Social networking sites, such as Facebook, could be used by the library as an additional link from the existing Library webpage. It would provide customers with the opportunity to provide feedback on our services.
Additionally, as social networking sites appeal to youth it may be a way of getting more non-users interested in library services. It might provide some "ownership" to youth, but would need to be moderated by staff.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Online applications and tools
At our library we provide a number of public internet access PCs for use by our customers, and one PC with Microsoft Office applications. Lots of times, our customers want to be able to use both the internet and word processing facilities. The online document software is a way of providing this to customers on our public access internet PCs.
There have been times when I have wanted to publish a pdf document and have the document in Microsoft Word format. On these occassions the only staff member who could do this work was the one with licensed software. Using Zamzar, I could do this myself in a more timely manner.
The photo editing software, Picnik, might be useful to increase the number of PCs where staff are able to edit photos. In particular, if we involved volunteers in this work, this may prove useful.
There have been times when I have wanted to publish a pdf document and have the document in Microsoft Word format. On these occassions the only staff member who could do this work was the one with licensed software. Using Zamzar, I could do this myself in a more timely manner.
The photo editing software, Picnik, might be useful to increase the number of PCs where staff are able to edit photos. In particular, if we involved volunteers in this work, this may prove useful.
Mashups
There are lots of ways that mashups could be used in my library. Voicethreads is a way to "value add" to Local Studies images - it combines oral history with images. Another idea for promoting activities is to create a calendar of events (like the one on this blog site). The tools on Bighuge labs can be used creatively by Childrens services staff also - to feature activities the library runs etc.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Podcasts
My Library could use podcasts to show Author talk content and other programs we run, such as HSC seminars, legal talks and to promote exisiting services, such as storytelling and children's activities. I like the way that Worthington Public Library have organised their podcasts into groupings by audience - children, young adult and adults. They have also categorised the content within those groupings, or you can just browse all podcasts.
I particularly like the idea of using podcasts for booktalks - to summarise what a book is about, as a recommendation. Many people could contribute content to this and grow the collection of podcasts. It would make giving a recommendation to clients easy too.
In my opinion, the use of podcasts for user education is better suited to academic libraries, rather than public libraries. However, staff education /training could be another use for podcasts in public libraries.
I particularly like the idea of using podcasts for booktalks - to summarise what a book is about, as a recommendation. Many people could contribute content to this and grow the collection of podcasts. It would make giving a recommendation to clients easy too.
In my opinion, the use of podcasts for user education is better suited to academic libraries, rather than public libraries. However, staff education /training could be another use for podcasts in public libraries.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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