For those of you in Melbourne on the 5th & 6th of Feb, you can find me leading a 2-day Master Class workshop on Library 2.0 and visiting the Yarra Plenty Regional Library. Otherwise, I hope to be enjoying the scenery along the great ocean road with family and catching up on a lot of long over due reading.
In addition to tracking the hot words of the day, you can find out what's hot on an individual blog. Here's the result for LibraryBytes:
You can find the updated "hot rating" here.
Or even get a widget for your own blog here.
Dave, you've done it once again... with another brilliant & fun way to visualize and share information.
Resources for embedding content include:
- RSS Feeds in Web Pages
- High Quality or HD YouTube Videos
- MP3 music and other Audio
- Flickr Photos and Slideshows
- Picasa Web Albums
- Events from Google Calendar
- Charts and Graphs in Web Pages
- GIF Animations and Screencasts
- Chat in your Blog
- Word Documents & Slide Presentations
- Adobe PDF Files
- Flash (SWF) or Flash Video (FLV)
- Google Maps in Web Pages
- Another Webpage in your Blog
- Windows Media or QuickTime movies
… and but not least ..
- your Lifestream in a Web Page.
Yes, almost anything is possible. :)
What disappointed me most was the line of questioning that came afterwards. Instead of asking questions along the veins of “how can we (librarians and vendors) work better together to improve our ILS systems?”, the questions and comments seemed to point the finger at each other.
To be honest I’m personally sick of the blame game and the under current of “not my responsibility.” It’s time for librarians to play a more active role in developing solutions and do it in a way that is both more collaborative with the community and open to brand new approaches for organizing information.
Marshall Breeding offered up some great thoughts on a new project called OLE (for Open Library Environment) that is exploring new concepts in creating an extensivable catalog. I’m glad to hear that this project is underway, but I have to admit that part of me can’t help but wonder if the extinction time line got it wrong … it’s not libraries that will be instinct in 2018, it’s the need for library catalogs?
I mean just think about the context and reach of Google within the last ten years (remember it’s just celebrated a big birthday this past year- two digits). I see libraries much different in ten years and guess what?... they're not centered around an authoritative catalog either! Social & community orientated – Yes! Authoritative - No! So my question is should we really be focusing so much attention on re-inventing the ILS (the back-end for organizing and moving authoritative materials around per se) or should we really be focusing more attention on re-inventing ourselves as engagement and discovery agents to our communities?
After yesterday, I know it's definitely got me thinking ...
The airport delay, however, does give me time to post a link to my slidedeck for today's talk at ALA Midwinter on Columbus Metropolitan Library's ILS system, Discovery Place.
Discovery Place, is CML's own homegrown solution which has faithfully supportive the circulation of nearly 320 billion items over last twenty years. It's a true workhorse and well loved among circulation staff for its dependability and quick response.
I know it's very rare to find in-house developed ILS systems, especially for a library system our size (21 locations) and circulation (annual circulation 17.5 million). So that is why I'm heading to ALA today... to share a bit about CML's experience in developing and supporting our own ILS and the strategies we've set to continually meet customer expectations.
Discovery Place ILS – Columbus Metropolitan Library
Here’s his short list of intangibles that people are often willing to pay for in an economy of abundance:
Eight Generatives that are Better than Free:
In reviewing this list (download and read the 11 page manifesto. Trust me, it’s a quick and easy read) I can’t help but apply these intangible values to libraries and library services. In many ways these really are our bread-n-butter. And it’s the attention to these “generatives” is what sets exceptional institutions apart.
So here’s the thought my head keeps coming back to...
… If these are the intangibles that customers are willing to pay for even when services are free, then it’s imperative (especially in these scare budget times) that libraries focus on cultivating these generatives. For if our customers aren’t able to easily associate an intangible value for our services, whose to say that they’d even be willing to accept the tangible value of free?
Take a look at the government of New Zealand’s Digital Strategy 2.0 site. It’s interesting to see how wide spread they are applying these strategies. Everything from reducing carbon emissions to transforming education is covered in their actions and tactics. Some good food for thought here, indeed.
“discover what you know”
The message of this video just screams “library” to me. The only thing that doesn’t is the last 12 seconds…
… and tbh that scares me a bit. How about you?
- Last month I gave a new talk at Boulder Public Library, self-titled my “bubble talk”, which recently generate some PC World buzz.
- Two days ago, Stephen Abram posted about frozen bubbles – just the photo image I needed to add another thought to the presentation.
- Two days ago, Tony forwarded me a few fun photos from my talk.
- Just today I discover that one of my CML colleagues has named her new Library Journal blog, Bubble Room
Yup, I definitely see a trend bubbling up here. (sorry I couldn't resist the pun) :)
Anyway, congratulations Alison on your new endeavor with Library Journal. It’s good to see your voice in print and your blog title fits your bubbly personality well.
My hat is off tonight to the Ispwich Library & Information Service! Through the use of the PBwiki (a free wiki hosting site) they’ve created a wonderful model for libraries of any size to duplicate with or without funding.
Take a look around this wonderful collection of stories and see if you don’t agree?
PS: Thanks Polly for the link. You're right, It's wonderful.
Anyway, in preparation for workshop I’m looking a few good examples of Australian libraries (public, academic, school or private) that have integrated 2.0 technologies and social media into their digital presence. Picture Australia of course stands out as one that I’m well aware of. As does WikiNorthia, but I know these are large scale projects and that there has to be lots of other examples (from libraries of all sizes and types) that may be well worth highlighting.
If you’ve got a great example of libraries integrating 2.0 technologies and concepts into their digital presence, I’d love to gather some more examples. Please feel free to leave a comment - or - email me helene.blowers(at)gmail.com - or better yet - twitter me @hblowers. I’d love to hear your suggestions.
" A palpable energy is released when inspiration and dedication come together in a creative art. The energy is transformative in an individual who is innovative, but it is transcendent when manifested by a group. There are no words for the dynamic thrill of participating in a mutual mosaic of creativity."
— Wynton Marsalis
Thanks Mylee for forwarding this great quote. It's definitely a keeper.
A mutual mosaic of creativity ? ... now that's a library vision that makes my heart sing.
Take a look for yourselves:
- Influencers on Social Media 2009 Predictions
- Influencers on Online Marketing 2009 Predictions
- Influencers on Mobile 2009-2020 Predictions
What trends do you see?