LIBR 246-12: Web 2.0 and Social Networking Tools (Fall 2008)

1. How has your view of social software changed since starting the course?

Reflections on social media networking and marketing

Jeremiah Owyang points out in Web Strategy some key points in assessing the success of a library's implementation of a social media program.  A key factor is setting a goal.  When setting up a social networking tool as part of a program, it is important to set a goal.  This goal can be an effective measuring tool.  It may be impossible to measure everything, so it is important to choose an aspect to measure.  Web analytics can be used such as technorati rankings and Google Analytics when measuring the popularity of a blog or how many times it has been accessed.  On the otherhand, customer s

Using Page2RSS

Top 100 Tools for Learning 2008

This is a wonderful compilation of Web 2.0 tools as rated by professionals in education and business.  Many of them we've discussed in this class.  The tools are orginized in categories such as Top Screen Capture and Screencasting Tools.  I particularly liked the key to availability which indicates whether the tool is free, downloadable, open source, et cetera.

How can libraries build community using the tools from this week?

Smithsonian: Podcasts

The Smithsonian offers podcasts on a variety of topics.  This collection would be a wonderful resource for research on, including but not limited to, art, history, music, and science.  The Global Sound Podcasts include music from all around the world.  Morever, it featuresTools for Teaching, resources and lesson plans for grades K-12.

I enjoyed the podcasts from the Seattle Public Library.  They offer a variety of podcasts:  authors/events,  teens, library tour, information professionals podcasts.  The podcasts are well-organized.  It's wonderful to be able to access these wonderful resources with a click of a mouse.

What do you see as the most promising idea(s) for libraries to pursue in providing virtual reference services and why?

Qwidget

Qwidget, a chat widget was released January 2008 as part of QuestionPoint (software used by AskNow). From the user end, the interface looks much like the Meebo's. One of the discussion topics for this week is the pros and cons of IM Reference vs. commercial virtual refence. This new tool combines 24/7 reference service with IM Reference, which can make it favorable among librarians and patrons alike.