Entries in "Library 2.0" ( for this category only)

Increasing the Value of Our History with the Web

I am a little behind on my blogging. Now that I have taken a breather, I am looking to jump start things.

On May 8, 2008, I was invited to deliver the Plenary session for the Society of Ohio Archivists at their Spring Program. I was asked to bring my knowledge of web 2.0 to a group that sees the possible advantages but often is very early in implementation. It is exciting to speak at a meeting that I would not normally attend. Even though I was asked to share and set the tone for the meeting in terms of what web 2.0 offers for libraries, archives, historians, etc., I found I left the meeting with a list of sites and tools to explore myself.

Citricon: Library Defender

The Orange County Library System (Orlando, Florida) has created its own game to promote its gaming activities for patrons.

It also created a video on YouTube to promote it.

Other Kindle Information

Reverse Engineer Finds Kindle's Hidden Features from Slashdot (January 4, 2008)
Things were found such as Google Maps, minesweeper game, and other features.

A New Jersey Library Starts Lending Kindles from Library Journal (12/13/2007)
The Sparta Public Library, NJ bought two $399 Kindles and loans them to patrons.

Kindling? Amazon's eBook Reader, Kindle, Is Latest Device To Fire Up the Market from Library Journal Academic Newswire (11/20/2007)
Includes some quotes from a discussion on the Web4Lib Electronic Discussion list.

Amazon Kindle - Academic Uses

Since I work in an academic library, I want to discuss how I think Amazon's Kindle has opportunities to explore in academia.

Textbooks
I get students all the time that want the opportunity to download electronic versions of their textbooks to their laptop or other device. The size and sometimes the number of textbooks in a given semester makes them practical in a dorm room, but not in the classroom. Students often already carry laptops or other materials and
do not want to lug books as well. If they could include all their text books on a Kindle for in the classroom usage or studying when away from their dorms, it can be a great market to pursue.

Textbooks in the Library
Many libraries do not buy textbooks for their collections. There is an expectation that students purchase their needed books. Textbooks become dated too quick and would gather dust on library shelves that could be used for other materials. To be fair a library would be forced to keep textbooks on reserve so they are always available for usage. Keeping hundreds of textbooks on reserve causes many space concerns. What if libraries had a few Kindles available that contain the current e-versions of the school's textbooks?

Best Sellers, Leisure Books, or Other Rarely Used Materials
Many academic libraries provided limited access to best sellers or other leisure reading materials. Students are often forced to locate the local public library or purchase online from companies like Amazon. What if libraries had Kindles available and the library staff purchased patron-requested items? Many libraries already spend money on interlibrary loan, so would this be any different?

Departmental Training Tool
Many departments circulate books or journals for their staff to read as a professional development or awareness tool. Could a Kindle serve a similar role?

Laboratory or Clinical Usage
Would researchers use a Kindle with all their reference manuals, books, and data loaded on it?

Roving Reference
We have seen many libraries that now offer "roving reference" where the librarians come to the user rather than sitting behind a desk. Would a Kindle with the standard reference books be used to support this type of service?

Amazon Kindle - User Experience

I was able to get my hands on a Amazon Kindle for a few days. I will write at least a couple of posts on what I think. First, I will write on the user's experience and than my thoughts on the Kindle in academia.

I was very impressed with the overall usability. The text reads just like traditional print text. It has none of the glare or backlighting of other electronic devices. The size is that of an average book, and the weight is only slightly more.

Positives:

• Readability - Reads likes traditional printed media.
  
• Portability - Has built-in memory, plus can uses SD memory cards.
  
• Extras: Plays MP3s from built-in speaker or headphone jack.
  
• Does not require wifi access points as it uses Sprint's network at no additional cost to the user.
  
• Includes QWERTY keyboard that can be used for searching within text, annotations, and other uses.
  
• Adjustable text size should be a strong selling point for those with eye problems that may have trouble getting access to other print materials.
  
• Purchase books, magazines, and newspapers.

Negatives:

• Price: $400 - Do I need to say more?
  
• Carrying case - Designed to imitate a book cover, but I do not think it will last long. It does press on the keys and I think over time the Kindle will start to slide out.
  
• Only back and white text, no color.
  
• Scroll wheel and the menu system assumes everyone is familiar with an iPod-like system. I showed it to a small group of people in a meeting and only 2 of the 6 instinctively understood how to use it.
  
• Requires two hands to hold, unless you have fairly large hands.
  
• Only uses a single cellular network for online access - Sprint. How good is Sprint's coverage in all areas? I do not know personally.
  
• Limited to Amazon's selections for purchases with rights restrictions in place.
  
• Charged to read blogs and there are only specific ones available.
  
• 10 cents to send files to your Kindle and I have heard that not all file formats cooperate.

Unknowns:

• Construction - Will it hold up over long-term use?
  
• Availability - Amazon constantly lists it as sold out.

I do think it has a future. As the prices falls over time, it will gain popularity. I think it can be a strong sell in certain user markets, such as travelers, people that do not purchase books for their own collection, and techies. At $400, I will not be buying one anytime soon.

Cleveland Public Library in SL: Grand Opening

Cleveland Public Library had their Grand Opening in Second Life on November 16th, 2007.

See the full photo set from my Flickr account. Or visit the Cleveland Public Library in SL.

Cleveland Public Library has a Second Life

Cleveland Public Library is making its debut in Second Life this Friday. Here is the full announcement from Library Geek Woes:

Cleveland Public Library, of Cleveland, Ohio, is opening a new sim on Friday, November 16th. Cleveland Public Library is the third largest public research library in the United States, and also is the largest repository of chess-related items in the world. The island includes playable, life-size chess sets, and the Main Library building currently features an exhibit of historical chess sets owned by the library in real life. Also be sure to check out the Photo Gallery (believe us, you'll know it when you see it!), where we have an exhibit of sheet music related to Cleveland and Ohio.

The sim will open to the public at 7pm EST with tours as time and guides allow. Grand opening activities will include two live music performances: Picker Apogee at 8pm and Nad Gough at 10pm. A costume contest for the best chess-related costume will take place at 9pm, with a $1000 Linden dollars grand prize to the winner. The life-size chess sets will also be available for casual or competitive play. Please IM Lebachai Vesta with any questions. Please join us to celebrate this major opening in Second Life!

SLURL: Cleveland Public Library

More information was shared at PLSL 2.0 - Public Libraries in Second Life blog in a recent post.

Presentation at ALAO Annual

I survived the ALAO Annual Conference. I was on the planning committee, and specifically arranged the vendor area. Here is my presentation on Second Life that I gave at the Conference.

Library 2.0 Roundup

Jennifer Macaulay, a graduate student in the masters of library science program at Southern Connecticut State University, has put together a very helpful collection of resources about web 2.0 and libraries on her blog called Life As I Know It.

What is Second Life Best At?

I have done many talk on how libraries are using web 2.0 technologies to supplement and/or provide new services and resources. I often mention Second Life as a possibility that many libraries and librarians are exploring. The common question is "what can it offer that we do not already do". In my personal experience, SL is best for collaboration and programming. It offers another mechanism to offer presentations, discussions, and education opportunities. It works best if you can go beyond the real world physical environments we already react in.

I challenge people to create things in SL that we do not or cannot do in real life. At that point, it becomes valuable.

SL is great for 3-D modeling, recreation of historical events, or other themed environments. These types of educational activities would be very expensive to recreate on a life-size scale and to bring together all the experts needed.

Here is a nice example of a unique activity that can be accomplished in virtual environments, not just SL. Have you ever imagined walking through the environment created in artworks, movie, or TV?

If you want to see how this would made, visit the blog entry describing Robbie Dingo's SL machinima.

Anthropologist Studies Second Life

A Chronicle of Higher Education Podcast interviews an anthropologist that spent the last two years studying Second Life. Tom Boellstorff from the University of California at Irvine will have a book released in the future to share his findings.

One finding he had was how important SL was to those with disabilities. Maybe this is the niche libraries should focus on as a priority in SL rather than trying to recreate traditional library programming and resources.

TechConnections 8

I presented at TechConnections 8 in June of 2007. I posted my presentation in the past and shared some insight from Michael Stephens and his presentation. TechConnections 8 has posted other presentations as well, including:

• Windows Vista: Is Your Library Ready?
• What Does Windows Vista Mean for Directors?
• Microsoft Office 2007: A Quick Look
• How to Hack Your Director
• The Synaptic Library
• Google Tools for a Great Web Site
• PC Sign-up Systems

Second Life Bans Most Gambling

There have been many educators and librarians that have disliked Second Life due to the plethora of "real world" type activities that are duplicated, such as gambling and/or porn. Second Life has recently announced that they are now following U.S. laws by banning gambling on sporting events, games of chance, and the traditional casino-style games.

I am sure the SL entrepreneurs will find others ways to survive.

Laura Solomon on Second Life

As I mentioned before I attended TechConnectons 8, the other day. I attended a session by Laura Solomon (Lebachai Vesta in SL) on Second Life. It was perfect timing for me as I was preparing my own presentation on Second Life.

There was a couple stats or ideas she shared that I wish the same thing could be said about our libraries:

• Doubling Rate is every 7 months
  
• Approxmately 10% of the participants spend 80+ hours per week in SL
  
• Second Life was named one of the most influential sites for the 2008 election

Could you imagine if libraries could say the same thing?

TechConnections 8 and Michael Stephens

I was also lucky enough to attend two sessions by Michael Stephens at TechConnections 8. Even more valuable was the time we spent away from the conference discussing libraries, education, future goals, and everything else under the sun over lunch at a local Dublin, Ohio restaurant.

1. Hyperlinked Library: Trends, Tools and Technologies (Michael Stephens)
2. Technology Trends (Michael Stephens)

See his bibliography for these talks.

Some new things I picked up and need to explore:

• BookSwim - the Netflix of books
  
• Book called Got Game
  
• Travels with the State Librarian (Kansas) blog
  
• Bookspace.org
  
• Gail Borden Public Library videos
  
• Ohio University Library podcast tours
  

• Lackman Library Virtual tour on Flickr
  
  
• Cuyahoga County Public Library's use of text messaging
  
  
• Netvibes
  
  
• fd's Flickr Toys
  
  
• Last.fm
  
  
• Image Chef
  
  
• Music Tonic
  
  
• Church of the Customer blog
  
  
• Book called Wikinomics
  

• castr, Westerville Public Library's podcast delivery system

Presented Web 2.0 at TechConnections 8

I presented on web 2.0 at TechConnections 8 on June 11, 2007. It was a wonderful experience. I have presented on web 2.0 previously, but never to a group of public librarians and administrators. They had great questions. And as always, I walked away with some new contacts and some new web/library 2.0 tools to explore.

I will do a separate post on my learnings and experience as soon as I go through all my notes.

Few Posts Lately - Been Busy

I have been quite busy with various personal projects, and my library has been doing special summer projects lately.

Let me share some happenings...

I recently gave a presentation for NOTSL (Northern Ohio Technical Services Librarians) on May 24, 2007.

Russ Crabtree of Holy Cow Consulting gave a presentation on perceptions. It was quite interesting. He had the group participate in several exercises that showed how our personal perceptions and bias can skew our interactions. It was funny how our minds can make us believe something that does not really exist.

Rick Rubin, the Director of the Kent State University School of Library & Information Science, gave his thoughts on how he saw the profession, especially technical services, changing in the future. He also addressed library school education. He expressed how challenging it was to cover everything necessary in library school, when librarians are finding all kinds of unique jobs and organizations to work for.

Social Networks for Employment Recruiting

On my blog highlighting engineering news and resources, I just highlighted a newspaper article that discusses using social networks to accomplish employment recruiting.

Why mention it here? I have heard comments from those in the library profession say libraries "do not belong in the social networks" and "people do not want us there". Engineering companies and recruiters are highlighting their industry, educating potential future employers, and maintaining communication channels with future employees or customers. Lets learn from others!

Patrons Building Better Libraries

I love web 2.0 and library 2.0 because patrons take ownership in their library experience. Everything a user does can add value for others!

For example, Superpatron is an example of web 2.0 qualities in action. See how he helps his library and the top ten actions he promotes to others.

Teens Rock Akron 2007

I was excited to see that my local library, Akron-Summit County Public Library, was bringing together the local teen bands (pdf).

The Hollywood Librarian

The trailer is out for the new movie called the Hollywood Librarian. In addition, there is a related Facebook group and a formal website.

Sharing My Presentations

I love SlideShare. In the true spirit of web 2.0, I post and share my presentations with the world.

Presentations include:

• Northern Ohio Chapter of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, October 24th, 2006, Exploring Libraries (...and our Users) in the Web 2.0 Realm (on SlideShare)
• Central Ohio Chapter of the American Society for Information Science & Technology, April 19, 2007, Web 2.0: Exploring Information Users (on SlideShare)

I am also teaching a 2-day workshop for the Kent State University School of Library & Information Science, called Using Web 2.0 Principles to Become Librarian 2.0.

Students will discover how libraries are using Web 2.0 tools, such as blogs, RSS feeds, wikis, social communities, podcasts, and various mash-ups, to give library users increased ownership in their library interactions. Students will investigate the major principles and applications, while developing an understanding of the library-specific issues. Topics of discussion may include privacy, trust or abuse of these technologies, policy considerations, factors to implementation, and optimization in the library environment.

I have included on SlideShare the introductory PowerPoints I use to introduce each hands on component. My Squidoo page has even more information about the workshop. I already taught one on the main Kent campus and at their SLIS distance location on Ohio State's campus. My next workshops will be July 20 & 21 and November 9 & 10 on Kent State's main campus.

I have several more talks scheduled in the future. If you can attend, make sure to say hello. If not, watch this blog and SlideShare for more information.

• Northern Ohio Technical Services Librarians (May 24, 2007 in Parma, Ohio) - Using Web 2.0 Principles to Become Librarian 2.0
• TechConnections 8 (June 11 & 12, 2007 in Dublin, Ohio) - Exploring Libraries (…and Our Users) in the Web 2.0 Realm
• Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) Distance Learning Interest Group (June 15, 2007 in Huron, Ohio) - Education and Collaboration Takes on a Second Life
• Ohio Library Council's Outreach & Special Services Division Outreach Retreat (August 1, 2007 in Columbus, Ohio) - Web 2.0 Tools – Outreach & Community Building with Chad F. Boeninger

Public Library Geeks Take Web 2.0 to the Stacks

In Public Library Geeks Take Web 2.0 to the Stacks, the Learning 2.0 program by Helene Blowers is highlighted. I think it is exciting when a resource like Wired recognizes a librarian contribution to the technology arena. Great job Helene!

ACRL Offers Webcast on Podcasting

ACRL offers The Classroom Will Now Be Podcast: Podcasting in Higher Education and Implications for Academic Libraries.

Podcasting is an emerging technology that allows for the easy online distribution of media files. The use of podcasts for both personal broadcasting and as a media tool has grown greatly in the past couple of years. Many institutions of higher education are now utilizing this technology as a method of distributing promotional and educational content. This webcast explores the growing usage of podcasting in higher education and examines how academic libraries fit into the educasting environment. The session focuses attention on examples of podcasts as classroom and library instruction tools and examines how academic libraries can become more integrally involved in podcasting efforts on their campuses.

This Webcast will last approximately an hour and a half.

2007 TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium

Registration is now open for the first annual Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium, sponsored by ALA TechSource and the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL).

Gaming and literacy experts James Paul Gee and Henry Jenkins will keynote the event by exploring how libraries fit into the intersection of gaming and the digital learning landscape, while guest speakers Eli Neiburger (author of the 2007 title "Gamers…in the Library?! The Why, What, and How of Videogame Tournaments for All Ages") and Syracuse University Game Lab Director Scott Nicholson will kick off the discussions about why libraries do this. Gregory Trefry, a game designer from GameLab, will explore libraries and the concept of "big games," while social computing expert and gamer Liz Lawley will provide context and a broad view for the topics discussed.

More than 25 sessions in three tracks will cover such wide-ranging topics as creating games for information literacy, implementing gaming programs, teaching kids how to make their own games, gaming for adults, digital downloads for gamers, online fiction games, and more. In addition, a track dedicated to Second Life will highlight how libraries are creating a presence in this virtual world and what they are gaining from it.

Virtual World Librarianship - Your Second Life

The Illinois Alliance Library System and the Graduate School of Library and Information Science is offering a continuing education course, called Virtual World Librarianship - Your Second Life. The 6 two-hour synchronous sessions will meet online in Second Life. Asynchronous discussions and weekly assignments will be posted to Forums on Moodle, the course management system used at GSLIS.

Social Computing Specialization - How Much More 2.0 Can Your Degree Be

The University of Michigan School of Information now offers a specialization in Social Computing.

Have other schools or degree programs went beyond a single class or workshop? I have not seen any myself.

(As a person living in Ohio, I am only allowed to use the "m" word once a year, so this was it.)

Map of Second Life Brands

Check out this map of brands in Second Life. Libraries and other organizations need to explore how we can leverage these relationships within SL.

Over the last few years, I see a belief that has developed where companies, products, and services are not considered legitimate unless a web presence exists. Just think about your personal experiences, when was the last time you actually used a phone book. How long will it take before Second Life also becomes a measuring device or the "phone book" of services and organizations?

A Portrait of Generation Next

The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press published a reported called How Young People View Their Lives, Futures, and Politics - A Portrait of "GENERATION NEXT". For their analysis, they focused on those between 18-25 years of age. This 45-page report was released on January 9, 2007, and was made available by PDF.

Here are some findings relevant to libraries and web 2.0:

• Importance of email, text messaging, and instant messaging to stay in "constant contact with friends"
• 1/2 received or sent a phone text message today - double of that of 26-40 year olds
• Majority use social networking sites with 40% creating personal profiles - report calls this "Look at Me" generation
• 73% believe their peers post too much personal information
• 80% acknowledge technology makes people lazier
• 12% claim to be "not an internet user"
• 1/3 used instant messaging today

From "About the Center":

The Center is an independent opinion research group that studies attitudes

toward the press, politics and public policy issues. We are best known

for regular national surveys that measure public attentiveness to major news stories, and for our polling that charts trends in values and fundamental political and social attitudes.

[VIA: The Scout Report, January 26, 2007 - Volume 13, Number 3]

Special Collections or Library Displays in Web 2.0

Shorpy.com is a 100-year-old photography blog that brings our ancestors into today's spotlight. The site is named after Shorpy Higginbotham, a boy who worked in an Alabama coal mine near the turn of the century. They started with a collection of photographs taken in the early 1900s by Lewis Wickes Hine as part of a decade-long field survey for the National Child Labor Committee.

Shorpy.com is a fine example our how library, museum, and private collections can be made available to the world using web 2.0 tools and techniques.

[VIA: MAKE: Blog, Mar 21, 2007]

Education Revitalized in Second Life

The UCLA Magazine has highlighted various initiatives of universities to educate or reach students in the online virtual world called Second Life. The article called, Avatar Academics, explores the growth of virtual/gaming environments and highlights current activities.

Second Life and Libraries by Kathryn Greenhill

Check out this presentation by Kathryn Greenhill on Second Life and libraries. She does a great job of highlighting the key points: positives, negatives, what libraries are already doing, etc. She also writes the Librarians Matter blog.

Tool Lending Library - Not Technology but still 2.0 in Nature

Berkeley Public Library Tool Lending Library represents some of the key traits I see in Library 2.0, such as looking beyond books and considering what our users really need and want.

[VIA: MAKE: Blog, Mar 21, 2007]

More on New Workshop

As I mentioned before, I am teaching a new workshop for the Kent State University School of Library & Information Science.

I have used a couple of the existing web 2.0 tools to share my workshop content. Check out the Squidoo page to see what readings and tools we used. On SlideShare, I posted the introductory slides I used before we moved on to our hands-on assignments.

New Workshop - Using Web 2.0 Principles to Become Librarian 2.0

I am getting ready to teach a new workshop at Kent State University School of Library & Information Science. The response for the first offering was amazing - 24 at the Main campus and another 9 at Ohio State (distance location of the Kent program). I am really looking for the chance for a large group to "play" with all these tools.

Students will discover how libraries are using Web 2.0 tools, such as blogs, RSS feeds, wikis, social communities, podcasts, and various mash-ups, to give library users increased ownership in their library interactions. Students will investigate the major principles and applications, while developing an understanding of the library-specific issues. Topics of discussion may include privacy, trust or abuse of these technologies, policy considerations, factors to implementation, and optimization in the library environment. In addition, students will look at how users are creating tools to supplement and/or replace their experience with libraries.
Check out the Squidoo page I set up for the workshop. If you have any suggestions or feedback, please share.

The students for their final project will practice by using blogs, wikis, or other tools to create a web 2.0 environment for one of three scenarios - an existing or fictional library, employee training, or a virtual environment for a specific class or employer project. They will have a chance to keep it private on a library school run server or use one of the many free web-based applications. I am giving them the choice. If any of them decide to go public, I will share the results here.

End of Web 2.0 Principles - House to Consider Social Networking Bill

The American Libraries Online reports that the U.S. House is considering a social networking bill again.

The bill (H.R. 1120) withholds federal e-rate funding from libraries and schools that do not restrict the use of social networking websites by minors.

I am a strong believer that Web 2.0, and more specifically Library 2.0, is more about how users interact and contribute to their personal experience with the information than the specific tools. It is no longer about just receiving information, but that a user can pick how they receive their information, pick their interface, add value to the information for the next person with comments or other additions, and promote other forms of real time collaboration.

If this is bill is as vague as people are suggesting, we will be taking several steps backwards from the way people have evolved in the utilization of information. Our economy is knowledge based and international in scope, but politicians continue to try to decrease collaboration and reduce U.S. competitiveness. Why are we not improving our education methods first, before restriction? Our children are leaving school at a disadvantage because we keep roadbocking their information/collaboration/communication development.

Web Seminar on Mashups

The SirsiDynix Institute is offering a web seminar on mashups on March 6th at 11am EST. It is free, but requires registration. I cannot wait to see what is covered and suggested from a library perspective.

Continue reading "Web Seminar on Mashups"

Top Ten, no really, Top 33 Reasons Libraries are Important

If you get a chance, check out the post by Will Sherman about 33 reasons librarians are still extremely important. He discusses the major differences between library resources and the Internet. He talks about the extras a librarian brings to research. He even highlights the future of library initiatives, or the library 2.0 to come from our many libraries. He concludes by describing libraries and librarians as "guides and guideposts".

This article may be too long to convince a parent, teacher, student, or other library user to read it. But, it provides some great talking points for information professionals to develop their elevator speech about what they do or where libraries excel.

ALA's Washington Office Hosts Its 1st Second Life Event

The ALA Washington Office hosted its first virtual event in Second Life. Over 60 people attended.

David Lankes from Syracuse University presented his paper entitled “Participatory Networks: Libraries as Conversations”. See the post on the InfoIsland blog for more information, including links to a video and a transcript. Also, see the Participatory Networks website for additional information.

Continue reading "ALA's Washington Office Hosts Its 1st Second Life Event"

Video: Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us

Want to summarize Web 2.0 in under 5 minutes - this YouTube video does just that.

Even better check out the same video using a website called mojiti. It allows a user to annotate and comment within the video. The author of the original video posted it and said give me your thoughts. How Web 2.0 of him/her!

ALA's Collection of Web 2.0 Resources

ALA has created a wiki that highlights all the online tools that have been created by ALA and its members. The