wordle revisited

Our D*P*C program captured on Wordle http://www.wordle.net/

L2TD

Thanks Mary. I've finished my L2TD program, part one, covering blog setup, online photosharing, wikis, social networking, RSS and folksonomies and tagging. I've explored blogger, flickr, technorati, librarything, rss, wetpaint, myspace, facebook, ning and delicious. My brain's exhausted, but I'm feeling positive about the many interactive client-friendly applications we can utilise in the public library service. Yaybles.

Next I'll be exploring animoto mashups with D*P*C, Townsville City Libraries Learning 2.0 program.

D*P*C #3 Library 2.0 - what it means to me

My review of Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk's article, Library 2.0: Service for the next–generation library encompasses what library 2.0 meant to me last year. This year I am learning more, exploring more, so my idea of library 2.0 is still in development. It's not all about technology, but about engagement with clients, interaction, communication flows and providing a new service model.

Casey and Savastinuk’s article contains some key phrases that provide clear goals for Web 2.0 technology application in libraries. They present Library 2.0 as ‘service for the next-generation library’, ‘the new model for library service’ and as embracing ‘user-centred change’ (Casey and Savastinuk, 2006, p.1). The Library 2.0 model embraces users participating in and driving change. Web 2.0 developments have allowed the rapid creation and uptake of collaborative library services, including virtual reference (Ask-a-Librarian), versatile OPAC interfaces and bookclub blogs.

The authors are clearly well-versed in Web 2.0 technologies and Library 2.0 services, reporting their findings for the professional Library Journal audience, with many avenues for further investigation. Citations are used throughout the article to illustrate points made, while three key readings and seven blog links are supplied on the final page, along with fourteen links to Web 2.0 tools.

Of particular interest is the authors’ observation that libraries have generally focused their services on known clients because of the perception of library as physical space, as well as the constraints of funding and that physical space. Library 2.0 allows a widening of this focus to include virtual clients and not-yet clients. A combination of physical and virtual services will reach more people in the community, thus strengthening the client base and viability. Such services may include online request and home delivery of books, online database access (through State and public libraries) and library blogs. Libraries themselves rely on ‘high levels of user participation to expand the value of the product’ (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006, p.2). Libraries must then work with Web 2.0 tools to meet and extend client information needs, beginning with participation in a 23 Things program.

As clients (virtual and physical) assume a greater participatory role in library services, with Library 2.0 they are able to tailor services to best meet their needs. The authors note that to achieve this standard, librarians must routinely elicit client feedback, to ‘harness our customer’s knowledge to supplement and improve library services’ (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006, p.2). Spencer and Hughan (2008, p. 13) reinforce collaboration as they found 'the evidence base needs to be developed' because the development of podcasts in libraries appeared to have been 'based largely on assumptions', with little evidence gathered on users' evaluation of the service. Amery (2008) notes on forum, however, the changes made to Charles Sturt University libraries after consultation with clients through online surveys, including increasing hours for the 1800 help desk.

In a surprising twist for libraries struggling with limited budgets and IT staff, the delivery and utilisation of Web 2.0 technologies for the Library 2.0 model can be relatively inexpensive. Many libraries have embraced free sites like flickr, PBWiki and Google Maps on their websites to value add to their service. As more clients push the boundaries of the physical library, librarians must reconsider 'what works best in meeting new challenges in a changing... world' (Harris, 2006, p.53). Harris terms this the 'digitally reshifted ... library' (2006, p. 52).

This article successfully emphasises the key elements of a Library 2.0 model; a physical or virtual service ‘that successfully reaches users, is evaluated frequently, and makes use of customer input’. Client engagement with all aspects from feedback to data contribution (blog comments, catalogue reviews, flickr photographic images, database information, etc.) will confine the old image of library-as-physical-space to the archives and ensure the further growth of Library 2.0. Balling, Henrichsen and Skourig (2007, p. 63) suggest that the physical library desk 'has interfered with the dialogue'. They state (p. 62) that 'there is no desk on the web'.

As the authors conclude, ‘through collaboration with staff and users, (each library) will be able to develop a clear idea of how this model will work for (their) organisation’ (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006, p.5).

Reference:
Amery, K. (2008, 26 August). Why should I bother with the library survey? Does anything change? Message posted to CSU General Forum, archived online.

Balling, G., Henrichsen, L.A. & Skourig, L. (2007). Digital reading groups. New Library World. 109(1/2), 56-64. Retrieved 20 August, 2008 from Emerald Xtra database.

Casey, Michael E. & Savastinuk, Laura C. (2006, September). Library 2.0: Service for the next–generation library. Library Journal. Retrieved 27 June, 2008 from Library Journal website: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html?q=Library+2%2EO.

Harris, C. (2006). School library 2.0: Say good-bye to your mother's school library. School Library Journal. 52(5), 50-54. Retrieved 20 August, 2008 from EbscoHost database.

Spencer, A. & Hughan, C. (2008). Podcasting: A fad with a future? Proceedings of the Beyond the Hype: Web 2.0 symposium, Australian Library and Information Association, Brisbane, Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 1-2 February, 2008. Retrieved 26 August, 2008, from Australian Library and Information Association website: http://www.alia.org.au/groups/quill/papers/spencer.paper.pdf

hypertext happiness

While blogs, wikis and websites, etc. are invaluable in Library 2.0 as platforms for information dissemination and virtual communication services, Web 2.0 tools can also be used for clients' entertainment purposes (and they learn as they play). Various story spaces exist online on which the user/client/reader/writer/teacher/student/librarian can either collaborate on the construction of a story or interact with the story by following hyperlinks. This is a sophisticated Web 2.0 version of the ever-popular Choose-Your-Own Adventure storybooks.

The reader can read online and/or create online. It's storywriting Web 2.0. As they work they will gain understanding and skills in the capabilities of information communication technologies (ICTs) and be able to apply this in their informational and communication work.
Even considering the basics: what is a hyperlink? what is an anchor? Use of the hypertext media will also give Librarian 1.0 an insight into how 21st century clients gather and process their information. Explore.

DotLit Hypermedia: http://www.dotlit.qut.edu.au/hypermedia.html

Wacky Web Tales on Education Place: http://www.eduplace.com/tales/

Libby Hathorn's Let's Play: http://www.libbyhathorn.com/lh/letsPlay/letsPlay.asp

The Neverending Tale: http://coder.com/creations/tale/

Read Write Think lesson plan:

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=128

Even Victoria Police want your hypertext choose-your-owns:
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?document_id=12441

Joel and Cat set the story straight: http://www.joelandcat.com/About.htm - the website on which virtual readers were invited to contribute a few lines each in a shared story that mirrored the tandem story captured in the book written collaboratively between Nick Earls and Rebecca Sparrow (probably using some email communication). Entrants wrote online or sent SMS.
Penguin certainly reached out to their client base on their own turf.

i heart magnetic poetry

Link to these Magnetic Poetry sites to play, learn and create. These sites, with large data repositories, articulate into Pearce's definition (2006, p.1) of Web 2.0 sites as those 'that let people collaborate and share information in previously unavailable ways.' An array of applications are possible for the school classroom and library.

Previously you were restricted to your own fridge!

Magnetic Poetry Snaith Primary School Magnet Poems

Magnetic Poetry (and the real thing in physical form for your non-virtual fridge)

Magnetic Poetry from Poetry4kids

Eric Harshbarger's Magnetic Poetry on James Roy's site.

References:

Magnetic Poetry Shop. (2008). Chipboard words and stickers. Retrieved 22 August, 2008 from Magnetic Poetry website: http://www.magneticpoetry.com/search.asp.

Magnetic Poetry Shop. (2008). Kids Stuff. Retrieved 22 August, 2008 from Magnetic Poetry website: http://www.magneticpoetry.com/search.asp.

Pearce, J. (2006). User collaboration in websites. National Library of Australia Staff Papers. Presented at Framing the Future, ARLIS/ANZ Conference, 21-23 September, 2006. Retrieved 22 August, 2008 from National Library of Australia website: https://www.nla.gov.au/nla/staffpaper/2006/jpearce1.html.

L2TD #6 folksonomies & tagging

First, revisiting LibraryThing; another similar tool is GoodReads. I like Noosa's frontpage - talk about face out shelving.
Within Spydus and Aurora LMS, library members can submit reviews online for the catalogue so that function within LT is not so necessary for me. The fact that they link it to the catalogue at Kingston, though, allows them to provide members with access to virtual lists of similar books, books by the same author, etc. I've added the widget (easy, peasy), but only with my current read of the moment. I might have a look at Shelfari and the others too.
Especially Del.icio.us. My favourites list is just way out of hand at my desk.

Listen to this podcast [1:52]-->powered by ODEO

Non-commercial use granted under a Creative Commons Licence.

Reference:
Blowers, H. (2006, 3 September). #11: A thing about LibraryThing. Entry posted to PLCMC Learning 2.0 blog. Retrieved 26 August, 2008 from blog: http://plcmclearning.blogspot.com/2006/09/11-thing-about-librarything.html.

So, I'm in delicious and I found that a handful of others had already saved wordbox to their delicious favourites. Stunning. I've tried to add the network badge but am having trouble. Work on that. I'm librarianalison over there too.
I have a lot more favourites to add, but this is going to be extremely useful because of its portability.

Started exploring Technorati. Interesting. Searching on 'bookmobile' elicits some 203 random results, whereas an advanced search using 'libraries' as a search term narrowed results to 3 more relevant articles.

You will find ways to implement 2.0 technologies and applications into your library service.

L2TD#5 RSS feeds / D*P*C #4

I've added a feed from Read Alert (via SLV) to this blog (see way down). Just two entries at a time, no author required because they're mostly written by Mike Shuttleworth I believe.

I've subscribed to 11 feeds in Bloglines; those with an Arts focus, to our Learning 2.0 programs, colleagues' blogs and a whimsical inclusion (wish jar):
Articulate, Bloglines , CityLibrariesLearning - discover*play*connect, Dictionary.com Word of the Day, Kaptain Keil - Ponderer Extraordinaire,
Leftwinglibrarian's Blog, OPAL Training, Quilterjo Learns New Things...,
Skerricks, Unshelved and Keri Smith's wish jar.

The value of having relevant news pushed to your desktop is immeasurable today when we are overloaded with information delivery from all corners. As a ref. librarian I would compile a list of relevant feeds to keep current professionally, and to add to my toolkit. For my account I extracted URLs from my random Favourites list, from the participants' list on these 2.0 programs, and from suggestions (ABC blogs > Articulate).

Suggestions for follows: OPAL training and Unshelved (useful and so true, in turn).

booktrailers 4 libraries

Thanks for the trigger, Judith. Book trailers on screens at public libraries for reader advisory service. Love the idea. Which publishers are making trailers?

D*P*C #6 mashups

This entry is going to take me a while. I've just revisited BigHugeLabs for their Warholizer (fond memories of seeing the Heinz cans in the Qld Art Gallery in the 80s). For other stunning sites, check BlockPosters, SaysIt and BeFunky.

L2TD #4 social networking

I use Twitter for its accessibility and usability to post a snapshop of my day in a short time frame, and its medium to promote our library service. I am developing my objectives in the use of social networking in the library service, but have found some positive examples of libraries using twitter to promote new books, to alert people to closures or program times, etc. Twitter's ability to gather an audience should be utilised to personalise the library's blog. Post positive messages and show your wares, and potential clients and industry members will come to understand your direction. It's a great medium to show what you value. Love visiting authors? Twitter about those who've been and who else you have programmed in. Specialise in rare medical texts? Twitter about special finds and applications. Refurbishing your school library with government money? Twitter about the effects and student benefits. And you can twitter from your phone - even more portability.

I've found bands do well on MySpace, check Bridezilla. And Operator Please, discovered via their MySpace weren't they? - are in both places. It's a place of promotion, so you'd have to utilise it in a library somehow. I've seen too many media articles recently using someone's Facebook site as a source of information, like their relationship status or whatever. Certain magazines could do a double spread derived from that status inf. But then, I've found a more sophisticated Facebook site: Deakin. I have a lot of exploring to do. And yes, I found here that Boroondarra and Deakin were two early adopters of Facebook.
Boomerang Books is on Facebook, with author William Kostakis as moderator.
Use FB to keep current on conference discussions: IFLA 2010.
I like Facebook over MySpace aesthetically. The page looks cleaner. Lots more exploration required to determine applicability and ability for outreach.



....

discover*play*connect 2 update

Note to self: check with Warren - possibility of organised tweeters at TSV QPLA conference?

Update after our team meeting 25/6 - Warren brought this up. There will be a hash tag (#) promoted for the conference, and networking enabled. What a vibe.

L2TD #3 wikis

I've not had a lot to do with wikis - my previous workplace was not very 2.0. I have explored use of wetpaint wikis and find them, along with nings, potentially useful in a professional capacity (businesses, services, etc). Teachers were always warning students against use of wikipedia, but I believe you should embrace it if you understand its limitations. It's a ready reference tool. For instance, if you find yourself wondering 'what ever happened to Matt Dillon?' because you loved The Outsiders as a highschooler, then you'd just go here, which would lead you to the IMDB, both of which offer you total indulgence on the subject. And if you can dig yourself out of that timewarp you can follow leads to cross check facts. Check out Unshelved today!
I've used The Outsiders to teach the concept of autobiographical writing. Reading the novel led me to read Gone With The Wind and seek out Robert Frost's poetry.

I like Antioch Uni's model for staff procedures because you can track changes which is essential for recordkeeping.
The wikipedia entry for this geographical region is comprehensive and accurate with good links to respected sites, and I suspect was written by someone in Council.

First wiki on Mary's list I revisited was SLQ's Library 2.0 site - an incredibly comprehensive compilation of information from the Emerging Technology and New Media sessions. Following a link within I was led to two sites which provided information I can use for a work project.

SJCPL's subject guide wiki is attractive and thoughtfully compiled. A great ref. guide for browsers in so many areas. It combines weblinks, info text, collection suggestions with images and community information.

Library Success: A best practices wiki is too heavily text based in comparison, but is packed with practical information and guidance. It's still a work in progress but contains useful suggestions on job hunting and self-promotion.

I like SLQ's 2.0 wiki most of the three. For extensive subjects you could have one whole wiki for each one (like the SLQ's), linked to the head wiki.

I've contributed to threads on the above website - a sample here:

• I think it would be useful to have workplace post-program analysis of 2.0 programs so that staff can reflect on what direction their service will then take. What worked, what didn't? Which applications can you develop to support the service for clients. Or build a demo into the program - guide other staff on what you can use a particular application for.
• Remember it's not something you're doing for you per se. It's something you're learning so that you can enhance your service to clients - thus it's a must do.

Adding was incredibly simple. Yes, I can see a definite place for wikis at work - readers' and researchers' advisory, subject guides, procedure manuals, service promotion...

wordbox spotted

wordbox spotted in great places:
QWC and Fremantle Children's Literature Centre.
Both organisations supporting young Australian readers and writers.

first day awesome

I left my old job behind - it's being advertised now to close at end of the month. I picked up my old kit bag and moved 1000 kms to beautiful NQ. Loved my first day on the job (after two days of council training) - friendly colleagues, cake, sun-dried tomato dip, a team project on invigorating our website, and a great roster ahead. This is where a CSU degree can take you.
I've been cycling, exploring, unpacking, getting lost on the roads... This is the largest city I've lived in. Toowoomba was big, but not this big. And the towns in between have been miniscule in comparison. With big, comes amazing theatre, thoughtfully developed community spaces, a string of library branches (what's not to love?) and a choice of shops. More, lots more, to explore.
May your journeys be filled with adventure.

Read, and grow.