wk12 Social networks

I like the British Library in Facebook, particularly with a catchy heading "Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?" Then there's a hyperlink that allows a virtual curator's sharing the treasure of the Library, explaining the significance of Magna Carta and its connection to modern world. I think making history relevant to today's life is a fun part of this set up.

There was also one on Harold Pinter, where a curator shares the experience of seeing one of Pinter's play being performed and was sharing the archived reviews of the same play when it was first performed. Again, it's bringing the historical into the present, making the connection and evaluating the difference in attitude and interpretation of the work. I find this very engaging.

I can also imagine social network tools applied to create a more approachable, friendlier image of the library, giving the institution a more human appeal. Library users would probably be curious about staff members' (including the CEO's and the Executives') views and stories of major projects undertaken in the Library. Users can set up their own Space, blog about their learning experiences, the services and events of the Library. Again it facilitate sharing of knowledge. It's also a way for us as service provider to keep a pulse on what services are required, or, can be improved on, as well as what we are doing well in. The discussions can gage qualitatively the institution's relevance to its community, which in turn validate the annual government funding.

I can't say I like the 'look' of sites like My Space. It can look a bit like dog's breakfast. If it can somehow linked to the main home page of the Library, and not having a prominent visual space it should be fine.

wk11 Online applications and tools

Had a look at Slideshare, at first I wasn't accustomed to the lack of audio I am used to accompanying the slide images, but soon realised this mode of presentation gives its audience control on the speed of the presentation. It also made me realise this program is probably very useful in communicating the presentation to people hard of hearing.

The biggest advantage of the online applications is access to immediate discussions and input from various contributors while working online with 1 version of the document. The online applications are very useful for group projects such as the production of annual reports. The Design team would probably find Google Docs useful in the assemblage of the final publication. Each division makes its contribution online onto the one document.

In addition, because there's just one version of the online document being worked on, the amount of paper wastage can be reduced as different versions are printed out to bring to meetings for discussions. In terms of holding meeting to discuss and make changes to what was agreed, these activities are compressed into 1 time frame where these activities are carried out simultaneously. Having experienced working in a group on procedures, this is a very welcoming tool for the editor of the work group. Face to face discussions can be limited to situations where lengthy negotiations are needed.

In terms of presentation tools, it is also useful when working with outside organisations regardless of its geographical location. Think of the saving on time, the costs of travel, accommodation, and venue for meetings and conferences.

wk10 Podcasts

There is the possibility to subscribe talking book titles in podcast format from vendors and have the link posted on the State Library's website (even with RSS feed to notify clients of new titles added to the collection). This will save all the processing costs and storage space for the Disability Access Collection.

Language learning lessons can also be loaded. Heavily used materials such as the IELTs titles will no longer need to be purchased to replace missing or damaged copies. It also provide better access (with the appropriate licensing agreement set up).

All events in the form of 'in-conversation with...', lectures and presentations held in the Library can be recorded for podcasting.

Podcasts can also be used for the collecting and sharing of oral histories of the Aboriginal communities in NSW.

wk9 Mashup

Had thought of using Mashup combining the video images for guide or direction within the Library and webcat information on the location of different Collections so that the stack (SRL stack) can be opened up for the users to locate the items themselves with a hand held audiovisual tool with web access (eg. touch ipod, mobile phone).

mosaic created with big huge labs:

Your Treasures at the State Library of Victoria

While on this idea of soliciting contributions from the users, I like the blog 'Your Treasures' in the State Library of Victoria website. Users contribute heritage treasure they have and other users are asked to contribute who might have the some information relating to the posted treasure. The Library also attach link(s) which bring users' attention to items held in the collection which relate to this treasure.

The Hyperlinked Library

Just had a riveting tea break with a Colleague who attended this Seminar at Macquarie University yesterday. For those who are interested to follow this up, the seminar was conducted by Michael Stephens. His blog can be accessed at: http://www.techsource.ala.org/blog/2005/11/do-libraries-matter-on-library-librarian-20.html

Through the sharing of information, another Colleague made a suggestion about collection of poster images around NSW soliciting locals to contribute the digital images and load them into Flickr. This contributes to our Ephemera collection. A prize event can also be organised where a good image can be rewarded, and maybe the awarded image can be used as a starting point for a creative writing exercise (poetry, short stories)-- again, drawing on the local creative communities to participate and sharing while enriching the cultural life of NSW. We can get some sponsors for these activities as we do for the @Mitchell projects.

wk8 Answer boards and social searching

We can do Australian lexicons with Sydney origin, questions and answers pertaining to history of Sydney, its people, culture, intellectual life-- embedding delicious tags of public libraries' local history section throughout the state of NSW, as well as State Library's collection. This adds another dimension to the Telephone Enquiry Service.