Oh, How Web 2.0. Isn't Frightful: Thinking About What I've Learned

Hello to all my readers! Now that we've hit December, it's usually the perfect time to reflect on how the year has come and gone, and what new things we have learned. Today, I want to think back on what I've learned over this semester. Put your best set of fuzzy slippers, sip some hot cocoa, and prepare yourselves for my course reflection.

In my multimedia class, us library tech students recently had the pleasure of listening to some guest speakers working in our field. The guest speakers came from an wide arrange of library types: public, academic, you name it. They mainly discussed how they implemented Web 2.0. tools in their jobs.

What stood out to me, however, were the differences of opinion about Web 2.0. implementation. 

For example, one speaker working for the University of Winnipeg claimed to use a wide variety of Web 2.0. based tools, even going so far as to creating his own subject guide. You can browse through some of their guides, as they're quite informative: http://libguides.uwinnipeg.ca.

However, others were a bit more cautious when it came to implementing social media and other Web 2.0. tools. Some talked about having difficulty with having so many options out there, and trying to maintain their chosen tools. A speaker who worked in a school library even had trouble trying to get social media approved.

What we can learn from this is that Web 2.0. technology is heavily dependent on commitment. Before a library tries to implement new technologies, patrons' needs and their abilities to access them must always be considered.

Throughout my multimedia course, I've also learned about different types of tools libraries can use. 

Where I once despised Twitter, I have now come to respect its positive impact on libraries, as library events can now be easily described to patrons. 

I've also grown to love listening to library-based podcasts (e.g. ComicPop Library and Circulating Ideas). They contain a wealth of information for library staff and for podcast-loving patrons. 

Finally, I've learned to go out of my way and search up library Youtube accounts, instead of...well, watching How It Should Have Ended (HISHE) episodes.

These aforementioned tools (along with many others) have really peaked my interest.

If there was one thing I wish our class could have gone over more was creative/maker sites such as Weebly, Glogster, Wordle, and Zee Maps. 

For instance, I created a fictional high school library website using Weebly as part of my final project. Learning a bit more on how to use such tools would have been great. But I think I've managed to make a nice little website: http://lougheedbrucehighlibrary.weebly.com 

Yes, I really did name the high school after myself. I'll admit my name choice is highly unoriginal. You can blame the stress of completing other assignments for that.

Anyway, to wrap things up, I've been made aware of numerous applications and tools that libraries can effectively use. It's been fun learning about them all, and I've realized that it's important to stay on top of new developments. 

I'm not saying that libraries have to use every web tool out there. Some tools and applications fall out of favour quickly. And with all the upkeep, we'd be chained to our desks, never being able to properly help our patrons.

But libraries should start out with a few web-based tools for the benefit of their patrons and staff. Libraries need to adapt to new technology in order to stay relevant. After all, their primary duty is to educate patrons about various information. And what better way to inform them than by using Web 2.0. tools?

My Sincerest Apologies To You, Twitter: Why More and More Libraries Are Using Twitter

To the most-beloved Twitter,

Oh, how I hated you in the past. I created an account on you not too long ago, hoping that I could keep track on my friends' lives. I desperately wanted to like you, as you seemed so attractive and clean in appearance. I also wanted to learn how to use hashtags properly, and not in a mocking way. 

But alas dear Twitter, it was just not meant to be. I was simply too verbose and long-winded for you; I couldn't become comfortable using 140-character limits. My friends thought so too. They ditched their accounts two weeks after creating them. And so, with nothing else to look forward to, I abandoned you. My once lively account was now (and sadly still is) in a comatose state. 

Well, I'm here to tell you that I'm sorry I misunderstood you. It went over my head that you are a librarian's dream come true.

You are more than just some silly website to pass time with. 

You were (and still are) a very useful tool to look up various types of information, even if it's just a quote from a D-list celebrity. 

You single-handedly put microblogging on the map. 

You have helped libraries around the world get in touch with patrons more easily and effectively. You have helped to create more pro-library communities.

Libraries are surprisingly popular on you, sweet Twitter; the New York Public Library has around 605,000 followers. Of course, libraries don't need to get that many followers to be successful. 

Smart library staff aren't just using you and other forms of microblogging to share info about recommended books, updated policies, etc. They also use accounts to relate to patrons and help them explore the big, beautiful world around them.

The Winnipeg Public Library, for example, released a tweet yesterday stating about James Dean's death, and linked relevant info on how he impacted our culture. I think that's a clever way to re-introduce classic actors and other important figures to unfamiliar users.

Libraries can also use Twitter and microblogging to inform the public about community events. Everything ranging from free concerts to knitting classes is posted on many library Twitter accounts. Twitter is also an effective tool to create discussions with, engaging with patrons to think critically and voice their opinions more easily. 

It's amazing how many interesting things a library can pack into you, my little Twitter.

I'll admit, it may take me a while to boot up my account again. But at least I now have a better understanding of you. Where I once despised you, I have now grown to at least admire you from afar.

Sincerely,

Erin.

P.S- I found some accounts that I really like a lot. I hope that they may never falter on you:

1. Vancouver Public Library: https://twitter.com/VPL
2. Winnipeg Public Library: https://twitter.com/wpglibrary?ref_src=twsrc%5egoogle%7ctwcamp%5eserp%7ctwgr%5eauthor
3. Scottish Poetry Library: https://twitter.com/ByLeavesWeLive

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.