Signing off--Week 12

It seems to me that libraries can be more proactive in engaging with their local communities and friends by using web based tools. There is a definitive need to change our way of thinking and move outside the building boundary. However, how does staff convince IT people, and engage those not using computers, or those reluctant to accept change and try new ways of doing things. A challenge for us all!
Thanks for all that I have learnt

Online applications. Library Trumps IT departments

Just for the record, have updated Google docs and received a response from Mylee. Have also loaded a spreadsheet if those invited want to edit or ad. Have not changed original viewpoint regarding the availability of this tool/(tools), still fantastic stuff.
Guess library trumps IT people in that MS Word does not have to be on every public pc!


What a fantastic tool! I wish I had this application available when I was a secretary for a kids sporting group--would nearly consider getting involved again! Sent a short note to the Nswpln team and also invited a work colleague. She was impressed!-- although she didn't edit it
I could see Google docs being used for local history groups, volunteers, seminars, staff agendas, community services, basically anywhere-- could also use them for reviews on library blogs!
Didn't try the spreadsheet bit, but would imagine it would appeal to number crunchers
Simple to use-- needs broadcasting and selling

Historical images

Voila! Local history images direct from the photographic collection

North Coast Mosiac Mashup

Yeah! Go DragonLadyLearning. Fantastic stuff. Having done this with Flickr photos, I can see how libraries could use images from their local history data to promote resources, or book covers, or create calendars. The list is limited only by imagination

. Nambucca Heads, NSW, 2. Nambucca Heads, NSW, 4. Sunset at Nambucca Heads

Podcasting

I enjoyed this unit. Again I found a vast variety of podcasts, by using podcasting directories. Some were easy to use, like the British Museum link, click and you're there. Others required downloading of software, which took longer, leastways I didn't need another log in and password.
From the Library Success wiki, I followed what public libraries in the US had on offer. I was impressed by Kankakee Public library who provided a list of Podcasts and Vodcasts. Yes, they are now being RSS feed to Bloglines. The last entry was added on 17/3/2008, one the staff recorded while actually doing another interview. This is where I could see a use for libraries in the recording of oral histories-- also it was great to see their lists of pods growing, compared to another public library, that only listed 1 from 2007. Which reinterates, what library bloggers have been saying that Web2 is only as good as what is being added to, kept up to date, and put out there for users. Check out Kankakee Library homepage.
I like the flexibility and portability of podcasts-- I could see their use for recording of guest speakers at library events, recording oral histories, recording traditional languages before they disappear, adding spoken book reviews to homepages. You never had to miss anything again! and you don't need a ipod.
Great session. Enjoyable, educational, and rewarding as I have more RSS feeds

Slam the boards

Have just done the short session on answer boards. I admire anyone who feels confident enough to add to these pages. I would want to be 100% sure that any information I put out there was correct, especially in relation to reference queries. There is always going to be someone who would argue with the information, question it and want the source of the original knowledge. What I have enjoyed is checking out resources that other people have cited and used, especially those web sites that I have not come across before. So in this way, it has been beneficial to me, and will enhance my reference skills. The contribution made by librarians to Answer Board Librarians is fantastic. I like the signature tag "we eat questions for breakfast'. Following this link, took me to American Public Libraries website, where I checked out a Californian library homepage, and found shortcuts to their Blog, E-books and Podcasts pages. It seems that they are definitely into Web2! (Didn't even bother checking the "traditional" catalogue-- does this indicate a attitude shift?)
Within public libraries, unless there is a dedicated Web2 team, when and where do staff find the time to create, edit, monitor, update, etc any web related work, such as message boards, blogs, etc. (even doing this course, involves doing it at home, and in my own time). It seems to me that Web2 is all about sharing, but I think that person to person live (web3?) is still the best

Here comes another bubble- Comes highly recommended