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!
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