Blog # 23 Reflection

What do you think about social media in libraries?

They absolutely have the ability of enhancing the library services. Facebook, Flickr, Blogging  etc.  These tools can bring to the public much more than advertisement. Social media can help create a virtual reference desk that goes beyond the physical location of the library.

What do you wish FPL was (or wasn’t) doing? 

            I think that as a library FPL is doing great. It is best to take thing one step at a time and do them right. It would be of no use to have many social media services and neglect to keep up with them. Technology changes quickly and if the library decides to jump in and use the social media it is important to keep up with the demand of the library costumers.

Have you learned anything from the program? 

            Through this activity, I found many interesting tools that I wouldn’t have otherwise. I have continued to use RSS and even created one only for research updates. Thanks to Elizabeth and Adam (Rachel and Heyvind too) for creating and organizing 23 things.  

Blog # 22 Your Choice

         
       My choice falls between Flickr and Music Streaming. I find that with Flickr it isn’t necessary to use words to describe the success of the library. Images can provide an open interpretation and plus it is fun to photographs all the library events. Music streaming may not be directly correlated with the library but nonetheless, it has influenced its development. I enjoyed the easy access to Flickr and Pandora.

Blog # 21 Wikis

I enjoyed posting a review of 5^th Street Patio Café on our Wiki 23things. It was interesting to read others lunch selections and experiences. Wikis are good for individuals who are looking to find basic information about a particular topic. Unfortunately, because wikis authorize the edition of pages by any individual, one is at risk of encountering bias information. However, it is a great way of sharing information like “Let’s do Lunch”.

Blog # 20 Podcasting

Podcast application lets you share your favorite podcast with your friends. For a library this is great! Say for example creating a podcast based on story time, these can be shared by the community among friends and family members. I haven’t created a podcast and honestly don’t plan to. Nonetheless, this is a great tool to have for future projects.

Blog # 19 Hulu

Hulu, much like YouTube, can provide library patrons the opportunity to browse beyond the library’s catalog. For instance, a teen is interested in a particular topic say animals, they can access Hulu through our computer lab and watch Discovery Life clips.  The best thing about Hulu is that in most cases it will direct you to the original website were the user can browse for more information.

Blog # 18 YouTube

I notice that most, if not all, of the videos I watched focused on advertising the services of their library. One particular video that caught my attention was A Librarian’s 2.0 Manifesto. This was a great source of information for the public. Many individuals may be interested in discovering the goals and objectives of a library. The library staff ultimately reflects the library itself. Using YouTube to distribute this information is wise. It is more effective to create a video and “dress it up” with images and music than publishing an article on the internet.  

Blog # 17 Music Streaming and Sharing

Without a doubt, music streaming has altered the pace of audio material checkout. We can see it happening here at FPL. Our music collection has not grown as quickly as our printed material. The new era of electronics has influence this change. Patrons can now access music from different devices. That decreases their need of checking out physical CD’s. I find Pandora/Last fm to be user friendly and quite honestly much more productive than downloading CD’s.

Blog # 16 Google Docs

I found that Google Doc is a useful tool to use when you don’t have Microsoft Words. Although, it may not have the applications that Microsoft Words has, it serves its purpose and it is easy to access. It is also useful for individuals who manage their Google RSS/blog reader.

Blog # 15 Google Maps

I don’t have a GPS system in my vehicle so my best road trip friend is Google Maps. Not only has Google Maps enhance their direction features but, I can now visit Rome, digitally that is. I have to say that my favorite is Google Earth and Satellite unique features.

Blog # 13 & 14 TinyURL, You Send It

I really like TinyURL. It’s a useful instrument to help enhance other social network sites like Facebook or Twitter. It gives the profile a first-class design with less clutter from long URL’s. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a file to send via You Send It. However, I have used this feature before and found it to be useful when collaborating with others. The only downturn is that in order to get better service you have to purchase their product.

Blog # 12 Facebook

I find that most of the organization that are linked to my Facebook page are quite “humanizing”. As an organization it is important to keep your audience engaged and informed. Facebook is a great tool for organization to have. It is straightforward because organizations don’t have to market to an audience rather the audience can select them. However, updating status, interacting with visitors and posting news about current and future activities can serve to maintain the audience attention and interest.

Blog# 11 LinkedIn

        I personally opted not to open an account with LinkedIn for I found no true use for it at this particular moment. I did however research a little about it and found that for future references it was a good source of networking.

Blog # 10 GoodReads & LibraryThing

Personally, I find that GoodReads or LibraryThing are good web tools designed for individuals who enjoy sharing with others their passion for reading. If commenting and posting recommendations about book discoveries is your thing, then these sites are for you! I on the other hand, like to just stick to and enjoy one book at a time. I do however, from time to time, like to jump into GoodReads and browse for popular selection.

Blog #9 Delicious

Delicious is a great site to use in collaboration with other libraries across the state. The libraries can benefit from this site by sharing information of new and/or successful discoveries. Personally, I have created a Delicious account as a research tool. As part of an association with friends/classmates, I share any new information regarding school material. I find that Delicious is a good tool that helps keep track of all my interesting material.

My Delicious URL: http://www.delicious.com/eli_0787

Blog #8 Tagging

      Taggin in a library! sounds like a nightmare although we already use a form of tagging when we input books into a catalog. I can see how it could benefit those who like to use keywords and are not in search of a particular book. On the other hand, there are countless “tags” a particular book could have. I guess it all depends on the needs of the user.

Blog #7 IM

       Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to chat with a colleague through IM, however, it is a tool that I use regularly. As for having this as part of a library tool, I find it quite interesting. I believe it would be useful to provide IM to our library customers. Many already search our web to get updates so it wouldn’t be out of their way to IM a librarian. I think that offering IM would be a way of targeting a new group of library customers.

Blog #6 Digg

           I found that Digg was a fun tool to use however; I see no benefit for the library. I did notice that it reflected somewhat RSS. Between the two I prefer RSS although Digg is a fun site it’s too time consuming to try and read all of the stories.    

Blog#5 Twitter

   The Twitter! Quite honestly, I don’t feel that Twitter can bring anything special to the library. Unlike Facebook or other social network sites, it doesn’t give the opportunity to advertise all of the wonders of the library. It limits the amount of information one can present. Maybe if it was used to focus on one particular library group, like teens, this might work. The site would be dedicated to keep those particular customers updated. However, what about the rest of the library customers? That would mean having a particular twitter page for every group of library patrons which defeats the purpose of keeping things simple. In conclusion, I truly don’t see the benefit of Twitter for the library.  

Blog #4 Picture Sharing

     I find that sites like Flickr or Photobucket are great tools for libraries to display their success among the community. Out of all the libraries that use Flickr, I found that Alexandrian Public Library uses this site the best. It focuses on displaying the library as part of the community. The pictures display the interaction between the two and not just a random section of the building. I decided to open a flickr account and found it quite interesting and simple to use.  

Blog #3 RSS

   

 RSS again another constructive tool! RSS is a smart way of targeting a selected market instead of mass marketing. For instance, I created a folder that serves as a student tool therefore; the sites tagged one way or another reflect that. I would absolutely recommend this for other students. it allows the user keep up to date with the topic of his/her interest.

Blog #2 Google Reader

As I continue with my 23 things,

   Google Reader, I absolutely loved it! Found it very constructive and see myself using it for future references.  As a student, having information come to you is amazing helps save time. I like that many of the sites, if not all, that I use on a daily basis were available.  It serves both as a personal and professional tool.