you've ever spent hours fighting with a word processing program over how to correctly format a bulleted list, or headings, etc.--then you will love wikis. If you work with other people to create documents, you will love wikis. If you document workflows or work processes or manage projects, you will love wikis. If you write a lot of documents and use multiple computers on a daily basis, you will love wikis.

• Wikipedia, (Best practices library wiki)
• PBwiki, MediaWiki

Social Networking

Social networking sites allow you (or your library) to create a persona online. It's a great way to reach out and find new patrons, as well as to network with other information professionals. (This is particularly relevant for youth services librarians.)

• MySpace
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Ning
• SecondLife

IM (instant messaging)

IM can provide quick communication between colleagues or a cheaper alternative to virtual reference software.

• AIM (AOL IM)
• YahooIM
• ICQ
• Twitter

Bookmarking / Tagging

Bookmarking websites allow you to save your favorite URLs online, and categorize them for easy locating. This is not only useful when you use multiple computers, but it's handy to share websites with others--you can post suggested links for your friends.

• del.icio.us
• (Backflip)

Photo and Video Sharing

Photo and video-sharing websites offer more than just the opportunity to post your content to the web. Tags, groups, and comment space allow for a dynamic experience. Post photos of your library's most recent event, link it from your library website, and watch the comments come in!

• Flickr, Snapfish
• Youtube, Google Video

...And More!

Why Use It?

Expanding the core mission of libraries: serving our users.

Not only serving our users, but serving them in the way they like and understand, in an environment that's familiar to them.

Pushing content to them means serving users before they have to hunt for content: finding them where they already live and work (online), and serving their informaiton needs in places they didn't realize they could get help.

It's one more avenue for us, as librarians, to reach out to our patrons. We can reach more patrons, in more locations, with new services or with updated versions of traditional services (such as providing reference service through instant messaging).

How Are Libraries Using Library 2.0?

• Ann Arbor Libraries: use blogs to power their website (enabled comments?)
• wikis serve as great subject guides: easy and quick to update, or let patrons contribute content
• (slam the boards event): meet patrons in their own environment, and actively answer their questions--don't wait for them to come to you

Personal scale

• wikis also serve as great digital document management tool

How Do I Learn Library 2.0?

It's quick and easy.

Remember the mantra: Just try it. Make time.

(quick run-through of how fast/easy it is to start using a wiki???)

Take fifteen minutes a day, at whatever time you have the most patience or the room is fairly quiet.

Try one new thing a day.

Use an online guide, such as (LOOK THIS UP).

How Do I Use Library 2.0?

The sky's the limit!

Here are some ideas to start you brainstorming...

Free stuff:

• Flickr account to document library events and displays
  • up to 200 photos for free; $25/year for unlimited photos
• MySpace and Facebook pages
  • for your library and/or for individual librarians
  • put your username on the library website, on your business cards
• LibraryThing (??)
• Blogger/LiveJournal account
  • post information about upcoming library events
  • have librarians alternate blogging (share the fun!)
  • have "guest experts" write about interesting items in your library's collection
  • point out services patrons may not know about
  • post about projects you/your library are working on
• PBwiki account (can get free "gold" accounts for educational use)
  • share content and collaborate on projects
  • share knowledge in a FAQ or subject guide
  • save training documents and programs

SCREENSHOTS NEEDED:

my blog

Blogger log-in page

my wiki

PBwiki log-in page

my Bloglines account / playlists feature

my Facebook page

flickr photostream for a library

my youtube video from ALA

Ann Arbor's page

(examples of every kind of social software I mention would be nice, or at least logos)