Post on 14-May-2015
description
Web 2.0 and RPL:A Prairie Success Story
Jessica Cammer, May P. Chan & Trudi Stafford
© Regina Public LibraryMay 1, 2009
Objectives
• Explore Regina Public Library’s (RPL) experience with Web 2.0
• Focus on how Web 2.0 can help promote a library’s services & resources
• Offer some words of advice
Presentation Notes
http://rplweb2-staff.pbwiki.com
1) Powerpoint presentations2) video clips from the Common Craft show 3) our list of advantages & disadvantages 4) the software we used5) guidelines & forms; and additional
resources
Web 2.0: Getting Started
• One blog leads to another…
• 1st gen bloggers recruited 2nd and 3rd gen bloggers
• Similar approach taken for all other Web 2.0 initiatives that followed
Web 2.0: To the present
• Most of the training continues to be informal (no one person is responsible).
• An organic process of sharing “tips”, “tricks” etc, in a trial by error process
• Small learning curve
Why did we do it?
• The online environment + Web 2.0 = relevance growing exponentially
• The public library can benefit greatly from Web 2.0
• The public library has an important role to play
Limitations of Traditional Print Resources
PRINT:• Takes longer to produce• Costs money• Can become quickly out of date • Only reaches patrons who walk through
the door• Can miss virtual library users, new patrons
Web 2.0 Library application & benefits
• Connecting with online users
• Inviting participation & collaboration (outreach)
• Marketing & promotion of collections & programming
• Readers’ Advisory
It’s a Web 2.0 Revolution!
Web 2.0 tools have become a universal pastime crossing gender, age, cultural and class boundaries.
“The Great Equalizer”: Web 2.0 provides the means to share a vision, opinions and / or expertise (i.e. the rise of “citizen journalism”)
…everywhere there’s a computer anyway…
Library Programming
Fall 2008: “Web 2.0 Wednesdays”
Week 1: FacebookWeek 2: BloggingWeek 3: Wikis
Subject Guide: “All Things Related to Web 2.0”
http://rpl-web2point0.pbworks.com/
Virtual Reference: Application & Benefits
Instant Messaging (IM) / Live Chat
• Free• Easy to install• Minimal training• No “expertise” required• Yet another way to provide
Reference• Reaching out to online users
• A website organized in reverse chronological order that is frequently updated
• Each update creates a post, not a page
Why?
• Easy to use• Allows for frequent updates• Lets different staff update content
without risking the security of the webpage
• Keeps updates searchable, accessible and does not clutter up staff inboxes
• Notifies people of changes with RSS• Affordability
Blogs at RPL
• Three main types:– Blogs for promotion of library services
and readers’ advisory– Blogs for staff communication– Blogs for “breaking news”
Specific Blogs at RPL
• Business • E-Library Updates • FictionFiles• Film Theatre• Graphic Novels• Horror• Jobs at RPL• Movie• Murder by the Book
• New Books• New CDs• New and Notable
Nonfiction• Prairie History• Reference Unit• Romance• Science Fiction &
Fantasy• TeenZone• Updates
Promotion/RA Continuedwww.reginalibrary.ca/murderbythebook
Staff Communication
Breaking News
Breaking News Continued
What we use
• RPL uses B2 Evolution software for its blogs for a few reasons:– Free, open source, totally
customizable– No ads– Unlimited number of
accounts with customizable permission levels
– Hosted on our server
Results
• High user stats• Recognition in
the greater library world
• Staff satisfaction
Wikis
• An online site that allows users to add content, but also allows anyone to edit this content.
Why?
• Allows everyone to share their expertise
• Keeps communication open across different locations and units
• Empowers all staff to contribute
Wikis at RPL
• Two main uses:
– Staff communication/resources– Information sharing with the public
Specific Wikis at RPL
Staff Communication/ Resources
• Meeting minutes • Conference
attendee reports• Research tools for
units and public service providers
Public Information
• Subject guides on specific topics
Staff Communication
Information Sharinghttp://rpl-goinggreen.pbworks.com
What We Use
• Mediawiki – free, open source software package that is installed and hosted on your own server
• PBwiki – free online wiki host
Note: pbwiki is now called pbworks
• Online photo-sharing website• RPL’s Flickr page launched on Jan. 21,
2008• Page features approx. 200 historical
images of Regina dating back to the 1910s as well as current photos of staff, facilities and public programs
• Purpose: share our “stories” with our community
http://www.flickr.com/photos/reginapubliclibrary/
• Online social networking website• Facebook fan pages launched in
2007-2008: – All 9 branches– Prairie History Room– Dunlop Art Gallery
• Purpose: primarily to promote upcoming Library programs by sending “invites” to our fans
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Regina-SK/Regina-Public-Library-Connaught-Library/8299557740
Podcasts
• Audio broadcast that is available for download to a computer/portable media player
• Started in 2008 – Special lectures/public forums
• Podcasts are available through iTunes• Purpose: promote our public programs
and our collections
http://www.reginalibrary.ca/podcasts/index.html
• Online social bookmarking website• Prairie History Room started the
Library’s first bookmarking account in 2008
• Purpose: showcase our recommended local history & genealogy websites
http://delicious.com/prairiehistoryroom
• Web mapping application• Prairie History Room created the
Library’s first mash-up in 2008• Purpose: a map listing all the
libraries, archives, museums, organizations and government agencies that offered local history and genealogical resources
http://www.tinyurl.com/regina-genlocmap
Words of Advice…
• Tell the Library’s story• Experiment• Call on other Libraries for help• Use your staff• Commit to getting the word out• Have fun
Tell the Library’s Story
• Paraphrasing Michael Stephens’ (http://tametheweb.com/) public relations advice: – Tell your own story or else it would be
told without you– Tell the Library’s story repeatedly and in
various ways – Most importantly, tell your story well
Experiment
• All of the Web 2.0 tools/applications that RPL is featuring today are free to use and require very little technical expertise
• Not all of the Web 2.0 tools/applications may work for your library for whatever reason (e.g. lack of resources)– Experiment with some of these applications
and see what WILL work for your library
Call on Other Libraries for Help
• Other libraries have been experimenting and utilizing Web 2.0 tools and are more than willing to share their experiences with you IF you ask for it!
• Finding these libraries is easy:– Professional literature– Library blogs and wikis– Conferences
Use Your Staff
• Harness your staff’s expertise, creativity, willingness to learn and enthusiasm
• Acknowledge their contributions• Accept that not every staff member
is a willing participant• Commit to training your staff and
setting yourself up as the “expert”
Commit to Getting the Word Out
• There’s no point in utilizing Web 2.0 if your staff and your public is not aware of what you are offering!
• Publicize these features in your internal and external communications products
• Offer public programs on these features• Acknowledge compliments and respond
to criticisms
Have Fun!
• Utilizing Web 2.0 should be not a chore!
• Don’t be afraid to inject humour in your blog posts or on your Flickr page!
Acknowledgments• Special thanks to the following RPL Staff:
– Shiela Ahmed, Tyler Banadyga, Jessica Cammer, May P. Chan, Leo Deveau, Meagen Dillen, Pam Fingas, Cerys Gordon, Jason Hammond, Claire Isaac, Warren James, Patti-Lynne MacLeod, Julie McKenna, Heather Milani, Sharon Maier, Tony Neal, Coral Peterson, Lois Roth, Pat Schuett, Trudi Stafford, Ken Vaughan, Erika Wittlieb and countless other RPL staff members who have supported us by reading our blogs, updating our Facebook pages and recommending our wikis and Flickr images to the public
Presentation Notes
http://rplweb2-staff.pbwiki.com
1) Powerpoint presentations2) video clips from the Common Craft show 3) our list of advantages & disadvantages 4) the software we used5) guidelines & forms; and additional
resources