Sunday, November 9, 2008
# 16 About Wikis
I am amazed at the number of ways in which libraries and other organizations are using wikis. For example LitWiki at Ohio University has links to sites that help researchers. A wiki for high school students in a certain class, perhaps geometry, could find help and understanding through collaboration with fellow students. Libraries are using wikis for community information guides as well as sites for Reader’s Advisory. Patrons can add items about their club’s upcoming events, a review of a book they enjoyed, or information about a fundraiser for a local church.
A wiki for staff members working on a group project can use a wiki for discussion instead of adding to the mass of emails that might be overlooked. Staff manuals can be quickly and easily revised when new situations arise.
Patrons could utilize a wiki to express what they like or dislike about the library. This could help management and staff to become more sensitive to patrons’ wishes and even bring about changes in policy.
As they say, the uses are limited only by the imagination.
A wiki for staff members working on a group project can use a wiki for discussion instead of adding to the mass of emails that might be overlooked. Staff manuals can be quickly and easily revised when new situations arise.
Patrons could utilize a wiki to express what they like or dislike about the library. This could help management and staff to become more sensitive to patrons’ wishes and even bring about changes in policy.
As they say, the uses are limited only by the imagination.
# 15 Perspectives on 2.0
Library 2.0 and Web 2.0 will go hand and hand into the future or the library as a place will have no future. Web 1.0 was just an information source. Web 2.0 is the participatory web. The folksonomy of flickr and del.icio.us are pulling users into the web to become manipulators and creators of data and information. The web is now a place for social networking through facebook and myspace. Users collaborate with other users via the web to share and build knowledge.
Where does Library 2.0 come in? Many libraries are still in the 1.0 stage—information sources. In order to compete with Web 2.0, the library of the future must utilize Web 2.0. Only in this way can it retain relevance in our information-glutted society. Librarians must take the role of information/technology leaders in order to guide patrons to the information they seek. They need to be teachers of the new technology, not of the Dewey Decimal System.
Libraries must become user friendly by following the examples of such Web 2.0 sources as Amazon.com and Google. Library webpages need to allow patrons to interact with its elements. Access to flickr, del.icio.us, and LibraryThing will help patrons share and learn from each other.
Another way for libraries to stay relevant is to offer reference service 24/7 just like the Web. This can be done through live chat. In addition, the use of YouTube is another way for libraries to make themselves visible in their communities by advertising their offerings: classes, programs, seminars, movies, etc.
Libraries will always exist, but not to store knowledge. Rather they will be information centers where patrons and librarians can interact, share, and create knowledge.
Where does Library 2.0 come in? Many libraries are still in the 1.0 stage—information sources. In order to compete with Web 2.0, the library of the future must utilize Web 2.0. Only in this way can it retain relevance in our information-glutted society. Librarians must take the role of information/technology leaders in order to guide patrons to the information they seek. They need to be teachers of the new technology, not of the Dewey Decimal System.
Libraries must become user friendly by following the examples of such Web 2.0 sources as Amazon.com and Google. Library webpages need to allow patrons to interact with its elements. Access to flickr, del.icio.us, and LibraryThing will help patrons share and learn from each other.
Another way for libraries to stay relevant is to offer reference service 24/7 just like the Web. This can be done through live chat. In addition, the use of YouTube is another way for libraries to make themselves visible in their communities by advertising their offerings: classes, programs, seminars, movies, etc.
Libraries will always exist, but not to store knowledge. Rather they will be information centers where patrons and librarians can interact, share, and create knowledge.
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