Article Review 4 "Using blogs and wikis to communicate with library clients"

Can you summarise in 600 words the lessons, and their importance, that the authors offer in relation to introducing emerging tools such as blogs and wikis in the library environment.


In this article Kate Watson and Chelsea Harper aim to provide information for library services on how they can successfully use the technologies of blogs and wikis to communicate with their users. Rather than focus on what these technologies can be used for this article focuses on developing and managing these technologies. It is valuable to talk about this aspect of using these technologies to give an idea of how to best use these technologies.

The authors tell us that while it is easy to start using a blog or wiki to communicate with your users, it should be done only after a lot of planning has taken place to allow it to become a successful part of your service. It is important to plan and test any of these technologies internally before allowing them to be used publically (Watson & Harper 2006). Helling (2006) agrees with this and tells us of the importance of researching what is currently being done in other places and using their experiences to better your own service.

Use of these technologies needs to be managed properly. To do this it is important to have a clear mission. A strategic plan should be set up that is complete with policies relating to the use and content of the technology, these policies need to be publically available. Policies are used to control the content, maximise compliance and reduce liability. Create a management team and ensure that all employees are trained on the policies and guidelines (Watson & Harper, 2006). This is good advice as having clear policies and guidelines available ensure that all staff are aware of the proper use of the technologies.


It is important to ensure that content on these technologies is updated regularly. The authors tell us that blogs or wikis that are not updated on a regular basis question how important the use of that particular technology is to the organisation that is hosting it (Watson & Harper, 2006). It is important to update the information regularly so that your users are not seeing out of date information.

Blogs give users the ability to leave comments; this process can help with communication between users and staff. This means that there needs to be a willingness from staff to respond to comments left or remove comments if they are not appropriate (Watson & Harper, 2006). One way to ensure that these technologies can be kept updated and comments responded to is to make sure sufficient staff time is allocated, this could be something that is addressed at the planning stage and included in policies.

While this article looked at issues that have been left out of other articles in relation to this topic, there is not really much detail given as to what blogs and wikis are, there is assumed knowledge that the reader will already know about them.

In this article the authors discuss the need for policies and guidelines in relation to adding content to these technologies. They also discuss the need for staff members to be willing to remove inappropriate posts from blogs (Watson & Harper, 2006). However it is not mentioned that entries on a Wiki can be edited by anyone. With wikis anyone can add new pages, edit existing pages or even delete them. There is a need for saved copies of pages to be kept to allow for recovery of pages should it be needed (Kajewski, 2006). In my opinion this would have been useful information for those who are not currently familiar with the technology.

Overall this is a useful article giving advice on how to go about planning to implement these technologies into your library service. However some areas such as telling the reader what blogs and wikis could have had more detail given.

Reference List

Helling, B. (2006). New library, new technologies, new services. Retrieved September 5, 2008
from Crawfordsville District Public Library Web site:
http://www.cdpl.lib.in.us/CIL2006/cil2006helling-text.html

Kajewski, M. A. (2006). Emerging technologies changing our service delivery models [Electronic
version]. The electronic library, 25(4), 420-429.

Watson, K., & Harper, C. (2006). Using blogs and wikis to communicate with library clients.
inCite, December, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2008, from
http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/incite/2006/12/print.html?ID=138

Article review 3 "Emerging technologies changing our service delivery models"

"The article explores how Low cost (even free!) technologies can be implemented by libraries to enhance services. In a posting of about 600 words can you briefly describe some of these emerging technologies,(try to provide some examples) "

In this article written in 2006 Mary Ann Kajewski looks at new technologies, and how they can be implemented into library services. Details of these technologies are provided along with links to library services already making use of these technologies.

It is important to discuss the technologies included in this article as it provides a way of getting information about these technologies out to library staff that otherwise may not be aware of them, may not know where to find them, or, how to best make use of them.

The article looks at a number of the different technologies available including blogs, wikis, RSS news feeds, podcasts and instant messaging. Use of these technologies allows library users access to the information they want, whenever they want it (Kajewski, 2006).

The first technology to be discussed is Blogs. Blog posts are able to be created either by one person or a group of people. Blogs can be used to promote the services and events offered by libraries. They can be used to inform users of change to services. Use of blogs can also allow users to post book reviews, and may also be a way of hosting online book discussions (Kajewski, 2006). The use of Blogs for online book discussions may be a way for users who are home bound to be able to join in and feel a sense of inclusion through an online community.

The next technology looked at is Wiki. Wikis are a shared space for combined content contribution and editing. It is important to keep in mind when using Wikis that information contained, can be edited or deleted at any time by another user. Any one is able to create new pages, or change the content on existing pages (Kajewski, 2006).

RSS feeds allow users to receive content from sources such as news organisations, blogs, or other web pages where content is regularly updated. RSS feeds can allow library users to be kept up to date with the happenings at your library without them needing to access your library website. RSS feeds could be used as promotional tools for upcoming events (Kajewski, 2006). In his article “New library, new technologies, new services” Helling (2006) tells us of the way the Crawfordsville District Public Library have combined blogging and RSS feeds to better promote the services of the library to their community.

Podcast technology is audio programs available over the internet, which allow users to download content and listen to it at their convenience. Libraries can make use of podcasts by using them as training tools, podcasting author talks is another idea, or having library tours available as podcasts (Kajewski, 2006).

Helling (2006) tells us of the new technologies embraced by the Crawfordsville District Public Library. This article tells us the use of the technology, and provides valuable details such as problems encountered, the benefits of, and the strategies for implementation. This library uses a number of technologies discussed in the Kajewski (2006) article including Blogs, RSS feeds and instant messaging.

The author provides a good general overview of a number of new technologies that libraries may benefit from. Examples are provided that give ideas as to how these technologies may be useful to library services, and provides examples of libraries already using these services. This allows the reader to see how this technology is already being utilised.

In some areas the details of what the technology is, and how it works, or how it may be useful to libraries are brief. This does not give the reader much information to assist them when making decisions as to the usefulness of theses technologies. The article does not seem to identify issues that may cause problems with these technologies, while it is good to show the positives of the technologies, it would have been good to see what some of the possible issues are.

Reference List

Helling, B. (2006). New library, new technologies, new services. Retrieved September 5, 2008
from Crawfordsville District Public Library Web site:
http://www.cdpl.lib.in.us/CIL2006/cil2006helling-text.html


Kajewski, M. A. (2006). Emerging technologies changing our service delivery models [Electronic Version]. The electronic library, 25(4), 420-429.

Article Review 2 "Library 2.0: Service for the next generation library"

"The paper discusses how Web 2.0 type ideas and technologies might be applied within libraries. In a posting of about 600 words outline some of the elements of the model that the authors describe as Library 2.0 (focus on the model rather than the technologies). "

In this article published in the Library Journal in 2006, the authors discuss how libraries can change the way they do things to make use of some of the technologies and principles of Web 2.0. This article does not simply focus on new technologies but also other ways that these principles can be applied to continue to better the services libraries provide. In this article the authors talk about the Library 2.0 model. As Web 2.0 technologies continue to develop, and increase in popularity it is important for them to be discussed in relation to libraries and the ways they can be used to provide up to date and relevant services to their users.

The Library 2.0 model is described as a model for libraries that invites input from it’s users in the creation of services they require in a virtual sense, as well as physical services that the library offers. Through this model libraries attempt to reach new users, and increase the services already provided to current users (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006). Maness (2006) however, in the article ‘Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and its implications for libraries’ believes that the term Library 2.0 should focus on the technology area, rather than combining this area, and the physical services provided by libraries into the term.

Casey & Savastinuk (2006) state that while Web 2.0 technologies can assist libraries in creating a Library 2.0 environment, they are not vital. They tells us that any service be it physical or virtual which reaches customers successfully, is evaluated regularly and uses customer input is a Library 2.0 service. Maness (2006), on the other hand believes that the term Library 2.0 should be limited to include just web-based services.

Casey & Savastinuk (2006) include the following elements as part of the Library 2.0 model, user centred change, regular evaluation of services, and reaching new users while better serving current users. Once again however, Maness (2006) focuses more on the technology side of things when he lists his four essential elements for Library 2.0 which are user centred, provision of a multi-media experience, socially rich and communally innovative. It is interesting to see how the ideas of the authors of these two articles differ.

User participation is a main part of the Library 2.0 model. Users are able to participate in the services that libraries provide. Through user participation people will be able to tailor the services provided to best meet their personal needs (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006). Maness (2006) agrees, and has the user centred element included as an essential element of the Library 2.0 model.

As part of this model there is a need for libraries to evaluate their services on a regular basis. Regular customer feedback is required to evaluate services, and all services should be assessed regularly to ensure they are still meeting the needs of users (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006). Seeking feedback on programs and services is something that libraries should endeavour to do on a regular basis normally, and not just with the introduction of the Library 2.0 model.

Maintaining customer privacy is an important issue to discuss with emerging technologies. It is the belief of these authors that borrowers should be able to remain anonymous while still being able to participate in these technologies (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006). This is an issue that in other readings for this topic I have not really seen discussed; it is a valuable topic to be included.

This article provides information on the model of Library 2.0. It informs us of the importance of including our users in the services we provide, whether it is through physical services in the library or virtual services online. It also tells us of the importance in ensuring that the services we provide are current and relevant to the needs of our users.

Reference List

Casey, M. E. & Savastinuk, L, C. (2006). Library 2.0 service for the next generation library. Library
Journal, 14. Retrieved August 27, 2008, from
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html?q=Library+2%EO

Maness, J. M. (2006). Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and its implications for libraries. Webology,
3(2). Retrieved September, 5, 2008, from http://www.webology.ir/2006/v3n2/a25.html

Article Review 1 "User collaboration in websites"

“In the paper the author Judith Pearce discusses Web 2.0 in relation to the NLA. In a posting of about 600 words explain (with examples) what is meant by the term Web 2.0?”


This paper was presented by the author Judith Pearce at the Framing the Future conference in September 2006. In this paper the author looks at the National Library of Australia, and the steps they are taking to increase their use of Web 2.0 technologies. The needs of library users are changing as these technologies continue to develop. The use of Web 2.0 technologies is becoming increasingly popular with both library services, and their users. Library services are now embracing the opportunity to try new technologies, to see how they can better meet the changing needs of their users. Through this paper the author tells us about the pilot projects that the National Library of Australia is involved in, the Web 2.0 technologies used, and the outcomes of these projects.

The term Web 2.0 is used to describe websites that allow users to work together and share information (Pearce, 2006). Naughton (2006) provides some examples of sites that fit in with Web 2.0, these include Wikipedia, Blogger and eBay. These sites are good examples of Web 2.0 as they all rely on their users adding content. O’Reilly (2005) provides further information as to what Web 2.0 is.

Pearce (2006) identifies that library users in all age groups now want inclusiveness, interactivity and access from websites they use regularly. The National Library of Australia undertook a review of their directions in 2006, where it was recognised that Web 2.0 technologies may help to enhance the services that the library provides. It was also recognised that these technologies may assist the library in raising its profile. The goals of the National Library of Australia were to explore new ways in which to collect material, and providing services that support the creation of knowledge by users.

The pilot projects discussed by Pearce (2006) in this paper involve the use of Web 2.0 technology Flickr and Wikis. Flickr is a web based program that allows for the organising and sharing of photos, while a Wiki allows users to add and edit their own or existing information.

The aim of the Flickr pilot project was to connect with new audiences, and add to the number of images within Picture Australia. Flickr was chosen as the technology for this project as it encourages the use of metadata, and because its interface can be used with Dublin Core metadata, which is used for contributing records to Picture Australia. Users are able to upload their pictures to Flickr and add them to a Picture Australia group. The metadata and thumbnails are retrieved and added to Picture Australia (Pearce, 2006).

This project has increased the awareness of Picture Australia, however with this the quality of metadata has been identified as an issue, images were not being given enough tags, or titles were not descriptive enough. As a result of this, administrators from Picture Australia had to email contributors with advice on how to tag images correctly (Pearce, 2006). This process would have taken a lot of staff time, however would be worth it in the long run when images are easily found because of correct metadata.

The next project talked about is the Australia Dancing website. This website uses Wiki technology. Users register with the site, and, after agreeing to the terms and conditions are able to contribute information. Once registered a user is able to create new pages, add comments, or edit an existing page (Pearce, 2006).

This article provides useful information on the way that the National Library of Australia has identified the need to increase their use of Web 2.0 technologies. The article gave good insight into the Picture Australia and the Australia Dancing projects. However it is my opinion that the author could have included more information on the definition of Web 2.0.

Reference List

Naughton, J. (2006, August 13). Websites that changed the world. The Observer. Retrieved

September, 2, 2008 from
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/aug/13/observerreview.onlinesupplement

O’Reilly, T. (2005, September, 30). What is Web 2.0 design patterns and business models for the
next generation of software. Retrieved August, 8, 2008 from
http://oreilly.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html?page=1

Pearce, J. (2006). User collaboration in websites. Retreived August, 27,2008 from
http://www.nla.gov.au/nla/staffpaper/2006/jpearce1.html

My first post

How exciting to get the opportunity to create a blog as an assessment task. A great way to explore new technology.