Wikis in the Library

Interesting things about Wikis…

• I enjoyed looking at the various Wikis – they were really good examples of what can be done with Wikis in the Library. The various looks of Wikis are also amazing -- From the familiar Wikipedia encyclopedic look which the Library Success: a best practices wiki shares to an eye-catching appearance like the Bull Run Library wiki the possibilities are virtually endless as to the content and style you choose to create for the Wiki.

What types of applications within libraries might work well with a wiki?

• For CS definitely I can envision our P&P Manual set up as a wiki. The collaborative editing of documents feature would enable us to instantly update the manual without going back and forth with emails and waiting for the information to get updated in the manual. Because it is specific to CS practices as an internal document, the wiki could be set up so that only CS staff members could edit and view the wiki.
  
• The Library P&P manuals could also be a wiki, with editing rights limited to the P&P committee, but the manual itself viewable to all library staff who would have the ability to comment on but not edit the policies and procedures.
• The Periodicals catalog which lists holdings could be a wiki, with editing rights for the staff who are responsible for the periodicals in each agency – instant updates!
• The Reader’s Advisory function is a perfect candidate for a wiki – readers telling other readers what they liked and didn’t like about the books they have been reading – that’s like pearls and cameos – a perfect match!!
• I could also see a wiki designed to solicit feedback from public service staff to CS about subjects and other access that would make life easier working with the public
• Training guides could also be created as a wiki with the help screens guiding the customer through the topic such as: self-checkout, how to renew a book, how to access the various online resources we have, etc.
• We tried a wiki for online collaboration on one of the committees I was on, but the process seemed cumbersome for that particular committee. Maybe because none of us were too familiar with wikis at the time! I would definitely try to create a wiki for future committee work. Having the collaborative editing ability for committee documents and being able to brainstorm new ideas I believe will work better than email for our future committees.
  

Given another year I think I will be amazed at the wikis created at VBPL to streamline work and interact with the customers!!

Wikis
Library 2.0
Libraries

Instant Messaging - IM and Libraries

Why should libraries use IM?

• The statistics show that 53 million adults are using IM in their daily lives -- if we want to reach customers and be relevant to them, we need to take into consideration their technology usage and deliver the information they want in a technology format they use -- IM is statistically an appropriate tool to use to reach those customers who use it.
• In the Breeding article, Instant messaging: it's not just for kids anymore the following quote is quite relevant to the question: "the pervasive presence of instant messaging will be ignored only by organizations willing to risk irrelevancy"

How is IM different than traditional communication channels?

• After reading the articles the idea of "presence awareness" was one of the differences that stuck in my mind as an appeal factor for IM. The immediacy of the conversation and communication with another person was important. Email has lag time that IMers simply don't want to put up with. Also, IM is available on PDAs and cell phones, so it is a take with you technology you can use anytime.

How many of the IM population are our customers and why should we care?

• Probably lots! Of the 53 million adults who use IM, I would think the odds are that quite a few could already be our current customers waiting for us to initiate relevant information exchanges. Librarian IM: "Hello, is anyone out there???" IM Response: "YES!!! Where have you been? I need..............."
• Reaching teens is one of our top priorities, they are our future if we stay relevant to their needs. The Pew article on Teens and Technology stated that 45% have cell phones and that 33% use texting. That's a big chunk of customers we could draw IF we provide services that can answer their information needs.

Why should we care?

• Let's start with professional pride. Librarians open up information to individuals, we always have. The IM me article spoke of the IM process: "in the process, librarians can truly be their users' personal guide through the information ocean." We bring information to light.
• We have always helped customers who have come through our doors find the information that they need. We have even provided telephone reference and email services. Bravo! We can still continue those services... However,
• It is time to expand our services to help customers who still need the information we can provide, but choose to request it via IM, the option that best suits their busy lives.
• If we want to be relevant to information seekers who use IM as well as other emerging technologies we need to provide the information they need in whatever mode that can reach them successfully.
• Libraries and librarians have so much to offer information seekers -- lets keep pace with the technology that will allow us to deliver that information to them.

IM
Instant Messaging
libraries
Library 2.0