In my last post, I talked about using social media tools like Facebook and Twitter to keep the public informed regarding your library and to keep yourself informed about what the public is saying regarding your library.

Another social media tool that can be useful is Youtube. Many libraries post Youtube videos on their Web sites for various purposes. Youtube is user-driven content, meaning anyone can post videos of their creation on the site. Libraries can make their own videos or use those made by others (respecting copyright law, of course). A library that makes its own videos may find that Youtube users from all over the world enjoy watching them or find them useful, without ever visiting the library itself or its Web site.

A lot of times, videos may be used like other social media tools, informing the public about what's going on at the library. Another purpose is instruction. Patrons may need to learn how to use features of the library, and videos give them the chance to do so any time, without having to ask for help (something they may be embarrassed to do) or having to read through instructions (regardless of literacy level, reading complicated instructions online can be annoying). The University of Arkansas Libraries, for instance, have this useful video on how to read Library of Congress call numbers:



A lot of videos are humorous, and this can help get patrons to watch them. While some videos are made mostly for fun, others can use humor while still offering instruction. Harper College Library uses humor to spice up their library tour video:

Libraries Benefit from Social Media Participation

A library would derive many benefits from participating in social media including effectively marketing the library, informing and attracting local patrons to library programs and fulfilling their information needs. Social media helps libraries bond with locals in the area and keep up with them. For instance, by "following" locals, libraries will be more aware of their needs. They will be better able to fulfill those needs by adding new collections, programs, workshops, and more. Two services which allow libraries to do this include Twitter and Skype.


www.twitter.com

Twitter allows people and organizations (like the library) to send and receive one hundred and forty character long posts (tweets). These 140 characters can be links as well as messages. For libraries, these may consist of links to the library catalog and messages about library programs and upcoming events. Tweets can easily be accessed and posted through SMS messages on cell phones and Twitter applications on smart phones, thus making Twitter an effective social media tool to attract more patrons to a library. On Twitter, a library can also seek out locals to “follow” and attract them by posting relevant library topics relevant to their interests. “Following” locals on Twitter can also benefit libraries in understanding the information needs of the patrons in its area. A beneficial way for libraries to use Twitter is to “follow” users and make quality posts to attract them.

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/welcomeback/

Skype is a free social media service that allows its users to communicate through visual, aural and textual forms. It can easily be accessed on the Internet, through a computer, cell phone and even a television. Additional features of Skype include instant messaging, file transferring and video conferencing. In the library field, video conferencing can be used for conducting and presenting at meetings or conferences. This way, the audience can see and hear the contents of the meeting live. Skype may also be used in a library's Reference Services. Having a visual, aural or textual contact can humanize the librarian in the eyes of the patron. Such contact may attract patrons as well.

Emails Needed to Stop Privitization of Public Libraries

The City Council of Santa Clarita rushed through a vote to privitize their public libraries. The private corporation, LSSI, is running a committee for feedback. Please check on the link to find out more and to give your input.

http://privatizationbeast.org/

Library Express, A break through in Library Tech?Click the Link to learn more. . .

Now Read the Blog Post!

Emerging Library Technologies

Library Express - A stack of metal lockers, set outside of City Hall. Patrons access these digitally locked glove compartment sized lockers to pick-up a book or DVD they ordered a few days prior.
Pros - This system is centrally located and allows pick-up to take place at the patron’s convenience. It requires little to no staff and is relatively maintenance free.
Cons - Lack of need for staff equals less staff!! If patrons have problems or need assistance this system becomes a hindrance instead of a help.
Self-Checkout - A system set into place with self-scanners that allow patrons to check out books or DVD's without the assistance of library staff.
Pros - This system allows patrons to 'help themselves' to book and DVD checkout. Library staff has additional time to dedicate to other areas of education.
Cons - Taking the time to educate patrons and staff alike to use the self-checkout system can become very cost prohibitive.
Online Databases - A way to access a wealth of information from a specific online data base.
Pros - The sky is the limit and the world is at your fingertips with the online data base. This is a great tool for patrons when researching a wide array of information, which can be accessed from home at patrons own pace. Librarian staff can utilize this tool to complete work from home or anywhere. They can create databases that aid in the growth and interest of the library.
Cons - Not a lot of cons here with the idea of the online database itself. I think the biggest con of the online database is the user friendliness of it. Online data bases can be overwhelming visually and become discouraging to the user.

RADICAL REFERENCE LIBRARIANS

A group of younger librarians have created a group called “Radical Reference” to provide services to political activists and independent journalists. The organization started somewhat spontaneously at the Republican National Convention in New York City in 2004 when a couple of reference librarians wanted to help the demonstrators by providing information about everything from where the nearest bathroom was to who was organizing the demonstration. In addition to the blog on their website, http://www.radicalreference.info/, radical reference librarians use such social networks as Twitter and smart phones, as well as paper information and contact with colleagues at computers. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of activity since 2008, but hopefully this budding group will endure and grow.

REAL LIBRARIES IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

Thousands of librarians, library science students, and want-to-be librarians are creating real libraries in Second Life Virtual Worlds. Library aficionados have abundant opportunities to interact socially and professionally with like-minded avatars at parties, dances, book talks, streamed readings, and other events. Info-Island is a popular destination for many librarians . The virtual libraries provide real-life services, such as reference desks where questions about Second Life, history, literature, and other subjects are answered by real librarians represented by avatars. Patrons can “check out” collections of electronic books, movies, and web sites. Libraries are sometimes based on real-world libraries and sometimes are complete works of fantasy. They are often related to the themes of the worlds, or islands, in which they reside, such as a Wild West town. Most librarian avatars are volunteers, but a few are paid by groups such as the Alliance Library System . The social network of librarians in Second Life is growing by leaps and bounds as a younger generation of technology-savvy librarians takes over the dusty libraries of the past.

Social Media Tools

www.youtube.com


YouTube is a social media tool that allows its users to share the videos they have recorded, created or captured. These include movie clips, education materials, personal productions, tutorials and more. Other users are entitled to view and provide feedback on these to the user by commenting on the video.
Youtube would be an effective content sharing resource for the library. It can be used as an information resource to patrons, a means of marketing the library as well as in attracting patrons. The library could record videos at popular library programs and post them online to attract more patrons. It could also post tutorials to teach patrons tasks such as using the library's online database, catalog, placing holds on materials online and more.

The attached videos contain information about new library hours and the building of a new library.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofcjJZUbmHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X96iu7bq7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw1Dgwg4yvM



ww.facebook.com

Facebook is a social networking media tool that allows its users to interact, share pictures and "stay connected" with individuals or groups they are familiar (and not so familiar) with. This would be an effective content sharing medium for the library in that since social networks are popular, they are a "natural draw" to the public.
The library can use Facebook to distribute updated information about current and future library programs, services, and other special events. If users do not want to "friend" the library, they have the choice to "like" it. By doing this, they will promote a the library. Thus, by establishing an online connection to the public through Facebook, the library will be more marketable and easier to access for patrons.

The attached link leads to the Facebook page for the San Diego Public Library: Mira Mesa Branch.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/SDPL-Mira-Mesa-Branch-Library/138417379520151

Social Media in the Library

Your Public Face on the Web

The world, like it or not, is becoming more social on the Internet. Even young children have begun using social media. Having a presence on the Web is important for any institution. Besides having a functioning, attractive Web site, it's a good idea to connect with your patrons through social media tools, like Facebook, blogs, or Twitter. Some of these are easy to use (you might use them already for your personal life), though it does take precious time. And if these forms of communication are set up, but then neglected, your patrons will definitely notice. At the same time, you don't necessarily need to constantly update your pages. Use them to alert your patrons of new programs, changes in services or operations, and special events. And the good news is, you can use some of the same information in your various social media tools.

For some examples of how the San Diego County Library system uses these tools, check the following links:

La Mesa Teen Library Page blog: http://lmteens.wordpress.com/

San Diego County Library Hot Right Now Twitter page: http://twitter.com/hotrightnowsdcl

San Diego County Library Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sdcountylibrary

ALERT! ALERT! Someone's Talking About You

Web 2.0 tools can be used not only to post news updates about the library, they can also be used to find out what people are saying about the library. You can set up a system to alert you when your library is mentioned on Twitter, Facebook, or elsewhere on the Web. Aaron Tay blogs about using Google alerts: http://musingsaboutlibrarianship.blogspot.com/2010/03/scanning-mentions-of-library-twitter.html.

In a later post, he provides examples of how he's used this in his own institution, the National University of Singapore: http://musingsaboutlibrarianship.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-libraries-should-proactively-scan.html.

One benefit is that you can see comments, both negative and positive, or cries for help that you might not receive directly. You can then respond if you choose. Also, he sometimes discovered crucial information this way, quicker than he would otherwise. For example, when the library had a series of problems with its network server, he often found out about it through Google alerts first.

Using Google alerts like this is probably most useful for large libraries. On the other hand, it might not hurt for almost any library to try it out. Smaller libraries will have fewer alerts to sift through, so it probably won't be much of a burden. And since it's not an advertised service, no one will know if you suspend it.

Keep in Touch with Your Peers





A potentially useful resource is the Library 2.0 Web site, http://www.library20.org/, where you can connect with other library workers to discuss and learn about Web 2.0 tools and how to apply them to the library setting.