I've now completed all the weeks exercises in this programme.
What have you personally learned from this program?
I've had a chance to explore and use many technologies that I hadn't used before, and consider how they could be used in the library. Specifically, reading other people's blogs, wikis and looking at the variety of videos on YouTube gave some ideas as follows:-
blogs - could be used for 'news' in a particular subject area, or alternatively general library news of interest to all library users. Of course there are already several blogs of interest to library staff - I subscribe to the Shifted Librarian.
RSS feeds - these could be used for information on the latest new items in the library, library notices to an individual, preset subject searches in the catalogue, library courses, library news, or new articles added to journal databases (as currently available).
Wikis - could be used for library FAQs (in a similar fashion to wikipedia), discussions between subject librarians and their students, discussions between library staff on a specific topic (much like we used it to discuss the 'Welcome to the library' brochure). I'm not yet convinced that it could replace the library's website, but this may change with technology advances.
Flickr - I can't think of any direct applications of this in the library, except that we could have a 'group' on Flickr to show pictures of the library, and thus have a presence in Flickr.
Second Life - We could have a presence on Second Life. As stated in a previous post, some research has shown that due to 'everyone being equal' in Second Life, some students may feel happier about approaching a virtual librarian for help. In addition, it is another method of 'meeting the students where they already are in cyberspace'. If our users are already using Second Life, then we should have a virtual library there. There are issues if access, though, as it is difficult to use with a dial up connection.
Del.icio.us - This could be used as an addition to our lists of reviewed websites. We could set up a list of bookmarks, and students studying a specific subject area could use these as a reference set of bookmarks.
Podcasting - We've already started to use these in the Library for tours and quick guides to a specific issue. I believe that they are great for instruction, as users can choose the specific topic on which they want help (e.g. types of journals). and don't have to listen to (or read) a lot of extra irrelevant information.
YouTube etc. - these sites could also be used in a similar manner. When I searched YouTube, I found several small videos on "library instruction". We could do something similar. However, I think that the videos would need to be run on technology within the library as well, e.g., our information screens. Thus students in the Library would see the videos on the screens, and remote students could watch the video on YouTube. In this case, the videos would need to be relevant to remote students (e.g. how to use electronic resources).
What have you learned about yourself, others and the organisation in which you work?
I have found that using blogs is a great way to communicate, and that my colleagues are always willing to help (although I knew that already). It has been an interesting experience supporting each other through the programme.
What was the most important skill you have learned and why?
I would agree with Klickety and JMCG that blogging was very important. Other than that, I've enjoyed using all the applications, and can see library uses for almost all of them. I will certainly use Del.icio.us, Flickr, wikis and RSS feeds further for work and also outside of work.
What action will you now take if any?
I'll keep my skills and knowledge of these resources, and try to learn more about them. In my role I'm already using wikis to communicate with colleagues in toher libraries. Many may also be included in the library website - this can be progressed in the Web Advisory Group (or elsewhere)
Would students use these technologies as part of the library’s online environment?
I think they would use most of them, as described above.
Is there some specific technology that you would like to see the library adopt ?
RSS feeds are available in the webOPAC, and we can include external RSS feeds for free. We can add other (chargeable) modules which will allow us to send advisory messages to users (e.g. laons are due to expire, or items available for pickup) as well as creating RSS feeds from predesigned searches and new items receied in the library. These can be put in any webpage. Many databases also include RSS feeds.
I would also like to see Del.icio.us and YouTube used as above.
I have really enjoyed this programme and would like to thank Elle and JMCG for putting it together.
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