Library 2.0 in Action: How Special Librarians are actually using the latest tech tools
SLA Toronto put on a tremendous program last night. Amanda Etches-Johnson, Carolyne Sidey, Connie Crosby, and Dave Hook spoke to nearly 50 members of the Chapter on the latest tech tools they are using to deliver products and services to their clients. Following the four presentations, the group broke into six (at times very lively and loud) round-table discussions. Each table was asked to consider the following two questions:
- What are you doing in your library with these tech tools?
- If you aren’t using these tech tools now, what tools do you plan to start using and why?
From the discussion at my table, web 2.0 (and by extension library 2.0) is a very new concept for a lot of special librarians. Interestingly, most of the folks at my table had already begun to experiment with social bookmarking, flickr, commenting on blog posts and news articles, etc. but hadn’t realized this was part of the 2.0 concept.
By far, RSS feeds, wikis and blogs were the tools mostly likely to be used in the workplace for delivering information and collaboration (when technology barriers are overcome). Social bookmarking via furl or del.icio.us won out, however, as the "low hanging fruit" of the bunch, i.e. the easiest and quickest of the 2.0 tools to start using.
To prepare for their presentation, the speakers started a wiki. In the spirit of 2.0 the wiki was opened to all participants to be used as the group sees fit, e.g. for posting further resources, discussion, as a sandbox to figure out how wiki’s work, etc. I’m particularly interested in seeing if the group assembled last night will actually use the wiki – even if it’s only for a brief time. Talk about being given the chance to get your feet wet! Is anyone going to dip a toe in?
