#17 Playing around with PBWiki
I found this tool easy to navigate and editing (or adding my comments to) a couple of 'Favorite' pages on the PLCMC Learning wiki was very straight forward.
Patrons (and staff) with reasonable computer and software skills would not have any difficulties in using wiki software like PBWiki if we were to utilise this library 2.0 service delivery method in the future.
#16 So What's in a Wiki?
After exploring various library based wikis and reading some informative works on what a wiki is and how they can be utilised in library service delivery, I was pondering the pros and cons of wikis as a source of information.
The most obvious element of a wiki is that it is dynamic and has the potential to provide 'real time' information and reflect on societal influences. However, the content is not authoritative, it's subjective and based on user opinions, which are not necessarily balanced. This may be a negative aspect when researching, but for certain topics, such as discussing book reviews as part of a Book Club, it's a great method of sharing information and opinions and stimulating online social interaction. It is unfortunate however that some wikis have editing restrictions or safety checks because of virtual vandalism.
My wiki examples... First, a Summer Reading Club Wiki could be established for patrons in conjunction with the Summer Reading Programs, which are typically very popular. Discussions about various 'great reads' and other reading and research tips could be encouraged and guidance provided by Adult and Youth/Children's service Librarians. Promotion of the wiki could co-inside with the program publicity.
An internal intranet wiki could also be established for library staff, potentially eliminating the need for emails about changes to library procedures and services, which are saved in an ever full inbox (& brain). Setting up an internal wiki could provide staff with 'real time' service changes, a method of retaining staff knowledge, and an access point for staff to clarify things they may have forgotten. It would also give staff the means to provide constructive feedback.
Technorati tag wikis
Tuesday 23 October 2007
Sunday 14 October 2007
Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati continued
Second Life Library 2.0,
originally uploaded by joannamkay.
originally uploaded by joannamkay.
Second Life or Library Community 2.0?
#15 On Library 2.0 & Web 2.0
It is my belief that Library 2.0 and Web 2.0 will evolve into the Library Community of the future; a blend of the more 'traditional' library presence and services along with the integration of user demanded services delivered through web 2.0 technologies. The physical public library hub with books, magazines, children's story time, plus outreach services like the home bound service will eventually integrate with Library 2.0 outreach services such as RSS feeds, Instant Messaging reference services, blogs, wikis and the like. Services that enable library members to become more interactive yet possibly more removed from the physical library building will become more of a reality.
Patrons will want - even demand - information and leisure resources delivered in many ways. Rick Anderson comments rather succinctly when he says "...find new ways to bring our services and content to the user's preferred environment (i.e. the Web); integrating our services into their daily patterns of work, study and play."1 Why should we assume to always know what our patrons want? Give library members the option and means to inform us of their service delivery needs and desires and the library service (or library community) will continue to thrive.
Ultimately, library delivery services will change. As Michael Stephens states in 'Into a new world of Librarianship' "...the future of libraries will be guided by how our users access, consume and create content." 2 The technical literacy of our community members is increasing, thus the expectation of what and how services will be delivered will be influenced by this.
Patrons who do not want more interactive or communal library 2.0 services will simply choose to opt out of these services.
1. http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/2.htm
2. http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/3.htm
Patrons will want - even demand - information and leisure resources delivered in many ways. Rick Anderson comments rather succinctly when he says "...find new ways to bring our services and content to the user's preferred environment (i.e. the Web); integrating our services into their daily patterns of work, study and play."1 Why should we assume to always know what our patrons want? Give library members the option and means to inform us of their service delivery needs and desires and the library service (or library community) will continue to thrive.
Ultimately, library delivery services will change. As Michael Stephens states in 'Into a new world of Librarianship' "...the future of libraries will be guided by how our users access, consume and create content." 2 The technical literacy of our community members is increasing, thus the expectation of what and how services will be delivered will be influenced by this.
Patrons who do not want more interactive or communal library 2.0 services will simply choose to opt out of these services.
1. http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/2.htm
2. http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/3.htm
Technorati tags library 2.0 web 2.0
Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati continues..
#14 Getting not-so-technical with Technorati
After playing with Technorati for some time, I believe I have a fuller understanding of what this tool can do; thus its usefulness in locating a myriad of information and opinions in the blogosphere.
The Technorati discovery exercises were an interesting way to explore this tool. Keyword searching blog posts for Learning 2.0, versus post tags and Blog topics on this subject, demonstrated the difference between result outcomes, providing evidence of the specific searching capability of this tool.
The Popular Blogs feature clearly shows the social networking element of Technorati in that members are linking blogs to their favourites, thereby providing measurable interest. Plus searching specific URLs enables you to link into other members' favourites and tags (like del.icio.us). Top Searches I find a little ordinary, but then gossip on Britney Spears seemed to be the order of the day while I was playing with this tool.
Having become a Technorati member and previously claimed my learning blog, the screen display when I sign-in is more personalised listing my favourites and my blog, a feature I quite like. After adding a few tags to my blog posts I pinged Technorati to ensure these updates were picked up. I've also ensured that pinging is enabled under Settings in Blogger so future post tagging is linked back to Technorati. The reason for doing this? To get my blog, posts and ultimately my learning 2.0 feedback out there... into the blogosphere!
Technorati tags tagging blogs search engine
After playing with Technorati for some time, I believe I have a fuller understanding of what this tool can do; thus its usefulness in locating a myriad of information and opinions in the blogosphere.
The Technorati discovery exercises were an interesting way to explore this tool. Keyword searching blog posts for Learning 2.0, versus post tags and Blog topics on this subject, demonstrated the difference between result outcomes, providing evidence of the specific searching capability of this tool.
The Popular Blogs feature clearly shows the social networking element of Technorati in that members are linking blogs to their favourites, thereby providing measurable interest. Plus searching specific URLs enables you to link into other members' favourites and tags (like del.icio.us). Top Searches I find a little ordinary, but then gossip on Britney Spears seemed to be the order of the day while I was playing with this tool.
Having become a Technorati member and previously claimed my learning blog, the screen display when I sign-in is more personalised listing my favourites and my blog, a feature I quite like. After adding a few tags to my blog posts I pinged Technorati to ensure these updates were picked up. I've also ensured that pinging is enabled under Settings in Blogger so future post tagging is linked back to Technorati. The reason for doing this? To get my blog, posts and ultimately my learning 2.0 feedback out there... into the blogosphere!
Technorati tags tagging blogs search engine
Tuesday 9 October 2007
Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati
#13 Tagging, Folksonomies & social bookmarking in del.icio.us
Simply put, del.icio.us is delicious! I love this tool. I have already started organising all of my learning 2.0 links, tagging them as a tool, directory or an image generator and so on. This tagging then gives me the means to retrieve different favourites as I need them. (I'm in Heaven!!)
As a Casual Librarian, the key feature for me is the accessibility of this tool, as I will be able to access my del.icio.us favourites wherever I work. However, another important feature of del.icio.us is its networking capability. By sharing tags and other user's comments it becomes a terrific facilitator in the sharing of information and knowledge. For example, whilst perusing the PLCMC learning 2.0 material I spotted a few items I thought were worth saving in my own favourites list in anticipation of task 15. (Blogging thoughts about web.20/library2.0.)
Technorati tags del.icio.us social bookmarking
Simply put, del.icio.us is delicious! I love this tool. I have already started organising all of my learning 2.0 links, tagging them as a tool, directory or an image generator and so on. This tagging then gives me the means to retrieve different favourites as I need them. (I'm in Heaven!!)
As a Casual Librarian, the key feature for me is the accessibility of this tool, as I will be able to access my del.icio.us favourites wherever I work. However, another important feature of del.icio.us is its networking capability. By sharing tags and other user's comments it becomes a terrific facilitator in the sharing of information and knowledge. For example, whilst perusing the PLCMC learning 2.0 material I spotted a few items I thought were worth saving in my own favourites list in anticipation of task 15. (Blogging thoughts about web.20/library2.0.)
Technorati tags del.icio.us social bookmarking
Monday 8 October 2007
Week 5: Play Week - Roll your own search engine with Rollyo
#12 Roll your own search engine with Rollyo
Another terrific web tool, hence another productive activity. I stumbled across a Rollyo search engine yesterday while looking for image generators, so felt a little familiar with the concept.
I decided to create a Rollyo search engine on a topic I often search for, movie news & reviews.
Technorati tag Rollyo search engine
Another terrific web tool, hence another productive activity. I stumbled across a Rollyo search engine yesterday while looking for image generators, so felt a little familiar with the concept.
I decided to create a Rollyo search engine on a topic I often search for, movie news & reviews.
Technorati tag Rollyo search engine
Week 5: Play Week - All about LibraryThing
#11 All about LibraryThing
What a useful web tool, and not only for personal use, but potentially for small businesses, not-for-profit organisations, social groups and the like; all could utilise LibraryThing to itemise and search material. I found it very user friendly and located all of the books I chose to catalogue quite easily. (I had to make myself stop so I could compete my blog post on this task.)
The 'social' side of LibraryThing with groups, book reviews and suggested readings, also a great feature. Another fun 'thing' to learn. I even enjoyed working out how to display 'my Library' in my blog!
Technorati tag LibraryThing
What a useful web tool, and not only for personal use, but potentially for small businesses, not-for-profit organisations, social groups and the like; all could utilise LibraryThing to itemise and search material. I found it very user friendly and located all of the books I chose to catalogue quite easily. (I had to make myself stop so I could compete my blog post on this task.)
The 'social' side of LibraryThing with groups, book reviews and suggested readings, also a great feature. Another fun 'thing' to learn. I even enjoyed working out how to display 'my Library' in my blog!
Technorati tag LibraryThing
Sunday 7 October 2007
Week 5: Play Week - Play around with Image Generators
#10 Play around with Image Generators
After playing around with a few image and text generators, I have had (and will continue to have) some terrific fun with this activity.
For my example I decided to post something 'library' or 'book' orientated to keep within the theme of my blog. Thus, I chose this picture of Richard Harris as J.K Rowlings' Dumbledore from http://www.imageGenerator.net/ ,which I found through a simple Google search. I love the Harry Potter series, so I couldn't resist quoting something 'profound' through this character.
Technorati tag image generators
Friday 5 October 2007
Week 4: RSS & Newsreaders continued...
#9 Finding Feeds
I have played with all of the recommended searching tools; Feedster, Topix.net, Google Blog Search & Technorati. Feedster I found most challenging, mainly because my search results seemed to provide page upon page of irrelevant results, no matter how much I tried to limit my search requests. Possibly more play time is required on this tool. Otherwise, I liked the look and feel and functionality of Topix.net, Google Blog Search and Technorati. (I couldn't resist linking my blog to Technorati).
Some of the Library related feeds I located using the aforementioned searching tools include:
LISnews.org Public Library news (via Topix.net)
librariesinteract.info (with Google Blog Search)
Tame the Web: Libraries & Technology (* see note below)(through Technorati)
Other feeds, like iLibrarian and ResourceShelf I found simply by clicking on the 'related feeds' link when adding RSS subscriptions to my Bloglines account.
I also looked at the Ebsco database and have a clear understanding of how a search request RSS feed can become a specific subject alert or SDI (a selected dissemination of information - possibly old library and information management language?).
Recommended readings (or is that blogging?) - * Tame the Web and other blogs, like LibraryCrunch produced by Michael Stephens and Michael Casey are worth a look, especially in relation to this program and to gain a greater incite into how Web 2.0 technologies do and can influence the provision of library services. Happy reading.
I have played with all of the recommended searching tools; Feedster, Topix.net, Google Blog Search & Technorati. Feedster I found most challenging, mainly because my search results seemed to provide page upon page of irrelevant results, no matter how much I tried to limit my search requests. Possibly more play time is required on this tool. Otherwise, I liked the look and feel and functionality of Topix.net, Google Blog Search and Technorati. (I couldn't resist linking my blog to Technorati).
Some of the Library related feeds I located using the aforementioned searching tools include:
LISnews.org Public Library news (via Topix.net)
librariesinteract.info (with Google Blog Search)
Tame the Web: Libraries & Technology (* see note below)(through Technorati)
Other feeds, like iLibrarian and ResourceShelf I found simply by clicking on the 'related feeds' link when adding RSS subscriptions to my Bloglines account.
I also looked at the Ebsco database and have a clear understanding of how a search request RSS feed can become a specific subject alert or SDI (a selected dissemination of information - possibly old library and information management language?).
Recommended readings (or is that blogging?) - * Tame the Web and other blogs, like LibraryCrunch produced by Michael Stephens and Michael Casey are worth a look, especially in relation to this program and to gain a greater incite into how Web 2.0 technologies do and can influence the provision of library services. Happy reading.
All feeds discussed are located in my blogroll.
Finally, I just wanted to report that I was lucky enough to be able to reinforce my own learning this week by assisting a colleague subscribe to an RSS feed and give them tips on how to manipulate their Blog template.
Technorati tags RSS feeds library 2.0 Technorati
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