sustainable web 2.0 services for small and underfunded libraries sarah houghton-jan, ma, mslis...
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Sustainable Web 2.0 Services Sustainable Web 2.0 Services for Small and Underfunded Librariesfor Small and Underfunded Libraries
Sarah Houghton-Jan, MA, MSLISDigital Futures Manager, San José Public Library
Author of LibrarianInBlack.net
Let's start with some questions.
Why is it important to focus on online services and
resources?
No...really. Why?
Library Users TodayLibrary Users Today
brick and mortar library users
digital library users
POWER USERS
This group is growing dramatically.
This group is growing slowly.
Library Users TomorrowLibrary Users Tomorrow
brick and mortar library users
digital library users
POWER USERS
Angry Robot courtesy of www.bohdate.com/angryrobot
Digital Library User ActivityDigital Library User Activity
Library System #1 (150,000 residents)
Library System #2 (350,000 residents)
Website visits 5.6 6.3
Database usage 0.7 0.4
eBooks usage 0.2 0.3
Virtual Reference usage
0.01 0.01
Annual per capita usage for 2006 at two California public library systems
Sarah's 15 Steps to a Sarah's 15 Steps to a
Better Web PresenceBetter Web Presence(that almost every library can do)(that almost every library can do)
Planning for New Web Planning for New Web ServicesServices
#1: Advocate to Your Leadership#1: Advocate to Your Leadership
Why is the eBranch important?Why is the eBranch important?
The eBranch is the library's most public face
Libraries are digital centers in our
communities
A library without a substantial digital face
positions itself for future lack of support
Why does the eBranch rock?Why does the eBranch rock?
eBranch can be open 24/7, and for all users.
eBranch is c-h-e-a-p Minimal staffing Rent and maintenance vs. web hosting Cheaper materials (+ no processing/shelving) Almost limitless free services to use Highest return on investment in use vs. dollars
#2: A (Wo)Man, A Plan, #2: A (Wo)Man, A Plan, a...Library?a...Library?
Duo of Successful Library Tech Planning:
1) Technology Hierarchy of Needs
2) Formal 3-Year Technology Plan
Technology Hierarchy of Needs
Successful Technology PlansSuccessful Technology Plans
Ask, ask, ask.
Survey users and staff.
Follow your Hierarchy of Needs.
Plan no more than 3 years out.
#3: How to Implement New Tech#3: How to Implement New Tech
Everything can be a pilot!
Appoint project manager who...
...creates a project plan.
Extensive staff training.
Constant communication.
Tech Project Plans are Easy...Tech Project Plans are Easy...
Time and Money Completion Date (start date Sept. 15)
Research 10 hours, $0 September 22
Committee review 20 hours, $0 October 6
Software installation 10 hours, $35 October 13
Staff training 40 hours, $0 November 3
Can get more explicit on costs for staff time, breaking items down further.
Web Services Web Services
to Start Withto Start With
#4: Talk #4: Talk withwith your customers your customers
Instant messaging MeeboMe Widget Trillian Astra Widget Text messaging Voice Over IP (VOIP) Video Chat
Answering any and all questions...Answering any and all questions...
Photo by (Tres): http://flickr.com/photos/estarsid/842914707/
UNLV's IM ServiceUNLV's IM Service
MeeboMe WidgetMeeboMe Widget
Take Meebo a Step FurtherTake Meebo a Step Further
Screenshot courtesy of David Lee King, Topeka Shawnee County Public Library:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidking/2076505032/sizes/o/
Southeastern Louisiana University Southeastern Louisiana University Text Messaging Reference ProgramText Messaging Reference Program
#5 Offer Tools and Mash Ups#5 Offer Tools and Mash Ups
People are mashing up your library's content. Be Aware.
Library ELF: Library account tracking and alerts via e-mail & RSS
Library LookUp: click on this bookmarklet when on a webpage with an ISBN to look up item in the catalog
LibX Toolbar: Direct access in web browser to catalog and more (other toolbars too)
Library Elf
#6: Make Dynamic Lists #6: Make Dynamic Lists
So long to the .DOC book lists! Use blogs or wikis Recommended movies, music, & books Encourage full staff participation Use an entry template, tags, categories Welcome customer comments
#7: Give Your Library a Face#7: Give Your Library a Face
FlickrFlickr and other photo sharing sites show what the library is really about
library's interior and exterior (photo tour) staff customers new services and resources anything you can think of!
Decatur Public LibraryDecatur Public Library
Oomph your photos...Oomph your photos...
Flickr' Do More with Your Photos page Flickr Badges and Slideshows Moo: calling cards, sticker books, note cards, etc. HP: posters, books, photo cubes Qoop: calendars, keychains, back-up discs Zazzle: shirts, bags, mousepads, mugs, etc. Imagekind: print photos on canvas
Nashville Public Library's Teen Nashville Public Library's Teen WebWeb
#8: Provide audio content#8: Provide audio content
Podcasting = people who can talk and/or sing +
digital microphone (free) +
Audacity (free) +
a Blogger blog (free)
Everyzing ($): turns audio and video files into text
Odiogo (free): turns text into audio files, create a “listen” button for blogs
Some ideas for podcastsSome ideas for podcasts
University of Sheffield audio library tours WSU database and catalog searching tutorials Thomas Ford Memorial Library teen book revie
ws Pierce County Library staff book reviews Worthington Library kids songs and rhymes Cornell University Library recorded events
#9: Provide video content #9: Provide video content
Videocasting = people who aren't camera-shy +
digital video camera ($100+) +
Avidemux editing software (free) +
a Blogger blog (free)
5.2 MP Samsonic for $128
@ NuLime.com
Some ideas for videocastsSome ideas for videocasts
Manchester Public Library teen book reviews DOK Library community events reports Worthington Libraries classes and events Curtin University Library classes and lectures
#10: Exploit the blog as a format#10: Exploit the blog as a format Don’t call it a blog Encourage comments! Reuse content across blogs, social
networks Repeat important posts over time WordPress and Blogger
Free Easy Feature-rich
Examples of Good BlogsExamples of Good Blogs
St. Joseph County Public Library Game Blog: www.libraryforlife.org/gameblog/
Framingham Public Library Teen Blogomatic: fplya.blogspot.com/
Providence Public Library Computer Class Blog: provlibcomputerclass.blogspot.com/
Western Springs History: www.westernspringshistory.org
What about those URLs?
#11: Help your catalog (it needs #11: Help your catalog (it needs it)it)
Open source options: Koha Evergreen Scriblio LibraryFind (metasearch)
Can’t change ILS? Consider an overlay: AquaBrowser ($) Endeca ($) LibraryThing for Libraries (little $) VuFind (open source, free) WorldCat Local ($)
AquaBrowserAquaBrowser
LibraryThing for LibrariesLibraryThing for Libraries
Hennepin County LibraryHennepin County Library
#12: Be present in social #12: Be present in social networksnetworks
Be present Be real Be reliable and continuously new
$10 = 5000 Facebook Flyers to targeted
audiences
Facebook Flyer image by Stanislav Orlav: http://www.cla.ca/divisions/cacul/regenerations/2008/01/libraries-on-facebook-should-we-or.html
Mount Saint Vincent University Library
Tutt LibraryFacebook Flyer image by Steve Lawson:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuttlibrary/1546577200
#13: Tap EngagedPatrons.org#13: Tap EngagedPatrons.orgFree and low-cost Web 2.0 services for librariesrun by Glenn Peterson (Hennepin County Library)
Library Events Calendar with online registration Library blogs Google Maps mashup for library locations Library contact form RSS feeds Custom web-enable databases
OK Miss Fancy Pants, OK Miss Fancy Pants, Then What?Then What?
#14: Keep everything current#14: Keep everything current
www.flickr.com/photos/ogman/252251866/
#15: Re-evaluation#15: Re-evaluation
Survey users and staff 6 months into the pilot How much staff time is being used? How much is the service being accessed? Has adequate marketing been done yet? What would you change? Other issues? Choose to continue, discontinue, or extend the
pilot for another brief period.
and #15 (2.0): CELEBRATE!and #15 (2.0): CELEBRATE!
Photos by Homer Township Library: http://flickr.com/photos/homerlibrary/433104519/ and http://flickr.com/photos/homerlibrary/433102240/in/photostream/
Thank you!Thank you!
Sarah Houghton-JanEmail: [email protected]
IM: LibrarianInBlack
Web: LibrarianInBlack.net