Thursday, July 31, 2008

The End

Well it has been an experience learning to use the web 2.0 tools though I still don't know what a widget is!

Its been a lot of hard work and I hope the library does use these tools in the future to take advantage of all this knowledge we have gained.

Thanks for all the support along the way from staff at SLNSW and this is goodbye.

Social networks

I have heard of Facebook and MySpace briefly but I have never been invited to join but I would be a good way for the clients to get to know each other and hear about new events happening in the library.

There could also be video clips of upcoming events used for marketing on the MySpace or Facebook page for the library and a forum for discussion about things happening in the library.

Photos of events could also be added to the page.

Having a Facebook or MySpace page means we could network with the community and get our the message out there.

I have seen Second Life on tv now and again and I'm amazed there are libraries in this 3-D world! It would be great if there were librarian avatars working in these libraries answering questions! I wonder if that will happen or already has!

I think Second Life Library Project is a great way for libraries to market their collections and upcoming events and train avatars along the way.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Google docs and others

Google docs is easy and great to use and its free especially if you don't have any other word processing facilities on your computer you are using. This is the case in the Library and the clients seem to be OK about using Google docs for their word processing needs.

They could be useful for the clients to use if we don't have any equivalent on our E-Resource computers in the Reading Rooms. I know there is also a spreadsheet online application which clients can use as well that can be helpful.

I haven't been very involved in any other online applications in my work but Google docs would be good if creating a new procedure for example and you wanted input from different members of your team about it or a Co-ordinator's opinion before it is completed.

If you were creating a presentation for staff or clients, some of these online applications would be very helpful and look good too such as Slideshare and Google docs.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Mashups

Mashups were fun and it would be great if we could create them for our new website to advertise events or exhibitions using big huge labs.

We could make this technology available for our clients to use as well to create posters and other options in the big huge labs

We could also use the mapping program and flickr to indicate important buildings like the Land Titles Office and other libraries in our vicinity such as Customs House Library.

Well, another week done and two to go and then its all over.

Mashups

Monday, July 21, 2008

Podcasts

Well I seen a few podcasts now and its great when you listen to them because the screens are very psychedelic! The ones from OCLS Podcasts were a good example!

The ABC was good as it was all under subject headings and then podcasts. The best was history.

Denver Public Library was great as I found an interview with Harry and The Potters but they were a band not the cast members of the Harry Potter movies. Oh well. I was a bit too hopeful!

Anyway I checked out Books quick and simple and listened to White giraffe which was a book review, Moraine Valley commmunity college with an introduction to their college and Worthington libraries : programs to go which was good as it had summer reading and programs for adults to do like career courses.

Podcasting could be used for book reviews, new exhibitions, introductions to the library and staff orientation to name a few that the library could use them for.

I did find the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes using Google which were several podcasts of the different stories which make up this book which was very good.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Answer boards

Answer boards is similiar to Askalibrarian and I think its a great service provided by the librarians involved.

In explemplary annswers section it was amazing the variety of questions asked by the public. My favourite was "a good book about marine animal" and it was rated 3 stars and it was very thorough answer and easy to follow.

"Librarians the ultimate search engines" is my favourite signature and there are also a lot of websites given for clients to find their local library so they can ask a librarian in person what their question is.

"Slamming the boards" would be great for our library where clients could come to ask questions and rate our answers and choose the best answer though this is a little bit like Askalibrarian