Who'd have thought...

Well a couple of years ago now I started the program 23 Things as an initiative in my previous workplace.  Circumstances at the time and bit of 'who cares' attitude meant I never finished all 23 things.  I did some and the posts are here on this blog as testament to my thoughts at the time but I don't think I want to look back at them in case they are cringeworthy. 

But how times change... 

A few months ago I would have told you 'my name is Jo and I'm a Facebook addict' and I could say I had a Delicious account but rarely looked at it (mind you this hasn't changed lol).  I would have also said I wouldn't touch Second Life nor Twitter with a ten foot barge pole as I didn't see the point of either tool.  

Flickr also sounded alright but again I wasn't interested in creating my own profile there.  

Now however, due to a subject currently being studied at uni I find myself with my own Second Life avatar and even a 'friend' who isn't part of my uni course.  I have a Flickr account to which I have added photos and selected a handful of favs from the multitude of photos added by others (more will come when I have the time...damn real life getting in the way of my virtual life lol).  I even intend to use Flickr when uni is over.  I like to take landscape photos and whilst I have previously posted them to Facebook, only my FB friends can see them.  I am proud of some of these photos and thought why not share them with the world so that maybe someone else might enjoy them too.  

Just between you and me I'm also considering keeping Second Life going.  I don't think I'll visit very often but it might be fun now and again.  The jury is still out on Twitter, I have made a few posts, have followed a few people and even have a couple of random followers of my own (though I'm glad they aren't paying for the privilege as they certainly aren't getting their money's worth) but at the end of the day it doesn't excite me.  It feels a bit like talking to myself and as for understanding the posts of others, sometimes I think I have a lot to learn about twitterspeak.  However I do see how libraries could utilise it so don't consider it with the contempt I used to.

Delicious, well that will stay too as you never know when you might need it.  In fact only yesterday at work on our Yammer network (like twitter but designed for companies use inhouse only) someone posted about searching for resources using tags such as web2.0 as there is a wealth of bookmarks which could come in handy for my upcoming assignments.

And finally Facebook, well I'm still an addict and I don't think the situation is going to change anytime soon...

Hi, nice to meet you, I"m Librarian 2.0...

Successful web 2.0 information professionals, or Librarian 2.0 as it has become known, can be defined by particular skills, attributes and knowledge.  Whilst no one definitive list exists of what Librarian 2.0 actually is, they can be described as follows.

Librarian 2.0:

• embraces change and works actively towards making change happen in the library;

• is enthusiastic - about trying new things; about finding new ways to interact with users and forging a more personal two-way relationship between them and the library;

• is willing to constantly learn;

• can recognise that change needs to be purposeful rather than because it’s cool or hip to do so;

• endeavours to be conversant with the many available technologies which can be utilised so as to utilise them effectively and to help others use them;

• understands that libraries can’t do everything so must be selective to ensure the best possible service/experience is provided to users within the various constraints experienced by libraries;

• wants to engage users in a two-way ‘conversation’ and to collaborate rather than the old way of talking at them;

• creates opportunities for this two-way conversation and collaboration through providing ways for users to add their own content in the form of comments, tags etc where appropriate to the library’s online presence;

• is willing to experiment to find the tools which best fit the library and the services it wants to provide to users, as well as those which users want even if it means mashing tools together to achieve a particular aim;

• has a positive, can-do attitude;

• doesn't let hype get in the way of making good decisions.

 Of course this is just how I see library 2.0, others may see the role very differently, and that's fine.  Part of the beauty of librarian 2.0 is our ability to adapt and be inclusive of others, we become what our users and library need us to be.  Being a librarian is about helping others to find the information they need/want and web 2.0 is just a set of tools which help us to meet this aim in new and exciting ways.  Gone are the days where librarians sat behind a counter stamping books and shushing users.  Now we want to engage with them and enlist their help to help us be the best we can.  

To steal the slogan from the recent Australian federal election librarian 2.0 is about 'moving forward' to a brave new world, where rather than shush users we encourage them to talk to us.

Effective library website design

When desigining a website for you library it is important to get it right as your online presence is the virtual representation of the phyical library.  If the library website creates a poor impression on users, they will also think poorly of the 'real' library.  Some criteria to consider when designing a library website includes:

• Content needs to be interesting – uninteresting pages are unlikely to get return visits

• Content needs to be current – out-of date content creates a bad impression and will discourage users recommending your website to others or returning to it themselves.

• Don’t use web 2.0 tools just because you can or want to look ‘hip’, use them for a definite purpose

• Ensure your website’s layout is uncluttered and easy to navigate.

• Use visual cues such as icons to break up text and to create interest – icons, pictures etc can encourage users to delve deeper.

• Make sure the identity your website presents is consistent and reflects its intended audience – don’t confuse your users as to the library’s identity or who it is trying to reach. 

• Collaboration and interaction - don’t make the website a one way conversation. 

• Promotion – the home page is the perfect place to ‘sell’ the library.

• Feedback/comments – don’t just provide a form, show the library is interested in what its users have to say by posting feedback/ comments for all to see (ensuring user privacy of course) and include library responses where applicable.  This demonstrates to users that their opinions are important to the library and helps create a relationship between the library and users.

Applying the above criteria to an actual website, in this case the CSU library the following can be said:

Content, whilst current, is dull.  Tutorial videos such as how to use the catalogue could easily be made fun and interesting as demonstrated by the Library Minute series of videos on the ASU Library Channel.

Use of web 2.0 tools is purposeful.

The website is extremely text and url heavy.  Some pages would benefit from moving information elsewhere on the site or by breaking it up using pictures, icons etc.  This would also give the pages a more ‘friendly’ appearance as currently the look, whilst consistent across the website, it is very formal.  The library would benefit from a look which was a compromise between serious academic institution and one which suggests a fun and positive learning place.  Also a more relaxed approach to format could be appropriate for pages targeting students. The more formal format could be saved for areas such as those for academic staff.

The library website makes good use of the centre of its homepage to promote itself.

The website provides little in the way of conversation with users.  Blog posts carry capability for users to comment on posts but otherwise there is no provision for users to add content to the site.  Similarly the library misses an opportunity to create a relationship with users via its feedback/comment capabilities.  Whilst the library may reply personally to a user, it could also use those comments and feedback as a promotional and community building tool

A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries

The article A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries provides a 26 point A-Z list of tips for libraries who use or are contemplating using social networking.  These tips are highlight that not only should the social networking tools selected by the library work for the library and staff but that the library is not just jumping on a bandwagon, rather it is serious about connecting with users via this medium.  Some of the advice given include:

B – Blog, this is a great way for you to offer value and content to your library and it has become the standard for libraries to have one.

F – Facebook, having a presence on Facebook with a fan page or a group is a must. 

M-Mobile, more and more of you library’s social networking needs to be able to accessed via mobile devices. 

P-Podcasting, this is a great way to share interviews and valuable audio tips with your library’s audience.

V-Video, whether on Youtube or elsewhere, use video to enhance and engage with your users via social networking.

The National Library of Australia social networking efforts include: 3 blogs, and various podcasts split into 8 broad genres both of which are available via its website and which can be subscribed to via RSS. (A Delicious button is also provided for sharing links to the blog posts); Twitter, Facebook, Delicious, it’s own Youtube channel, and Flickr accounts.  In addition, for internal use only, Yammer (a private social network for companies) is currently being trialled to allow an informal, work related, conversation to happen amongst staff via twitter-like posts.  The Library is also developing mobile applications for ‘finding a library’ and the NLA catalogue.

Whilst the NLA has a presence in all these places demonstrating a strong embrace of the Library 2.0 ethos, it is vital that all these sites are updated regularly with new content so that users are not left questioning the NLAs actual commitment to social networking.  Content not only needs to be frequently added, it also needs to be interesting and relevant to users.  The use of these social networking tools allow the NLA to reach users that may not be able to physically access the Library and takes some of its vast resources to the spaces where users often now first choose to seek the information they require.