Looking to the Future...

When it comes to the future of social media and libraries, I'm really not sure where things will go from here.  The world of social media in general has changed so drastically just in the past few years that it is really unknown where it will go in just the next 2 years.  I do have a feeling that libraries are definitely moving toward a more user-centric business model, so using social media and other Library 2.0 tools will definitely become a major way to reach patrons.  So I think that many more libraries will in fact start using social media, have it integrated into their websites, etc.  I also hope to see some major overhauls with online catalogs, moving more towards the next gen. catalogs we read about earlier this semester since they would be much more friendlier to the user.  As we are moving towards a user-centric model it would make sense for all services and features of the library to be more user friendly and accessibility is key.

Happy Birthday YouTube!

Well Happy Belated Birthday... Yesterday marked the 7th year since YouTube's inception.  The first video ever to appear on the site was this one from the co-founder of the site:

Currently more than 4 billion videos are viewed on YouTube everyday.  60 hours of video are uploaded every minute, which makes 1 hour every second.  The growth of YouTube has truly been phenomenal.  So in honor of its Birthday, go watch a video or two, like this classic:

 

Video Games in the Library

This weeks readings look at video games in the library.  Although valid cases can be made for each side of the argument, I certainly feel that video games have a place in libraries.  Many people would argue that video games do not promote reading, are violent, and are mindless entertainment.  However the same exact case could be made against the library lending out movies, and I haven't heard anyone complain recently about being able to rent movies for free for a week... 

So yes it is true that many video games are violent, but the library can avoid that problem by ordering video games that have minimal violence (especially if they are going to be housed in the children or teen area) and if they host times to play video games in the library they can make sure that those too are violence free.  In terms of reading, yes there are games out there that involve minimal reading, but there are also many that require the player to read messages on the screen or stories that precede a level.  There are also numerous games out there for young children that promote phonics. 

Video games do certainly have the stereotype that they can be mindless entertainment, but that is not true.  Although many games may have players sitting on a couch for hours on end, often times these games involve strategy, dexterity, and overall mental stimulation.  Other games like jeopardy and cranium come in video game versions and certainly involve thinking beyond the normal.  Games on the Wii and Xbox Kinect involve actual physical movement in order for the player to participate in the game and would certainly not be classified as mindless.

Overall I see video games as being a valid addition to a libraries' collection and as a part of library programming.  They can be used to get teens into the library, to promote phonics with young readers, and be a fun, alternative form of entertainment.  What do others think about host video games in the library?

Ethical and Information Policy Issues

For this week's readings I first looked at the LibraryLaw Blog.  I certainly see how helpful this blog would be in terms of different legal issues that come up where it concerns libraries, but I just could not stay focused on what I was reading, probably due to my dislike of legal jargon.
I did however enjoy the talk that Elizabeth Stark gave.  I found her discussion on copyright issue to be really interesting and especially pertinent to libraries.  Her comparison of physical property to intellectual property gives a good understanding to the relationship between the two and provides a good definition to what exactly intellectual property is.  She delved right into the issues of copyright, which in simple terms she describes as an exclusive right creators have to their work.  The little bit of history Stark provided on copyright was interesting and something I was unaware of (especially the stuff concerning Disney and Steamboat Willy).  One thing Stark kept going back to was the fact that copyright as it is now was created for the world of the printing press and not the digital world and especially not digital goods.  As copy right law is now, everything someone creates online is technically copyrighted, whether they want to be or not.  So something I write in an email is technically copyrighted, which is a bit crazy.  So comes some issues for libraries such as when things are available for the public domain, copyright on ebooks, open access, etc.
The article on privacy and technology seems to be one of many that are starting to come out as social networking sites continue to dominate our lives.  This, like some of the others, covers a lot of the basics like the relationship between teens and not using privacy features versus adults being particularly concerned about privacy.  Of course despite the privacy issues, libraries must continue to use social media as that is where their patrons are connecting.  The whole issue of protecting patrons' privacy is always a concern for libraries, but it reaches a whole new level when the internet is concerned especially when the library cannot always do much to protect it.  However, librarians can advise patrons on what their privacy options are in order to keep their information private.

More Social Media to Use as Procrastination!

I have to say I love me some YouTube.  Besides it being another great method of procrastination for college students everywhere, it has a host of other uses as well.  I generally use it to watch music videos, clips from tv shows, viral videos, and whatever the current favorite spoof of the moment is.  But it can be used for so much more, especially when it comes to libraries.  Libraries can use YouTube to host video tours of their library, interviews with librarians, tutorials for services, videos from past programs, book trailers, and the list goes on and on.  Since a lot of people are visual learners, being able to have video walk-throughs of various services and features can be super helpful for them rather than a walk-through over the phone.

Flickr is another great resource.  Although more people are now hosting their pictures on Facebook rather than on photo hosting sites, having the option to outsource is also always nice.  I personally haven't used my Flickr account in a few years (I used it to share photos with my parents while I was studying abroad in 2008 and then to host a class project the following semester).  But Flickr can be a great resource to host a library's collection of pictures.  This could be anything from past book displays, events/programs, other themed displays, historic photos, etc.

I also looked at Pinterest. I checked out the site a month or two a go, since all my other friends were starting to use it.  I like the concept of it, but this semester I truly have no time for additional social media distractions, so I haven't visited it since.  I do see how libraries will find value in it, they can create boards for new books/dvds, crafts, library events, etc. and library patrons who are members of the sit can follow the library and repin things from their boards.

The 2.0 Business Card

While doing some research for my Lit. Review I came across this blog post from 2010 on The "M" Word, which is a blog that looks at new marketing trends for libraries.  This particular post describes the idea of using social media business cards as a way for patrons to better connect with librarians.  On one side is the librarian's picture, name, email, and the social media sites they are available on.  The other mirrors the front and has the libraries name, logo, and social media presence.  This way people know where to locate and follow the library's goings on, but also can follow what their favorite librarian is reading/reviewing and interact with him/her.  According to the article this idea has been pretty successful for the library profiled and has created more trust between the patrons and librarians.

I personally think this is a great idea to allow more interaction between patrons and librarians.  Even if librarians do not want to share all their personal/private social media sites (i.e. private FB or Twitter) with patrons (I know there are some I certainly would not want to share that info with), they could create a professional Twitter, or use sites like Shelfari/Goodreads, a blog, etc to connect with patrons on a more personal level.  The cards seem like they can be made easily and can simply be left at the desk that the librarian works at the the patrons to take as they like.  They could also be handed out after performing reader's advisory or after a program a librarian was hosting.  These just sound like such a smart idea, I'm surprised I haven't heard of more libraries using them!

Facebook: My Favorite Method of Procrastination

Well I read through the articles on Facebook this week and I felt like a lot of it was similar to things I had read through in other classes.  Some interesting points I did find:

• From the article "Academic Libraries, Facebook and MySpace, and Student Outreach: Student Opinion"... I had to laugh at the section describing status updates with the example of "Michael is delving into the catalog"
• Apparently younger generations are not worried about privacy on the internet.  As someone who is from one of those younger generations I can certainly say that I am concerned about privacy on the social networking sites that I use and on the internet in general.  Despite Facebook's constantly changing privacy features, I keep my page as private as possible and do not friend anyone I don't know.  Cause seriously, the last thing I need is to have my identity stolen or to have someone break into my house because they saw I was on vacation.
• The average Facebook user has 229 friends.  I feel that this number is pretty accurate and when I first saw it I thought that's about how many I have, but apparently I was wrong.  According to my page I have 338 friends.  Who are all these people?? The fact that I am friends with that many people and I'm pretty sure I do not talk to half of them gets me seriously thinking about defriending some of them.... so hope that you make the cut and may the odds be ever in your favor!
• Facebook users tend to be more trusting.  I do agree with this on some levels, but I feel like this really depends on the person.  The study does say that people that use Facebook multiple times a day are the more trusting ones is interesting.  I know I go on Facebook way more times a day than I should (mainly because I am a horrible procrastinator and am avoiding schoolwork), but I am definitely not a trusting person until I know someone well enough, so for me that fact is not so accurate.
• Why are people still discussing Myspace??? Do people still use it??? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?