Concerns of Web 2.0 Tools in Libraries

There are some concerns about the use of Web 2.0 services and tools in libraries. Libraries should have some type of social media policy in place. For example, Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA created a social software policy where they define acceptable use parameters of social software for all users of their university library. Kooy and Steiner (2010), argue that even though social software policies are not common, policies need to be in place to help protect academic libraries from legal attack, to guide students in appropriate posting, and to bring confidence to academic library employees with regard to what behavior is acceptable. Some librarians also feel that with the increased use of Web 2.0 tools in libraries will lead to the death of libraries. Sullivan (2011) paints a picture of the academic library being dead. He suggests that because academic libraries opened the door to such technological resources that traditional academic libraries and librarians are an expendable luxury. I believe that Web 2.0 tools enhance what libraries have to offer and that they will never replace traditional library services. Libraries should do research on the Web 2.0 tools and services that they want to use to make sure they are right for their organization and that staff can make the necessary changes and updates to the programs when they need it.

Kooy B. & Steiner, S. (2010). Protection, not barriers: Using social software policies to guide and safeguard  students and employees. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 50(1), 59-71.

Sullivan, B. T. (2011). Death by irony: How librarians killed the academic library. Chronicle Of Higher Education, 57(18), A24.

PowerPoint Presentation...Social Networking: Twitter

Here is the PowerPoint Presentation I created titled Social Networking: Twitter. It explains what social networking and Twitter is. It also tells viewers how to sign up and use Twitter. The presentation also gives examples of why people use the social networking site.

Photo and Video Sharing Sites

Photo and video sharing sites such as Flickr and YouTube are popular with academic libraries. Flickr (2013) is an online photo management and sharing application whose main goals are to help people provide photos to people who matter to them and to enable new ways of organizing photos and video. YouTube (2013) was created in February 2005 and allows billions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos. YouTube also provides a forum for people to connect and inform others in various locations and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. Research done by Power (2012) discusses how academic libraries can create different types of videos and upload them to YouTube to reach their users. Videos using various services such as ILLiad, finding course reserve materials, self-service circulation, and most importantly library tours are the types of videos academic libraries upload. Photo and video sharing allow patrons of academic libraries to “see” what is happening at the library.

Below is a Library Tour YouTube video I created about the academic library I work at. Check it out!

Flickr. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/.                                      

Power, J. (2010). Online library videos. Journal Of Access Services, 7(3), 186-190.

YouTube. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/.

Wikis

A wiki is a web page that can be viewed and modified by anybody with a Web browser and access to the Internet. Usually any visitor to the wiki can view and change its content if they desire. Some wikis allow you to change the settings to limit access so only certain people can view or edit the information in the wiki. There is the potential downfall for error or misbehavior when using wikis but they are great for collaborative work. Aquil et al. (2011) suggests that even though wikis “lack academic credibility” users should not avoid them but use the critical approach when using them and check the information given against another source. Many libraries use wikis just for staff use. They use them to keep staff updated on certain library information such as new policies or personal events among staff. Librarians also use them in their classes to engage their students and send out pertinent information such as assignments, study guides or lib-guides.

Here is a screenshot to a wiki I created. I used PBworks and it’s a portfolio I used as a requirement for graduation from Georgia Southern. Click here and it will take you to the wiki.

Also click here to go to a set of libguides on various Web 2.0 tools. One of the libguide pages is on wikis!

Aqil, M., Ahmad, P., & Siddique, M. (2011). Web 2.0 and libraries: Facts or myths. DESIDOC Journal Of Library & Information Technology, 31(5), 395-400.

Social Networking: Foursquare

Foursquare was founded by Dennis Crowley and Naveen Selvadurai who met in 2007 while working in the same office space at different companies in New York City. Working from Dennis' kitchen table in New York's East Village, they began building the first version of foursquare in the fall 2008. They launched it at South by Southwest Interactive in Austin, Texas in March 2009 (Foursquare, 2013). Libraries can use foursquare to engage their users and fans. Libraries can create an account and add their library as a venue. Once the account is created, useful tips and pictures can be added. Libraries can also add tags such as free wi-fi, popular DVDs, and books. These tags will help people find the library if they search for these tags in the library’s area. As users check in, it becomes a competition among them. They earn badges and receive rewards as they become the Mayor of the library. I am currently in competition with a student to become Mayer of the GSW Library. Some libraries give out rewards such as free food or drinks, reduced fines, or gift cards just to name a few.

Foursquare. (2013). https://foursquare.com/.

Chronology: Technology in LIS

Here is the Prezi I created for the Chronology assignment on technology in library and information science. Web 2.0 was a term coined in 1999. Web 2.0 refers to the interactive, user-centered design of the world wide web where users not only access the web content but at the same time generate the web content. The concept of Web 2.0 such as social networks, RSS feeds, blogs, streaming media, podcasts, Wikis, tags, mashups, etc. is defined and the possible applications in various library functions and activities.

Social Networking: Twitter

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging real-time information network that connects you to the latest information about what you find interesting. All a user has to do is simply find the streams you find most interesting and follow the conversations. Twitter is composed of small bursts of information called Tweets. Each Tweet is 140 characters in length. Connected to each Tweet is a rich details pane that provides additional information, deeper context and embedded media. You can tell your story within your Tweet, or you can think of a Tweet as the headline, and use the details pane to tell the rest with photos, videos and other media content. (Twitter, 2012).

Many libraries that have Twitter accounts use them to engage their users and spread information. Librarians can send “tweets” to interesting articles, share tips on the library and how to find things, discuss certain issues, and make announcements and updates. An example of an library using Twitter is the Yale Science Libraries. They use their Twitter account to post links to current news articles and to library resources (Dickson & Holley, 2010). My library uses our Twitter account to update users on library hours, closings, as well as events. To sign up for a twitter account visit https://twitter.com/. I’m also doing my PowerPoint presentation on Social Networking: Twitter so check back on my blog for it.

Dickson, A., & Holley, R. (2010). Social networking in academic libraries: the possibilities and the concerns. New Library World, 111(11/12), 468-479.

Twitter. (2013). https://twitter.com/