Brian Mathews – Social Computing
When do we reach Library 2.0? No final destination; no “library 2.0” finishing point: it’s an evolving picture.
Sisyphus analogy: it’s not what you do when rolling the rock up the hill, it’s what you do walking back down… “how do I do it differently this time?”
Website: LiveJournal – geared towards blogging to friends
We use social networks as:
- assessment tools
- opinions
- use
- non-use
- etc.
- outreach tools
- reference
- institution
- tutorials??
- search
- relationship building / collaboration
- etc.
He discussed library storefronts (comment: makes me think of a portal)
- blogs
- photo
- IM
- calendars
Facebook has lots of librarians, and for academic and school libraries, a lot of your patrons
the key to using these tools / sites = social interaction… “not manipulating, but causing ripples”
- They are ready-made for groups
- how do people find out about ???
- can we use new tools to create new messages? new images? experiences?
- can we match our product offerings with their needs?
- the right message to the right person at the right time
Products Needs
- targeted message
- “marketing”
blogs, facebook, myspace, posters, classroom sessions, etc.
- “Don’t just do it because everyone else is”
- “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Experiment! And be prepared to make a mess.”
- “Don’t expect students to get excited.”
Website: Google Groups
q&a question:
Tools for self forming groups (his campus system implemented one; he has generated groups relating to library, i.e. distance learning library resources)
Notes: Social networking is the area I am least familiar with, so this was a great learning experience. I like his emphasis on these services being the means to communicate with our patrons, not the end in and of themselves.
I especially think his approach towards finding campus social computing groups that the library would be a natural part of (study groups, class projects, etc.) and introducing his services into the equation. Very proactive.
