#23 the end

The end is here, but really for me at least it is the beginning. I have thoroughly enjoyed this learning experience and can see so many opportunities where we can implement web 2.0 in to our library. It is not about implementing new technology or new services just for the sake of it, but to reach out to our patrons in alternative ways then just expecting them to walk through the doors of our libraries all the time. As with all technologies in libraries balance is really important. The reality is that a lot of our patrons are not interested in this technology and don't want to learn about it, so we cannot make a complete changover to web 2.0, but there are certainly a lot of existing patrons who are interested and will use some of these technologies and by implementing them we will attract new patrons as well. To me it is about the whole picture, and using web 2.0 to enhance what we already do, and to do some outreach to those poor souls who aren't already regular library users.
Thank you very much to the State Library of Victoria for organising this program and to the Yarra Plenty staff for all of their time consuming work in making the program a success. We were only able to fit 40 staff from our library service into this program, so I am hoping to organise for the rest to do the program at a later date as I think it is very worthwhile.

#22 eAudioBooks

I think the concept of this is great and is clearly the future of audiobooks. I thought the world ebook fair site was quite 'messy' and not very easy to navigate. I would like to see our library investigate eaudiobooks and make them available to our patrons.

#21 podcasts and directories

Podcasts are great and bring that personal touch to describing a service, or task etc. There are so many podcasts about every topic you can think of. I did a quick search on raising a reader and found lots of interesting podcasts. Patrons seem more and more interested in early literacy development so I think we could create links to existing podcasts or create a few of our own on this topic in particular, or do instrucitonal podcasts or videos using YouTube to demonstrate how to use library resources and services.

#20 Youtube

I now see the fascination with YouTube that everyone seems to have. It is so much fun and so entertaining. I really liked the video below as I thought it was a lot of fun. It is called Ray of Light from ST Joseph County Public Library and is a fast forwarded day in the life of a public library and staff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrtYdFV_Eak
This YouTube video is about a recipe to raise a reader. I thought this would make a great competition for library patrons.
Librarian 2.0 manifesto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZblrRs3fkSU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9Tej7RwBdM


I think there is a lot of scope for libraries to use YouTube to make our websites a lot more interesting, including library tours, services on offer, storytimes, tips for raising readers etc.

#19 facebook

I'd like to explore facebook further and develop an account for the library, or a myspace account, or perhaps both. It is probably a good way to communicate with teens etc as long as it is kept active and interesting.
Lots of my friends seem to be making facebook accounts too, and it has taken over from email.

The web 2.0 directory is just mind boggling. There are so many applications to do just about everything you can imagine. My issue is that I hate having to make an account for all sorts of separate things. I like that google and others are trying to link them together so you only have to have one account to access everything, or at least the most commonly used things.

#18 googledocs

I posted the below from googledocs. I decided to use this one so I don't have to create another account and remember another password and I think that google seems to be doing a lot of work in developing sharing resources and making them really easy to use.

This document is my first one using google docs. I just love this concept of being able to access my word documents wherever I have Internet access. Maybe if it is developed really well, it will be the end of Microsoft Office.

#17 pbwiki

when a wiki is named after a peanut butter sandwich you know that it has been set up to be easy.
Playing in the sandbox was fun too and there a lot of great holiday ideas. Now if only I had some money.......

#16 Wikis

We've finally got to wikis. I didn't know that it was a Hawaiian term, so that is interesting. I think there are so many uses for wikis, particularly for subject guides and I'd like to explore the option of using a wiki instead of an Intranet.
They also look like a great way to share resources and knowledge for any collaborative work being done by anyone working on similar projects, whether they be children's services or reference. I think there is a definite possibility that wiki's will take over and make life and gaining knowledge so easy.

#15 web2.0 and the future of libraries and librarians

Just by getting staff to undertake the learning 2.0 program, we have taken the first steps towards incorporating web 2.0 technology into library services. We are all very good at face to face library services, but I don't think that this is enough any more. It is not enough to provide an excellent service within our four walls. We need to step up, learn a lot more about engaging the interest of online users, what their needs and wants are and how we can provide these, and how we can market ourselves to them.
I know that at our library service this program is introducing staff to a lot of different 'things' and as it does this, it also increases their IT skills which is great. Sometimes people can get caught up in being incredibly busy issuing books etc, but I think we would all like our libraries and our library work to be about so much more than just issuing books. We want to be able to do all the reader development things, help with homework and education and technology and just enjoy reading and talking about books. I think that web 2.0 can be one way of sharing our love of reading, books, education, literacy, social hubs and all the other things that libraries are about. It just isn't always going to be face to face.

#14 Technorati

I've searched technorati for learning 2.0 and had more appropriate hits when I did an advanced search for the exact phrase. I guess with so many blogs out there, it is useful to have a tool to search them. One to keep in mind.

#13 del.icio.us

OK, I really like the look of this social bookmarking tool. I can really see it as a good reference tool that can be shared by all library staff in a particular region.

#12 rollyo

OK, I've made my own rollyo search tool and added it to my blog. I can see that this could be useful, particularly for people doing a lot of searching in specific areas etc.

#11 Library Thing

I really like library thing. I've never enjoyed cataloguing very much, but Library Thing makes it really easy. I think the best part of it is the book suggestion tool so you can get lists of other books similar to those that you really enjoy reading.
The group section is really interesting too.
I'll have to play around here a lot more.