Hmm, a draft media strategy for a library and information service....
May I suggest pulling the demographics of you users of your services from your memberships database? Getting a break down of who your users are may help you in formulating a social media strategy. Then find out which social media platforms are likely to be used by your customers according to age group. Then monitor these social media sites for opinions and attitudes towards your product such as a library service. This will give you an opportunity to listen to what they have to say. Then establish your presence on the social media sites that are most used by your target groups. Give your customers a chance to interact with you. So you can influence their opinions - now here is the really important thing do it transparently. If you are going to engage your customers you have to do in a meaningful way - follow through and work with your customer and offer solutions. You are here working with customers for the long term and not when it suits you. These interactions should be respectful between you and your customer. Remember it cuts both ways, your page should also a have a customer use policy explaining what behavior is acceptable when customers post comments and links. But most of all communicate about ideas that matter to your customer in a fun and bubbly way. Make it interesting to your customer after all no one wants to be talk down to, or have advertising thrust upon them with each post you write and participate in their conversations with information that matters to them such as links to services that they need. Remember some people a passive consumers of information and services, others have an opinion and wish to share it, some will converse with you and your customers may even collaborate by posting content. However, not all your customers will use the same social media sites and thus your organizations efforts will need to be targeted.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
A comparison of libraries using social networking to meet their organizational goals as at December 23, 2012.
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Table representing the use of social media services across 3 public library services.
Library Name
|
Blogs
|
You Tube
|
Flickr
|
Google Maps
|
Podcasts
|
Twitter
|
Facebook
|
Myspace
|
RSS Feed
|
Wikis
|
Library Thing
|
Apps for smart phones
|
Libraries ACT
|
Adult book club.
General News/reading programs/local history
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Casey-Cardinia Library Corp
|
Adult bookclub
Teen book club
Local history
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Christchurch City Libraries
|
General News
Adult book club
Teen book club
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Why should libraries be on social media?
1. Communication/marketing. We need to be where are customers are so that we
can know their opinions about the services we are offering them.
Twitter is great for this as we get instant feed back on a particular
topic or issue that is currently being discussed by our community.
Facebook serves libraries in a similar way but it allows us to post
multimedia content and more indepth stories and to solicit detailed
opinions. It is interesting to note that all of the three libraries
have chosen to use Facebook but one decided to make smart phone apps
available instead of communicating through Twitter.
2. Enriching our customers lives through outreach. Social media can
serve both as an outreaching and an enriching tool. All three
libraries have chosen to write blogs. Each of these blogs have a
different subject/demographic focus and enable libraries to engage
with readers when it suits them tailoring content to that particular
demongraphic's interests and needs. For instance, teens would be
interested in local history and seniors may not want to read about
the latest world of warcraft cheat book either. Having different
blogs for different groups accomplishes looking after the long tail -
groups of people with neiche interests.
3. Recording history as it happens. Just look at social media as a
whole. What does it do? People are communicating about events that
have happend and their opinions. In this case they've just heard Mick
Inkpen chat about making picture books. Photos can be uploaded on to
Flickr, tweeted on Twitter and a blog post giving a synopsis of the
event. Your library is building social history timeline to be shared
with anyone who is interested. This makes them feel apart of what is
happening in their community and at the library. This strengthens the
social fabric of the community around them through engagement with
government services.
What do you think?
What do you think?
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Defining Librarian 2.0
Well, the more I think about what it means to define a Librarian 2.0 the more it seams like I am writing a position description for myself. So what should go in to this position description? I would like to borrow the 8 headings from Partridge's paper and use them below:
• Technology
Librarians 2.0 needs to understand technology trends, know how to use the most popular tools and be able to critically assess them for their usefulness in collaborating with our clients, to build a community and to communicate efficiently with our communities. Different communities will require different approaches and tools. We need to learn what works and what doesn't work and be proactive in trying new approaches when using technology.
• Learning and Education
For Librarians 2.0 the LIS degree is only the launching pad for our learning and life long professional journey. The Librarian 2.0 needs to be engaged in life long learning to ride the wave of future change. We are responsible for our professional education whether it be informal or formal settings. Our profession is no longer gatekeepers but facilitators. This facilitation role requires us to posses IT skills previously reserved for professional web designers, database administrators and communication experts. We are required to explain to our customers how technology works and the ways its use would benefit them what ever their circumstances.
• Research or Evidence Based Practice
Librarians 2.0 should develop best practice by using analytical tools, be involved in research, evaluating and reassessing current processes to ensure a proactive approach of delivery user centric services to our communities.
• Communication
Librarians 2.0 must be good communicators whether verbally, in writing or visually as there are many mediums in which we are required to use to effectively share our message. We should be able to communicate with all levels of society, whether lobbying governments, colleagues or executive committees to enable us to resource programs when there are competing agendas from within or outside our sponsoring institutions.
• Collaboration and teamwork
Librarians 2.0 are members of a team. We work in a team to provide user centric services this may involve establishing cross sector partnerships with IT service providers, education practitioners, community organizations and individuals. We support our work teams programs and goals in order to deliver these user services on a local, state or national basis. We also contribute ideas and assess processes in order to improve productivity and service delivery.
• User Focus
Librarians 2.0 are user focused. We seek to support our communities in their life long learning discovery journey by understanding their needs and providing the channels to deliver resources most convenient to them. We design our systems and processes to with the user in mind and to remove access barriers.
• Business savvy
Librarians 2.0 should be able to create, design and implement projects on time and on budget. Then assess the project outcomes against the our sponsoring institutions strategic goals and mission. This requires us to be able to think outside the box, be good at time management and be able to communicate effectively the results to our stake holders in order to demonstrate our relevance to the organization.
• Personal Traits
Librarian 2.0 is a person who listens to others, communicates well, is proactive in learning about new information technologies and trends. We are not afraid of making mistakes instead we learn from them to improve our systems, processes and approaches. We take our own life long learning journey seriously in order to reach out and help our own communities create, collaborate and communicate in the ways they choose.
CONCLUSION
You can of course disagree with me as there is no standard definitions of what a Librarian 2.0 is or does. This profession is one of evolutionary skills set rather than a static one. As technology and processes change so will it require today's librarian's to morph to suit the needs of their communities that they service. Whether it is in an office as a knowledge manager, a administrator on an organization's intranet, working for Google or in a traditional setting our skill set and personal traits will continue to find a relevant place in our society.
References:
[1] Partridge, H., Lee, J., & Munro, C. (2010). Becoming "Librarian 2.0": The Skills, Knowledge, and Attributes Required by Library and Information Science Professionals in a Web 2.0 World (and Beyond). Library Trends,59(1-2), 315-335.
• Technology
Librarians 2.0 needs to understand technology trends, know how to use the most popular tools and be able to critically assess them for their usefulness in collaborating with our clients, to build a community and to communicate efficiently with our communities. Different communities will require different approaches and tools. We need to learn what works and what doesn't work and be proactive in trying new approaches when using technology.
• Learning and Education
For Librarians 2.0 the LIS degree is only the launching pad for our learning and life long professional journey. The Librarian 2.0 needs to be engaged in life long learning to ride the wave of future change. We are responsible for our professional education whether it be informal or formal settings. Our profession is no longer gatekeepers but facilitators. This facilitation role requires us to posses IT skills previously reserved for professional web designers, database administrators and communication experts. We are required to explain to our customers how technology works and the ways its use would benefit them what ever their circumstances.
• Research or Evidence Based Practice
• Communication
Librarians 2.0 must be good communicators whether verbally, in writing or visually as there are many mediums in which we are required to use to effectively share our message. We should be able to communicate with all levels of society, whether lobbying governments, colleagues or executive committees to enable us to resource programs when there are competing agendas from within or outside our sponsoring institutions.
• Collaboration and teamwork
Librarians 2.0 are members of a team. We work in a team to provide user centric services this may involve establishing cross sector partnerships with IT service providers, education practitioners, community organizations and individuals. We support our work teams programs and goals in order to deliver these user services on a local, state or national basis. We also contribute ideas and assess processes in order to improve productivity and service delivery.
• User Focus
Librarians 2.0 are user focused. We seek to support our communities in their life long learning discovery journey by understanding their needs and providing the channels to deliver resources most convenient to them. We design our systems and processes to with the user in mind and to remove access barriers.
• Business savvy
Librarians 2.0 should be able to create, design and implement projects on time and on budget. Then assess the project outcomes against the our sponsoring institutions strategic goals and mission. This requires us to be able to think outside the box, be good at time management and be able to communicate effectively the results to our stake holders in order to demonstrate our relevance to the organization.
• Personal Traits
Librarian 2.0 is a person who listens to others, communicates well, is proactive in learning about new information technologies and trends. We are not afraid of making mistakes instead we learn from them to improve our systems, processes and approaches. We take our own life long learning journey seriously in order to reach out and help our own communities create, collaborate and communicate in the ways they choose.
CONCLUSION
You can of course disagree with me as there is no standard definitions of what a Librarian 2.0 is or does. This profession is one of evolutionary skills set rather than a static one. As technology and processes change so will it require today's librarian's to morph to suit the needs of their communities that they service. Whether it is in an office as a knowledge manager, a administrator on an organization's intranet, working for Google or in a traditional setting our skill set and personal traits will continue to find a relevant place in our society.
References:
[1] Partridge, H., Lee, J., & Munro, C. (2010). Becoming "Librarian 2.0": The Skills, Knowledge, and Attributes Required by Library and Information Science Professionals in a Web 2.0 World (and Beyond). Library Trends,59(1-2), 315-335.
Friday, December 14, 2012
My top 10 criteria for an effective Library 2.0 website.
After reading Brian Mathews - Web Design Matters: the top 10 for libraries, Louis Lazaris - Designing Websites for Kids: Trends and best practices and John McBernie - Your online identity: Key to marketing and being found. I have formulated my own top ten key library site design features.
1. Promotion there should be space for announcements about upcoming events and new services include blog tailored to your communities interest.
2. The layout should be dynamic and use cascaded menu templates to keep the visual appearance of clean and clutter free. The placement of most recent content should be in the top portion of the screen.
3. Use of banners and photos to break up text as no one likes to read reams linked text. Graphical elements such as photos help to visually break up a web page making it easier on the eyes.
4. Include familiar symbols as navigation tools on the website such as arrows and icons. All call to action areas should be navigable to in no more than 2 clicks.
5. Make it easy ask questions receive and receive a response. Arrange your website template so that in a prominent place contact details are distinctly displayed. Include other chat and communication technologies such as Twitter, Instant Chat, and Facebook etc. to create communication with your community and a sense of trust.
6. The search functions on the website should be easily navigated to from the library's home page. Consider a federated search screen with the ability to filter results by genre, format type and year of creation.
7. Allow library members to contribute reviews about items they have borrowed or services they have used.
8. Create areas on the Library website for teens and children then tailor the content for these age groups.
9. Make apps available via your library website to access library services and search the catalogue. As increasingly customers are accessing services on the web through mobile platforms such as smart phones and tablets.
10. Optimize the library website design for accessibility by disabled people.
So let's evaluate the Queanbeyan City Council website against these criteria and see how meets them or if more changes are required.
When I visited the site on the 13/12/12 there wasn't an actual section on the home page that said announcements and policy changes. Just a note about the library having moved to a new building recently. I would have liked to see upcoming events announcements with the ability to subscribe to an RSS Feed for this section.
The home page style was very basic and not very engaging - just quick links for the basic library functions such as searching the catalogue, using electronic reference and navigation to the children's page. This site could be made more engaging with photos of actual library activities, a menu classified according to customer demographics. Although the basic style of the site is very clean and easy to use with one click - just not interesting as a destination.
QCC Libraries definitely needs to cultivate an online social media presence to reach out to customers. There was no chat service, Facebook or Twitter account links displayed only the ability to share page links using Share This. I only found an email address and telephone contact details for the staff. Adding social media tools would help to capture a wider geographic and demographic customer base as this area as the population expands.
While it was easy to find the catalogue, the search interface would benefit from an upgrade to a one stop search interface. Having to query for videos, music and books separately and uses more time than is required. At this time the website has no ability to incorporate reviews about library materials and services. QCC Libraries would benefit from this by customers having a user centric medium to drive service innovation and collection development.
The QCC Library service also needs to incorporate a specific children's and teen's section to the website. While it addresses the need to provide information on what services are available to families it's not presented in a way that children would find interesting. It is important to engage children with online library services to encourage resource discovery and reading skills during their formative years of education. Here you could include a blog about the latest children and teen resources releases, invite children to write a review and include author talks. Perhaps invite an author to have a tweet session with fans via the library page or a homework help instant reference service. Also provide video feeds of author visits for children who couldn't attend the meet the author sessions via YouTube.
Once laptops were what the general public were using to access the web. Now the mobile revolution has hit with IPads, Android Tablets, Smart Phones. Library sites need to provide an optimized way to access their content. As yet QCC Libraries has not advertised on it's site that there are apps available for Apple, Windows or Android devices. I would recommend that's something they should look at doing in the future.
Although not mentioned in any of the articles by Mathews, Lazaris and McBernie websites especially for library services should be compliant with accessibility standards. As disabled members of the community need to access library services too. While I had no opportunity to test whether the QCC Library site was compliant it was evident that the pages could be read by a text to speach reader such as ISpeach and Microsoft Text to Speach Reader.
So there are my recommendations for changes to the QCC Library Website. These changes will enable the service engage with their clients in a user centric way. Creating trust and continuous improvement in partnership with their local community whom they serve.
References:
[1] Lazaris, L. (2009). Designing websites for kids: Trends and best practices, Smashing Magazine, (27 November). Retrieved from http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/11/27/designing-websites-for-kids-trends-and-best-practices/
[2] Mathews, B. (2009). Web design matters: Ten essentials for any library site. Library Journal, (15 February). Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6634712.html?industryid=47126
[3] McBurnie, J. (2007). Your online identity: Key to marketing and being found. FUMSI, (October). Retrieved from http://web.fumsi.com/go/article/share/2510
1. Promotion there should be space for announcements about upcoming events and new services include blog tailored to your communities interest.
2. The layout should be dynamic and use cascaded menu templates to keep the visual appearance of clean and clutter free. The placement of most recent content should be in the top portion of the screen.
3. Use of banners and photos to break up text as no one likes to read reams linked text. Graphical elements such as photos help to visually break up a web page making it easier on the eyes.
4. Include familiar symbols as navigation tools on the website such as arrows and icons. All call to action areas should be navigable to in no more than 2 clicks.
5. Make it easy ask questions receive and receive a response. Arrange your website template so that in a prominent place contact details are distinctly displayed. Include other chat and communication technologies such as Twitter, Instant Chat, and Facebook etc. to create communication with your community and a sense of trust.
6. The search functions on the website should be easily navigated to from the library's home page. Consider a federated search screen with the ability to filter results by genre, format type and year of creation.
7. Allow library members to contribute reviews about items they have borrowed or services they have used.
8. Create areas on the Library website for teens and children then tailor the content for these age groups.
9. Make apps available via your library website to access library services and search the catalogue. As increasingly customers are accessing services on the web through mobile platforms such as smart phones and tablets.
10. Optimize the library website design for accessibility by disabled people.
So let's evaluate the Queanbeyan City Council website against these criteria and see how meets them or if more changes are required.
When I visited the site on the 13/12/12 there wasn't an actual section on the home page that said announcements and policy changes. Just a note about the library having moved to a new building recently. I would have liked to see upcoming events announcements with the ability to subscribe to an RSS Feed for this section.
The home page style was very basic and not very engaging - just quick links for the basic library functions such as searching the catalogue, using electronic reference and navigation to the children's page. This site could be made more engaging with photos of actual library activities, a menu classified according to customer demographics. Although the basic style of the site is very clean and easy to use with one click - just not interesting as a destination.
QCC Libraries definitely needs to cultivate an online social media presence to reach out to customers. There was no chat service, Facebook or Twitter account links displayed only the ability to share page links using Share This. I only found an email address and telephone contact details for the staff. Adding social media tools would help to capture a wider geographic and demographic customer base as this area as the population expands.
While it was easy to find the catalogue, the search interface would benefit from an upgrade to a one stop search interface. Having to query for videos, music and books separately and uses more time than is required. At this time the website has no ability to incorporate reviews about library materials and services. QCC Libraries would benefit from this by customers having a user centric medium to drive service innovation and collection development.
The QCC Library service also needs to incorporate a specific children's and teen's section to the website. While it addresses the need to provide information on what services are available to families it's not presented in a way that children would find interesting. It is important to engage children with online library services to encourage resource discovery and reading skills during their formative years of education. Here you could include a blog about the latest children and teen resources releases, invite children to write a review and include author talks. Perhaps invite an author to have a tweet session with fans via the library page or a homework help instant reference service. Also provide video feeds of author visits for children who couldn't attend the meet the author sessions via YouTube.
Once laptops were what the general public were using to access the web. Now the mobile revolution has hit with IPads, Android Tablets, Smart Phones. Library sites need to provide an optimized way to access their content. As yet QCC Libraries has not advertised on it's site that there are apps available for Apple, Windows or Android devices. I would recommend that's something they should look at doing in the future.
Although not mentioned in any of the articles by Mathews, Lazaris and McBernie websites especially for library services should be compliant with accessibility standards. As disabled members of the community need to access library services too. While I had no opportunity to test whether the QCC Library site was compliant it was evident that the pages could be read by a text to speach reader such as ISpeach and Microsoft Text to Speach Reader.
So there are my recommendations for changes to the QCC Library Website. These changes will enable the service engage with their clients in a user centric way. Creating trust and continuous improvement in partnership with their local community whom they serve.
References:
[1] Lazaris, L. (2009). Designing websites for kids: Trends and best practices, Smashing Magazine, (27 November). Retrieved from http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/11/27/designing-websites-for-kids-trends-and-best-practices/
[2] Mathews, B. (2009). Web design matters: Ten essentials for any library site. Library Journal, (15 February). Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6634712.html?industryid=47126
[3] McBurnie, J. (2007). Your online identity: Key to marketing and being found. FUMSI, (October). Retrieved from http://web.fumsi.com/go/article/share/2510
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Library 2.0 and participatory library services.....
Libraries once use to be a place where people would come to ask a librarian for information and use the resources housed in a physical building. All the resources were in a physical format and needed to be organized by staff and delivered to library clients to take home. Now that has all changed.... more resources are being delivered electronically for users to consume anywhere to create new resources 24/7. Libraries need to adapt and innovate themselves so that content and services are available anytime and are collaboratory with their existing and potential clients.
Libraries can move into the Library2.0 space by employing the 4 C's [1] which are:
1. Collaboration
2. Conversation
3. Community
4. Content Creation
Arizona State University Libraries [lib.asu.edu/librarychannel/] has already embraced this model of user centered services by using a wide variety of social media channels to enable 360 degree communication with their customers. I checked out their library minute, Facebook account and Tweets. I think that the use of these web 2.0 tools are valuable outreach activity to inform students about new options and ASU library services. Some students even replied with their opinions to the Library Minutes posted on Youtube. Although the communication tool that got the most traffic was Twitter. This gave me a sense of creating a conversation and that there was collaboration between the library staff and the student community. I was amazed how professional the staff members were in their replies even when the students weren't being that polite about particular problems. So when assessing the ASU libraries on the use of web 2.0 tools the was evidence that collaboration, conversation and community were certainly being engaged in by both the ASU Library staff and the student population. However, I didn't find any content creation activities being engaged in by the students using ASU library content. But I could be wrong - it really depends on if you mean ie. making a mash up or leaving a comment is creating content. One the whole I think ASU Libraries have embraced the concept of Library 2.0 and are applying it in away that benefits both the library services and the student community.
References:
[1] Charles Sturt University, (2011)., What is library 2.0? Interact Module 3: Library 2.0 and paticipatory library services.
[2] Arizona State University Libraries, [2012]. See: lib.asu.edu/librarychannel/
Friday, December 7, 2012
Really Simple Syndication and the Customer Connection in Libraries.
Have you considered how busy your customers are? What would it mean if you could push tailored content to their desktops and let them read information relevant to their current projects? On the flipside many libraries are facing budgetary and staff cuts and having to innovate the way services are delivered to their clients. One way to do this is by using RSS [Really Simple Syndication] alert service to send current awareness updates, table of contents, news paper articles, new items alerts and updated content from websites. Centrally organizing content and pushing it out to via a RSS feed saves you and your clients time by having only one place to publish and read content. Your clients can subscribe to the feed or unsubscribe at any time, they don't have to search for information relevant to current projects and are read using a feed reader thus not spamming their email boxes. This enables your clients to stay up to date with the current information without all the advertising associated with industry newsletters. However, all feeds must be targeting to the correct audience by conducting an information needs analysis first![1]
Some of the more innovative ways RSS feeds are being used is inconjunction with social media. For example you can create an RSS feed for your Pinterest pin board by adding /feed.rss to the end of your Pinterest page URL. This is a most useful way of using RSS as your clients can receive a feed pointing them to the library's new acquitions of the month, interesting items in the collection, event promotional photos and staff profiles. [2] For full instructions on how to add RSS feeds to Pinterest see: Making RSS Feeds for your Pinterest Boards.
Also what about alerting your customers to the fact that they have overdue items or a requested items are available for collection? [3] See: Library Elf RSS Feeds
Or Use RSS to announce emergency opening and closings or changes to opening hours. [4] See: University of Stirlings - Opening hours
These are just a few ways to use RSS in your library or information resource center to enhance services already available. In a world that is so fast paced as ours up to date information is the key currency. Keeping your users informed about topics of interest that affect them will not only enhance their job efficency and ability to respond quickly to current situations but enhances your standing as a provider of quality information services.
References:
[1] Hart, Laurrie G., [2007], Libraries 2.0: RSS feeds dynamic uses for special libraries. From: www.sla.org/pdfs/sla2007/hartrssfeeds.pdf
[2] Vanum, Ken., [2012], Pinterest via RSS. Retrieved from: http://www.rss4lib.com/2012/03/pinterest/
[3, 4] Ekins, Andy., [2009], RSS use in libraries. Retrieved from: http://cccu-lib-tech.blogspot.com.au/2009/04/rss-use-in-libraries.html
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Social Networking and the Organization.
What are the potential benefits of implementing social networking in an organization? I say potential benefits because if any of these four crucial groups, a] top management, b] middle management, c] champions and advocates are not engaged with the project it will hamper the acceptance and use of social networking within the organization. [1]
However, assuming that all four of these groups are supportive of the project benefits that can flow through to the organization are:
A. Creating brand equity and raising awareness about who your organization is and employee rolls within the company. [2]
B. Forging relationships both within and outside the organization. [3]
C. Grow a sphere of influence in your target community. [4]
D. Discover new opportunities for personal and organization growth. [5]
E. Share information and engage in informal learning activities. [6]
So your organization has decided to implement a social network. Do you already have a intranet? Examine your choices of social networking software in the light of:
Will the SN platform be interoperable with your current intranet? Will you store you data in-house or use a data farm? Or will you choose a cloud application? How responsive is SN's customer support when problems occur? Examine your strategic needs and goals against the available SN platforms available. Do any of these suit your organizations requirements? Is it scalable and can you add additional features as required in the future? If the product is suitable what are are the set up and recurring costs in running the SN platform?
If none of suit your organization is it cost effective to design your own system in house?
Ten things to consider when designing your own social network:
A. Engage your users quickly - let them know in an instant what your network is about. Enable users to find contacts quickly, add personal content and view status updates. [7]
B. Allow users to personalize pages and add applications. [8]
C. Current content is the life blood of the network. Enable users to easily update their status and push new content to prominence. [9]
D. Allow users to group and filter friends and the posted content. [10]
E. Offer users vetted 3rd party applications and make the SN platform portable to any device. [11]
F. The SN platform should allow for multiple means of communication. Whether that be personal messaging, public wall, or texting. [12]
G. Make the user interface simple and don't overwhelm your user with unnecessary updates, features or design. [13]
H. Site interactions with users should be easy and encourage the desired response from the account holder. Also everyone likes to see a photo of themselves and of their contacts on a user's profile. This personalizes the interaction and gives interactions a measure of trust. [14]
I. Include a search mechanism to find people, places, departments and contact information. [15]
J. Users need easy ways to grow their networks you can include a member directory or to make user groups. [16]
If the goal of the organization is to create a culture that is open, shares information with customers both inside and outside. Then you will need a multi-pronged approach such as including change management education for all employees, approach and successfully sign up all levels of management, advocates and champions. Give sufficient training to enable these change agents to feel comfortable in using the social networking tools, have policies in place to specifically describe appropriate user behavior and release of information. Also when the culture issues have been addressed the intranet team need to have considered and chosen a product that is in line with the needs and strategic direction of the company. The social network platform implemented should be easy to operate for users while providing sufficient options for maintenance and support by the intranet team. That said, the social network installation and forward running costs should be factored in order for it to become a valued and stable corporate communication tool. As it's no use having a tool that is the latest flavour of the month and then be discontinued in six months time due to poor budgetary planning.
References:
1. Manchester, Alex. [2012]., Selecting social enterprise network software. Retrieved from: http://www.steptwo.com.au/papers/kmc_selectingsocia/index.html
2-6. Steckerl, Shally. [2007]., Survival Guide: Online Social Networking. Retrieved from: http://web.freepint.com/go/features/2346
3-16. Chapman, Cameron. [2009]., Social network design: Examples and best practice. Retrieved from: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/07/13/social-network-design-examples-and-best-practices/#more-7993
However, assuming that all four of these groups are supportive of the project benefits that can flow through to the organization are:
A. Creating brand equity and raising awareness about who your organization is and employee rolls within the company. [2]
B. Forging relationships both within and outside the organization. [3]
C. Grow a sphere of influence in your target community. [4]
D. Discover new opportunities for personal and organization growth. [5]
E. Share information and engage in informal learning activities. [6]
So your organization has decided to implement a social network. Do you already have a intranet? Examine your choices of social networking software in the light of:
Will the SN platform be interoperable with your current intranet? Will you store you data in-house or use a data farm? Or will you choose a cloud application? How responsive is SN's customer support when problems occur? Examine your strategic needs and goals against the available SN platforms available. Do any of these suit your organizations requirements? Is it scalable and can you add additional features as required in the future? If the product is suitable what are are the set up and recurring costs in running the SN platform?
If none of suit your organization is it cost effective to design your own system in house?
Ten things to consider when designing your own social network:
A. Engage your users quickly - let them know in an instant what your network is about. Enable users to find contacts quickly, add personal content and view status updates. [7]
B. Allow users to personalize pages and add applications. [8]
C. Current content is the life blood of the network. Enable users to easily update their status and push new content to prominence. [9]
D. Allow users to group and filter friends and the posted content. [10]
E. Offer users vetted 3rd party applications and make the SN platform portable to any device. [11]
F. The SN platform should allow for multiple means of communication. Whether that be personal messaging, public wall, or texting. [12]
G. Make the user interface simple and don't overwhelm your user with unnecessary updates, features or design. [13]
H. Site interactions with users should be easy and encourage the desired response from the account holder. Also everyone likes to see a photo of themselves and of their contacts on a user's profile. This personalizes the interaction and gives interactions a measure of trust. [14]
I. Include a search mechanism to find people, places, departments and contact information. [15]
J. Users need easy ways to grow their networks you can include a member directory or to make user groups. [16]
If the goal of the organization is to create a culture that is open, shares information with customers both inside and outside. Then you will need a multi-pronged approach such as including change management education for all employees, approach and successfully sign up all levels of management, advocates and champions. Give sufficient training to enable these change agents to feel comfortable in using the social networking tools, have policies in place to specifically describe appropriate user behavior and release of information. Also when the culture issues have been addressed the intranet team need to have considered and chosen a product that is in line with the needs and strategic direction of the company. The social network platform implemented should be easy to operate for users while providing sufficient options for maintenance and support by the intranet team. That said, the social network installation and forward running costs should be factored in order for it to become a valued and stable corporate communication tool. As it's no use having a tool that is the latest flavour of the month and then be discontinued in six months time due to poor budgetary planning.
References:
1. Manchester, Alex. [2012]., Selecting social enterprise network software. Retrieved from: http://www.steptwo.com.au/papers/kmc_selectingsocia/index.html
2-6. Steckerl, Shally. [2007]., Survival Guide: Online Social Networking. Retrieved from: http://web.freepint.com/go/features/2346
3-16. Chapman, Cameron. [2009]., Social network design: Examples and best practice. Retrieved from: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/07/13/social-network-design-examples-and-best-practices/#more-7993
Web 2.0 Technologies and Social Surfing.
Social networking depends on software to enable users to create a profile, share videos, photos, posts about any subject they wish to write about, connect with friends, colleagues, family and other people with similar interests. These social networks allow users to mash up data from different sources and import it into the users time lines. The growth of these social networks is increasing rapidly. To illustrate this in 2010 there were 11 social networks and if they were pictured as a map of the earth Facebook would be the largest country on Earth!
 | ||
| From http://www.pamorama.net/2011/01/30/65-terrific-social-media-infographics/#axzz2Dys2yPL5
Of course what this infographic doesn't show is the demographics of each social networking space. According to Emarketer, Facebook's demographics have more people in the WWII Generation than in any other age group. While you will find just the opposite with 65% of Generation Y using MySpace.
Most social network users created accounts because they wanted to keep up with friends. However, since there are many different social networks to choose from you can of course expect each to target a audiences differently and offer content plus services accordingly. So depending the age group libraries which to target and grow new
customer segments they will have to tailor their social media
campaigns according to the social space which have most customers within
these demographics.
Now with everyone tweeting, blogging, socializing on line the power for voicing one's opinion or experience of a product of service has taken on new meaning. Not only can your experience be shared with just people you know but a whole city, country or even the world! Providers of services need to understand the power of the social network and have a presence on social networks in order to engage with new, existing and potential customers in order to leverage and improve building customer relationships. In order to engage with customers for a positive outcome service providers need to follow these five steps:
1. Follow your company guidelines/policy about the use of social networking sites. The create an official company site on your chosen social networking sites. Designate a person to officially speak on behalf of the company.
2. Always write in the first person.
3.Focus on the subject of the conversation and be respectful to the customers while keeping their cool on line.
4. Provide resources in order to help clarify and offer a solution to a problem or thank customers for positive feed back.
5. Checks that no personal information has been shared. Source: http://www.commoncraft.com/video/social-media-and-workplace Yes, social networking is a valuable tool to encourage interactions with internal and external customers. If handled correctly it can actually innovate and grow your business in the digital economy. Social networking is the new king of information sharing since traditional media is now becoming less relevant in the era of push button publishing. What does this mean for libraries and information centers? We need to be more user centric in an age where our customers are doing more googling for themselves to find answers. One way for us to be responsive to their needs is to engage with them using common communication platforms according to strategic demographics.
References:
1. How the old, the young and everyone in between uses social networks. Retrieved from: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1007202
2. Social media in the work place. Retrieved from: http://www.commoncraft.com/video/social-media-and-workplace |
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Web 2.0 technologies and social software
So what are Web 2.0 technologies and Social Software.
1. Blogs
Well it's a tool I am using right now to write and publish this post. Basically it's an online diary that I can publish and share text, video, photos and mp3's as long as these items are stored in my profile or have a URL. Most people use them voice personal opinions, information about a hobby or to publicize their businesses. However, some libraries use blogs to run online book clubs and announce news and activities hosted by library services to the communities they serve.
2. Wikis.
Are web sites that allow multiple contributors to edit and create content. Most famous wiki of them all is Wikipedia which is an online encyclopedia with content written and edited by it's user community. Wikis can be used by institutions to share knowledge and communicate over large geographic regions where there are a lot of employees spread in different time zones around the country or the world.
3. Podcasting
Podcasts are digital audio files delivered over the internet and usually are subscribed to by individuals and down loaded to a device such as a mp3 player, Ipod, notebook computer or a e-book reader. If you want to know more click on this video link from the Northern Illinois University:
It doesn't matter where the listener is geographically or the size of the audience. As the process for producing a pod cast is the same whether you are producing a show for a radio audience or creating a private broadcast for a bunch of friends. Podcasts are useful for students when they are studying as they can access these at a time that suits them. Great if you are a distance student and your campus is 400 miles away and you cannot go to a lecture or want to know how to access a library service but can't physically get there!
4. What are tags?
Tags are a label that content creators and sharers assign to images, blog posts, videos, music and podcasts etc to enable others to find the content and share it with others. Tagging is used on social media platforms such as Flicker, Facebook, Delicious, Technorati and blogs just to name a few. Please feel free to write in the comments if you know of some different social media sites that use tagging. We can add them to the list. One of the things you will notice when belonging to a social community that tags is the development of tags with common meaning in your community. This is called a folksonomie and the term was coined by Thomas Vanderwal in 2007. For further information see: http://www.vanderwal.net/folksonomy.html Folksonomies are useful because they enable you the consumer of the content to find similar content in your community.
5. What a QR Codes?
They are a type of matrix code designed to store digital information in hard copy. You can use the stored information to ring a phone number, access information on a website and download digital media and information etc on a smart phone with an internet connection. You can put these QR codes on any object and link that object to information posted a blog, website or geographical location. Also the if content changes on the link the code points to it doesn't matter. So content can stay fresh and appealing. This is important as they are commonly used to market products to consumers.
Want to make your own? Open this link and give it a go: QR Code Generator
Then to read your code you will need to download an app : QR Code Reader App
Well what relevance do QR codes have in public Libraries? Take a look at this innovative project in the San Francisco Area called Snap and Go. [CCC Snap N Go]
This public library service is using the QR codes to enables users with a smart phone to snap a code and send a text message for quick reference, download e-audio books directly to your phone to listen to, participate in a library service sponsored scavenger hunt and publicize winning youth medal prize books. I think this is a good way to enrich tech savvy library customers experience of library services and connecting both the digital and physical aspects of libraries. What do you think? It's innovative yet doesn't cost a lot of money.
6. What are Mashups?
Mashups are the use of more than one online media source to create a new digital object or service. ABC's Question and Answer program has encouraged it's viewers viewers to create short online political parodies or comments to show to the audience at the end of the show. See: ABC's Q&A Mashup Site It's a good example of a form of mashup. The other forms include watch people shop using real time order data and google maps on Book Depository - Shopping. There's also a map featuring disaster alerts from around the world on http://www.gdacs.org/ and allows allows users to down load an app to get alerts and enter information in the field. I think at the moment I don't see the relevance of mashups to being used in libraries. May be just as a component in a visual media festival hosted by a public library to encourage youth to discover library services.
All this re-use of data is good to a point but along the way you may encounter copyright which controls who can legitimately copy and use intellectual property created by another person or entity. However, because of the good will of people who are interested in sharing content to create new digital objects an alternative set of licenses was set up called Creative Commons Licenses. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ This enables the copyright owner to grant copyright permission for content reuse in a standard way to people who wish to re-use their content to create new works. This is particularly pertinent to artists, website creators, publishers, government agencies and broadcasters as it allows owners of content to grant licenses to artists to make new works from creative commons material as long as the license conditions are adhered to.
7. What are RSS Feeds?
RSS feeds are commonly known as Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary. These feeds enable people to subscribe to a site and have the latest news or content delivered to their feed reader either on their computer or via the web. Most people use an aggregation service such a Google Reader, MyYahoo!, Newsgator, Bloglines or Feed Burner on the web. This saves the reader having to visit their bookmarked sites frequently to see if there has been new content published.
8. What are Gaming and 3D Virtual Worlds?
Hmmm, I've been experimenting with a virtual world called Second Life. Second Life is a computer based virtual world that enables you to create, experience and play games in a 3D Like environment. Using a software application program called a viewer you create, customize and use an avatar to 'live' and interact in this virtual world. I've read all the literature provided my university about Second Life and it's ability to become an immersive learning tool. However, I am still unconvinced of it's usefulness as a possible new channel for public outreach and corporate training programs. This is because in the current climate of budgetary constraint it is unlikely that such a project would get off the ground in my library system. Due to the staff hours required to receive traing and build a library on Info Island, maintain and upgrade content and features of the virtual library and the limited ability for the virtual library to provide real world services to clients. Although there is scope to include free ebooks from Gutenburg, host virtual book clubs, provide virtual reference and group instructional & collaboration sessions. The difficulty would be to convince government representatives that such a project would benefit the local community. Let me explain why..... Public libraries are seen as a democratizer of information and my community has disparate income groups and diverse range of customers it services. The electronic services provided have to reach as many customers as possible with in the budget constraints of the funds provided by the government. Therefore, we have to design our services for use on the most common platforms available in order to maximize value for the tax payers we service. Budget restrictions is just one barrier to setting up a virtual library in Second Life. I found the steep learning curve required to dress and move an avatar very frustrating. It is far simpler for me to visit the local library website on the internet, download a book and start reading it in half an hour. Than the time it took to dress my avatar, learn how to move around and be a tourist on Second Life and I am not a new person to using a computer! The time it took to learn these interactions would be a barrier to those customers who are less proficient surfing the web or using a computer. While I may sound like a nay sayer, I could be proved wrong in the next 10 years if we all start conversing in the metaverse just like we tweet and update our status today. However, I don't see a critical mass of our local population avataring around in Second Life just yet that would justify creating a virtual Second Life Public Library branch. I may re-evaluate my opinion at a later stage after doing some more exploration in Second Life.
9. What is Photo and video hosting?
Well it goes no further to say that almost everyone on the internet has shared a photo or a video through a hosting service or a social networking site. Some of the familiar names are Flickr, Youtube, Photobucket and Snapfish. These sites and others like them have Web 2.0 features that allow users to organize, tag and comment on content according to community interest.
Current statistics indicate that there are more people watching video streamed from the internet than traditional broadcast television. See: More people watching internet videos on TV than on computers. So it isn't surprising to see that commercial television has introduced streaming media catch up services to capture audiences who are time shifting programs on PVR's. Also that the commercial networks are discussing a combined video on demand hub for Australia. See: Australia to get a unified free to air TV streaming hub. The question is how will content be distributed between free to air and video on demand. Or will be see more new content migrate to online streaming video only? How will this affect libraries? Possibly there will be a demand for libraries to have multimedia spaces where customers can view content on demand. May be library staff would have to become curators of such a space?
10. What is Voip and Video conferencing?
Voip stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol allows internet users with appropriate hardware and software to make low cost calls using the internet. This is an extremely useful tools for making calls over long distances and when combined with using a web cam makes it possible to video conference. One of the most popular service providers on the internet of this service is Skype. Some universities are using it for reference outreach activities enabling students to discuss reference questions with Librarian on campus who may be hundreds of kilometers away. Just think if I could do that with the library staff in Wagga! Not to mention a university near me was considering delivering music teaching sessions from New York to local students in the place of local teaching staff all through the use of video conferenceing. Although I do know of RDA training being delivered via webinars by one enterprising information education company! Some of my colleagues commented that it was a time and cost effective way of getting training when their budgets wouldn't allow them to travel. Voip and video conferencing definitely a cost effective outreach and training tool for organizations!
References:
Vanderwal, T. (2007)., Folksonomies: Coinage and definition. Retrieved from: http://www.vanderwal.net/folksonomy.html
What is a Podcast: A brief introduction. [2007]. Northern Illinois University. Retrieved from: http://youtu.be/tQFKNcdCdLM
Hempshire, M. (2010).. Ready, Set, Snap N Go at Contra Costa County Library. Retrieved from: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/newslettersnewsletterbucketsljteen/888194-444/ready_set_snap__go.html.csp
1. Blogs
Well it's a tool I am using right now to write and publish this post. Basically it's an online diary that I can publish and share text, video, photos and mp3's as long as these items are stored in my profile or have a URL. Most people use them voice personal opinions, information about a hobby or to publicize their businesses. However, some libraries use blogs to run online book clubs and announce news and activities hosted by library services to the communities they serve.
2. Wikis.
Are web sites that allow multiple contributors to edit and create content. Most famous wiki of them all is Wikipedia which is an online encyclopedia with content written and edited by it's user community. Wikis can be used by institutions to share knowledge and communicate over large geographic regions where there are a lot of employees spread in different time zones around the country or the world.
3. Podcasting
Podcasts are digital audio files delivered over the internet and usually are subscribed to by individuals and down loaded to a device such as a mp3 player, Ipod, notebook computer or a e-book reader. If you want to know more click on this video link from the Northern Illinois University:
It doesn't matter where the listener is geographically or the size of the audience. As the process for producing a pod cast is the same whether you are producing a show for a radio audience or creating a private broadcast for a bunch of friends. Podcasts are useful for students when they are studying as they can access these at a time that suits them. Great if you are a distance student and your campus is 400 miles away and you cannot go to a lecture or want to know how to access a library service but can't physically get there!
4. What are tags?
Tags are a label that content creators and sharers assign to images, blog posts, videos, music and podcasts etc to enable others to find the content and share it with others. Tagging is used on social media platforms such as Flicker, Facebook, Delicious, Technorati and blogs just to name a few. Please feel free to write in the comments if you know of some different social media sites that use tagging. We can add them to the list. One of the things you will notice when belonging to a social community that tags is the development of tags with common meaning in your community. This is called a folksonomie and the term was coined by Thomas Vanderwal in 2007. For further information see: http://www.vanderwal.net/folksonomy.html Folksonomies are useful because they enable you the consumer of the content to find similar content in your community.
5. What a QR Codes?
They are a type of matrix code designed to store digital information in hard copy. You can use the stored information to ring a phone number, access information on a website and download digital media and information etc on a smart phone with an internet connection. You can put these QR codes on any object and link that object to information posted a blog, website or geographical location. Also the if content changes on the link the code points to it doesn't matter. So content can stay fresh and appealing. This is important as they are commonly used to market products to consumers.
 | ||
| From: http://www.j6design.com.au/ClientArea/CreateanduseQRcodes |
Then to read your code you will need to download an app : QR Code Reader App
Well what relevance do QR codes have in public Libraries? Take a look at this innovative project in the San Francisco Area called Snap and Go. [CCC Snap N Go]
This public library service is using the QR codes to enables users with a smart phone to snap a code and send a text message for quick reference, download e-audio books directly to your phone to listen to, participate in a library service sponsored scavenger hunt and publicize winning youth medal prize books. I think this is a good way to enrich tech savvy library customers experience of library services and connecting both the digital and physical aspects of libraries. What do you think? It's innovative yet doesn't cost a lot of money.
6. What are Mashups?
Mashups are the use of more than one online media source to create a new digital object or service. ABC's Question and Answer program has encouraged it's viewers viewers to create short online political parodies or comments to show to the audience at the end of the show. See: ABC's Q&A Mashup Site It's a good example of a form of mashup. The other forms include watch people shop using real time order data and google maps on Book Depository - Shopping. There's also a map featuring disaster alerts from around the world on http://www.gdacs.org/ and allows allows users to down load an app to get alerts and enter information in the field. I think at the moment I don't see the relevance of mashups to being used in libraries. May be just as a component in a visual media festival hosted by a public library to encourage youth to discover library services.
All this re-use of data is good to a point but along the way you may encounter copyright which controls who can legitimately copy and use intellectual property created by another person or entity. However, because of the good will of people who are interested in sharing content to create new digital objects an alternative set of licenses was set up called Creative Commons Licenses. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ This enables the copyright owner to grant copyright permission for content reuse in a standard way to people who wish to re-use their content to create new works. This is particularly pertinent to artists, website creators, publishers, government agencies and broadcasters as it allows owners of content to grant licenses to artists to make new works from creative commons material as long as the license conditions are adhered to.
7. What are RSS Feeds?
RSS feeds are commonly known as Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary. These feeds enable people to subscribe to a site and have the latest news or content delivered to their feed reader either on their computer or via the web. Most people use an aggregation service such a Google Reader, MyYahoo!, Newsgator, Bloglines or Feed Burner on the web. This saves the reader having to visit their bookmarked sites frequently to see if there has been new content published.
8. What are Gaming and 3D Virtual Worlds?
Hmmm, I've been experimenting with a virtual world called Second Life. Second Life is a computer based virtual world that enables you to create, experience and play games in a 3D Like environment. Using a software application program called a viewer you create, customize and use an avatar to 'live' and interact in this virtual world. I've read all the literature provided my university about Second Life and it's ability to become an immersive learning tool. However, I am still unconvinced of it's usefulness as a possible new channel for public outreach and corporate training programs. This is because in the current climate of budgetary constraint it is unlikely that such a project would get off the ground in my library system. Due to the staff hours required to receive traing and build a library on Info Island, maintain and upgrade content and features of the virtual library and the limited ability for the virtual library to provide real world services to clients. Although there is scope to include free ebooks from Gutenburg, host virtual book clubs, provide virtual reference and group instructional & collaboration sessions. The difficulty would be to convince government representatives that such a project would benefit the local community. Let me explain why..... Public libraries are seen as a democratizer of information and my community has disparate income groups and diverse range of customers it services. The electronic services provided have to reach as many customers as possible with in the budget constraints of the funds provided by the government. Therefore, we have to design our services for use on the most common platforms available in order to maximize value for the tax payers we service. Budget restrictions is just one barrier to setting up a virtual library in Second Life. I found the steep learning curve required to dress and move an avatar very frustrating. It is far simpler for me to visit the local library website on the internet, download a book and start reading it in half an hour. Than the time it took to dress my avatar, learn how to move around and be a tourist on Second Life and I am not a new person to using a computer! The time it took to learn these interactions would be a barrier to those customers who are less proficient surfing the web or using a computer. While I may sound like a nay sayer, I could be proved wrong in the next 10 years if we all start conversing in the metaverse just like we tweet and update our status today. However, I don't see a critical mass of our local population avataring around in Second Life just yet that would justify creating a virtual Second Life Public Library branch. I may re-evaluate my opinion at a later stage after doing some more exploration in Second Life.
9. What is Photo and video hosting?
Well it goes no further to say that almost everyone on the internet has shared a photo or a video through a hosting service or a social networking site. Some of the familiar names are Flickr, Youtube, Photobucket and Snapfish. These sites and others like them have Web 2.0 features that allow users to organize, tag and comment on content according to community interest.
Current statistics indicate that there are more people watching video streamed from the internet than traditional broadcast television. See: More people watching internet videos on TV than on computers. So it isn't surprising to see that commercial television has introduced streaming media catch up services to capture audiences who are time shifting programs on PVR's. Also that the commercial networks are discussing a combined video on demand hub for Australia. See: Australia to get a unified free to air TV streaming hub. The question is how will content be distributed between free to air and video on demand. Or will be see more new content migrate to online streaming video only? How will this affect libraries? Possibly there will be a demand for libraries to have multimedia spaces where customers can view content on demand. May be library staff would have to become curators of such a space?
10. What is Voip and Video conferencing?
Voip stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol allows internet users with appropriate hardware and software to make low cost calls using the internet. This is an extremely useful tools for making calls over long distances and when combined with using a web cam makes it possible to video conference. One of the most popular service providers on the internet of this service is Skype. Some universities are using it for reference outreach activities enabling students to discuss reference questions with Librarian on campus who may be hundreds of kilometers away. Just think if I could do that with the library staff in Wagga! Not to mention a university near me was considering delivering music teaching sessions from New York to local students in the place of local teaching staff all through the use of video conferenceing. Although I do know of RDA training being delivered via webinars by one enterprising information education company! Some of my colleagues commented that it was a time and cost effective way of getting training when their budgets wouldn't allow them to travel. Voip and video conferencing definitely a cost effective outreach and training tool for organizations!
References:
Vanderwal, T. (2007)., Folksonomies: Coinage and definition. Retrieved from: http://www.vanderwal.net/folksonomy.html
What is a Podcast: A brief introduction. [2007]. Northern Illinois University. Retrieved from: http://youtu.be/tQFKNcdCdLM
Hempshire, M. (2010).. Ready, Set, Snap N Go at Contra Costa County Library. Retrieved from: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/newslettersnewsletterbucketsljteen/888194-444/ready_set_snap__go.html.csp
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