"Thing 16: Learn about wikis and discover some innovative ways that libraries are using them."

Wikis

"What is a Wiki?
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A wiki allows a group of people to collaboratively develop a Web site with no knowledge of HTML or other markup languages. Anyone can add to or edit pages in a wiki -- it is completely egalitarian. Anyone can create new wiki pages simply by creating a new link with the name of the page. Pages are connected not hierarchically, but by hyperlinks between pages.
According to the creator of Wiki, Ward Cunningham, wikis can be identified by the following characteristics:
"A wiki invites all users to edit any page or to create new pages within the wiki Web site, using only a plain-vanilla Web browser without any extra add-ons."
"Wiki promotes meaningful topic associations between different pages by making page link creation almost intuitively easy and by showing whether an intended target page exists or not."
"A wiki is not a carefully crafted site for casual visitors. Instead, it seeks to involve the visitor in an ongoing process of creation and collaboration that constantly changes the Web site landscape."
(From Leuf, Bo and Ward Cunningham. The Wiki Way: Quick Collaboration on the Web. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson, 2001: 16.) "


For me, Wikipedia is a common wiki that most internet searchers have experienced. It still is a little unsettling to me that wiki users can constantly change the information on the website. Close monitoring for spam and misinformation seems warranted. Despite this, wikis work very well for many groups. Library applications include disseminating information about conferences, training, subject guides, programming highlights and generally sharing knowledge and innovations among colleagues and the public.

"Thing 15: Read a few perspectives on Web 2.0, Library 2.0 & the future of libraries"

"Maryland Libraries Learning 2.0"



Wikipedia describes Library 2.0 in a concise nutshell: as "a loosely defined model for a modernized form of library service that reflects a transition within the library world in the way that services are delivered to users. The focus is user-centered change and participation in the creation of the content and community." It describes the "Key principles of Library 2.0:

1) Browser +Web 2.0 Application + Connectivity= Full-featured OPAC

2) Harness the library user in both design and implementation of services

3) Library users should be able to craft and modify library provided services

4) Harvest and integrate ideas and products from peripheral fields into library service models

5) Continue to examine and improve services and be willing to replace them at any time with newer and better services."



Rick Anderson of the University of Nevada, Reno Libraries, says to "Row Your Library Boat (Away for the Icebergs) into the Web 2.0 Environment" His "icebergs" to avoid are keeping materials in the collection "just in case" they are needed, "reliance on user education" (he feels library services should be accessible without training), and the "come to us model of library service (he feels we need to place "library services and content in the user's environment...the Web, daily patterns of work, study and play." He feels this is crucial for libraries to be relevant now and in the future.



Chip Nilges of OCLC says "Build New Services with Web 2.0 Technologies for More Powerful Ways to Cooperate." He feels it is important to"touch the entire web, collect user intelligence, release lightweight services and build better data " by cooperating.



Micheal Stephens, librarian & blogger, says to "Sharpen these skills for Librarian 2.0" and "Enter into a New World of Librarianship".

He says "user-centered libraries breakdown barriers and allow users access wherever they are: home, work commuting, school or at the library. The "Librarian 2.0 embraces Web 2.0 tools, controls technolust (uses technology to meet users needs not just because it is new), makes good yet fast decisions, is a trendspotter and gets content (guided by how users access, consume and create content."

I love his ending paragraph: "Librarian 2.0 also listens to staff and users when planning, tells the stories of successes and failures, learns from both, celebrates those successes, allows staff time to play and learn, and never stops dreaming about the best library services.



These articles stress the importance of embracing quality changes to meet users' needs. It can be exciting and challenging.

"Thing 14: Explore Technorati and learn how tags work with blog posts"

For "posts relating to "learning 2.0" there were 1165 entries and only one specific blog: "learning2.0.elearningplaceblog.com. It was interesting to view the "top favorited blogs, top searches and top blogs in Technorati. You can see items related to subjects of interest i.e. politics, technology, business, entertainment etc., and their corresponding "technorati" authority rating number. There is also a column for newest articles. A lot to explore!

"Thing 13: Tagging and Discover Del.icio.us"

I couldn't access the "12 minute Del.icio.us tutorial". I was able to explore del.icio.us using the PLCMCL2 account. It is interesting to see which "tags" were chosen and to view items with related tags and "Top 10 Tags". You can easily get sidetracked exploring. I think it is best to create a few important tags. Creating labels for our posts is similar to creating tags.

I also like the definition of tags and concept of tag clouds, "a list of tags where size reflects popularity" (with "pictorial" example) on the del.icio.us website, but again as others have reflected, it is best to be judicious with the choice of a few key tags.

"Thing 12: Roll your own search with Rollyo"

I created a ROLLYO account and a searchroll about traveling to Australia. I was able to get a lot of good "url"s to add by clicking on the suggestions at the right. This made it easy to create my searchroll.

"Thing 11: Take a look at LibraryThing and catalog some of your favorite books."

My LibraryThing catalog is here: http://www.librarything.com/home/rleb .

LibraryThing is an easy way to create your own unique, customized catalog. When adding a title, I browsed through other related titles and ended up finding other interesting books. It was also helpful to see other suggested tags when you aren't using the traditional Library of Congress or Dewey classification.

I also like the ability to view and share catalogs/titles, author promotions and offered free titles.
LibraryThing is also called "MySpace for books" and "Facebook for books." It is an interesting site to explore.