Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Week 12 - Social Networks
In terms of possibilities for my library using social networking for client interaction we already have a facebook page, which is new, but is a way we are using a social networking sight to encourage interaction with patrons. The site has photos from our refurbishment as well as author talks. Upcoming events are also listed so we are covering the marketing in that aspect and we also have all our contact details available on the site. I think that with some more publicity from the library this tool could be a great way of keeping patrons up to date in an indirect way e.g. they're not having to come in, call us or visit our website to know what is going on - if they are a fan of our site then whenever they are using their facebook for social purposes our updates will come up on their wall. I think this is a great way the library can be in contact with a large porportion of its members especially youth that have facebook pages. It could be further developed so we could have groups and special interest areas for people to dicuss and find out about - like the Coshocton Public Libraries manga group myspace page. I thought this site was really well designed and with over 200 "friends" it is surely reaching a lot of people in the community. I think that social networking tools such as facebook and myspace are a easy and quick way to create connections with community members.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Week 11 - Online Applications and Tools
I never knew about any of these online tools. I think they are great!
I think the tada lists is a great way for the library to create lists of books whether they be in genre or awards. We could then link our catalouge to the titles so patrons could see if the book they wanted was available or reserve it if it wasn't.
I think GoogleDocs is an easy way for our members who have gmail accounts to create and edit documents while on our internet computers (which dont have word installed on them). The only problem that would restrict its use would be that you need a gmail account to use it and not everyone has one. Also slideshare would be another useful tool if people in the library on the internet PC's wanted to create a persentation without having to move computers.
I would also recommend picnik for staff and patron usage. Not all computers have photo editing software and this program is really easy to use and access.
Finally Zamzar is great if anyone needs to convert a file. Some students often want to create PDF's and this is an easy way to do it anywhere without having the adobe software. I would highly recommend this software.
I think the tada lists is a great way for the library to create lists of books whether they be in genre or awards. We could then link our catalouge to the titles so patrons could see if the book they wanted was available or reserve it if it wasn't.
I think GoogleDocs is an easy way for our members who have gmail accounts to create and edit documents while on our internet computers (which dont have word installed on them). The only problem that would restrict its use would be that you need a gmail account to use it and not everyone has one. Also slideshare would be another useful tool if people in the library on the internet PC's wanted to create a persentation without having to move computers.
I would also recommend picnik for staff and patron usage. Not all computers have photo editing software and this program is really easy to use and access.
Finally Zamzar is great if anyone needs to convert a file. Some students often want to create PDF's and this is an easy way to do it anywhere without having the adobe software. I would highly recommend this software.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Week 10 - Mashups
Mashups are a great way to create signs for the library and add a bit of colour around the place. They can be used to promote events in the library like author talks or storytime and photos from such events can then be used to create mashups. They are a fun and creative way to create images within the library. You could also have compeptitions for children and adults to create mashups about books they have been reading.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Podcasts and Audio
I think that podcasts and audio would be a useful tool to any library. Firstly in regards to audio I think a lot of libraries are moving into area of having audio books available to download as mp3's directly to patron ipods or cd. I think that this is a great way of having books available to patrons as it still allows for the traditional "borrowing" to happen without the damage that also comes with this to cds and books. When a patron downloads the file it is their for the borrowing period and then the file will stop working after this. I think this is a great way of making books more portable and more useable in todays techonological society.
In terms of podcasts I think that could be used as a way of recording story times that occur in the library or even author talks. They could also be used for training purposes for staff and as a way of keeping patrons up to date on whats new in the library e.g. services, books, activities. Podcasts would be any easy way for anyone at home or with computer facilities then to keep up to date with the library without having to come in. In relation to this parents who arent able to make storytime for whatever reason can still play the file at home to their child and can read along to the book with their child on a one on one basis.
In terms of podcasts I think that could be used as a way of recording story times that occur in the library or even author talks. They could also be used for training purposes for staff and as a way of keeping patrons up to date on whats new in the library e.g. services, books, activities. Podcasts would be any easy way for anyone at home or with computer facilities then to keep up to date with the library without having to come in. In relation to this parents who arent able to make storytime for whatever reason can still play the file at home to their child and can read along to the book with their child on a one on one basis.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Week 8 - Answer Boards and Social Searching
Consider is there a role for your library in “slamming the boards”?
Although this resource allows for the answering of questions that people may have in a easy to use way I think that if something like this was brought into the library it could be very time consuming for staff to keep updating the site with answers. With the lack of staff and resources etc available this would just be another area that staff wouldnt have time to spend on and I think that although at first it would create interest it could be something that is easily forgotten and neglected. Personally if staff want to spend their own time answering questions or are free at the desk to help someone out with their question then by all means as it is a way of helping someone who may not have the knowledge or resrouces that we do but overall I wouldnt include it as an "official" library resource or task.
In what ways might your customers like to rate or review items in the collection or services you offer? I think that customers might like to rate certain authors, books and any sort of service that the library offers as well as possibly finding out more information about any of these things through the question/answer format of the posts. I think in terms of library patrons sharing their questions with one another this could lead to people recommending authors and books to one another which could increase circulation of books throughout the library.
Although this resource allows for the answering of questions that people may have in a easy to use way I think that if something like this was brought into the library it could be very time consuming for staff to keep updating the site with answers. With the lack of staff and resources etc available this would just be another area that staff wouldnt have time to spend on and I think that although at first it would create interest it could be something that is easily forgotten and neglected. Personally if staff want to spend their own time answering questions or are free at the desk to help someone out with their question then by all means as it is a way of helping someone who may not have the knowledge or resrouces that we do but overall I wouldnt include it as an "official" library resource or task.
In what ways might your customers like to rate or review items in the collection or services you offer? I think that customers might like to rate certain authors, books and any sort of service that the library offers as well as possibly finding out more information about any of these things through the question/answer format of the posts. I think in terms of library patrons sharing their questions with one another this could lead to people recommending authors and books to one another which could increase circulation of books throughout the library.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Week 7 - tagging
This week we were asked to create a del.icio.us account. I have found this site to be fairly easy to use and thus would be a useful tool for the library to use. As with the Sutherland Shire del.icio.us page I think that this website could be used as a very useful research tool for library members. Like the Sutherland Shire page we could create a useful site of links on various topics. This could be used to group different areas of research that are well known to the librarians as being used by school students such as the area of study "journey" that many students do in their HSC. As the bookmarks can be searched and anything can be tagged/bokomarked I think it would put a lot of useful information at our members fingertips. It can be used to create a collection of resources on basically any topic which makes it very versitile. Other then using it as a useful research tool it would also be an eay way to group information and have it accessible anywhere so members could not only accesss it here but from home and school. I think this tool would be useful in any library.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Week 6 - Video
Discoveries on YouTube and Google video.
I found that the videos on YouTube and Google video in relation to showcasing oral histories, library building projects, staff orientations, guides to using library services, book reviews or exhibitions were all useful forms of providing information whether it was to library members or staff. I did find though that a lot of the videos were of poor quality. I dont think you need the best equipment but it can be frustrating for people to watch something when the faces are blurry and pixelated. This however would be the only negative I found.
I think that the videos on oral histories and library building projects were both great ways of presenting information in an interesting way rather then reading out of a book or looking at photographs. In terms of the video about the building of the library, this can be kept forever and is creating the libraries own records of its history.
In terms of staff orientation videos I think this cuts down time for staff that do training saving them from repeating themselves as well as providing staff with a friendly overview of the library. My only thoughts here is to keep these videos up to date. Having had a few jobs I have been witness to some very out of date orientation videos - their age shows! which can make the organisation look out of date as well.
Wht possibilities can you think of for your organisation?
I think the idea of displaying history in a visual way is great. My library has a history conference each year and videos could be used here not only to film some of the conference for a record for the library but present information to members of the community using online videos. These videos will then be able to be used in the future and be easily accessible by all.
I also think that patron tips videos are a great idea. Sometimes there can be confusion about who to ask for what but also people not wanting to make themselves look silly by asking a question. If some online video tutorials were made about how to use our library this might help them out.
I found that the videos on YouTube and Google video in relation to showcasing oral histories, library building projects, staff orientations, guides to using library services, book reviews or exhibitions were all useful forms of providing information whether it was to library members or staff. I did find though that a lot of the videos were of poor quality. I dont think you need the best equipment but it can be frustrating for people to watch something when the faces are blurry and pixelated. This however would be the only negative I found.
I think that the videos on oral histories and library building projects were both great ways of presenting information in an interesting way rather then reading out of a book or looking at photographs. In terms of the video about the building of the library, this can be kept forever and is creating the libraries own records of its history.
In terms of staff orientation videos I think this cuts down time for staff that do training saving them from repeating themselves as well as providing staff with a friendly overview of the library. My only thoughts here is to keep these videos up to date. Having had a few jobs I have been witness to some very out of date orientation videos - their age shows! which can make the organisation look out of date as well.
Wht possibilities can you think of for your organisation?
I think the idea of displaying history in a visual way is great. My library has a history conference each year and videos could be used here not only to film some of the conference for a record for the library but present information to members of the community using online videos. These videos will then be able to be used in the future and be easily accessible by all.
I also think that patron tips videos are a great idea. Sometimes there can be confusion about who to ask for what but also people not wanting to make themselves look silly by asking a question. If some online video tutorials were made about how to use our library this might help them out.
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