Social networking...and completion of Learning 2.0!
First, considering possibilities for the library re using social networking for client interaction, marketing, and networking opportunities - this seems to be such a rich area for development, all centring around creating a virtual community. I was impressed by the article on Seb Chan's blog (developing Josh Bernoff's chart), as it listed the options for listening and learning (eg from library customers, other libraries, and professional networks); for talking (eg to our clients); for promoting our services through a social online presence; and for energising the library community and generally creating a 'buzz' about libraries.
I feel my library could use social networking in 2 main ways: to engage with niche communities (as done by Coshocton Library's 'Animanga Club' on MySpace)- such as children or teens; and also more generally to provide a bridge to the library, as done by the ALA's MySpace page and Rotorua's Bebo - eg providing a means of contact, promotion, updates, blog highlights, discussion and interaction etc etc
Finally, as this is my last week in Learning 2.0, I would like to express my thanks to the Public Libraries staff facilitating this program. I've really learnt a lot.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Week 11
Hi again. Week 11 and we're covering online applications and tools.
I have created a 'Google doc' and shared it as instructed with the good people at NSW Public Libraries who're supporting us in this Learning 2.0 course - I hope it arrived safely!
It's easy to see the advantages of tools such as 'Google docs' and 'Zoho' for ease of collaboration and sharing - perhaps especially on complex projects with multiple collaborators. In my job, involving children's work, I can see possibilities re preparing programs for promotions, book week etc with the children's librarian and other members of the team (potentially saving a lot of time in meetings!). In the public library context, I can also see the advantage for customers of being able to access their documents online from any computer with internet connection.
I looked at 'Zamzar' (great for converting files without having to download software), and then 'Slideshare' - how good to be able to share Powerpoint presentations and slidecasts! Could well save reinventing the wheel! For example, I found slideshows such as 'RSS at your library' (practical ways librarians and libraries can use RSS), examples of library orientations, and even a slideshow on the history and future of libraries (great to use in preparing a general interest community outreach talk, or something similar).
I have created a 'Google doc' and shared it as instructed with the good people at NSW Public Libraries who're supporting us in this Learning 2.0 course - I hope it arrived safely!
It's easy to see the advantages of tools such as 'Google docs' and 'Zoho' for ease of collaboration and sharing - perhaps especially on complex projects with multiple collaborators. In my job, involving children's work, I can see possibilities re preparing programs for promotions, book week etc with the children's librarian and other members of the team (potentially saving a lot of time in meetings!). In the public library context, I can also see the advantage for customers of being able to access their documents online from any computer with internet connection.
I looked at 'Zamzar' (great for converting files without having to download software), and then 'Slideshare' - how good to be able to share Powerpoint presentations and slidecasts! Could well save reinventing the wheel! For example, I found slideshows such as 'RSS at your library' (practical ways librarians and libraries can use RSS), examples of library orientations, and even a slideshow on the history and future of libraries (great to use in preparing a general interest community outreach talk, or something similar).
Week 10
This week - mashups. I'd never heard of them before - but what amazing tools these provide! I used the 'motivator' tool from 'Big huge labs' to assemble a promotional library poster (see below).
The major applications of mashups I can see for libraries would mainly involve promotion and/or mapping. The options for quickly, easily, and cheaply producing professional-looking promotional material (leaflets, posters, bookmarks etc)are really mind-boggling. For example, I noticed 'Big huge labs' provides tools such as the 'Warholizer'- which turns digital photos into pop art images - and the 'Hockneyizer' - producing collages in the style of David Hockney - not to mention mosaic makers, jigsaw puzzle makers, and so on. All of these tools enable high-quality graphic effects for any promotional material the library might require.
I looked at the British Library's 'London: a life in google maps' (a virtual exhibition charting the city's history via maps and associated text), and also 'Voicethread' (which, as noted, might have local studies and /or virtual exhibition applications). I can see how these might have library applications (especially in an academic library context). And of course, all library systems could take advantage of a tool such as the 'public library finder', to ensure our customers can find us!
As a worker in a public library system, though, I have to say that it is the possibilities that mashups provide for promotional material that has really excited me.
The major applications of mashups I can see for libraries would mainly involve promotion and/or mapping. The options for quickly, easily, and cheaply producing professional-looking promotional material (leaflets, posters, bookmarks etc)are really mind-boggling. For example, I noticed 'Big huge labs' provides tools such as the 'Warholizer'- which turns digital photos into pop art images - and the 'Hockneyizer' - producing collages in the style of David Hockney - not to mention mosaic makers, jigsaw puzzle makers, and so on. All of these tools enable high-quality graphic effects for any promotional material the library might require.
I looked at the British Library's 'London: a life in google maps' (a virtual exhibition charting the city's history via maps and associated text), and also 'Voicethread' (which, as noted, might have local studies and /or virtual exhibition applications). I can see how these might have library applications (especially in an academic library context). And of course, all library systems could take advantage of a tool such as the 'public library finder', to ensure our customers can find us!
As a worker in a public library system, though, I have to say that it is the possibilities that mashups provide for promotional material that has really excited me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)