Introduction:

The focus of my project is a book review blog and Flickr photostream for the library where I work.  I liked the idea of actually implementing a project rather than writing about a hypothetical one, and when I approached my director about the project, he was enthusiasic about the prospect of introducing Web 2.0 tools to our library.  It’s been very gratifying to be able to apply the skills I am acquiring in this class toward my job. 

Description of the Library:

I work at a public library with a staff of thirteen (mostly part-time employees), in a town in New York State with a population of about 15,000.  It’s a mixed socio-economic community, and our patrons reflect that.  In addition, the patrons run the gamut when it comes to computer literacy.  I feel there are a lot of people who are very unaware of what the library has to offer, especially when it comes to online services (databases, etc.). 

Purpose:

I’m hoping this project will encourage people to visit our website more often, and foster communication amongst our staff and patrons.  An added bonus would be increased circulation, as we plan to review mostly books in our own collection.  In addition, since the library does not currently offer any Web 2.0 services, I feel this is the best way to introduce them to our patrons.

The Flickr photostream will include pictures from library events, as well as trading cards depicting the library staff members.  Hopefully, this will help our patrons get to know the employees better, perhaps making them feel more comfortable approaching us with their questions.

Technology/Staffing Required:

The cost of implementing this project is minimal.  Since the library already owns a digital camera, there are no expenses as far as materials go.  The blog was created using a free WordPress account.  Right now, a free Flickr account also seems sufficient; however, this may be re-evaluated in the future.  As far as staffing requirements, I have created the accounts and added the initial reviews and photos on my own time, since it is technically a school project at this point.  We’re hoping that staff members will contribute posts periodically, and this can be done in any downtime during work hours. 

Implementation Plan:

The steps to starting the blog were quite simple.  The director of the library, who keeps quite current with Web 2.0 technology, had actually already created a WordPress account for the library with the intention of starting a blog in May.  However, since nothing was done with it consequently, it was just a matter of adding the design elements, and then the actual book reviews (which are, and will continue to be, a work in progress).  The review posts will include cover art from the books (which the library has rights to use), as well as links to our OPAC if a patron would like to request a title. 

The widgets I chose to include on the blog initially are:  a calendar; a search box; recent posts and comments; categories; tags; links (to the library homepage, book review sites, etc); and flickr photos (as mentioned above).  Eventually I would like to add RSS feeds and perhaps a Meebo chat box, but I don’t want to overwhelm our patrons with too much at once.  We will continue to monitor patron response and strive to provide the Web 2.0 services they seem to want.

As far as the Flickr photostream, I have started taking digital pictures of the staff members, and uploaded them into the account.  I will continue to add photos of staff members, as well as library events as they occur.

In order to increase awareness about the blog, I will be making up flyers to post in the library inviting patrons to visit the site, and will encourage the circulation desk staff to suggest patrons go to the site when looking for a good book to read.

Negative Consequences:

Lack of employee participation – I typed up a memo to the entire staff inviting them to review their favorite books, outlining the steps to creating a WordPress account and posting to the library blog.  I also offered to post reviews for those who were not comfortable with the technology just yet.  One employee has already created a WordPress account and a trading card, and has even blogged her first review on her own.  When it comes to posting the reviews themselves, I do anticipate a bit of hesitancy with some of the less “tech-savvy” employees at first, but hopefully, when they’re shown how easy it is, they will be on board.  As an incentive to get people to participate, I offered to bring in cookies to celebrate if a lot of reviews were submitted/posted by next week!  It seems to be working, since three people gave me reviews to add for them today.

Spam/Inappropriate Content and Comments – Patrons will be invited to comment on the existing reviews, or submit reviews of their own via e-mail.  It is stated on the blog that only appropriate content will be posted; and in order to eliminate inappropriate content and spamming, the blog will be set up so that all comments will need to be approved.

Here is the URL of the blog, which will be added to the library’s homepage when it is ready:  http://kentlibrary.wordpress.com/.  The Flickr photostream can be accessed from this page as well.

One difference I noticed between Meebo and Vista was that Meebo allows users to change fonts and colors while typing, and even add emoticons.  I really liked that feature.  Also, Meebo shows the different users names in varying colors, so it is easier to keep track of who said what.  One disadvantage to Meebo is that you can only scroll back so far to see what was said previously.  With Vista, I believe you can scroll back through the entire conversation.

Note added 6/27: I wrote that before we were able to access the chat logs, which is a great tool in Meebo that is unavailable in Vista.

The only negative consequence I anticipated was the hesitancy of staff members to participate.  But I feel that even if I get 4-5 people contributing consistently, the blog could be a great success.  I have already shown Karen how to get started (an easy task since she is very tech-savvy and a willing participant).  For some of the others, if they are willing to write some reviews, I will offer to type up their posts for them.  I feel that over time, though, more and more people will be contributing on their own.  This is not complicated technology to learn; it’s mainly a matter of willingness on staff members’ parts.

As far as dealing with patron contributions and “spamming,” I think I will have the blog set up so that comments will need to be approved.  I will state somewhere on the blog that anything inappropriate will be deleted.

At this point, I should probably describe the library and the patrons we serve.  Kent is a town with a population of about 15,000.  It’s a mixed socio-economic community, and our patrons reflect that.  In addition, our patrons run the gamut when it comes to computer literacy.  I feel there are a lot of people who are very unaware of what the library has to offer, especially when it comes to online services (databases, etc.).  I’m hoping this project will encourage people to visit our website more often, and perhaps increase circulation, as we plan to review mostly books in our own collection.

The staffing needed to keep the blog up and running is minimal.  Initially, I will be adding all of the reviews on my own time since it is technically a school project at this point.  We’re hoping that staff members will eventually contribute their posts on their own, and this can be done in any downtime during work hours.  I do anticipate a little bit of hesitancy with some of the less “tech-savvy” employees at first, but hopefully, when they’re shown how easy it is, they will be on board.

What I like about chat is the quick back and forth, as opposed to e-mail where if your question is not fully answered the first time, you have to wait for someone to get back to you once again.  The downside to reference services, as pointed out by some of my classmates, is that there is a certain expectation that goes along with the “instant” connotation of “instant messaging.”  Also, in order to justify the staffing needed for IM services, there has to be shown to be a need for it.  But how can a need be shown if the service is just starting up?  I know, it’s a conundrum.

I have begun the initial set-up procedures, but I am not ready to unveil the blog to the world yet.  Stay tuned for more updates!

Wow.  Taking a cue from Kathi, I decided to try to import my audio file from ILS-570 (great class!), and it seems to have worked.  I’m not sure if this is considered a “podcast” or not, since I don’t know if it can be downloaded into an MP3 player for future listening.  More experimentation…

Perhaps I will put my video project on here as well.

BTW, all the voices on this audio clip are mine.  I used a program called Cubase to change the pitch and add effects.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27572072@N08/2568841711/

This is the prototype for the ones I would make for all of the staff at the library where I work.  In fact, I mentioned it to my director tonight, and he thought it was a great idea.  Now if we could just convince certain staff members to consent to have their picture taken…

These trading cards would be posted on the library’s website, so that patrons could get to know the staff a little better.  Hopefully, providing a little bit of personal information might make staff members more approachable, especially with the teens.  Also, employees’ areas of expertise can be mentioned (for example, we have one woman who is the local history guru).