One of my favorite wikis was Princeton's BookLoversWiki. What a great way for customers and librarians to share reviews! Think of the Adult Summer Reading Game going towards this angle. It would also help staff with reader's advisories. Maybe even a film lover wiki! The list is endless. This even seems a safer venue for a public wiki since the information is opinion based and not hard fact...this would pose less problems for malicious content and spam, I would think.
Internally, a wiki for children's programming may be useful. Since many of our programs are developing and morphing as our customer's (and our) needs change...a collaborative effort on program plans and booklists may be useful.
September 11, 2007
Thing 15: Whoa Icebergs!
"Away from the icebergs"
What metaphors...libraries as boats headed for disaster if we hit those three icebergs of collection, education and services.
ICEBERG #1: PRINT vs. DIGITAL COLLECTION
This is a given...all of that print media we were used to is now found digitally. Our reference collections have gone to online databases. Our everyday reading has gone to digital and audio format. Just to keep up the library will have to funnel monies from print media to computers...seems we've been on that track for a while. Now if we can only keep up with the electrical and phone services needed to keep moving computers in.
ICEBERG #2: USER EDUCATION
We can't always be educators too. It's amazing how one customer's computer knowledge differs from the next...just look at us too! the need for Web 2.0 is here. We need to come up with quicker and easier ways for our digital information to reach the public. We would once pick up that reference book and open it to the needed page...we need to pick that correct database and get the information fast!
ICEBERG #3: GO to THEM
At one point customers came to us...we had all the print material collected here. Now, most customers have computers of there own and access information that was once in print on the 'world wide web'. We need to keep those customers but not necessarily have to bring them in. Our website (so glad it's getting a makeover) and databases become more important, especially for the student. But what about play? more Web 2.0?!...access to social networking sites.
Howard County Library seems on the right track in regards to some of these icebergs...let us just hope our navigation experts continue in the right direction.
What metaphors...libraries as boats headed for disaster if we hit those three icebergs of collection, education and services.
ICEBERG #1: PRINT vs. DIGITAL COLLECTION
This is a given...all of that print media we were used to is now found digitally. Our reference collections have gone to online databases. Our everyday reading has gone to digital and audio format. Just to keep up the library will have to funnel monies from print media to computers...seems we've been on that track for a while. Now if we can only keep up with the electrical and phone services needed to keep moving computers in.
ICEBERG #2: USER EDUCATION
We can't always be educators too. It's amazing how one customer's computer knowledge differs from the next...just look at us too! the need for Web 2.0 is here. We need to come up with quicker and easier ways for our digital information to reach the public. We would once pick up that reference book and open it to the needed page...we need to pick that correct database and get the information fast!
ICEBERG #3: GO to THEM
At one point customers came to us...we had all the print material collected here. Now, most customers have computers of there own and access information that was once in print on the 'world wide web'. We need to keep those customers but not necessarily have to bring them in. Our website (so glad it's getting a makeover) and databases become more important, especially for the student. But what about play? more Web 2.0?!...access to social networking sites.
Howard County Library seems on the right track in regards to some of these icebergs...let us just hope our navigation experts continue in the right direction.
September 6, 2007
Thing 14: Technorati
Technorati is certainly for the "tech" minded. All top searches are technology related blogs, fields, devices, etc. Once again...information overload!
Using the advanced search option for blogs, tags and posts was similar to using a regular search engine but instead of the 'world wide web' you're searching the 'big blog biosphere'...did I create a new term??!!
I think Technorati will stay in the background as a personal search option unless a customer specifically wanted blog information...which is possible.
Using the advanced search option for blogs, tags and posts was similar to using a regular search engine but instead of the 'world wide web' you're searching the 'big blog biosphere'...did I create a new term??!!
I think Technorati will stay in the background as a personal search option unless a customer specifically wanted blog information...which is possible.
September 5, 2007
Thing 13: Del.icio.us and Tagging
Del.icio.ous is definitely for the web connoisseur. I can see the benefits from an institutional aspect but way too involved for personal use, but that's because I'm not a web connoisseur.
Tagging has its benefits when the logical sense of grouping items fail. Some costumers (and coworkers) show that when browsing among the stacks. We have all witnessed that 'little nugget' of information found in the most unusual place.
Tagging has its benefits when the logical sense of grouping items fail. Some costumers (and coworkers) show that when browsing among the stacks. We have all witnessed that 'little nugget' of information found in the most unusual place.
Thing 12: Rollyo
Rollyo -cool idea but what do you search for? I spent hours just trying to come up with a possible search which would include several sites. Shopping anyone? I ended up using "unusual" gift sites that I actually have bookmarked...somewhere. Take a peek.
As for use in the library...medical searches, homework searches, 'child friendly' searches, author/genre searches...the list goes on and on.
As for use in the library...medical searches, homework searches, 'child friendly' searches, author/genre searches...the list goes on and on.
September 4, 2007
Thing 11: LibraryThing
LibraryThing is much easier than Microsoft Access and more fun than 'pen and paper' but the 200 book limit is not going to cover a librarian! And to have to shell out $25 for an unlimited catalog is just not possible on a Library Associate's salary. Oh well...
August 30, 2007
Thing 10: Image Generators
Now how do you explain to a coworker why you're laughing and playing online with cartoon characters...oh yeah, 23 Things! I started on Garbage Pail Kids but couldn't find a way to import the character (I'll try again later) but check it out. How gross can you get?
I headed towards Meez because most people seemed to be using that and it was quite fun to do practice runs on a slow night at the desk. I did find an interesting article regarding Meez on Time.com which listed it as one of the top 5 'worst' sites.
I headed towards Meez because most people seemed to be using that and it was quite fun to do practice runs on a slow night at the desk. I did find an interesting article regarding Meez on Time.com which listed it as one of the top 5 'worst' sites.
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