#15 Perspectives on Web 2.0 and the Future of Libraries

After reading lots of pages of information about Web 2.0 and libraries, what stands out for me is the fact that it's not so much about technology as it is making library service a two way street. Web 2.0 gives customers a chance to make their library the way they think it should be. Libraries want to give customers what they want(within reason) and haven't always had ways to find out exactly what that is. Web 2.0 could help. It is also a way to reach out. The people who already use the library know about all the great resources available, but how do we reach out to non library users? Offering Starbuck coffee for free would definitely help, but other than that, Web 2.0 could be a way to reach that goal.

#14 Technorati

I haven't really done much with tagging at this point. It's probably really important to include tags if you ever want anyone to find your blog. Since I don't really care that much if anyone finds my blogs or not, I'm not spending any more time on this right now. I did find an interesting article in Library Thing, called
"When tags work and when they don't: Amazon and LibraryThing." Tagging hasn't worked out that well for Amazon because readers often choose dumb or irrelevant tags.

Task #13 Del.icio.us

I use 5 computers if I count work and home. So often, I think I've saved a bookmark on the computer I'm currently on, only to discover that I must have saved it on a different computer. Del.icio.us lets you import your bookmarks as well as easily save interesting sites when you find them. You can also find bookmarks of others who share your interests as well as what's popular at the moment.

Rollyo

#12 of our 23 things is Rollyo. I think I'm on overload. Every one of these numbers has been something entirely new for me. While I really enjoy learning all this cool stuff, it's getting to be overwhelming. However, since I always complete the things I start, here's my opinion on Rollyo. It is an excellent tool to use on the Reference Desk. While it's true that Google is still my best friend, Rollyo lets you limit your searches to sites that you trust. I created a Reference Desk searchroll and typed in "Holidays". Lots of great stuff popped up, however, there are lots of sponsored links that show up, as well. I suppose one must take the bad with the good.

#11 Library Thing

I played around with LibraryThing and added a few titles to my library. It's very cool to be able to keep track of books you've read and see their covers, have "conversations" about them, read review, etc. There are a zillion ways this could be used by book lovers in general and public libraries more specifically.
Our library is hosting a "Let's Talk About It" Jewish Literature series. Many of the people who attending the first session, don't use this library and in fact have never been here (the sessions are held across the courtyard from the library).
I have a lovely display of books which falls into the Jewish Literature category that these people will never see. If I had them listed on LibraryThing, they could see them and discuss them.

Task #10

Wow! I tried Oddcast and although you need a subscription to really use it, you can play with it and it was so much fun. It allows you to create and customize animated characters. You get to choose clothes, jewelry, hair and even voice. I used to love to play with paper dolls and this is similar only even cooler.
I can see how great it would be to use this in a public library for new users. They could see down at a "Welcome" computer and have one of these characters welcome them and explain library policy, programs, layout of the building, etc.

Twittering Along- Task # 9

At first glance and thought, I thought this site was a dumb waste of time and couldn't think of any use a library might have for it. I gave it some thought and changed my mind. I don't think it's as cool as some of the other "things" but I can think of some uses for Twitter.

The first thing that came to my mind was to use it as a career guide. If for example, someone wanted to become a librarian, they probably know in general what that person does. Twitter would allow them to truly know what a librarian does in an hour by hour (or any increment of time), truer way.

Most of the libraries in San Diego County have tons of programs.
Twitter would be an easy way for the public to see what's happening at their library every day or even every hour!