Module 5: Information Access for all

The National Broadband Network (NBN) is a key element of the previous Australian Government strategy to progress towards an information society.  The NBN is a fundamental scheme of the Australian Federal Government-National Digital Economy Strategy. The NBN comprises of, “high speed network comprising of three technologies, which will essentially enable broadband access to all Australian premises (What is National Broadband Network, 2011).  By providing equity of access the intention of the Australian Government is to enable all Australian society to participate in the global marketplace.  The significance of this access to information is intended to benefit all parts of Australian Society by improved access to business sectors, increased job opportunities, health education and government services.

The paradox of today’s digital society is the sheer plethora of information that is available and the skills required to critically evaluate and use this information in order to be an effective participant in this contemporary information society.  Limitations to the government strategy of NBN rollout are pinpointed by Missingham (2009, p.396) who states that broadband access is only part of a solution, “access to information can only be effective is literacy skills, particularly information and digital literacy are addressed”.

In 2011, the National and State Libraries Australia (NSLA) revealed that access to services is provided through a network of 1,494 public library service points (1,418 fixed point libraries and 76 mobile libraries) throughout Australia.  Furthermore, 92 % of these service points have public internet access (Duncan, 2011, p.6).  Missingham (2009,p.32p) notes that Australians are progressively relying on online information for education needs, community information, health, societal needs including access to information. Strategic visions of National and State Libraries Australia (NSLA) is to ensure that information is accessible to all Australians.  Discovery services are available with access to internet, institutional portals, government portals, catalogues indexes and databases.   The rollout of the NBN has had a great impact on how public libraries can deliver services and access to information.  The benefits of broadband are that access is no longer defined by geographical location, moreover, the ubiquity and speed of network technologies are creating  unprecedented teaching and learning platforms (Smith,2011, p.5).  

Duncan, R. (2011). Libraries and their role in the digital economy. Retrieved 15 September 2013, from www.pla.org.au

Missingham, R. (2009). Encouraging digital economy and digital citizenship.

Australian Library Journal, 58(4), 386-399. Retrieved September 15 2013, from http://www.alia.org.au/

Smith, A. (2011). Inquiry into the role & potential benefits of the National Broadband network. Retrieved September 15, 2013 from National and State Libraries Australia website: http://www.nsla.org.au/sites/default/files/publications/NSLA.submission-Inquiry.into_.role_.benefits.NBN_2011.pdf

Module 5: Information Policy

In order to effectively and ethically use social media technologies in organisations there is a need to have policies and guidelines in place to safeguard both employees and customers.  Bryson (2007, p.125) also points out privacy concerns are an issue and such policies are a way of protecting privacy and commercial confidentiality. Policies can also reinforce our awareness of issues such as copyright and crediting sources, which are and always have been important issues for Librarians. Chan & Ngian (2008), make the important point that such policies need to stipulate, “Intellectual property laws, creative common licences and open sources to be able to facilitate use, copy and remix” (p.10).   With information so easily shared knowledge of rights and responsibilities, both personally and in terms of our organisations becomes essential.  

Bryson, J.(2007). Managing Information Services: a transformational approach. Retrieved from Ebook Library.

Chan Ping, W., & Ngian Lek, C. (2008). Back to the Future: Augmenting Competencies for Library 2.0. Singapore Journal of Library & Information Management, 371-12.

How to be Awesome on Instagram by DavidLeeKing

How to be Awesome on Instagram

MODULE 5 0LJ Task 3 Shifting Trends

Module 3 Librarian 2.0 My PLN

Utech (2008) proposes the 5 stages of adopting personal learning networks as immersion, evaluation, know it all, perspective and balance.  I believe that I have passed through the immersion stage mainly because as part of the INF206 subject the goal has been to immerse ourselves in social networking technology.  In fact, the reason I elected this subject was to actually force myself to do that.  Some I have willingly adopted, LinkedIn I believe will help me in my professional world and Yammer as part of my work network.  I find Pinterest really cool and great for sharing interests and hobbies and my favourite books.  I have been also using it for my other subject INF205 to find genre books for my assignment. I have recently connected with instagram, I love the photo editing options and have it on my smartphone, I like sharing photo's with my friends and family who are not on Facebook also I was sick of hearing people's life stories on Facebook was starting to turn away from it. Of note, I have been a Facebook user for years, it has been a great tool to share photos and news, as we live away from most of our family.  Recently, my son went to Brazil and Facebook turned out to be the cheapest and easiest way to communicate and share photos. As we speak my 12 yr old is in Japan and has loaded Kick messenger(and IOS app) onto my phone, when he has internet access we can chat for free , that is really cool.

I believe I have reached evaluation and skipped straight through to perspective but I don't necessarily agree with Utech stating that perspective is reached because you had a reality check and started hanging out with family and friends to gain perspective.  Although Utech makes some interesting points about the adoption of social media's, they do not reflect my own personal journey in social media technologies.  Probably the only analogy I can make about "balance' it would be for me reading a book and forcing myself to go outside or engage with other people, certainly not having to tear myself away from technology.

 For my studies INF206 utilising Facebook has been a great sharing tool, really is easy to share information, video's much more interactive, however I have found that people aren't asking as many assignment questions as what they do on the forum, maybe everyone is just superbly capable this year. What has been my highlight is joining INF205 and Survivors of CSU Facebook it is so cool. Really, has been my lifeline and wish I had of met the administrator in another subject years ago(I graduate this year). It is dynamic, a chance to have a whinge, share information, ask questions and we really have turned it into a knowledge sharing hub.  Conversely, the subject forum seems clunky, questions are not answered timely manner.

From an Information professional perspective, I am an active subscriber of blogs such as Stephens Lighthouse, Hey Jude and now recently David King.  I follow Facebook for ALIA new grads and of course my local Library.  I am a lurker on Yammer and Twitter, with the latter I have started to follow a few professional people I have met in our industry.  I enjoy being a member of an online community, however, I realise I am going have to start participating by writing responses something in which I lack confidence right now.

My Web 2.0 Journey

MODULE 4 : OLJ TASK Why should libraries be on social media

Social Networking Tools in Libraries

Library	Social Tool	Information Service Provision	Programs	Conduct Business Communication
Bond University	Instagram, Blog, Facebook, Yammer	The Blog is mainly used for announcing referencing workshops to be held and new databases being trialled.   Instagram is mostly organic and fun way to present the Library. Currently, most interactive tool with students.	Broadcast Referencing tutorials. Announcing Library events	Yammer as internal communication and collaboration. RSS feeds availabile for e-publications of new material.
University of Southern Queensland	Twitter YouTube Facebook	Facebook is a stand out-very out there, funny little e-cards, inviting competitions and photo sharing such as graduation and embedded video clips of student experience.	Usage of Twitter to announce programs and reminder of services.	Linked in for professional associations.
QUT	Blogs YouTube Twitter Facebook	Clips on YouTube range from evaluating websites, task analysis and time management getting the most hits.	Usage of Twitter to announce programs and reminder of services.	Embedded scroll for Blog and Twitter. Adds to visibility of Web 2.0.

Each of the above Libraries have delved into the world of social media to engage with their student body.  In the higher education library context, social media can be used to provide support services, and create opportunity for collaboration between libraries and users.

Why should Libraries be on social media

1. Providing a rich user experience

The use of social media at Bond University is less about information provision, educational programs and conducting business and more about trying to engage with the student body.  However, the tools are certainly used to promote events and make announcements.  As a staff member there I would say it is more around reducing anxiety around the use of the library and to construct the library as central to the Bond student experience. The student experience is a central part of the organisation goal of Bond University. Most interesting, Instagram has been the most successful with interacting with students. 

 

2. Being where the users are

The prevalence of technology in modern society has changed the way people create , consume and share information.  Web 2.0 is about online applications, interactions and tools that enable users to interact on the social internet (Kroski, 2008).  This connectivity is reflected in the rate of internet access. For example, with over 6.2 millions or 73 % having broadband access (Australian Bureau of Statistics,2011).  Mobile social networking is on the increase, providing access and delivery channels with over 16.2 million people having mobile phones with internet connection(Australian Bureau of Statistics,2012). Ultimately, this assertion raises the important issue that it is important for organisations to be engaged in this digital paradigm to provide a relevant and timely service. To illustrate, USQ and QUT have used YouTube as a channel to provide information regarding library services, assignment help, information literacy skills. 

 

3. Open communication with our users and staff

Opening up the conversation channel with students can prove difficult.  Social media provides an ubiquitous tool to connect and inviting conversation and strengthening relationships can be achieved (Dellitt & Schindeler,2012). The advantages of social media is the ease of use to publish information to a wide range of online users.   USQ has the most dynamic Facebook page of the three examples I have provided, it is interactive with video posts, little anecdotes, inviting photosharing and so on.  And it allows comments from students which enables a more interactive site.  As Farkas(2007) succinctly states,"Good ideas can come from anyone, anywhere".


References

Australian Bureau of Statistics.(2011).Household Use of Information Technology No 8146.0. Canberra: Author.

Dellit,A. & Schindeler, S.(2012). Trove: the terrors and triumphs  of service based social media. Retrieved 15 September 2013 from http://www.nla.gov.au/openpublish/index.php/nlasp/article/viewFile/2319/2757

Farkas, M.(2007). Building academic library 2.0.[video file]. Retrieved from, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_uOKFhoznI

Kroski, E.(2008). Web 2.0 for Librarians and Information Professionals. New York: Neal Schuman.

Module 2: OLJ TASK 2 The 4'C of Social Media

The 4 C’s of Social Media have been described as the following collaboration, conversation, community and content creation (Hay & Wallis, 2013).  Arizona State library ‘Library channel’ has attempted to incorporate these principles in their creation of Library minute video’s.  These clips present short, easy access to communicate services and resources that the University Library provides.  The message provided in this clips is clear, that the library is advocating participation and communication by the students.

Other social Web 2.0 tools adopted by ASU Library to enhance services are:

• Flickr & Instagram: ASU's photostream
• The ASU Libraries Facebook page which shares information regarding events, exhibits, archived photos and ASU news updates
• Twitter
• Vimeo
• Itunes-U which allows users to create customised playslits of specfic ASU content.

Conversations

In an attempt to foster engagement with students and opening the conversation channel’s, The Library Channel page has a ‘Get Help’, tab which provides various options, such as ask a librarian and a suggestion box. Although this does invite conversation, as a way to build on this Farkas (2008) suggests that using the suggestions box and publishing in a blog as a way to facilitate conversations.  To illustrate, this can be achieved by posting those questions into a blog with a response attached in the form of a library suggestions blog.  Casey & Savastinuk (2006) contend that this can help ‘”develop trust through social media conversations by answering people’s conversations”.   The facility is there to tweet the ‘ask librarian’ service.  In this way, it could be seen that there is some form of conversation promoted.  Unfortunately, ASU have chosen not to allow comments on their Facebook page which is another way to facilitate conversations with students.

Collaboration

Collaboration is about building participation with the user. Casey & Savastinuk (2006) suggest collaboration requires the librarian to facilitate customer input regarding services and then implement changes.  There is little evidence in this site of collaboration between the University and students except the invitation of feedback.   

Community & Content Creation

It would appear that the content creation is limited to the staff of ASU through the video posts.  These Library minutes are informative and engaging a great way of creating a sense of community among students and staff through social media. This is important point because research indicates that people engage more with video posts (King, 2013).  Appearing at the top of the list accessed video’s is the 'Fun Things to do in the Library' which is clearly about creating a community and inviting students to participate in what's on offer around the University.   As a way of facilitating content creation, Farkas (2007) makes an excellent suggestion of encouraging students to creating a student wiki or blog to maximise knowledge sharing of student research. 

References

Casey, M. & Savastinuk, L. (2006). Library 2.0: Service for the next-generation library, Library Journal. Retrieved from, http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html

Farkas, M.(2007). Building academic library 2.0.[video file]. Retrieved from, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_uOKFhoznI

Hay, L. & Wallis,J.(2013). Social networking for Information Professionals [INF206, Module 3]. Retrieved August 01, 2013, from Charles Sturt University Website: http://interact.csu.edu.au/portal/site/INF206_201360_W_D/page/e55201b2-9a17-4c37-00e6-90bc87200117

King,D.(2013). Five tips to reshape your social media plan. Retrieved 01 August 2013, from, http://www.davidleeking.com/2013/01/08/five-tips-to-reshape-your-social-media-plan-in-2013/#.UjZxz381cTA