OLJ Activity - Making Web 2.0 Work for Your Organisation

Select three (3) libraries of your choice that use social networking to meet their goals.

Develop a comparative table which documents how each of the libraries use social networking tools to support information service provision, educational programs, conduct business etc.

	State Library of NSW	South Carolina State Library	New York Public Library
Facebook	5921 likes every few days	1396 likes everyday prolific	123 557 likes everyday prolific
Twitter	5174 followers 3588 tweets	4262 followers 5640 tweets	309 K followers 13.7K tweets
Flickr	1903 photos	8270 photos	2525 photos
blog	yes – 6 blogs	no	yes – countless
Instagram	510 followers 172 posts	no	24 689 followers 318 posts
podcasting	yes	yes	yes
IM	no (email with up to 7 day reply)	yes	yes
RSS feed	yes	yes	yes
mobile access to OPAC	no	no	no
Google +	no	yes	yes
YouTube	no	no	yes
vimeo	124 videos	no	87 videos
Historypin	1017 pins 10 tours 30 collections	no	287 pins 1 collection
pinterest	83 boards 1738 pins	30 boards 402 pins	31 boards 2031 pins
enewsletters	yes	yes	yes
Goodreads	no	yes	yes
LinkedIn	no	yes	yes
tumblr	no	no	232 notes
Four square	no	no	yes

Based on this comparison (and in no more than 350 words) develop your own list of “Reasons why libraries should be on social media”, and draw upon aspects of these three libraries to illustrate each point.

Reasons why libraries should be on social media

Communication 
Social media is an avenue of communication for many people and in particular young people. Burkhardt (2009) argues young people use IM, Facebook and SMS in preference to email. It is evident both the New York Public Library (NYPL) and South Carolina State Library (SCSL) use Facebook and Twitter to communicate with their uses. Both their use of Facebook and Twitter is prolific with a number of posts and tweets everyday.

YouTube is a social networking (SN) tool used by NYPL. Wee (2010) recognises Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as good SN tools for customer communication. SCSL and NYPL also offer an IM option which is more tailored to young people than the State Library of NSW which has an email option with up to 7 days for a reply. This is hardly an effective avenue for communication with its users.

Responding to Feedback
An important aspect of customer service is to be responsive to users' concerns or praise (Burkhardt, 2009). Twitter and Facebook are effective SN tools for responding to user feedback. Burkhardt (2009) recognises it is no longer possible to control what is said about the library but the Library can influence the message that comes across. Timely and thoughtful responses will assist in this. McBurnie (2007) suggests libraries should treat messages via social media as they would emails. 

Marketing
Social media provides another avenue for advertising (Burkhardt, 2009). Farkas (2007) suggests to go where library users are and to put links to the library website there. An example of the NYPL doing this is by use of its own YouTube channel. YouTube is the second largest search engine (Elliott, 2013) and by producing content on YouTube the NYPL is marketing itself to potential users.

The use of Twitter and Facebook by SCSL and NYPL also assist in marketing themselves to potential users. Wee (2010) recognises Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as good SN tools for brand exposure. McBurnie (2007) argues building and projecting a consistent online identity assists in projecting the image of an active, well-informed and progressive organisation.

Building Relationships
The use of IM by SCSL and NYPL builds relationships by immediately communicating and responding to users queries. The use of blogs by State Library of NSW (SLNSW) and NYPL tailored to specific audiences fosters relationships between the library and its users. The delivery of relevant content and the use of comments strengthens these relationships. Prompt responses to Facebook and Twitter posts also assist in building relationships.

Understanding Users Better
Farkas (2008) argues libraries should always focus on the users they have and assessments are critical in making the library reflect the needs and wants of the patrons. Social media is an effective tool to assess the needs and wants of the community. It could be argued the creation and customisation of blogs by SLNSW and NYPL demonstrates an understanding of users by providing tailored content to specific users. All three libraries use podcasting, which provides an easy to find link for users on information services or educational programs.

Burkhardt, A. (2009, August 25). Four Reasons Libraries Should be on Social Media [Web Log Post]. Retrieved from http://andyburkhardt.com/2009/08/25/four-reasons-libraries-should-be-on-social-media/ 

Elliott, A. (2013, August 7). The Second Largest Search Engine [INFOGRAPHIC]. Retrieved from http://socialmediatoday.com/socialbarrel/1650226/second-largest-search-engine-infographic 

Farkas, M. (2008, January 24). The Essence of Library 2.0? [Web Log Post]. Retrieved from http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2008/01/24/the-essence-of-library-20/

Farkas, M. (2007, November 7). Building Academic Library 2.0 [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?=q_uOKFhoznl   

McBurnie, J. (2007, October 1). Your Online Identity: Key to Marketing and Being Found [Web Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://web.freepint.com/go/blog/2510

Wee, W. (2010, March 5). INFOGRAPHIC: Guide to the Socail Media Marketing Landscape [Web Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://techinasia.com/infographic-guide-to-the-social-media-mrketing-landscape/ 

An Internet Minute

It is staggering to think about the volume of content that anyone with internet connectivity can be exposed to. As a teacher and Year Coordinator I used to advise parents about monitoring their child's computer access and recommend setting up the computer (PC) in a communal living space away. 

With mobile technology and devices such as ipods, mobile phones, and tablets, it is increasingly hard for parents to constantly monitor their child, or in most cases children's, internet access. Creating a docking station for all mobile devices to be stored when not in use and restricting access time for children are positive steps parents can make. But the overwhelming positive impact will come from parents understanding the technology, functionality and security settings in conjunction with teaching cybersafety.

Hoffelder, N. (2013, March 21). Infographic: What Can Happen in an Internet Minute. Retrieved from http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2013/03/21/infographic-what-can-happen-in-an-internet-minute/#.UvGMa_aBT34

Ocoee Middle School Read A Book

Following my exploration of YouTube as a search engine I discovered this video clip and thought it was an inspiring strategy to engage students in the library and reading.

YouTube as a Search Engine

I have used YouTube as a search engine many times without consciously thinking of it as a search engine. Usually as a how to guide of skills where I need to see a demonstration, like to sew a miter corner or blind stitch binding.

So tonight I set out consciously to use YouTube as a search engine. I was looking for an appropriate music video to add to the blog. I typed read in to the search engine and very quickly found a news report about Ocoee Middle School and their strategy to promote literacy.

YouTube is the world's second largest search engine (Elliott, 2013).

Elliott, A. (2013, August 7). The Second Largest Search Engine [INFOGRAPHIC]. Retrieved from http://socialmediatoday.com/socialbarrel/1650226/second-largest-search-engine-inforgraphic

OLJ Activity - Did You Know 4.0?

Watch this video carefully a second time, and identify five (5) examples of 'shifts' or trends that can have an impact on how individuals behave as a digital citizens.
   
1. Americans have access to :

• 1 000 000 000 000 web pages
• 65 000 iPhone apps
• 10 500 radio stations
• 5 500 magazines
• 200+ cable tv networks

 2. Print circulation: Newspaper circulation is down 7 million over the last 25 years.
     Online readers: But in the last 5 years, unique readers of online newspapers are up 30 million.

3. Wikipedia launched in 2001. It now features over 13 million articles in more than 200 languages.

4. Among larger U.S. companies 17% have disciplined an employee for violating blog or message board policies.

5. The mobile device will be the world's primary connection tool to the internet in 2020.

Then outline (in @ 400 words)  how you believe these behaviours can impact on the need for, and development of, information policy in organisations to address these behaviours. You may wish to explore these from either a user/customer perspective or employee/employer perspective, or a combination of both, and you may wish to consider this task within the specific context of your own library and/or organisation, or you can address this task in general terms.

The need for and development of information policy in schools

Young people today are bombarded with information, or content, coming at them from all areas of their life, the internet, their mobile phone and the more traditional tv, radio and magazines. The information they are receiving is generated by anyone with internet connectivity, including their friends and they are walking around with access to all this information in their pocket. 

With the vast volumes of information coming at them, young people need to be taught skills in filtering and evaluating information. They need to be taught critical thinking skills in evaluating the quality of information (Jenkins, Clinton, Purushotma, Robison &Weigel, 2006). It is essential that policy development involves information literacy, digital literacy and digital citizenship. 

Mobile phones with internet connectivity enable content to be easily uploaded to the web. The capability of this technology in the hands of teenagers, who often make spilt second decisions, means they can easily upload content before thinking of the consequences and implications for those involved. Issues pertaining to privacy and the disclosure of personal information should be considered in the development of information policy. 
 
Jenkins, et. al. (2006) argues an important goal of media education should be for young people to reflect on the ethical choices they make as contributors to social media and the impact they have on others. Cybersafety created a video called Tagged (Australian Communications and Media Authority, 2011) to highlight to young people the implications of uploading personal and private material online.

The nature and success of wikipedia encourages anyone to contribute and publish content online. The functionality of web 2.0 makes it easy to adapt or reproduce an existing work and many do so with little knowledge or regard for copyright law (The University of Melbourne, 2008). Addressing intellectual property rights, and in particular copyright, should be considered by schools when developing information policy.

Policy development in schools should involve consideration of social networking policies and online behaviours for both staff and students. The inclusion of acceptable use policies should be explicit in detailing both acceptable and unacceptable behaviour for online activity. Policies should also be clear in how negative comments and behaviour will be responded to.

Oxiem (n.d.) identifes the following key items for every policy:

• what is social media and how to use it
• reminders on confidential information
• define who is responsible and identify a main point of contact
• responsibility for what is written online
• identifying oneself as an employee
• what happens if the policy is violated

 

Australian Communications and Media Authority (2011). Tagged. Melbourne: Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved from http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Teens/Games%20and%20videos/tagged.aspx 

Jenkins, H., Clinton, K., Purushotma, R., Robison, A. J., & Weigel, M. (2006). Confronting the challenges of participatory culture: Media education for the 21st century. Available http://digitallearning.macfound.org/atf/cf/%7B7E45C7E0-A3E0-4B89-AC9C-E807E1B0AE4E%7D/JENKINS_WHITE_PAPER.PDF

Oxiem, (n.d.). Social Media Policy for School Districts. [Slideshow] Retrieved from [CSU Interact Material] (2014, February 6) http://interact.csu.edu.au/portal/tool/dd356536-a961-421f-8072-ba3041ffb2e2/print_module.jsf?printModuleId=29393611

The University of Melbourne (2008, May 21). Wikis, Blogs and Web 2.0 Technology. Retrieved from http://www.unimelb.edu.au/copyright  

OLJ Activity - Creating an Online Personal Learning Network

Using a concept mapping or graphic organising tool, develop a meme map of your own PLN which involves social networking sites, people and organizations.

Based on Utecht's 5 stages of PLN adoption, identify which stage you currently see yourself experiencing and how this impacts on your personal and working lives. Also identify any 'gaps' in your existing PLN (ie. areas which you feel you would like to develop further/in the future).

Personal Learning Network (PLN)

I have never thought about a Personal Learning Network (PLN) before now. Well not formally, anyway. 

As a teacher, before the Web 2.0 age, my personal learning network was more localised, consisting of Head of Department, faculty members, other faculties in nearby schools, University friends and professional associations.

The introduction of Web 2.0 has opened communication lines to a network beyond those known personally. This means there are endless opportunities for linking people and organisations to a PLN. The flow-on effect of social networking can also add to this network exponentially. Once one networking connection is made it is easy to find another by exploring their social network connections. 

Currently, I am experiencing Stage 3 Know it all of Jeff Utecht's Stages of Personal Learning Networks Adoption (Utech, 2008). I feel very overwhelmed with the amount of content the connections are providing me with and it feels that with every connection made and explored another opens up. 

At the start of this subject I was experiencing Utecht's Stage 1 Immersion of PLN adoption . I created connections mainly from blogs and twitter and found that with each connection another connection was made through their collaborations. 

The immersion stage very quickly evolved to the know it all stage. On completion of this course I will endeavour to go back and experience Stage 2 Evaluation and disconnect those connections that are not particularly relevant to me gaining employment next year. I need to focus in on networks that I want to focus my time on (Utecht, 2008) and remove distractions from my PLN. 

The impact of my PLN on my personal and working life is very segmented at the moment. The need to keep connected is hard to manage during the day. I am not currently working and my use of technology in the day is fairly limited unless I have dedicated set time to study. Balancing time between caring for my children, husband's job, studying and staying connected is a juggle.  

Experiencing the know it all stage, while juggling the constraints on my use of technology, leaves me feeling very overwhelmed at staying connected and being inundated with content. The feeling of not wanting to miss out on relevant information and the desire to learn 'everything', also impacts on the personal and work life balance. 

The gap in my PLN is current professional relationships. These connections will take on a more significant later in the year when I engage in finding a job. I will begin this process by reconnecting with previous employers in updating them of my qualifications and the desire to re-enter the workplace. LinkedIn will be my first point of call to make these connections and establish where previous colleagues are currently employed.

Utech, J. (2008, April 3). Stages of PLN adoption [Web Log Post]. Retrieved from http://www.thethinkingstick.com/stages-of-pln-adoption/

Blog feed

When I set up this blog I decided to use blogspot as my platform as I have never used it before. My previous experience of blogging was with wordpress. Since this was a social networking subject, I thought I would explore use of a different blogging platform to which I was familiar. To learn something new.

Each time I blog I feel I become more familiar with the features and functionality of blogspot. I think I still prefer wordpress though.

During the initial setup I listed all the blogs to follow that were recommended in the subject outline. I was then surprised that they did not appear on the blog when I viewed it. I was puzzled as to where they went?!

This week I was exploring adding widgets to the blog view. In particular, I was looking to add a tag cloud for the labels. It was during this process that I discovered how to add the blog feed.

Once I added the blog feed to my blog it was much easier to see the updates to the blogs. The latest update pushed that blog to the top of the list. I really liked the functionality of this feature. I have not yet set up RSS feeds for blogging and I think I prefer the blog feed on the blog as it compartmentalises the content together rather than linking to email.

Tonight, enthusiastic about my discovery of blog feeds and the potential applications of this feature I set out to share my new-found knowledge with my husband. He uses a wordpress blog for his HSC Economics class and is constantly seeking current content to share with his class. I asked him if he follows any economists blogs, suspecting he didn't and I was right. I then showed him how he can add a blog feed to his wordpress site and encourage the students to use it for wider reading as well as alert him to current content. He now just needs to develop a blog list to follow!