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

OLJ TASK: RSS

Attribution:Sharealike

Image Source: Smashing Magazine

RSS

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and can be used in libraries and information services to provide,”…alerts of changes and for syndicating content” (Godwin & Parker, 2008, p.25).  In this ubiquitous information age, RSS functionality allows the user to tailor information that is relevant to them. This is achieved by the user subscribing to a feed and is sent information to either a feed reader, email or internet browser. 
It is important to point out the ever changing nature of these technologies has seen in recent weeks Google Reader (which was a very popular news aggregator) has chosen to cease operation due to decline in usage. This gave users a very short time to download a copy of their saved information before all was lost.

Information Organisations and their use of RSS.

To illustrate, as a way of meeting Information needs, Bond University have installed RSS feed on their e-publications (scholarly information and research webpage).  This notifies subscribers of recent papers that have been lodged. The feed is also embedded into maybe databases where the end-user and subscribe to topics of interest.  Alternatively, Brisbane City Council Library use RSS feeds as a broadcast mechanism for events being held over the City Libraries.  

Godwin, P.&Parker,J.(Eds.).(2008). Information Literacy meets Library 2.0,London:Facet Publishing.

Google Reader Dies(2013). Retrieved from, http://www.ibtimes.com/google-reader-dies-end-internet-1329741#

OLJ TASK: Module 2 Web 2.0 Technologies and Software

It is with great interest I read this module, specifically micro blogging within organisations.  Many organisations have recognised the value of providing social networking opportunities for their staff to actively 'connect' with each other. Being connected through social media in the workplace is becoming increasingly popular. As Grenfell (2011) states, the main purpose of micro blogging is to offer a tool for members of an organisation to 'engage, listen and learn' (2011).  Last year my University management send a directive out that there were too many emails being distributed to the student body and staff.  As a result one staff daily digest is distributed along with implementation of Yammer as a communication tool.  Facebook inspired, Yammer provides a social media platform to facilitate projects, communicate updates and encouraging staff to collaborate, listen and learn.  Unofficially, the Associate Director of our organisation smiles upon usage of Yammer, the goal of our Librarians group is the same as many other social media goals, to create conversations and facilitate collaboration with the staff.  A few of my work associates I spoke to just groaned when I tried to pick their brain about Yammer, to them it is just ‘another tool to use’ and frankly they don’t have time or really the inclination to post or read other people’s posts. In my organisations case, the postings are limited to a passionate few. This highlights the fact, that just because social network is encouraged doesn’t guarantee participation. Less than 5 per cent of users actually participate, with many being passive participants (Grenfell,2011). So although I am not quite a Librarian, I joined the Librarians group with my personal goal of looking involved, yet I have not posted, I am too nervous that my posting will not be of quality.  Could it be that I am a passive participant or a lurker of social media?

Grenfell, Catherine, (2011), Deploying microblogging in organisations, retrieved from http://www.steptwo.com.au/papers/kmc_microblogging/index.html

Online Learning Journal INF206 OLJ 1

Social networking is about creating communities not defined by geography.  It has endless potential in the teaching and learning environment, harnessing collective knowledge to create online communities of practice as well as using this intellectual output to create best practice for knowledge and information organisations.  The cultural and social elements of the contemporary network facilitates people power in the most amazing way, although we have witnessed it can be used for good and for bad.

I already use Facebook, albeit, rather reluctantly. It has become a communication tool to share photos and keep up to date with many of our friends and all of our family who live interstate.  My 16 yr old son is about to go to Brazil to play soccer and that is how we will communicate with him over there, it’s cheaper than a phone call and he can send us photos and news…That is only if he decides to accept our friend request.  Instagram is a recent exploration; I love the ability to photo shop pictures and then share them, as they say a picture tells a thousand words.

 It turns out I had a flickr account, I had opened one 4 years ago and completely forgot about it.  I loaded photo’s on of our family trip to NZ to share with family and friends.

I only joined twitter last week, I haven't been really interested in that. I find amusing that even the ABC news is reporting on people's tweet's. I read the other day if people wanted to know what was being said on twitter they would be on twitter, well now I am, at least  I can choose who I follow!

I am very interested in LinkedIn, I went to a staff development session about that and so I am pleased we will be covering that professional development aspect.

I love Blogs, I currently subscribe to Hey Jude, and Michael Stephens-Tame the Web.  I also follow a few food blogs I love cooking and love new ideas.

What I hope to learn predominately in this subject is how organisations can co-exist with social medias. I have heard many stories of pilot blogs being set up for say connecting with teens and then nothing further, it is like no interest is generated so they just forget about it, or that staff person moves on so its not followed through.  I would like to fundamentally learn about best practice in Library 2.0, and connecting with students, I am currently working in an academic library and the social medias used are Facebook and instagram with the former mostly being a broadcast mechanism, and the latter just nice pictures of the Uni that catch the Librarians eye(we have a pretty nice campus).  I am open and keen to learn and probably would like to lose a bit of cynicism about social media and in the words of Kevin Kelly I probably define myself by "what I don’t use”.