My favorite exercises were the ones about wikis and podcasts. For me the best way to think about Web 2.0 is that it provides many tools that libraries can use to establish two-way communication pathways with the younger members of our customer base.
Wikis offer a medium for allowing customers to actively participate online in library projects and programs.
Podcasts provide a multimedia approach to the educational/informational part of the public library mission.
Our task is to be creative enough to think of ways the library can establish an online relationship with the potential customers who use Web 2.0 on a daily basis and who use its tools as a primary means of defining themselves and connecting themselves to the world.
I think the most valuable thing I will take away from these exercises is simply becoming familiar with some of the terminology and mechanics of the Web 2.0 world. I now feel I have at least a beginner's grasp of some of the social networking software tools, and I will continue to think about how libraries may use them.
My suggestion for future sets of exercises is that you build a FAQ list, and include the suggestion that the easiest way to get to the page for adding a post is simply to click on "The 23 Things" and then pick the exercise number where you wish to post a comment. It took me a couple of weeks to discover this. Otherwise it is possible to get to a place where one can read about an exercise and yet not be on the page where a new post can be added.
Thanks for all your work to make this possible for JPL staff.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Overdrive
After briefly reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions list and the download instructions, I downloaded and installed the Overdrive software and also updated my home computer version of Windows Media Player to Version 11. Both downloads went smoothly and much faster than I expected.
I found using Overdrive to be fairly intuitive and easy to use. I reviewed a few titles and downloaded a copy of The 10-Minute Stress Manager to my home computer and listened to a few minutes of it.
I plan to browse the Overdrive titles from time to time to see what is available, but I doubt I will use it often as a customer. I have only a 5-minute commute to South Mandarin Branch, so there's no time to listen while I'm driving. I may download and listen to a title occasionally if I'm doing something at home that allows me to listen at the same time.
I found using Overdrive to be fairly intuitive and easy to use. I reviewed a few titles and downloaded a copy of The 10-Minute Stress Manager to my home computer and listened to a few minutes of it.
I plan to browse the Overdrive titles from time to time to see what is available, but I doubt I will use it often as a customer. I have only a 5-minute commute to South Mandarin Branch, so there's no time to listen while I'm driving. I may download and listen to a title occasionally if I'm doing something at home that allows me to listen at the same time.
Podcasts
I found a library news podcast/blog site named LibVibe. It offers a 5 to 6 minute audio podcast of national library news. You can also click on a headline for each news item to jump to a website featuring the news item. Another option if you do not wish to subscribe to the podcast is to have the news items sent to your e-mail account.
The most recent podcast date was last May, so the site may be on a summer hiatus or possibly inactive at this time. I added the RSS Feed to my bloglines account. I also subscribed to netvibes, a podcatcher which the LibVibe site appears to be pushing.
LibVibe site is at http://libvibe.blogspot.com/
One use for podcasts by public libraries would be a combination audio/slideshow to publicize major library programs and events. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, if libraries are truly serious about using podcasts and other web tools to communicate with customers, we must produce a product with good production values: if we use audio, we should choose readers who have good "radio voices" and who know how to read news copy.
The most recent podcast date was last May, so the site may be on a summer hiatus or possibly inactive at this time. I added the RSS Feed to my bloglines account. I also subscribed to netvibes, a podcatcher which the LibVibe site appears to be pushing.
LibVibe site is at http://libvibe.blogspot.com/
One use for podcasts by public libraries would be a combination audio/slideshow to publicize major library programs and events. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, if libraries are truly serious about using podcasts and other web tools to communicate with customers, we must produce a product with good production values: if we use audio, we should choose readers who have good "radio voices" and who know how to read news copy.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
YouTube
I have used YouTube more than any of the other Web 2.0 tools we have looked at so far. I think it provides a real outlet for a lot of creative video work. It also has a lot of junk. So I guess you could say it reflects our culture---the good and the totally forgettable.
I think libraries could use short videos---and I emphasize short, informal and to the point---as teaching tools. You could demonstrate how to do a simple search or place a hold. Teens could be encouraged to upload video book or DVD reviews. The important thing about this kind of technology is being willing to put enough money into equipment and training to produce high-quality videos with decent production values.
I did a search on the word "librarians" and found an old Monty Python skit about the Gorilla Librarian. I had not seen this particular bit before.
I think libraries could use short videos---and I emphasize short, informal and to the point---as teaching tools. You could demonstrate how to do a simple search or place a hold. Teens could be encouraged to upload video book or DVD reviews. The important thing about this kind of technology is being willing to put enough money into equipment and training to produce high-quality videos with decent production values.
I did a search on the word "librarians" and found an old Monty Python skit about the Gorilla Librarian. I had not seen this particular bit before.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Last.fm
I chose last.fm, a music and video sharing site whose main office is in East London. The site combines music, video and downloading with social networking.
Last.fm allows the user to browse, sample and download music and videos. In addition users can tag any music or video they sample and recommend other music and videos to site members.
As one uses the site, it builds a profile of what kind of music you appear to prefer. You can, through a feature the site calls "scrobbling", have the title of any song you listen to on your iPod sent to the last.fm site to become a part of your profile. They also allow you to join groups of like-minded listeners. The site will compile your song list into your own personalized radio station.
Last.fm allows artist and labels to upload music for free. There are some promotional services available for a fee, but this is optional.
In looking at this site I think I got a good idea of how such Web 2.o sites personalize their services to each user. I can imagine libraries using Web 2.0 software to build groups of customers who can share and discuss books online while, perhaps, never meeting face to face inside any library building.
Last.fm allows the user to browse, sample and download music and videos. In addition users can tag any music or video they sample and recommend other music and videos to site members.
As one uses the site, it builds a profile of what kind of music you appear to prefer. You can, through a feature the site calls "scrobbling", have the title of any song you listen to on your iPod sent to the last.fm site to become a part of your profile. They also allow you to join groups of like-minded listeners. The site will compile your song list into your own personalized radio station.
Last.fm allows artist and labels to upload music for free. There are some promotional services available for a fee, but this is optional.
In looking at this site I think I got a good idea of how such Web 2.o sites personalize their services to each user. I can imagine libraries using Web 2.0 software to build groups of customers who can share and discuss books online while, perhaps, never meeting face to face inside any library building.
Using Zoho
This appears to be a fairly user-friendly word processor. I did not see any button for a help screen, but there must be one. I could not find the button to change to two-column text. I will have to keep looking.
I tried using the superscript function to add a footnote and the button seemed to change it to a subscript. I need more experimentation with that one.
I can see the value of online word processing for a shared, collaborative document that every user can edit and save without being concerned about version compatibility.
I agree with those who question the value of this software for general office use. I can't imagine any business storing documents on a site where competitors could possibly hack into them.
I will consider using Zoho the next time I am collaborating on a word processing task.
I tried using the superscript function to add a footnote and the button seemed to change it to a subscript. I need more experimentation with that one.
I can see the value of online word processing for a shared, collaborative document that every user can edit and save without being concerned about version compatibility.
I agree with those who question the value of this software for general office use. I can't imagine any business storing documents on a site where competitors could possibly hack into them.
I will consider using Zoho the next time I am collaborating on a word processing task.
JPL Learning 2.0 "Sandbox"
Like several other participants, I had overlooked the password, "learning" at the top of the page. I finally saw it and realized I had probably been in too much of a hurry and had tunnel vision.
It's obviously quite easy to add new information to a wiki that is set up like this one. It shows how far the internet has come. Users can collaborate and build a web page with other users, regardless of where the collaborators reside.
It's obviously quite easy to add new information to a wiki that is set up like this one. It shows how far the internet has come. Users can collaborate and build a web page with other users, regardless of where the collaborators reside.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Wikis
I think wikis, like other communication tools, have certain applications and also have obvious limitations.
I like the idea of Subject Directory wikis, because they can be updated quickly and offer a place for both staff and customers to suggest relevant websites.
I think a wiki would be useful for situations in which a limited number of people have a specific project in common. As several articles suggested, wikis allow numerous contributors to contribute to and edit the same document(s).
I thought using a wiki as an internal staff communication tool was a good idea.
Although I use Wikipedia now and then, I would never trust it to give me an unbiased, critical, evenhanded treatment of a controversial or emotion-laden topic. When a wiki becomes gigantic, like Wikipedia (more than one million articles), I see how it is possible for a lot of questionable information to get published.
I think an online book discussion group would be a good candidate for a wiki application.
I like the idea of Subject Directory wikis, because they can be updated quickly and offer a place for both staff and customers to suggest relevant websites.
I think a wiki would be useful for situations in which a limited number of people have a specific project in common. As several articles suggested, wikis allow numerous contributors to contribute to and edit the same document(s).
I thought using a wiki as an internal staff communication tool was a good idea.
Although I use Wikipedia now and then, I would never trust it to give me an unbiased, critical, evenhanded treatment of a controversial or emotion-laden topic. When a wiki becomes gigantic, like Wikipedia (more than one million articles), I see how it is possible for a lot of questionable information to get published.
I think an online book discussion group would be a good candidate for a wiki application.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Comments on "away from the icebergs"
My comment is on the Rick Anderson article, "Away From the Icebergs".
I am in basic agreement with most of Mr. Anderson's ideas.
I now have no doubt that the next generation of library users will expect a much different set of services from public libraries. I believe the transition will be extremely difficult for any institution that depends on public funding. The problem is convincing taxpayers that a new generation of library users will expect materials and services that the previous generation may have little or no use for.
In our local case, where property owners are taxed to provide library funding, we will have to find ways to persuade citizens that something like the Web 2-based library model is worth investing in. We will have to educate local politicians regarding the changing face of public libraries and their services. If we cannot convince citizens and politicians to fund these new services---and the hardware and software to support them---then all of our futuristic ideas will mean little.
I am in basic agreement with most of Mr. Anderson's ideas.
I now have no doubt that the next generation of library users will expect a much different set of services from public libraries. I believe the transition will be extremely difficult for any institution that depends on public funding. The problem is convincing taxpayers that a new generation of library users will expect materials and services that the previous generation may have little or no use for.
In our local case, where property owners are taxed to provide library funding, we will have to find ways to persuade citizens that something like the Web 2-based library model is worth investing in. We will have to educate local politicians regarding the changing face of public libraries and their services. If we cannot convince citizens and politicians to fund these new services---and the hardware and software to support them---then all of our futuristic ideas will mean little.
Technorati
Searching blog posts for "learning 2.0" yielded over 7,400 hits. A blog directory search for the same phrase resulted in slightly more than 900 blogs.
I did not see the Tag Search button. According to a link in Technorati's Help pages, the site was having some techical problems with the tag search function (this was on Sunday, 8/10/08).
In the LibraryBytes blog I ran across some references to Helen Blowers, the creator of Learning 2.0, who is now Director of Digital Strategies at Columbus Public Library.
I guess I was not so surprised that Technorati has determined that the blog Boing Boing, a kind of clearinghouse for popular culture, is the most popular blog in the world. The Huffington Post has the most authority---it is has the most links to other blogs.
Technorati could be used as a gauge of what the online community thinks is important at any particular time, what the hot trends are, and what people are interested in talking and learning about.
One of the things I must get acclimated to while reading blogs is that there is a great deal of variability in writing quality. In short, reading good writing takes less time and energy than reading poor writing. In the online world, where so much information is vying for my attention, I really appreciate anyone who can communicate concisely and clearly.
I did not see the Tag Search button. According to a link in Technorati's Help pages, the site was having some techical problems with the tag search function (this was on Sunday, 8/10/08).
In the LibraryBytes blog I ran across some references to Helen Blowers, the creator of Learning 2.0, who is now Director of Digital Strategies at Columbus Public Library.
I guess I was not so surprised that Technorati has determined that the blog Boing Boing, a kind of clearinghouse for popular culture, is the most popular blog in the world. The Huffington Post has the most authority---it is has the most links to other blogs.
Technorati could be used as a gauge of what the online community thinks is important at any particular time, what the hot trends are, and what people are interested in talking and learning about.
One of the things I must get acclimated to while reading blogs is that there is a great deal of variability in writing quality. In short, reading good writing takes less time and energy than reading poor writing. In the online world, where so much information is vying for my attention, I really appreciate anyone who can communicate concisely and clearly.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Tags
I didn't find the PLCMCL2 account particularly useful for this exercise. I looked at several bookmarked sites, but did not see any comments, as the exercise #13 suggested.
As far as tags go, I think it has been demonstrated that natural language descriptors work well for the type of social networking sites we have been exploring.
I can see the value of using tags rather than formal subject headings to suggest particular web sites to customers. We could also allow customers to suggest web sites and submit them to JPL for sharing on the web page. But who knows? Maybe people who are most comfortable with Web 2 tools do not even visit public library sites to find research resources.
I suppose the point is that we need to use many different tools to communicate with our customers.
As far as tags go, I think it has been demonstrated that natural language descriptors work well for the type of social networking sites we have been exploring.
I can see the value of using tags rather than formal subject headings to suggest particular web sites to customers. We could also allow customers to suggest web sites and submit them to JPL for sharing on the web page. But who knows? Maybe people who are most comfortable with Web 2 tools do not even visit public library sites to find research resources.
I suppose the point is that we need to use many different tools to communicate with our customers.
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