Social Networks

I have a twofold opinion of social networks:

1. In my guise as "private citizen in the real world" I have no desire to use social networks as an online alternative to human based interactive social reality. I would rather meet new people in the real world, get to know them, & gain trust rather than tell somebody all about my innermost secrets online. Some of the examples I have seen on various sites are, frankly, quite sad.

having said this ...........

2. As a professional tool for libraries to expand their services outside their "bricks & mortar bunkers" social networks provide endless possibility. Anything that promotes inclusion & empowerment to a library customer is generally successful. As such, social networks (properly managed) would empower our customers to change, challenge & develop their library to reflect not only what they would "like" the library to be but also what they "need" their library to be. I particularly noted the references to people being inclusive in being able to assist fellow users by answering questions of which they have some expertise.

Also. Lets face it, middle-aged librarians dressing up in silly costumes (cringe) or running the odd pizza & book evening for teens just does not cut it long term with our young members. This is OLD SCHOOL ! An online library community whereby young members communicate with their peers & with library staff on issues of common interest would be successful IF "empowerment was given to the customers" (if the library tried to heavily dictate terms then it would be a turn off). The young people would also then give better feedback on what they want out of a library and suggestions to the library to enhance the experience we provide.

Thats the academic side ....... but, as a purely social experience tied in to the wider scope of what libraries are about, an online library social network community has equal legitimacy as that part of the library community who walk through the front doors of the building. Therefore, the social network experience has endless possibilities as a fun promotional tool whereby any number of enjoyable library experiences are available online (competitions, clubs, bookgroups, etc).

The dinosaurs are dead ..... and the library never closes !

Online Applications

Online applications such as Google Docs have great potential in libraries as they allow for simple-to-use collaboration on projects that can be implemented, improved and accessed by a wide range of people from inside & outside one's particular library network.
It could eliminate to a great extent multiple people having to "reinvent the wheel" and would allow, due to simple collaboration, for "improvement of the wheel".
Unlimited potential for progressively minded library staff & organisations. I am seriously impressed with this tool .... excellent !

Mashups

(A historical photo of the area nearby the library at which I work)

Mashups would be handy for promotional work, online displays, online new book displays (using book covers & sleeve blurbs), seasonal displays.

Library Thing

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/blueys

So there ya go, my favourite 5 reads !

Delicious

http://delicious.com/blueybluey

Can see some potential of this tool for research assistance, but as always, have to keep an eye on the quality of the source of the information. Is also a basic & easy way to create bookmarks that can be accessed from anywhere. A quite simple process to navigate. Good !

RSS Feeds

Added the feeds. Simple to activate. Added a mixture of news & entertainment feeds. Useful as an instant online news source.

Eureka Photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kadj/49557047/

Proudly Australian ! Very Republican ?