I have to say that I have had some experience using wikis (beyond wikipedia) before this exercise. One of my classes created a class wiki in which individual groups posted information on a subject that they would later present about.
Westerville public library has a wiki containing policy information, good resources, etc. in it.
I think this is a great use of a wiki. An easy to use way to get information on best practices, resources, and other things of use to the day-to-day work in the library.
That being said, it's only useful if people use it. People did not really do so at Westerville before, though that might have changed. If people become comfortable enough with the software to try it out, this is a great way of sharing information.
October 31, 2008
October 25, 2008
Library 2.0 thoughts
Just some responses to two of the Library 2.0 articles:
Away from the icebergs:
First of all, I agree in general with what he says in his "just in case" section. Patrons do want everything and we should provide as much of it as we can if we want to remain relevant to them. However, our situation is vastly different from his. Circulation is increasing here at CML, as are the general number of users. We can't simply get rid of our physical collection, and why should we? The inc. circ. number suggest that patrons do want it. Perhaps in a few more generations, long after I've gone to the library in the sky, people will prefer digital media, and that's fine. If that's what they want and what works best for the society, then so be it. But right now, this is not the case and so we shouldn't just throw the baby out with the bath water. Give it time.
I cannot disagree more with his "reliance on user education" section. This Learn and Play experience is a great example of how we are needed. So many of my coworkers have given up on this experience because it takes too long to learn about these programs. They are not as intuitive as he thinks, even for a Millenial like myself, much less for those older than me. There will always be a need to teach others, even people my age. We may have grown up with this, but we don't automatically understand everything, a fact which older people tend to forget. We need to be taught or at least have time to play around with things, too.
Finally, I agree totally with his "come to us" section. We really do need to reach out to customers if we want to get their attention. We aren't the only ones out there, even if we are the best. We just need to let them know it.
To better bibliographic services:
My focus was reference, not cataloging, but I have to say that I agree with what John Riemer is saying in this article. I love the idea of customers providing their own reviews of books that are viewable through the catalog. I personally look for reviews, both scholarly and not, of books I don't know about in order to help me choose whether or not to get it. I also like the idea of not just cataloging a place a book takes place in, but mapping it out and allowing customers to view it.
I don't know how much library administrators would like to do these things, but I'm all for them, both as a customer and a library employee.
Away from the icebergs:
First of all, I agree in general with what he says in his "just in case" section. Patrons do want everything and we should provide as much of it as we can if we want to remain relevant to them. However, our situation is vastly different from his. Circulation is increasing here at CML, as are the general number of users. We can't simply get rid of our physical collection, and why should we? The inc. circ. number suggest that patrons do want it. Perhaps in a few more generations, long after I've gone to the library in the sky, people will prefer digital media, and that's fine. If that's what they want and what works best for the society, then so be it. But right now, this is not the case and so we shouldn't just throw the baby out with the bath water. Give it time.
I cannot disagree more with his "reliance on user education" section. This Learn and Play experience is a great example of how we are needed. So many of my coworkers have given up on this experience because it takes too long to learn about these programs. They are not as intuitive as he thinks, even for a Millenial like myself, much less for those older than me. There will always be a need to teach others, even people my age. We may have grown up with this, but we don't automatically understand everything, a fact which older people tend to forget. We need to be taught or at least have time to play around with things, too.
Finally, I agree totally with his "come to us" section. We really do need to reach out to customers if we want to get their attention. We aren't the only ones out there, even if we are the best. We just need to let them know it.
To better bibliographic services:
My focus was reference, not cataloging, but I have to say that I agree with what John Riemer is saying in this article. I love the idea of customers providing their own reviews of books that are viewable through the catalog. I personally look for reviews, both scholarly and not, of books I don't know about in order to help me choose whether or not to get it. I also like the idea of not just cataloging a place a book takes place in, but mapping it out and allowing customers to view it.
I don't know how much library administrators would like to do these things, but I'm all for them, both as a customer and a library employee.
October 17, 2008
Twittering my life away
This has got to be the least useful site of this entire experience.
Microblogging? What's the use of that in the library?
I'm sorry but I don't even see a use for it in my personal life.
Even so, here's my new twitter account. Yet another account to simply forget about as soon as this thing is over.
Microblogging? What's the use of that in the library?
I'm sorry but I don't even see a use for it in my personal life.
Even so, here's my new twitter account. Yet another account to simply forget about as soon as this thing is over.
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