Thing 7: Web 2.0 Communication Tools

Email: I am not currently working in a library so I can’t comment on how email is used from the perspective of a librarian. However, as a patron, I would not think to email a librarian. In both my school library and my public library, I am able to use Meebo or the “Ask a Librarian” feature. Email seems almost outdated, like it isn’t fast enough. What a crazy thought! I am constantly communicating with students in my current job through email and it certainly feels like I am responding very quickly. I checked out the productivity hints - how have I worked this long and never thought to change how often my new mail prompt comes up?

I don’t know if it is because of my work but I rarely email outside of work. I prefer a face to face conversation or even a phone call versus electronic communication.

IM: I am familiar with IM and have used it among co-workers. Sometimes it feels ridiculous to use it at work. Couldn’t we just meet in person? So far, I have not had to use IM at my work place with students. As a patron/student, it would be useful to get information from the library without having to set foot in the door. In fact, with online databases, I don't have to go into the library at all except to pick up an ILL. As the librarian, I wonder is it easy to determine what it is the patron is asking? Who gets answered first - the person at the reference desk or the IM?

I also wonder if this will feel out of date shortly? I never thought I would feel email would seem dated and slow but it has. What will the next thing be?

Text Messaging: I have text messaged and hate it! I don’t want to pay extra for this feature and I hate talking to someone in person who responds/starts to text someone else. My fingers feel slow and I resort to calling people instead. That being said, I do know that I will need to get over it. Great YouTube videos for this and IM! I am left with the same question that was bothering me from above - does the library staff take turns working with all the technology? Do students become impatient if their question is not answered?

** I think that technology is creating a society that desires constant communication. I score very high on the introvert scale of the MBTI and don't disagree with my score. So, for me, I find texting, IM, cell phones and, some days, email to be painful, uncomfortable and intrusive to my sanity. And, some times, it feel that I am the only one! What are the long term effects (or will there be) of a society that constantly communicates? Where will the big ideas that stem from reflection and letting an idea percolate come from? Well I sound like a real stick in the mud! I must be in need of some alone time to recharge!

Webinar/OPAL: I have attended numerous webinar’s in the last 2 years at my current position. It saves money and in today’s gas prices that is important. I wouldn’t have been able to attend all those session’s if I would have had to fly. If I was at a library, the webinar would be an effective method to get the information out to the staff for less money. I suspect that it would not be as satisfying as attending workshops and it certainly would eliminate networking.

I had never heard of OPAL and was amazed at the selection. I listened to The Big Read: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, presented by Dr. Loren Logsdon from Eureka College on November 13, 2008. It was hard for me to not pick up something to do while I listened. I am trying to teach myself to be mindful of each experience and resist the urge to multitask. I have the same reaction when I listed to Podcasts. Sometimes, I put them on when I am cleaning the house or cooking when my hands are busy but my mind can focus on the speaker. I bookmarked this site and will go back to check out new programs.

I checked out Twitter and I have now find a new thing that I do not intend on using (see rant above). I did hear the Obama camp uses Twitter when campaigning to reach his supporters. I suspect he might have something more profound to say then "having dinner at Chipotle" or "getting a massage and listening to Jem" that I have seen. Fortunately, I haven't heard from one of my friends that uses Twitter. I will need to explore this more to see the actual application of libraries. Are libraries able to track traffic from Tweats?

I understand that we are meeting our users in the "space" they are, like Twitter. I wonder if our users want to be met there? Do they want to keep their social life separate from their school/work life?

Thing 7 content found here