Think Darwin

The article Mashups and Wikis and blogs…oh My by Bruce Dearstyne introduced the characteristics and traits of Web 2.0 technologies. I discovered that some of the challenges in information storage and integrity mentioned by Dearstyne in 2007 are still issues today.  I appreciated reading about toolmakers, gathers, and entertainers. I believe more types of online collaborative communities may be blending their tools together to be more that just one particular type of collaboration. I chose to read about more Web 2.0 topics on Charlene Li’s blog. I viewed her recent slideshow presentation, Hot or Not: Disruptive Technologies To Watch in 2011. Part 1: The Framework. In this posting Li gave an overview of the top disruptive technologies to watch at the SFAMA monthly meeting. This post reminds me of what we all face today. Since everything is developing so quickly how do we choose what we should focus on? How do you select the tool that will be the most valuable to you with so many creations up for grabs? It was amazing to read through her list of tech predictions for 2011.  Compiled from different resources, these included marketing trends for small business, the Internet, marketing blogs and social media. It is all quite overwhelming. Charlene Li’s presentation revealed a framework that looks at three major drivers in which businesses could use in to focus their priorities. These drivers are described as user experience, business model and ecosystem value. When thinking about user experience, businesses must ask if the technology passes the “no manual needed” test and if it effectively connects people in new ways. The business model simply encourages businesses to ask if these new technologies can make or save money. Lastly, the ecosystem value is determined by a shift in power or a change in the flow of value.  Li’s presentation introduces the hot disruptive technologies of Likenomics, New ways to sell, next generation search, Big Data, Enterprise social networking, game-ification, extending print, Curation, Hashtag Chat, Quora- quality Q&A, DIY and Co-creation. She included a wonderful quote at the end of her presentation that I felt was fitting for our relationship with Web 2.0.

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change- Charles Darwin

 

Teens create FACE for Privacy

One of the most interesting aspects I found when watching Danah Boyd’s video on Embracing a Culture of Connectivity was hearing how young adults are redefining our ideas of social privacy. Boyd shared a quote from a young teen who said “I think privacy is more just you choosing what you want to keep private about yourself“. This teen also goes on to state that she believes Facebook lets individuals define their privacy. These young people are growing up in an environment which is openly accessible at all times by other people. Facebook has become their version of  what was a memory or scrapbook for us. I decided to dig a bit deeper into Danah Boyd’s blog and read “Social Privacy in Networked Publics: Teens’ Attitudes, Practices, and Strategies”. It is unfinished, but reveals an interesting teen’s eye view to privacy within social networks.

Musings on the Networked Library

Networked Library- Talk by Lee Rainie, Pew Research Center & American Life Project, published may 6, 2011.

There are a handful of musings that I uncovered when I watched this video. Lee Rainie sheds lights onto the different kinds of communities are that have been created from new social media. Social media can be used as a tool to connect similar groups together for support, political gains, or just to share interests, but I had never heard about the “Fifth Estate of content contributors”. Rainie shares an interesting observation about the content contributions of the Fifth Estate- bloggers, creators of YouTube videos, and social networkers. This type of information created by the Fifth Estate brings media to a more “common” level, but doesn’t necessarily follow any guidelines.  Creations from the Fifth Estate are more personal and partisan than information created by the Fourth Estate. I think that some individuals do not realize the blurring of information created by these two groups since members of the Fourth Estate are also maintaining blogs, twitter feeds, and creating videos for the public. Some bigger surprises occurred when Rainie reported that largest group of social networkers aren’t teens, but the population group over the age of 50. I must now comment that my mother-in-law (age 65) owns the new iPad and uses a Droid Smartphone. As Rainie briefly mentions, it does spice up the family dynamic when grandma gets in trouble for texting at the dinner table. Towards the end of his Internet/Broadband section of the presentation, Rainie comments about what types of opportunities libraries have to help others. Libraries can continue to provide technology resources, share skills and continue to educate the public about the quality of information online and how to use it effectively. Rainie reported that 57% of the population connects to the Internet wirelessly; I thought that number was lower than what I had expected. Despite how popular Smartphones are, it is clear that not everyone is using them. In the mist of stating his five practical questions for Librarians to ponder, I believe Rainie made his most profound statement about networking and Libraries. Someone that is engaged with the Library by using networks is ultimately more important than someone that is just aware of the Library.

Rainie’s 5 Practical Questions for Librarians to Ponder:

What’s the franchise vs. Commodity?

What’s the social networking play?

What’s the mobile play?

What’s the definition of success that is based on outcomes NOT outputs? How do we measure it?

Library 2.0 and Web 2.O and Other 2.0s- Oh, MY!

The Terrible Twos: Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and More

Greg R. Notess. Online: May/June 2006

I was a bit concerned about May/June 2006 publication date of this article, but I do think that it still summarizes the “2.0” catch phrase effectively. Though there are arguments about what the 2.0 concepts actually mean, we cannot disagree with the type of interactive techniques and sites that have been developing on the web or in the library. One of the most interesting revelations for me occurred when I read the examples given for interactive Web 2.0 sites. When the article mentioned the bookmarking site del.icio.us, I thought of several other sites ( StumbleUpon, reddit, and Digg) that have been created to do the same job but in different ways.  Web users have far more choices on the types of techniques they prefer. We are now accustomed to being able to creatively use Web techniques and to interactively share information in many ways.  The title, “The Terrible Twos” suggests that the term 2.0 will have a successor. The next stage, 3.0 should offer users more opportunities to refine their choices and information content.

 

Library 2.0: Revolution or Evolution?

Tom Kwanya, Christine Stilwell, and Peter G. Underwood. South African Journal for Library and Information Science 2009, 75 (1)

I am personally conflicted about what Library 2.0 represents. This article brings to light many of my own reservations about our profession. I believe Library 2.0 to be more of an evolutionary change in a sense that libraries have always been providing services. The ways in which these services are delivered has evolved with more technological advancements, but libraries and librarians still maintain and share information. However, I do think that the term “librarian” does not give our profession the justice it deserves today. The revolutionary in me declares it outdated. Our abilities and skills exist beyond just books or the walls of a building. Although I find the title” Librarian” enduring at times, most of the general public has a preconceived notion of what we do and it’s not online, nor does it require a degree. “Cybrarian” is an interesting development, but it is still not my favorite description of our profession. Information Specialist is a savvy title, but it sounds too technical sometimes. Libraries will continue moving beyond print and will need to keep engaging their communities in different ways.  We will find greater security and respect by providing our users with more information and digital literacy skills. Library 2.0 does represents yet another change that “Librarians” will adapt to.

A Bit on Journalism and Social Media

Experts Weigh Pros and Cons of Social Media &  New Media, Old Media

Both of these articles share some interesting aspects of how social media has changed our relationship with journalists and the news. Because the news is offered on so many social platforms, we have the ability to choose our preferred method of intake. Journalists can reach broader audiences and interact with them by reporting from different social platforms. We can follow particular journalists or events on Twitter in real-time.  There are some downsides to social media in the news. How does the public distinguish what is good journalism and what is false when everyone is a reporter? Experts Weigh Pros and Cons of Social Media, Terri Thorton suggests promoting Journalistic literacy programs. I wonder if Librarians teaching Information literacy include some journalism literacy in their programs? Social media platforms enable users to stay connected, but it also gives individuals the ability to choose the type of news they are interested in if they are interested at all. What do we do when more Americans know the Simpsons than the Constitution? That’s another post I’m afraid.

New Media, Old Media compares the types of news topics covered on Twitter, Blogs, YouTube and Traditional Press. The reports show that different social media platforms report different types of news with different agendas. I was not surprised to read about the distinguishing characteristics of each social platform. I suspect that most people have a preference for a particular social media tool as well as the type of news that would like to follow. Overall, I think social media tools add to own my news experience. We have seen recently how powerful Twitter can be when used in other countries . If using different social media platforms helps other individuals become more engaged and informed about the news then I am all for it.

No. No. No. Why? Because it’s easier.

These are some of the statements I heard this week as I was making my weekly library rounds in the area:

Can I renew this book more than twice? No. Can my daughter and her tutor meet here afterschool? No. Do you have any books on botanical art? No. I don’t have a card at this library; can I check my email quickly? No.

Librarians as a whole are considered a very cautious group. We think before we leap just like we narrow down topics before we search. It’s all about planning and preparing, right? Although, I live in a small town in New Hampshire I tend to visit multiple libraries- sometimes weekly. Most of the libraries I visit can easily satisfy my book lust, but only a few truly provide great service to me (the wannabe Librarian). Why? Many of them are just boggled down in the business of saying no.

In response to the statements I heard this week, I believe the patrons thought:

“I knew I should have just bought this at the bookstore.”

“ Well, I guess the tutoring center works best anyway.”

“ This place is useless where’s my tax money going?”

“ Guess I shouldn’t go into other libraries. They really only like people in their community.”

I am not saying we should not have rules in the library, but in this day and age our customer service must be included as one of our main attributes. It’s hard to say yes, but now there are many more alternatives to libraries and people ready to use them. Just say yes. We should realize the true importance and power it has with our patrons.

P.S. One patron did leave happy. On the sly, I  showed her a link to an Art History Research guide created by the UNH Library and a link to NYPL’s Digital Botanical Art Collection.

“You see, I don’t believe that libraries should be drab places where people sit in silence, that has been the main reason for our policy of employing wild animals as librarians.”
— Graham Chapman

What’s in a Name?

It only took me a couple of hours to sign up with WordPress, watch a couple of instructional videos and find my way around the “dashboard” effectively enough to create a version of my unpublished blog. However, I was distraught over what I should name my blog. ( Yes, I tend to overdo things.) It’s just a name, but names are huge in marketing. The right name would give my blog direction, keep me passionate and most importantly, it could motivate other people.

Should it be serious? Fun? Collective? Traditional? Trendy? Naturally, I began with a list of words describing libraries, books, and the digital web. I then decided my blog name should also describe me. What type of Librarian am I? This is where it gets really interesting. Do you know how many types of Librarians are blogging out here?  Chatty, Shifted, Annoyed, Barefoot, Wicked, Chic, Cool, Unquiet, Lace Lov’in, and Alaskan to name a few. Just check Technorati. There are some great Librarians out in cyberspace sharing ideas, stories and resources with purpose.

Ultimately, my quest for the perfect blog name to describe myself as a Librarian never really ended. I decided that the two pages of adjectives I had written down described me perfectly. It was just too long.

The First Post is the Hardest, Right?

Thanks for checking out my first blog. I am looking forward to experiencing many more Social Networking and Library 2.0 adventures in the near future.