Mashups

Not quite sure if I completely understand this application - but I did have fun on Big Huge Labs.

Podcasts

I am beginning to learn that all this technology is dependant on the user having a great internet connection - the podcasts took a long time to download onto my computer - a bit frustrating. I like the idea of using podcasts to introduce new books and services to the library. But then again would I have the time to create them ??? For the beginning it may be the option of choosing one application of Web 2.0 and roll with that for a while. So many choices........

Social searching

Rating items and services in the library - sounds like customer feedback! We have not been all that successful in formal lines of customer feedback - though we are now beginning that process. These may be added to the list of arsenal of surveys that libraries use as this media becomes the normal way of communication. Customers can begin to feel that they can contribute to the library community as they do within their own social network.

ARROW discovery service - new interface

ARROW discovery service - new interface

Just completed the lesson on social networking and then checked my Bloglines feeds and discovered this - a network search using tag clouds.
This seems to be becoming more popular in searching. Amazing how some things fall into place!
Our library catalogue displays previous searches as tag clouds.
People using their own langugae to tag things instead of using American subject headings - does have it advantages in libraries.
This may be the way of catalogues of the future - it will be interesting to see how it all develops.

The You Tube experience

I can see why this is such a popular medium and what potential it has. By searching libraries it is very obvious that it is being used widely already. Maybe what we need is a public libraries section where we can share videos. Covering topics as What is Dewey, how to look up an OPAC, what services are available, maybe even storytelling sessions - these would be such great promotional tools.

This is a favourite of mine. Is this a person's typical experience of a libray? Where were the library staff? Enjoy.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=efYZRUsVK5U

Another joke book catalogued

From; A joke a day.

Why couldn't the butterfly go to the dance?
It was a mothball.

Why did the lion lose at poker?
Because he was playing a cheetah.

Week of Wiki

After a short Easter break I am back to it.
Wikis have great potential - they seem to be better presented than blogs and are able to connect readers a lot better. Being able to easily link items within the wiki and outside would mean that a lot of information can be contained in a wiki. A blog is more or less written by one person and it is up to that person to maintain whereas a wiki is set up more colabrative and encourages people to be involved in the exercise.
I loved the Book lovers wiki with links back into the catalogue.
I can see a need for a staff wiki, where communication has been a problem in the past, where all relevant information e.g. donation offers, branch visit calendar, programs and promotions can be in the one spot. I feel this is something I will have to delve into much more.