Week 12: Wrap up; social networks and catch up

Hi again
The library I work in focuses more on younger children's needs and activities. I think we could do more with the teens in our library. We could build a library My Space with them. They could meet to plan the space, what it should look like and what it should include. We would need to develop guidelines for blogging, and making friends and so on. We could have links to online safety and library resources - the library catalogue could be on their My Space accounts. I believe social networking in a public library is another way to connect with teens in the community.
Well, that's pretty much it. It's been a long and interesting 12 weeks. All in all it's gone pretty smoothly and I've learnt so much and enjoyed all of it. So take care and will catch you later.
Al

Week 11: Online applications and tools

Hi all
Just had a go at Google docs. Hope I did it correctly. Hmmm possible applications for it in my work.
Planning for children and youth school holiday activities
Brainstorming ideas for displays/upcoming events.
Preparing for meetings
I have to update my procedures manual - can work on it from home (am I that keen)
Presentations for in-house training
Google docs is pretty cool. I intend to use it for sure.
Al

Week 10 Mashups

This is my mashup. It's a movie poster.
I thought a mashup for new books and also a mashup for photos in local history would be good ideas for our library. I also did a search on Yahoo to see if I could find out what other libraries are using mashups for and found these.
Book Carousel – http://www.cambridgelibraries.ca/hot/carousel.cfm - using Book Covers to show newest books at their library. The content comes from Syndetics, but it could have been from Amazon as well.
McMaster Library - http://library.mcmaster.ca/maps/airphotos/1919.htm - did a Mashup of Google Maps and its collection of 5,000 aerial photos collection. The collection used to be something that patrons browsed in the library. Now patrons can find a location on the map and access the unique identfier for the photo.
Go-go Google Gadget – http://www.blyberg.net/2006/08/18/go-go-google-gadget/ - created gadgets to shows holds, checkouts, new books, what's popular on a patron's Google homepage.

Week 9 Podcasts and Audio

I think podcasts could work in our library. I like the idea of using it to introduce new or existing clients to the layout of the library, to the library collection and to the support services. It would be great for recording authors talks, HSC seminars, debates and discussions on particular topics. Marketing, promotions and displays - it's like having an audio noticeboard for upcoming events.!

Another tool to be used for Induction of new staff. In house training, workshops and meetings (how much easier would it be for staff who are absent to get up to speed)

A few things to consider.The amount of investment in time and staff that would go into recording the podcasts. Do we have all the equipment needed to record? Where can the recording be done? How would we promote the casts?
Al

Week 8: Answer boards and social searching

I'd hope there is a role in my library for “slamming the boards”. After all it's another way of -
Improving the reference service
A new way of communicating with users
It’s another new way of reaching out to people
It’s great for people living in remote areas

I think we could get our customers feedback on how they rate/review items in our collection/services we offer by -
Conducting a survey. We should share with them this marvellous idea of ‘slamming the boards’ to guage whether it would be considered useful to them. I feel the answer will be yes. After all the more resources at one’s disposal the better. Let’s face it, providing a great reference service is what it's all about and 'slamming the boards' would be an enhancement to the existing service.
Al

Week 7: Tagging, folksonomies, del.icio.us and LibraryThing

I've set up my del.icio.us account and here's the link.
http://del.icio.us/workinitout

I think this tool will be useful in libraries :
It allows information to be organised.
It will help students find information.
It increases the amount of information available to you.

Also good for researchers :
It allows them to connect with and share knowledge.

I love Library Thing. As they say it's the worlds largest book club. I would also use it as another useful tool to help customers find more books on the genre they are interested in.
Al

Week 6 Video online; Youtube and Google video

I think Youtube and Google video are really quite good. Libraries can utilise this technology for marketing, training and research. Here's a couple of examples :
How Long Has It Been Since You Visited the Library? – Orange County Library System http://youtube.com/watch?v=t7Ux0sHxa4QAdded August 01, 2006.
Training for Librarians on working with Special Needs Patrons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xfx-y_3CmE Added June 08, 2006.
Also have a look at the vision of eg. World War II, Ladies of the Renaissance Art, Albert Einstein. You can print the images - great for school projects.
The world is our oyster!
Al