Inf206 – Social Networking for information Professionals
Description of Inf206
This evaluation is of the subject Inf206 - Social Networking for information Professionals. Throughout this subject, students had to use and assess Web 2.0 technologies, discover how the use of these technologies can change the way libraries deliver their services and what policy issues may arise from using Web 2.0 technologies. Inf206 was delivered through 5 modules - Web 2.0, Social networking and the social life of information; Web 2.0 technologies and social software; Library 2.0 and participatory library services; Making Web 2.0 work for your organisation; and Social networking and information policy.
Learning objectives
- Demonstrate an understanding of social networking technologies;
- Demonstrate an understanding of concepts, theory and practice of Library 2.0 and participatory library service;
- Be able to critically examine the features and functionality of various social networking tools to meet the information needs of users;
- Be able to evaluate social networking technologies to support informational and collaborative needs of workgroups, communities and organisations; and
- Demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural, educational, ethical, and technical management issues that exist in a socially networked world, and how information policy is developed and implemented to support such issues.
Evaluation
Over the 13 week course of this subject, I (as a student) had to complete all 5 modules, as well as completing activities which were later posted to this blog.
Use of Web 2.0 technologies
The amount of Web 2.0 technologies available for use has increased immensely since the term was developed. The web has become a social space, where people go not only to find information, but to also find out what is happening in their network of friends, colleagues, shared interest groups and everyone else who exists in their personal online reality.
My understanding of all web 2.0 technologies discussed and explored throughout this subject, as well as some extra’s I discovered during the session, has increased. The Web 2.0 tool I have increased my use and understanding of most would have to be Twitter. Before undertaking this subject, my use of Twitter consisting solely of following a few comedians for a laugh and now, as evident by this post, I am using it more for professional development than personal amusement. Though there are still some personal amusement pieces in there.
Library/Librarian 2.0
Library 2.0 means libraries getting involved in the Web 2.0 and social networking world by using the technologies to create a participatory library service, where not only the library staff, but the patrons contribute to the library services (Hay, 2010). “Any service, physical or virtual, that successfully reaches users, is evaluated frequently, and makes use of customer input is a Library 2.0 service.” (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006).
An example of 2.0 technologies integrated into current services is the OPAC becoming a participatory service. Users can tag items with their own keywords, find similar items through the tags, add reviews and use other technologies to preview/purchase items.
A lot of Web 2.0 technologies are a bright spark, meaning that they can come and go very quickly as opposed to the slow burn technologies which can last a while (ALA Publishing, 2010). It is up to the Librarian 2.0 to evaluate new technologies and determine what their overall effectiveness will be in the library 2.0 environment.
After reading many of the resources available on Library/Librarian 2.0 I devised a brief list of the qualities the 2.0 Librarian needs to possess. This list is not exhaustive, as time constraints and personal circumstances limited my full assessment of the topic.
Policy Issues
As with any new phenomenon, unforeseeable and new aspects of current issues always come into play. The role of information professionals is to create and update policies in accordance with issues that affect the library services and its patrons.
Privacy is no longer limited to keeping patron records confidential, but keeping the identity of patrons who contribute to participatory services confidential if they choose to. Copyright is easily violated in the online environment, especially the use of images and videos. To counteract this, content creators have the option of granting Creative Commons licence permissions, which allow others to use the content according to the licence applied.
After viewing a video on the changing world of online information, I identified some of the policy issues they create and discussed the need for new/updated policies here.
Reflective Statement
Development over the course of this subject
Having been a user of Web 2.0 technologies such as Facebook, Google Reader, Listserves and YouTube for several years, I was fairly confident in what my performance would be like before beginning this subject. In the back of my mind I knew this subject wouldn’t all be about tinkering with Web 2.0 technologies, but I think I was hoping it would be that easy. This subject wasn’t difficult (though figuring out what to write for this was a challenge) but it definitely wasn’t all about the playing.
I have been using Web 2.0 technologies for personal uses rather than professionally. There are people and organisations in my Google Reader that are related to my profession as a Library Technician (on family leave) at a P-9 multicampus college, though again, I see this as personal use, as I am not actively contributing my learning through this avenue to my profession. Throughout this subject though, I have increased my readership of professional ‘news’ from not only my Google Reader, but now Twitter (see my above posting) and to a lesser extent Facebook.
I have wanted to introduce Web 2.0 technologies into my workplace for about 2 years; however, there have always been obstacles. One being that there for several years now, each campus Library Technician has been the highest level of authority employed in the library. The school was trying to employ a teacher librarian for each campus library, but eventually gave up due to the lack of willing or qualified applicants. The second obstacle was the lack of willingness to learn these technologies by the other library technicians. It was pointed out to me during this subject that to create an effective Library 2.0 environment you need cooperation and contribution to the project from more than just me. Not having a direct supervisor to consult with about the possible Library 2.0 implementation meant that anything brought up in discussions was met with a “you want to do it, you’re on your own” attitude as no one else knew how to use the technologies, or was interested in learning how. After completing Assignment 2, I think I will be fairly comfortable with putting forward a proposal to all parties about implementing at least some Web 2.0 technologies to begin our workplace on its Library 2.0 journey.
As an information professional, my knowledge and skill of what is required as a 2.0 Librarian has definitely increased. Whilst I am not currently able to implement any of my learning, completing this subject has helped me discover that it is not just about creating a blog and you are suddenly a 2.0 Library, though it’s a start. There are many things to consider, such as policy issues, especially bullying in a school environment, what 2.0 technologies will best suit the P-9 school environment, and just who will contribute to the technologies implemented.
I am still rather apprehensive on using social networking technologies to further my own career. I have never been the type of person to sell myself very well, and though you would think doing it online would be easier than in person, I’m finding it difficult as it is still me I have to promote. I do however, realise just what social networking can do for a person’s career possibly without that being the initial goal. Persnickety Snark creator Adele Walsh attributes some of her success in gaining her current position as the Program Coordinator of the Centre for Youth Literature situated at the State Library of Victoria, to her blog. “Blogging helped me find a career doing what I love. I get to review, recommend, speak directly to teen literary stakeholders and manage special events” (Walsh, 2011).
References
ALA Publishing. (2010, May 21). ALA TechSource Webinar - Organization 2.0: Building the Participatory Library. Retrieved February 2, 2011, from Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/11929385
Casey, M. E., & Savastinuk, L. C. (2006, September 1). Service for the next-generation library. Retrieved January 20, 2011, from Library Journal: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html
Hay, L. (2010). What is Library 2.0? [INF206 Module 3.1]. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from Charles Sturt University: http://interact.csu.edu.au/portal/site/INF206_201090_W_D/page/e282ffd3-b1ef-4b39-00d1-295c60ccab63
Walsh, A. (2011, February 4). What book blogging has given me...and I am not talking "free books". Retrieved February 4, 2011, from Persnickety Snark: http://www.persnicketysnark.com/2011/02/what-book-blogging-has-given-meand-i-am.html
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