It is hard to believe this class will come to an end next week. I have learned a great deal about social media. At the beginning of this class I was a bit unease since I did not have any social presence at all. Now, I have a blog, am addicted to facebook, am tweeting, and even created my first flickr presentation. This class has opened up a new world of "technology" for me to use in my daily activities.I think the most important concept I learned or maybe rethought was exactly how social media fits into the realm of library science. I will admit I was a bit unsure how social media played an active role in libraries today. After reading many articles, having discussions on our Sakai site, facebooking and twittering, I can clearly see that social media does play an important and invaluable role in libraries today. This creates a greater presence for the library, it helps libraries communicate with patrons and get information out to the community. That is what a library's first goal and mission should be. Many libraries have websites, facebook pages, blogs, and even twitter important events that are occurring for their patrons. We live in a world of instant gratification and it is the same in the library world.
At first I thought I may not continue using my blog, facebook page or even twitter, but I was WRONG!!! I will continue to use social media to the maximum. As for the future of social media who knows. I think anything is possible.
Thanks everyone, this has been a remarkable experience.
Robin
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Games /Second Life and Libraries
Our topic this week is video games and libraries. The readings were very interesting along with the video of Howard Rheingold. I will admit at the beginning my knowledge of video games is limited, and the academic library I work in does not have any games in their collection. Is that good or bad? After reading the article by Suellen Adams, I can see why video games should become an integral part of most libraries. I am an avid reader and I can also understand why some in the library field would disapprove of this type of technology. Does this type of technology take away from the "traditional literacy skills"? My first impression was yes, but after completing the reading I am inclined to say no. As was pointed out in the reading there is a great deal of learning that goes on in the virtual world. I think it is just a different way to learn. While this is an important fact to grasp many may have trouble understanding this new way to learn. Video games allow the participants to use their imagination to explore and create stories. Isn't that the role of libraries?
While gaming is primarily associated with young adults, it would be beneficial for all library patrons to become familiar and knowledgeable of this new technology. The role of the librarian is changing and the use of video gaming is a new skill that should be promoted to ensure patrons can manage in the digital world. The virtual world allows us to create, connect and socialize and that is a plus for our society on all levels.
While gaming is primarily associated with young adults, it would be beneficial for all library patrons to become familiar and knowledgeable of this new technology. The role of the librarian is changing and the use of video gaming is a new skill that should be promoted to ensure patrons can manage in the digital world. The virtual world allows us to create, connect and socialize and that is a plus for our society on all levels.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Ethical and Information Policy Issues
I first must start this blog with a personal statement. It is hard to believe this class will be over in 2 weeks. This class has opened my eyes to many facets of social networking I have learned a great deal, and this has been a wonderful group of people to work with in the cyberworld. Thanks for everything.
Now onto our topic for this week, ethical and information privacy issues. This topic could not have come at a better time for me. I am finishing up my paper on privacy issues dealing with social networking and this put it all together. There is a great deal of information published about privacy, and with the implementation of Web 2.0 the issue of privacy has come to the fore front for the librarian. As most know the fastest growing SNS is Facebook and of course there are privacy concerns. More and more libraries are using this as an "outreach" to their patrons. However, this does bring up ethical, privacy and confidentially concerns. Having just a professional Facebook page would alleviate many of the privacy concerns. However if not, then the library has an ethical obligation to be aware of how to regulate interactions on the site. The use of privacy settings and certain controls will also help the privacy issue.
It is hard to balance a facebook page for the library and also to keep the key issues of privacy at hand. One key point that came up in the literature I reviewed for my paper was the need for "EDUCATION". It is crucial for librarians to educate the library patrons on a continually basis. Information Literacy is a core value and necessity for librarians in the 21st century.
The role of the librarian is changing rapidly especially with new advancements in technology and the changing world of social networking. Librarians must make informed decisions to guarantee they uphold the mission, goals of the library and always keep the needs of the library patron first.
Now onto our topic for this week, ethical and information privacy issues. This topic could not have come at a better time for me. I am finishing up my paper on privacy issues dealing with social networking and this put it all together. There is a great deal of information published about privacy, and with the implementation of Web 2.0 the issue of privacy has come to the fore front for the librarian. As most know the fastest growing SNS is Facebook and of course there are privacy concerns. More and more libraries are using this as an "outreach" to their patrons. However, this does bring up ethical, privacy and confidentially concerns. Having just a professional Facebook page would alleviate many of the privacy concerns. However if not, then the library has an ethical obligation to be aware of how to regulate interactions on the site. The use of privacy settings and certain controls will also help the privacy issue.
It is hard to balance a facebook page for the library and also to keep the key issues of privacy at hand. One key point that came up in the literature I reviewed for my paper was the need for "EDUCATION". It is crucial for librarians to educate the library patrons on a continually basis. Information Literacy is a core value and necessity for librarians in the 21st century.
The role of the librarian is changing rapidly especially with new advancements in technology and the changing world of social networking. Librarians must make informed decisions to guarantee they uphold the mission, goals of the library and always keep the needs of the library patron first.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Class Division and the Use of Facebook
Our 4Th of July weekend has come and gone and I can not believe this year is more than half over. That being said, I also realized my Social Media Class is also more than half over. I have learned a great deal in this class and I feel this class has helped me forge ahead in this very new and exciting world.
OK, on to this week's subject, class divisions and the use of Facebook.We read two very interesting articles concerning this topic. I think I agree with Dana Boyd when she "argues class divisions in the US have more to do with lifestyle and social stratification than income". Lifestyles do play an important part in our class divisions. She believes that most goodie two shoes are now going to Facebook, and the burnouts use MySpace. I will admit that in my opinion, I do prefer Facebook. I have looked at MySpace, however it does not appeal to me. Does that make me a goodie two shoes? I do not think so, I think I along with many others like the clean look that Facebook brings to the table. I think it is easy to use and thus I feel comfortable putting my info out there, all be it with some privacy concerns.
Another important point made in the article by Hendrix was that Facebook offers many "outreach opportunities" for library patrons of all classes. Facebook is used as a promotional tool for most libraries, and this is one of the easiest ways for libraries to interact with different classes.
Facebook is a very useful tool for most libraries, however in the future Web 2.0 may create a new technology for libraries to move beyond this social media, and this may cause a greater divide among the classes. Librarians must be aware of this fact and become proactive when using social media tools.
OK, on to this week's subject, class divisions and the use of Facebook.We read two very interesting articles concerning this topic. I think I agree with Dana Boyd when she "argues class divisions in the US have more to do with lifestyle and social stratification than income". Lifestyles do play an important part in our class divisions. She believes that most goodie two shoes are now going to Facebook, and the burnouts use MySpace. I will admit that in my opinion, I do prefer Facebook. I have looked at MySpace, however it does not appeal to me. Does that make me a goodie two shoes? I do not think so, I think I along with many others like the clean look that Facebook brings to the table. I think it is easy to use and thus I feel comfortable putting my info out there, all be it with some privacy concerns.
Another important point made in the article by Hendrix was that Facebook offers many "outreach opportunities" for library patrons of all classes. Facebook is used as a promotional tool for most libraries, and this is one of the easiest ways for libraries to interact with different classes.
Facebook is a very useful tool for most libraries, however in the future Web 2.0 may create a new technology for libraries to move beyond this social media, and this may cause a greater divide among the classes. Librarians must be aware of this fact and become proactive when using social media tools.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Next Generation Catalogs
This week our topic is next generation catalogs and how they interact with Web 2.0. I found the readings very interesting and also could relate to many of the issues that were discussed concerning online catalogs. NWC library where I have worked for over 30 years implemented their "first generation" online catalogue in the early 1990s. I was there to see the catalogue go "online" and I will admit it was sad to see the card catalogue taken away.
At first it was viewed as a good research tool by our patrons, however problems did arise with the continuing development of the web. Searching our online catalogue was far different than searching the web with Boolean searching and this was hard for most of our patrons. Over the years our patrons have become more savvy with Web 2.0, and have expected more from our online catalogue so we have tried to enhance our catalogue to meet their needs. This however is an "ongoing process" due to new technology that is developed on a regular basis--second and third generation catalogues.
The readings make a good point that I think is worth mentioning. The analysis of the 6 catalogues definitely proves the point that libraries are constantly trying to improve their catalogues to better assist their patrons. "The success depends on both parties involved: libraries need to design social tools that are intuitive, and useful and users need to contribute and use the services provided by the catalogue".
Libraries must take a good look at their clientele, and determine how they fit into this rapidly developing atmosphere of next generation catalogs. What is good for one library may not be good for another, however web 2.0 is playing a big part in determining how to make the library catalogue user friendly and remain relevant for the patron.
At first it was viewed as a good research tool by our patrons, however problems did arise with the continuing development of the web. Searching our online catalogue was far different than searching the web with Boolean searching and this was hard for most of our patrons. Over the years our patrons have become more savvy with Web 2.0, and have expected more from our online catalogue so we have tried to enhance our catalogue to meet their needs. This however is an "ongoing process" due to new technology that is developed on a regular basis--second and third generation catalogues.
The readings make a good point that I think is worth mentioning. The analysis of the 6 catalogues definitely proves the point that libraries are constantly trying to improve their catalogues to better assist their patrons. "The success depends on both parties involved: libraries need to design social tools that are intuitive, and useful and users need to contribute and use the services provided by the catalogue".
Libraries must take a good look at their clientele, and determine how they fit into this rapidly developing atmosphere of next generation catalogs. What is good for one library may not be good for another, however web 2.0 is playing a big part in determining how to make the library catalogue user friendly and remain relevant for the patron.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Book Review
Please find my book review of Blink by Malcolm Gladwell at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lima555/sets/72157626946750922/with/5826410896/
My first attempt at a flickr presentation. It can be also be viewed as a slide show.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lima555/sets/72157626946750922/with/5826410896/
My first attempt at a flickr presentation. It can be also be viewed as a slide show.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tag Gardening and Folksonomy
This week we are continuing our discussion about social tagging. We read two very interesting articles that pertained to this topic. As I said before I really have very little knowledge about social tagging, is that good or bad, I am still not sure! After reading these articles and exploring CiteULike, Library Thing and Flickr, I feel I have a better understanding of social tagging. I also explored http://delicous.com a bit and found that very interesting. After talking to one of our reference librarians, I discovered our library has used these cites for sometime.
After looking at these websites and reading the articles, one point that keeps reemerging is folksonomies must be useful and findable. With no set guidelines for social tagging, the user must use his or her own judgement to create these tags. The popularity of tag clouds seem to make the entire process easier especially for a newbie to social tagging such as myself.
Comparing folksonomy tags to "gardening activities" and breaking the process down step by step makes the entire process a bit easier to understand for me.
One of the concluding remarks in the article by Wichowski states "folksonomies may be flawed, but they are at present, the best means known to track what is happening with the non-mainstream of the information environment". I think this is so true. Folksonomies certainly will evolve, however they are a great tool to use in social networking at the present time.
After looking at these websites and reading the articles, one point that keeps reemerging is folksonomies must be useful and findable. With no set guidelines for social tagging, the user must use his or her own judgement to create these tags. The popularity of tag clouds seem to make the entire process easier especially for a newbie to social tagging such as myself.
Comparing folksonomy tags to "gardening activities" and breaking the process down step by step makes the entire process a bit easier to understand for me.
One of the concluding remarks in the article by Wichowski states "folksonomies may be flawed, but they are at present, the best means known to track what is happening with the non-mainstream of the information environment". I think this is so true. Folksonomies certainly will evolve, however they are a great tool to use in social networking at the present time.
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