Evaluative Statement

“Today’s new media tools are incredibly powerful communication vehicles that allow organizations to connect and engage with many different audiences.” (Kroski, 2009)

According to the subject guide there are five main learning objectives for INF506. These are mainly looking at the students development as an information professional and social networker, their understanding of the tools around them; what they implicate for libraries and information services in the future and what issues may arise from their use in a library setting. I have selected three posts to show how I have met the learning objectives of the subject; they are – It’s Delicious!, RSS and the Library and We are living in 2.0 world… These were selected as showing my development as a social networking information professional. Through these three blog posts you can see my improved understanding of not only the tools of social networking but also of the ideas and practice of Library 2.0 and the way they can support and improve the access to information provided by an information service, like a public library. While some learning objectives have been obviously meet, others are less obvious and show through only in a brief sentence or merely a suggestion. By examining these three chosen blog posts carefully, we will see how the learning objectives of the subject have been met.

Post 1 – It’s Delicious!

Only the second post made in this blog and yet it is one of the more focused. Having a limited word count as well as a specific goal to give a critical evaluation of its functions and how it could be used to support information services. Two main features (tagging and sharing) were analysed and shown to prove beneficial to supporting an information services learning and collaboration. Delicious was shown to be easy to use (Rethlefson, 2007) and to be useful in promoting learning, demonstrating the beginnings of an evaluative line of thinking and a willingness to understand social technologies and their benefits to an information service.

Post 2 – RSS and the Library

This post is interesting as it demonstrates an eagerness to not only try new technologies out for myself but also to investigate how others are using them and see what is being suggested for libraries uses of them. This post not only shows an understanding of the technology it is referring too but how it can best be used by an information service and what benefits it could bring. A look into what sort of policies would need to be developed would have added the post as well as insight into the issues surrounding the use of such technology within the information service environment.

Post 3 – We are living in a 2.0 world…

By this post we can see how much more comfortable I am with the medium. There’s a little bit of (corny) humour thrown in with the evaluation of Web 2.0 and this post shows more thought than the others by discussing the necessary qualities of a librarian working in the 2.0 environment. By speaking of these qualities, this post demonstrates an understanding of how to bring social networking to the library and be a strong supporter and user of Library 2.0 tools. More theory should’ve been referenced as, although I’m aware of the papers I read when compiling this post, it does not show in the post itself.

Although, upon evaluating these posts for this assessment, it is easy to see how they could’ve been improved, this awareness also demonstrates my meeting of the learning objectives. I have grown in my understanding of social networking technologies and I have a better comprehension of Library 2.0 and how it affects the working life of an information professional. Areas such as policy development and social, cultural, educational, ethical, and technical management issues need further addressing but through this subject I am now more aware of them and have gained knowledge on where to find information on them. Each post has shown more in-depth study, more commitment and more time spent on it and has aided in my development as student and information professional.

 

References

Kroski, E. (2009). Should your library have a social media policy? School Library Journal. Retrieved 15th May, 2011, from Interact website: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6699104.html
Rethlefson, M. (2007, 15 9). Tags help make libraries delicious. Retrieved 3 21, 2011, from    www.libraryjournal.com: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6476403.html

Reflective Statement

Before beginning this course, I considered myself aware of most the major social networking tools. I had taken part in Web 2.0 training at my current workplace and I am constantly pursing ways the library could become active in the social networking environment. In my personal life I have explored Facebook, given twitter a tweet or two, uploaded videos on YouTube and shared these experiences with friends and family. I could see their potential in an information service, especially as many of my subjects contained links to sites like these. (Abrams, 2007), tells us how useful these technologies could be to information and community services and since the library I work for is a public library it provides both these services. Also, through the many modules, online journal activities and assessment tasks, my eyes have been opened to a whole new range of social networking tools and I have developed an even more passionate pursuit of installing these technologies in my current workplace.

I am now using a few social networking technologies that I had not considered before and even one I was not previously aware of. One of the social networking technologies I was aware of previously but now use, almost every day, is RSS feeds. I have subscribed to some that are relevant to my work in the library as well as my university work; most I discovered through the subject INF506, like Information Tyrannosaur, the RSS feed from a blog by a librarian who has developed many social networking type technologies for libraries. I have also joined some that are more for personal and entertainment purposes, for example I’ve subscribed to the feed of one of my favourite shows so I can find out when it next airs as well as the ABC news feed. I believe that through my use of these technologies, both the professional and personal, I am not only keeping up-to-date with the latest innovations in social networking but also providing myself with the skills necessary to demonstrate their usefulness in a library setting for the promotion of a library as well as the sharing of information.

Having never used de.li.cious, I was interested to see how it could be applied to an information service.  Through the subject I gained insight into how this site could be used to aid in the sharing of information through shared bookmarks. I can see how the library could utilise such a tool, placing bookmarks to share relating to workshops they run, especially the ones about using the internet. They could add links to further learning and this would encourage patrons to try out some newly learned skills as well as learning a new social networking tool. I found it easy to use and have already been encouraging some other staff members to give it another look as it could also be a great tool for staff, promoting an awareness of new goings on in the library world in a different way to what is currently seen.

My only limitations were when working with a tool that I needed a considerable amount of time to understand. SecondLife was such a tool. Apart from lacking the tools to utilise it to its full advantage – such as headphones and a microphone – I also had trouble using the site as it would take up to half an hour to download completely whenever I was trying to investigate it’s possibilities. It is frustrating to me that I lacked the necessary tools to investigate it properly but now I have been introduced to this technology and I have an account I hope to investigate it in the future, when I have the proper tools. This did give me insight into how it is important to select technologies that a large proportion of your selected clientele can use. And while I feel it is a great tool to use with a university class, especially one studying social networking in an information service environment, it would not be a good tool to use in the public library I work for, where a majority of the staff and patrons are only just mastering Facebook and are wary of perceived “younger generation” sites like twitter.

As a result of studying Social Networking for Professionals (INF506) I have gained a confidence in using many different social networking tools, gaining insight into other ways to use technologies I already use and also discovering many new tools, and I feel that it this has aided my development as an information professional.

References
Abrams, S. (2007). Web 2.0, library 2.0 and librarian 2.0: Preparing for the 2.0 world. Retrieved on
  8th May, 2011 from Interact website:
  http://www.online-information.co.uk/online09/files/freedownloads.new_link1.1080622103251.pdf

We are living in a 2.0 world...

...and I am a 2.0 girl! (sorry about that...consider this a side note to the actual post!)

What do I believe to be the esstential knowledge, skills and attributes of an information professional in a Web 2.0 world?

Basically I believe that a librarian in a Web 2.0 world should have knowledge of major Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 technologies (Abrams, 2007); should have the skills to be able to use these technoloiges and have a healthy douse of openmindness and skeptisism.

With so many new technologies emerging, it is important that an information professional be aware of what is currently availble, what is emerging and what has proven successful. To gain knowledge of the major tools, a librarian should keep up-to-date with the latest inovations through Web 2.0 technologies - thus gaining the skills to use the tools while gaining knowledge of developements. By connecting to other information professinals through microblogging sites like Facebook as well as subscribing to relevant RSS feeds and/or blogs, an information professional can ensure they have the latest information available to them. This will also aid them in finding the technologies that a of most use to their workplace, keeping them aware of what has worked for others and what appears to be merely a fad.

Keeping an open mind allows the librarian to be willing to give a new technology a chance by reading up on what is does, how it's being used and disovering if it could prove useful to them. Being skeptical allows room for the technologies to be trialed in a critical way and allows an information professional to feel they have inestigated the tool in a appropriate way without just jumping on the latest "cool" new thing.

Having the knowledge of new technologies, a willingness to use and explore the possibilities and the mind set to test will are all essential to a librarian living in a Web 2.0 world.

Reference
Abrams, S. (2007). Web 2.0, library 2.0 and librarian 2.0: Preparing for the 2.0 world. Retrieved on 8th May, 2011 from Interact website: http://www.online-information.co.uk/online09/files/freedownloads.new_link1.1080622103251.pdf

Some advice from A-Z

I work for a public library service that talks a lot about Library 2.0 and encourages it's staff to read about Library 2.0 developments but has yet to adopt many of these technologies into the library itself. I have chosen 5 pieces of advice from The A-Z of Social Networking for Libraries (22 January, 2010)  that my library can follow to help it develop it's Library 2.0 ethos.

1- A is for Active
LibraryThing has been added to the library catalogue but most of the staff have little or no understanding of it's purpose. By encouraging staff to get online and play with the technology, even for just 5 mins a day, should make staff more aware of it's capabilities and allow visitors to see how serious the library is about social networking tools it has in place.

2- F is for Facebook
As the article states "Facebook is so popular now it is just expected" (Social Networking Librarian, 2010) and it can be a let down to clients to not get what they expect.. By embracing an expected technology the library can show it's patrons it's eagerness to be a modern information service.

3- I is for Interesting
It's always important to create content that is interesting or else how will you keep people interested?! Also, it will help keep staff interested too!

4- T is for Textmessaging
The library has had plans for this feature for many years - surely it's time they instigated it? By adopting a technology that is used by most people everyday, the library can offer it's patrons a better service.

5- Z is for Zeal
While there are a few staff members who are keen to give the library a social networking presence, many are not and this could be the reason so few technologies have been adopted by this library. Create ways to get the library team behind it, have workshops and showcase other libraries success to give many a passion for it instead of a few.

So come on my library let's create an active, facebooking, interesting, textmesaaging library full of zeal!

Intro to Second Life

Just a brief note on my thoughts so far. This one will take a while before I'll be able to write a 'real' post. The control is rather clunky and things are taking forever to load - the few times I have logged in I have seen names but no people! Is this normal? Only time will tell...

RSS and The Library

To explore RSS in action  I took a look at two completely different organisations that are using RSS feeds - the State Library of NSW and Popsugar (an entertainment 'news' website). By subscribing to RSS feeds from both sites I was able to see what could be gained not only by following a feed but also by having a library set up it's own.

The State Library of NSW has many RSS feeds (http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/rss/index.html) giving their users access to information regarding new materials acquired by the library as well as take a look as the new erecords being created, allowing for records to be searched online that were previously only available for searching within their card catalogue. All their feeds allow for users to see what's new at the library as well as explore collections online - users can see these things at a glance and quickly analyse what may be of relevance to them.

Popsugar's RSS feeds (http://feeds.feedburner.com/popsugar) are all related to entertainment news but users can decide what sort they want, from particular celebrities to tv shows to music, there are feeds available for almost every entertainment need!

So how can RSS enhance an library's ability to get information to clients? As sugested by the Moxie Librarian in her blog, RSS can be used by a library to "Subscribe to RSS feeds of interest to library customers and share the content on the customer’s personalized library webpage. Customers can choose to access selected RSS feeds, their library account information, subscription databases, and email/chat with a librarian all in one spot". By supplying an RSS, a library can promote it's collection as well as any up and coming events, allowing RSS followers to see at a glance information they may not have had before. The feed can be updated throughout the day and can even be used to highlight anything new going on in the library as well as the library world.

References
The Moxie Librarian. (2008). 10 ways libraries can use RSS. Retrieved on 4th April, 2011, from
   http://moxielibrarian.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/10-ways-libraries-can-use-rss/

It's Delicious!

Delicious has proven easy to use and the ability to tag, share and keep accounts public or private, has allowed me to use this social bookmarking tool not only as a method of storing and sharing bookmarks related to my university work but to also keep more personal information, such as the sites I'm finding on babies. I can also share these bookmarks and tags with other Mums I've met through various activities. For an information service professional, the feature of sharing and tagging could prove very useful.

The ability to share is a great feature allowing users to benefit from others bookmarking. As a student I can discover sites, through bookmarks created by teachers and students, that can lead me to articles and research I may never have discovered on my own. As a librarian, I could share this knowledge with fellow staff members at the library, allowing for the knowledge to be passed on and utlised within the industry. An information service could use Delicious to direct patrons to the latest news about their organisation and how it fits into the change in other organisations as well as share knowledge on the latest book releases, reviews and other sites relevant to their organisation. 

Tags can be added to bookmarks and can be tailored to the individual and an information service could use this function to tag items in a way that makes sense to their audience and to connect similar sites (by using the same tags.) The function is very quick to apply and easy to use and could be used effectively by someone with even minimal understanding of delicious. The tags created by others could also aid those working in the information service to locate bookmarks tagged with relevant tags by other users to aid in the collection of data about a topic for themselves, their workplace or even a client.

Although a lessor known service than MySpace or Facebook, Delicious can be easily set-up and introduced to patrons of the library (Rethlefson, 2007) and be used to co-ordinate many links to sites, as suggested in Rethlefson's article, from links to information for local students assignments or local news items.

References

Rethlefson, M. (2007). Tags help make libraries delicious. Retrieved 21, March, 2011 from

  www.libraryjournal.com: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6476403.html

On a side note, nothing to do with the Delicious evaluation, this post had the unusual problem of not keeping to the default font. After trying several different methods to change the font, eventually the whole thing had to be deleted and re-typed. Fortunately, I have been typing posts up in a word document and then in the blog so all that was lost was some editing.

The Web as Social Space or How we, as humans, create and use technology

Why do certain technologies become popular in some countries and not others?
Do we always use the technologies that are the best for the job or just the ones that are popular?
Why are a majority of interviews just talking heads?
And, of course, what does all this mean to me?

Being presented with two articles by Kevin Kelly on The Technium http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/ we have been given the opportunity to think about the questions above and explore the ideas they evoke.

Thinking on why certain technologies prevail in certain parts of the world while failing in another leads me to recall a book I read a few years ago titled Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond. The basic premise is that certain ethnic groups were going to gain wealth and power in the world due to certain chains of developments that allowed them the ability to make guns, fight germs and create steel (I am oversimplifying here but I'm sure you understand why!). Of course, as Kelly points out in his article, sometimes it's just a matter of doing what we've always done; what everyone else in our "tribe" does. How does this impact my life? Well, when looking at social networking technologies, I can see myself falling into the habit of using what is not only familiar but also what my friends use (my tribe). I am more prone to using Facebook than Twitter, even though I would spend much less time on Twitter due to it's nature, merely because more of my friends and family do. I'm sure others could find such examples in their own life.

As for the article on interviews, it was great to see a different approach to conducting an interview with the words spoken in the interview on screen instead of just the talking heads. My first thought at this was that it would be cold and hard to relate to but I actually found I paid more attention, mainly due to the fact that as there was writing on the screen I had to read it!  And I think because this interview wasn't a personal, emotional one like on a talk show, you didn't feel like you were missing out on any facial expressions or gestures that would help to understand the interview better. On a side note, maybe it was the white text on the black screen but it did kinda remind me of being back at school with the teacher writing on the chalk board.

I know this entry turned into more of a personal experience but I felt it important to get my own thoughts down before I go and explore others - that way I can look back and see which thoughts were my own.

First Entry

Assessment Item 1

          (a) define what social networking is (in your own words)

Social networking is a way of sharing information online,both professional and personal, through tools such as Facebook, YouTube, flickr etc. By sharing information through such sites, people become connected through interests shared or friends in common, building a community of like-minded people - i.e. a social network!

(b) list what social networking technologies and sites you already use (for personal, work and study purposes)

1) Facebook - used for personal, work and study purposes.
2) YouTube - used for personal purposes, sharing videos with friends and family
3) Twitter - used for personal purposes, following friends & celebrities

(c) describe what you expect to learn from completing INF506.

I expect to learn more uses for the social networking tools I currently use as well as gain awareness of other tools out there, focusing mainly on their usefulness within a library setting and I hope to be able to bring some of this knowledge to the library I work at and introduce some social networking tools there.