Not the Paper Kind: How Social Bookmarking and Social Cataloguing Impacts Libraries

What do you think of when you hear the the term "bookmarking"? Does a metal one come to mind? Or does your brain gravitate towards a paper bookmark showing off quotes from Shakespeare? Maybe you just think of old-fashioned dog-earing. By the way, I wouldn't recommend dog-earing books from the library. We don't want to be caught committing "book assault", now do we? I can only imagine the disgusted faces of hardcore bibliophiles at the mere mention of dog-earing. Let us take a moment of silence for this victim:

Like traditional bookmarks, social bookmarking allows people to organize and manage their bookmarked web documents. Social bookmarking sites' key feature is the ability to allow users to share their bookmarks at will (this is different from file sharing, which only shares the resources themselves). 

Social bookmarking sites (and its cousin, social cataloguing) have exploded on the Internet, coming together like a graceful dance. 

If I'm going to be using a social bookmarking site, I tend to go with Reddit. To be honest, I don't really use it that often, but I can see how it could be used as a potential news source for popular content, especially if one utilizes subreddits. 

While I'll admit that I don't frequent social bookmarking juggernauts like Reddit, Digg, and Delicious all that much, libraries can use these sites to strengthen patrons' information access by providing helpful links. In some cases, they can almost act like subject guides.

An example that comes to mind is the Whitby Public Library. They have a Delicious account, allowing patrons to easily find the information they desire with just a button click. You can take a peek on how they did it here: https://delicious.com/whitbypubliclibrary

Moving on, I should mention that social cataloguing sites take social bookmarking one step beyond: these sites can categorize and organize books, movies, and music so users can manage their items more effectively. 

Sites such as Goodreads, Librarything, and Shelfari can be classified as social cataloguing tools. I like to employ Goodreads the most, as I'm able to rate and comment about the books I just read, plus find recommendations whenever I want. 

In a library setting, social cataloguing sites are very useful for setting up discussions on books or scheduling events or meet-ups. For instance, if your library has a mystery club, and some members are not always able to attend meetings, why not create a discussion group online? This way, everyone can participate at their own convenience. 

There are other benefits to social cataloguing sites, of course. They can give patrons the ability to easily browse through recommended titles they might not have considered. Patrons can also quickly organize materials they have already read, seen, or heard with site features. These sites allow patrons more interactivity with informative materials, which can foster more interest in library collections. 

However, there is a potential downside: user-generated content can confuse some patrons trying to find titles, particularly when social cataloguing site features are implemented into online library catalogues.

What I mean by this is the fact that some patrons still find use out of traditional library catalogues. These same patrons may become overwhelmed if a library creates an online catalogue with social cataloguing features. They often just want the ability to search for titles without frills, and may become alienated as a result. 

Personally, I recommend that libraries create two versions of their catalogues. One version could implement features similar to Goodreads and Librarything to attract social-media savvy patrons. Another version could offer only traditional searching methods to satisfy those who prefer more straightforward catalogues. 

This way, both groups of patrons are satisfied and offer variant ways for patrons to access information.

With all that said, I'll be busy bookmarking and tagging books on my Goodreads account during my downtime. And I'll try my best to not dog-ear my precious library novels in the future. Maybe.

A Pin Paints A Thousand Words: A Reflection on Pinterest

October- a time to jump in brightly coloured leaves, break out the pumpkin carving knives, and hide under the covers while watching The Exorcist. While it's usually a good month for most folks, I spent most of it re-reading my textbooks, reflecting on all the ways I could possibly botch my mid-terms. Ahh, the wonderful life of a college student. It can be some spooky stuff all right:  

Getting back to the point, libraries are ever-changing like the leaves on a maple tree. With all the technological progress, they seem to be adapting to the times quite well. Most libraries have joined and still commit to social-networking giants like Facebook, Youtube, or Twitter. And who can blame them? These three are most patrons' social networking bread and butters. 

However, libraries shouldn't ignore other social networking sites like LinkedIn, Google Plus, and Pinterest. 

While they might not necessarily garner massive recognition like Facebook does, these sites have tremendous potential in promoting library services and their usage among the public is growing at alarming rates. 

For simplicity's sake, today I will be focusing on how some libraries use Pinterest to benefit themselves and their patrons. 

While adventuring in the mystical land known as the Internet, I stumbled upon the Toronto Public Library's (or TPL's) Pinterest. 

I discovered that they not only marketed their branches through the use of photo sharing, but there were also boards dedicated to the library's children's programming and activities. TPL also promoted their reference library and digital archives by showing off their special collections. I even saw a board dedicated to their Bram & Bluma Appel Salon;located on the second floor of the Toronto Reference Library, this place can hold everything from your standard business meetings to weddings.

As you can see, TPL has done a tremendous job promoting themselves though the use of Pinterest. Without it, I would've never known that LEGO clubs for children existed, or that the library hosted a digital collection of Audubon's Birds of America.

Collections and services that patrons might not readily know about are shown through many pictures on Pinterest boards. Thus, Pinterest and other social networking sites make the public more aware of what is offered at libraries in an engaging way. 

The only thing I wish TPL did more with their Pinterest is perhaps promote more of their adult-orientated services, but I still think that what they've done with their boards is excellent. If you want, you can take a look for yourself through this URL: https://www.pinterest.com/torontolibrary/

For now I'll be busy sipping on a good cup of chicken soup, trying to recover from the stress of mid-terms. I hope to enjoy autumn while it lasts.

There Be Wikis In These Parts: How Libraries Use Wikis To Communicate More Effectively

When you think of wikis, what pops into your nice, cute noggin? For me and many others, the first one that comes to mind is the famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) Wikipedia. Despite controversy over its lack of expertise and consistency, it's still one of the most visited reference websites on the Internet. According to Wikipedia, 374 million visitors browses its pages monthly. Although I don't rely on Wikipedia for academic use, I find myself using it and other wikis if I want look up general information, like Lady Gaga's discography.

What's interesting, however, is the fact that more and more libraries are relying on wikis to communicate with patrons and staff.

As a reminder, wikis are websites that are collaborative in nature. The content can be created and edited by any group or anyone, including your friendly, neighbourhood monster. That's right, I believe monsters should be able to contribute their ideas too; they have needs just like us. Unless if they try to destroy computers like good ol' Frankenstein's monster here, then we might have a problem: 

"But why are libraries doing this?" you might ask. 

"Wouldn't it be easier if staff members just sent out an email or two?"

While libraries still use email frequently, problems arise if there's a need for coordinating and organizing group input. For example, instead of you and others going back and forth through email , generate a wiki so that everyone in the group can contribute ideas in one space no matter where they are. 

Libraries can use wikis to communicate with more flexibility, whether through using an internal (or private) wiki or an external (or public) wiki. 

For instance, staff can use internal wikis to spread the word about updated staff policies. Internal wikis can be used for setting up helpful, informative links, and posting meeting minutes. I also think that internal wikis can also have potential for setting up staff parties and the like. Meanwhile, external wikis can act as a research guide for patrons. As you can see, wikis can be used for a variety of things. 

In my personal opinion, I believe all types of libraries can benefit from creating a wiki. In particular, larger libraries can greatly improve communication though the use of wikis. This may be due to larger staff sizes, where emailing everyone isn't always the most effective option.

Of course, smaller groups can also profit from setting up their own wikis. The Daring Librarian has an excellent one; it was created for Murray Hill Middle School teachers. It's very user friendly, with a table of contents and a search bar if you need to look up something specific. It's attractive-looking as well, with many graphics to treat your eyes: http://thedaringlibrarian.wikispaces.com

With all that said, now it's time for me to look up information on Game of Thrones, through wikis of course. 

Free Our Info: Libraries And Web 2.0.

Today in this post, I'll be sharing something that's more vital to libraries then you might think: Web 2.0. When I first heard this term used in class, I wasn't sure what it meant. Was it a new technological breakthrough? Were we finally going to be able to have Smell-o-Vision installed in our computers? Did Web 2.0. mean we were heading towards a 1960's style of future, complete with holograms?

Unfortunately, Web 2.0. isn't any of those things. Simply put, it's various sites that are both participatory and collaborative. 

Web 2.0 sites allow the average Joe, Jane, and pet gerbil named Pumpkin to interact with dynamic Internet pages.  

All those funny cat videos you watch on Youtube? Your Facebook status detailing on how much your life sucks?

Congrats, you just used Web 2.0.

So, how does this all relate to libraries you may ask? Can't patrons just get off their behinds, enter a library, and talk to a staff member about upcoming events? 

Well, if we didn't have Web 2.0., libraries would have a much tougher time communicating to patrons and enticing others to use our resources. We need to become that scuzzy car-salesman and provide as much information about our services as best we can. 

And in order to do this, it's my belief that libraries should take advantage of the many forms of Web 2.0.

Today, libraries can use Web. 2.0 sites in a variety of ways. Many public libraries use Twitter to inform patrons on a lot of things, such as the date when Stephen King will arrive for a meet-and-greet. Youtube can work wonders for showing story times when parents can't make it the day of when it's happening. 

The possibilities to share information with patrons and staff using Web 2.0 sites are limitless.

Personally, I'm comfy using Facebook to look up status's published by my hometown public library so I stay updated on new items they've received. Blogs also work wonders for reading recommendations. The list of uses goes on into the wild, vast yonder.

However, since the Internet seems to be ever-changing at speeds of a rocket ship, I wonder how long it'll be before the sites libraries use will become outdated. What will happen when Web 3.0. comes in fruition?

For now, all I can say is that I'm happy that more and more libraries are using the Internet to their advantage. 

And I'll continue to look up library services from the comforts of my own home whenever I please.

I'm Not Boring, Really: Why I Chose To Become a Library Technician

Much like Alice and her Wonderland adventures, I seem to have fallen down into a complex world known as libraries and librarianship. Yes, I'm talking about that quiet place which sometimes smells like a combo of dusty furniture and over-perfumed ladies. And yes, right now I'm trying to acquire my library and information technology diploma. Someday, I want to be one of those leathery librarian techs, the ones that give you annoyed glances if you make noises louder than a silent but deadly fart.

But unlike Alice and her dream, I don't want to "wake up". I don't want to choose another profession. And I don't want to give up on libraries and the services their staff can provide. 

I had a talk with a friend of mine months before I began my program. It was your typical visit I guess, full of phrases like "I've missed you so much!" and "I'll literally die if we don't eat!". Soon came that classic college student topic: courses.

"So, how are you doing in your college courses?" I asked.

She gave me a look equivalent to a shrug. "Some of my classes are OK, others I'm having trouble with," she replied.

Her goal was to take over her mother's bridal store one day, so she took up business administration.

She asked, "Are you excited for your library program coming up?".

"Of course!" I said, "It feels like an eternity waiting for it to start. I better enjoy it.".

Suddenly, the ominous bells of concern rang from my friend:

"Are you sure you'll like it Erin? I can't imagine being in a library. It seems super boring to work at, and it stinks in there. Why take a job like that?".

I couldn't stop her questions planting inside my brain, they were toxic mushrooms threatening to overtake my emotional garden.

But then I remembered. 

Back in high school, I was a page at my local public library. A bunch of my shifts were in the children's section downstairs, but my work schedule called for a lot of upstairs shifts too. Sure, I had slower evenings just reading shelves and putting away material properly. I guess for some it could be as exciting as this:

But I also thought back to Saturday story times, with grinning children trying to guess what happened next. I remembered trying to help patrons learn how to use our brand-new Mac computer to send messages to their families. I recalled all the "thank you's" and nods of approval anytime I successfully found the right material for a patron.

I remembered doing more than putting away picture book copies.

I, along with others, acquire and provide information for all types of patrons. My chosen profession helps to foster positive change for my community.

And for me, that will always be as exciting as running a bridal store.