I think the greatest barrier to internal collaboration via social software in the workplace is employees not wanting to forfeit the established and comfortable way of doing something. Changing the way things are done in the workplace can be a considerable struggle. Although some would deem the tactic of getting rid of all other alternatives to internal communication and collaboration (i.e. e-mail) authoritarian, as discussed in Enterprise 2.0: Culture is as Culture Does, I think it would certainly make such a barrier null. However, many employees would still be unwilling and uncomfortable in their participation as they would only be participating because they were forced to do so. Unfortunately, I think that this is a possibility no matter what social software is being implemented, no matter how it's implemented, and no matter the constitution of the overarching culture. No matter how open-minded and adventurous the workforce is as a whole there will likely be a dissident in one form or another.
Some might also take issue with their communications seemingly becoming more "public." Perceiving that one's coworkers can see and judge any ill-fated ideas and notions can easily fill one with trepidation. However, having a somewhat inclusive social collaborative resource such as a wiki that is only accessible to those working on a specific project really is not all that different from e-mail threads going back and forth between a select few.
All things considered, though it might be agonizing for some or even all at first it can be assumed that eventually the new way of doing things will soon be the norm and preferred way until something else comes along, of course.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
del.icio.us
The primary tags used in the three resources I selected to start off this exercise were essentially "social media", "tagging", "socialbookmarking" (as one tag as well as two separate tags), "Web 2.0", "enterprise" (also, "enterprise 2.0"), "folksonomy", and "collaboration." I, unfortunately, only used the tags of "bell246" and "Exercise5" and did not feel right going back & adding new tags as I had undoubtedly already been influenced by the tags that others used. Oops.
For the next part of the exercise I selected "tagging" from one of the first three resources &, in doing so, came across a resource about organizing iTunes. I'm relatively unaware of most of the options I have with iTunes so it seemed as good a resource as any & joined my bookmark library.
In browsing through the tags of another user I felt like I was somehow snooping but quickly got over that feeling as the whole point of del.icio.us is to find & bookmark resources that are relevant to my information needs & a good majority of that process involves seeing what others have bookmarked as well as the tags they've used to classify their resources.
I came across a couple of classmates' bookmarks during the exercise & selected a resource about using Microsoft Office & Google Docs together. I use both of these resources yet, just as with iTunes, know that I am largely unaware of all that I can do with these tools so it too joined my ever-increasing collection.
Using popular tags & other peoples' tags to find additional resources clearly enables users to discover many useful & interesting resources that they might have very well otherwise missed. Ridiculous that it is, I personally enjoy seeing how many other users have bookmarked the same resources I've selected & tend to feel somewhat disappointed if my bookmarks lean towards the less popular. As a result of this exercise I've also decided that I'm going to start adding additional tags to the weekly resources I select as up to this point I've only been using the required tags. Time to delve a little deeper into del.icio.us.
For the next part of the exercise I selected "tagging" from one of the first three resources &, in doing so, came across a resource about organizing iTunes. I'm relatively unaware of most of the options I have with iTunes so it seemed as good a resource as any & joined my bookmark library.
In browsing through the tags of another user I felt like I was somehow snooping but quickly got over that feeling as the whole point of del.icio.us is to find & bookmark resources that are relevant to my information needs & a good majority of that process involves seeing what others have bookmarked as well as the tags they've used to classify their resources.
I came across a couple of classmates' bookmarks during the exercise & selected a resource about using Microsoft Office & Google Docs together. I use both of these resources yet, just as with iTunes, know that I am largely unaware of all that I can do with these tools so it too joined my ever-increasing collection.
Using popular tags & other peoples' tags to find additional resources clearly enables users to discover many useful & interesting resources that they might have very well otherwise missed. Ridiculous that it is, I personally enjoy seeing how many other users have bookmarked the same resources I've selected & tend to feel somewhat disappointed if my bookmarks lean towards the less popular. As a result of this exercise I've also decided that I'm going to start adding additional tags to the weekly resources I select as up to this point I've only been using the required tags. Time to delve a little deeper into del.icio.us.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Libary Wikis
Which of the library wiki examples did you consider most effective & why?
Looking over the examples of library wikis in this week's folder, I was quite impressed by the versatility of the wikis. Some were rather simple & obvious in their wiki-ness while others, such as that of The University of South Carolina Aiken Gregg-Graniteville Library, looks like a standard library homepage. In fact, the only notable difference that I could see between the library's wiki & a paid for homepage or OPAC is the subtle note in the left side bar stating that it is powered by PmWiki and that it is the product of free software.
However, I thought the most effective wiki was the Antioch University New England Library Staff Training and Support Wiki. Now, that might very well be due to the fact that I would love to have a similar set-up at my library. In fact, I am downright envious of this library & its fabulous wiki. We've always passed information around by e-mail & word of mouth & I think we would function at a much higher level if we implemented something along these lines. With all of the information regarding a library's operations & procedures available in one place library staff are undoubtedly able to serve their users far better than a library where only certain staff members know the answers to certain questions ever could, regardless of how hardworking & well-meaning the staff.
Looking over the examples of library wikis in this week's folder, I was quite impressed by the versatility of the wikis. Some were rather simple & obvious in their wiki-ness while others, such as that of The University of South Carolina Aiken Gregg-Graniteville Library, looks like a standard library homepage. In fact, the only notable difference that I could see between the library's wiki & a paid for homepage or OPAC is the subtle note in the left side bar stating that it is powered by PmWiki and that it is the product of free software.
However, I thought the most effective wiki was the Antioch University New England Library Staff Training and Support Wiki. Now, that might very well be due to the fact that I would love to have a similar set-up at my library. In fact, I am downright envious of this library & its fabulous wiki. We've always passed information around by e-mail & word of mouth & I think we would function at a much higher level if we implemented something along these lines. With all of the information regarding a library's operations & procedures available in one place library staff are undoubtedly able to serve their users far better than a library where only certain staff members know the answers to certain questions ever could, regardless of how hardworking & well-meaning the staff.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Established in 1895 through the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is still going strong today but is finding itself ever more reliant upon the philanthropy of its community. Today, it has 19 branches located around the greater Pittsburgh area. The library system prides itself on being a leader in the field as well as a prized resource to the city and its residents. One of the library’s many claims to fame is their children’s department as it is widely recognized as the first legitimately established department of its kind in the United States, founded in 1899. In 1979, the system’s Main branch was recognized as a landmark by the National Register of Historic Places. However, the library cannot depend on these distinctions alone to validate its relevance and worth.
The library has quite a visible online presence and appears to be making great strides in terms of reaching out to its user constituents. From the library’s homepage, users can talk to a librarian via text, e-mail, or chat. Those looking for services and resources specifically for children and teens can opt to visit the sites within the overarching site custom-made for these audiences. Additionally, users can follow the library through Facebook and Twitter. However, some of the more remarkable facets of the library’s online self are the wide array of options in terms of blogs and RSS feeds.
There are three blogs offered by the library: Eleventh Stack, the general blog for all audiences, CLP Teensburgh, the blog for young adults, and, last but not least, Story Pockets, the blog tailored especially for children and their parents. In all of these blogs users can find the latest acquisitions, events, and resources, readers’ advisories, and recipes among other topics. Although the breadth of these blogs are indeed impressive the scope of the RSS feeds is much more so. Users can not only subscribe to the above blogs they can also subscribe to library events by location (branch), by region, by event type, and by audience.
The library’s Facebook page boasts 2,500 “likes” and includes posts by library personnel and patrons alike. One of the more recent posts is from a patron asking about HarperCollins’ new ebook license policy; the patron mentions that she has already written a letter voicing her objection and asks what else she can do. Patrons also make purchase suggestions as well as ask questions regarding the how-to’s of library resources. There is also an offshoot of the general library page specifically for teens.
The library’s Twitter account appears to be less active though not stagnant by any means. However, the library follows more than it is followed. Recently, the library created a Twitter account aimed at teens. With only 18 followers since its first tweet on March 4, it was announced that any followers that get at least three friends to follow the account will be rewarded with a giftcard to Target, Barnes & Noble, or local restaurant chain Eat’n Park.
Along with its social networking accounts, blogs, and RSS feeds, the library also utilizes media technologies such as video and audio podcasting. Here, users can listen to the library’s radio spots and watch short videos of teens talking about their relationships with the library as part of Teen Advocacy Day, hosted by the Teen Advocacy Group. It is quite evident that the library is valued by its user constituents and it is equally evident that the library does not take this esteem lightly.
The library’s efforts at marketing testify to the strong relationship it has with its users. In 2010, the library held three sets of community workshops called “Community Conversation”. According to the library’s website more than 1,400 community members participated in these workshops, both in-person and online. Community members were treated as equal stakeholders with as much say in the operations of the library as those with a more official status. In the “Summary of Feedback Received”, it is noted that participants adamantly suggested that similar workshops and forums be held each year.
In the Strategic Plan for the years 2007-2011 it is maintained under the “Partnerships/Collaborations” section that the library will proactively pursue partnerships with other organizations as such partnerships are crucial to building a referral network to help meet customer needs and requests that cannot be fulfilled by the library itself. This plan of action is commendable in that the library admits its shortcomings at the same time as it strengthens its relationship with other stakeholders in the community. As the library refers patrons to other organizations for certain services it can be expected that such referrals will be paid back in kind.
Although the library’s marketing efforts for the most part are well thought out and implemented there are a few glitches. Specifically, the links between the various social networks are inconsistent and largely unnoticeable. While the general library Facebook account provides links to both the library homepage and the Twitter account in the information section there does not appear to be any link to the Facebook account from the library’s Twitter account. However, there is a link directing followers to the library homepage. The same goes for the library’s teen Twitter account as it only links back to the teen site within the overarching library site. While the teen Facebook account provides a link for the teen blog, there is no such link for the Twitter account. When visiting the teen blog teens will likely overlook the library’s attempt at drawing attention to the teen Facebook account as it is very indistinct and makes no mention of “Facebook.” Rather, it is a link in the right-hand sidebar titled, “Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Teen Services.” Only upon selecting the link will any user realize that he or she is being directed to the Facebook profile. The library would likely make more of an impact in these social networks if they provided consistent and discernible links between its various accounts.
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh understands that its community holds the sway in the library-user reciprocal relationship. The library system has gone to great lengths to draw and retain users to both the physical and virtual libraries. At the same time, the library does not seem satisfied with the status quo and, rather, is constantly implementing new ways to market the library’s worth as well as the worth of its users.
The library has quite a visible online presence and appears to be making great strides in terms of reaching out to its user constituents. From the library’s homepage, users can talk to a librarian via text, e-mail, or chat. Those looking for services and resources specifically for children and teens can opt to visit the sites within the overarching site custom-made for these audiences. Additionally, users can follow the library through Facebook and Twitter. However, some of the more remarkable facets of the library’s online self are the wide array of options in terms of blogs and RSS feeds.
There are three blogs offered by the library: Eleventh Stack, the general blog for all audiences, CLP Teensburgh, the blog for young adults, and, last but not least, Story Pockets, the blog tailored especially for children and their parents. In all of these blogs users can find the latest acquisitions, events, and resources, readers’ advisories, and recipes among other topics. Although the breadth of these blogs are indeed impressive the scope of the RSS feeds is much more so. Users can not only subscribe to the above blogs they can also subscribe to library events by location (branch), by region, by event type, and by audience.
The library’s Facebook page boasts 2,500 “likes” and includes posts by library personnel and patrons alike. One of the more recent posts is from a patron asking about HarperCollins’ new ebook license policy; the patron mentions that she has already written a letter voicing her objection and asks what else she can do. Patrons also make purchase suggestions as well as ask questions regarding the how-to’s of library resources. There is also an offshoot of the general library page specifically for teens.
The library’s Twitter account appears to be less active though not stagnant by any means. However, the library follows more than it is followed. Recently, the library created a Twitter account aimed at teens. With only 18 followers since its first tweet on March 4, it was announced that any followers that get at least three friends to follow the account will be rewarded with a giftcard to Target, Barnes & Noble, or local restaurant chain Eat’n Park.
Along with its social networking accounts, blogs, and RSS feeds, the library also utilizes media technologies such as video and audio podcasting. Here, users can listen to the library’s radio spots and watch short videos of teens talking about their relationships with the library as part of Teen Advocacy Day, hosted by the Teen Advocacy Group. It is quite evident that the library is valued by its user constituents and it is equally evident that the library does not take this esteem lightly.
The library’s efforts at marketing testify to the strong relationship it has with its users. In 2010, the library held three sets of community workshops called “Community Conversation”. According to the library’s website more than 1,400 community members participated in these workshops, both in-person and online. Community members were treated as equal stakeholders with as much say in the operations of the library as those with a more official status. In the “Summary of Feedback Received”, it is noted that participants adamantly suggested that similar workshops and forums be held each year.
In the Strategic Plan for the years 2007-2011 it is maintained under the “Partnerships/Collaborations” section that the library will proactively pursue partnerships with other organizations as such partnerships are crucial to building a referral network to help meet customer needs and requests that cannot be fulfilled by the library itself. This plan of action is commendable in that the library admits its shortcomings at the same time as it strengthens its relationship with other stakeholders in the community. As the library refers patrons to other organizations for certain services it can be expected that such referrals will be paid back in kind.
Although the library’s marketing efforts for the most part are well thought out and implemented there are a few glitches. Specifically, the links between the various social networks are inconsistent and largely unnoticeable. While the general library Facebook account provides links to both the library homepage and the Twitter account in the information section there does not appear to be any link to the Facebook account from the library’s Twitter account. However, there is a link directing followers to the library homepage. The same goes for the library’s teen Twitter account as it only links back to the teen site within the overarching library site. While the teen Facebook account provides a link for the teen blog, there is no such link for the Twitter account. When visiting the teen blog teens will likely overlook the library’s attempt at drawing attention to the teen Facebook account as it is very indistinct and makes no mention of “Facebook.” Rather, it is a link in the right-hand sidebar titled, “Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Teen Services.” Only upon selecting the link will any user realize that he or she is being directed to the Facebook profile. The library would likely make more of an impact in these social networks if they provided consistent and discernible links between its various accounts.
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh understands that its community holds the sway in the library-user reciprocal relationship. The library system has gone to great lengths to draw and retain users to both the physical and virtual libraries. At the same time, the library does not seem satisfied with the status quo and, rather, is constantly implementing new ways to market the library’s worth as well as the worth of its users.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
"The Facebook"
What do you think of libraries proactively reaching out to students in online spaces?
I do not think there is really a clear-cut answer to this question. While I think libraries should absolutely make an effort to go where their patrons are I think that libraries making first contact could be off-putting to many patrons. Yet, merely creating a Facebook page for the organization runs the risk of only drawing the attention of those patrons that are already aware of a library's goings-on essentially defeating the purpose of reaching out to those that do not yet know what their local library can offer. Nonetheless, contacting individuals directly could be a real hit or miss.
Upon being contacted by a librarian some patrons will surely be appreciative and will feel that the library is invested in their interests and needs and will conversely become more invested in the library. However, other patrons will likely feel that some sort of boundary has been crossed. Throughout my SLIS studies I have read countless articles discussing patrons' perceptions of librarians. Much of the literature argues that librarians are often viewed as figures of authority with a penchant for discipline. Working in the Circulation department and interacting with patrons on a daily basis I can definitely confirm that, unfortunately, this is often the case. Working in Public Services has taught me many a thing about customer/user service and I am grateful for it but the experience of being the "bad guy" of the library has definitely also had a sour effect on me. Patrons coming away from the library with a similar sour feeling might not be thrilled at being contacted outside of the library, by the library. On the other hand, the extra effort might make a positive impression that will negate any previous unfavorable experiences.
All in all, I think that libraries should go ahead and make first contact through Facebook or a similar social network but should recognize that such an action could likely alienate some individuals while others will eagerly take advantage of this new channel of communication.
I do not think there is really a clear-cut answer to this question. While I think libraries should absolutely make an effort to go where their patrons are I think that libraries making first contact could be off-putting to many patrons. Yet, merely creating a Facebook page for the organization runs the risk of only drawing the attention of those patrons that are already aware of a library's goings-on essentially defeating the purpose of reaching out to those that do not yet know what their local library can offer. Nonetheless, contacting individuals directly could be a real hit or miss.
Upon being contacted by a librarian some patrons will surely be appreciative and will feel that the library is invested in their interests and needs and will conversely become more invested in the library. However, other patrons will likely feel that some sort of boundary has been crossed. Throughout my SLIS studies I have read countless articles discussing patrons' perceptions of librarians. Much of the literature argues that librarians are often viewed as figures of authority with a penchant for discipline. Working in the Circulation department and interacting with patrons on a daily basis I can definitely confirm that, unfortunately, this is often the case. Working in Public Services has taught me many a thing about customer/user service and I am grateful for it but the experience of being the "bad guy" of the library has definitely also had a sour effect on me. Patrons coming away from the library with a similar sour feeling might not be thrilled at being contacted outside of the library, by the library. On the other hand, the extra effort might make a positive impression that will negate any previous unfavorable experiences.
All in all, I think that libraries should go ahead and make first contact through Facebook or a similar social network but should recognize that such an action could likely alienate some individuals while others will eagerly take advantage of this new channel of communication.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Reflections: Twitter
Delving into the world of Twitter has definitely been interesting. Although it's touted as being rather low-tech and accessible I found it somewhat difficult to figure out how to do what was needed to fulfill this week's requirements. All I can say is thank goodness for the course discussion board where my fellow classmates walked some of us through the steps of adding a hashtag to a retweet. :) That was pretty frustrating for me. I retweeted, deleted the retweet, retweeted again, deleted again, and so on before I finally was able to do it correctly.
I also struggled with the 140 character limit. It took me forever to respond to a tweet from someone outside of the class because I could not for the life of me get my tweet within the limit. What can I say, I'm quite verbose and my initial experience with Twitter has convinced me that I need to work on this point. Tweeting should not be so difficult. I was putting way too much thought into my tweeting and it was stressing me out.
I also think the emphasis on followers as well as the requirement of following several individuals outside of the class was intimidating to me. While we all follow each others' blogs I feel like it's different with Twitter. I feel more vulnerable and out there then I do with my blog posts.
I also struggled with the 140 character limit. It took me forever to respond to a tweet from someone outside of the class because I could not for the life of me get my tweet within the limit. What can I say, I'm quite verbose and my initial experience with Twitter has convinced me that I need to work on this point. Tweeting should not be so difficult. I was putting way too much thought into my tweeting and it was stressing me out.
I also think the emphasis on followers as well as the requirement of following several individuals outside of the class was intimidating to me. While we all follow each others' blogs I feel like it's different with Twitter. I feel more vulnerable and out there then I do with my blog posts.
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