Final Project Proposal

Five Weeks to a Social Library Final Project – Proposal for Implementation

Name of the Technology: The library tour will be created using Flickr and shall be titled, “Pistol Pete visits the library”.

Description of the technology: Flickr is a social networking tool that allows the user to upload and share photos. The photos may also be posted to most blogs, using the RSS feature. Each user, after creating an account, may decide who can view or add comments to the photos. In addition to this, Flickr allows the user to create both private and public groups for those who might be interested in one particular subject. This allows all members of the group to place their photos in the same spot. Both the user and those who view, if given the privilege, can add tags to the photos, to make them easily searchable.

Explanation of service: The service created shall be a library tour. This tour could be viewed by all students, including first year and foreign students. Those groups wishing to visit the library could view the tour before coming to the library. An additional use for this tool is to help organize the photos taken at the library’s Social Activities Committee events.

Explanation of how this service fills a library need: Currently, the library has a “walking tour” paper guide. It is rarely used, except by visiting elementary and high school groups. A lot of time is spent each semester, particularly in the fall, soliciting volunteer staff and faculty in conducting tours. This service would improve community outreach as those interested in library tours could easily be directed to the Flickr link. It is part of the library’s goals this year to create a new type of library tour. This service would definitely benefit staff in that the number of hours spent on tours would reduced, thereby allowing more time for faculty and staff to fulfill other responsibilities. If groups viewed the tour before coming to the library, their time spent in the actual library might be reduced and therefore, reducing the staff time needed. In terms of the Social Activities Committee, there are a few photo albums located near the current periodicals section, available for staff and faculty to view photos taken at various events such as a Christmas party and Valentine’s Day secret pal gift exchange. The albums do not get many visitors. Posting the photos online would increase the chance of staff and faculty looking at the photos. Seeing the great times had at the library, this may increase library morale.

Evidence that this technology is useful in libraries:

1. http://www.millikin.edu/staley/peeps/#Anchor-Th-56460

Giving tours is nothing new to libraries. It is also somewhat of a trend to use “stars” in the conduction of these tours, such as “Peeps” at the Staley Library at Millikin University.

2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/97979876@N00/228340102/in/pool-kansas_libraries/

An academic library shares photos and is part of a group of “Kansas Libraries & Librarians”. This short architectural tour, along with some silly fun photos, introduces viewers to the things they may have missed during their last library visit.

3. Ashmore, B., & Grogg, J.E. (2004, March). Library virtual tours: A case study.

Research Strategies, 20(1/2), 77-88.

Although this case study does not use a photo sharing tool, some of the same elements, such as choosing only those areas of the library that interest a student, should be considered creating an online tour. It also reinforces the fact that online tours will reach those outside arm reach of the library.

4. Frantz, P. (1997). Library rats: Overcoming resistance to libraries. Research

Strategies, 15(1), 48-51.

This article is a little dated. But it discusses the importance of really “selling” the library. The library must be seen as not only a place to do research, but a place where the student can relax while overlooking the beautiful campus, have fun watching videos in the designated areas, and be exposed to new art forms or newspapers from around the world.

Possible roadblocks: If the mascot, Pistol Pete, gave the tour, the library may have to gain permission from the athletic department and gain university support of the idea. It may also be possible that the library would need to obtain approval from university communications. If the school does not have a great deal of school spirit, students may not be interested in the fact that the mascot is the tour guide. Depending on attitudes about new projects and new technologies, it could be difficult to gather a volunteer or volunteers to create the tour. In regards to using Flickr to post pictures from the Social Activities Committee, not everyone attending events would want their picture posted.

Overcoming issues: As with all interdepartmental relations, librarians must practice good liaison skills. This would be true in dealing with the athletic department and university communications. The librarian would be positive and enthusiastic about the idea. A survey could be given to students, assessing their support of a mascot led library tour. These results, along with the idea that others being able to see the library might aid in recruitment of high school students, would be shared with the departments.

Software Suggestion: I suggest using Flickr because it is easy to use and has many beneficial features, as listed above. The “groups” option gives users the advantage of finding photos that are similar to theirs. This gives opportunity for sharing relevant information and learning more.

Plan and Policy: Someone would need to be appointed to the maintenance of the Flickr account. A committee would work on the structure and outline of the tour, along with the actual photography involved. This committee would create a list of proper tags as well. The committee would need to meet often to re-evaluate and check that the photos are still the most effective and appropriate. A proper usage policy, along with a release form, would be created to ensure everyone whose picture is taken is okay with the idea.

Taking the right outlook, this could be a very fun project, helping students see that the library is still a cool place to hang out, even online.