WebJunction

If you have a chance, please check out a new part of our webpage (at http://www.lvdl.org) ... the Community Hub. It's at the top right.

It's composed of four sections. First, there's the Virtual Bulletin Board where we'll display posters and fliers that people send to us. Hopefully, we'll become *the* place for people to learn of local events, programs, plays, etc. We hope people will send fliers to us via e-mail, but we'll be happy to scan them. This is "interactive with the community."

Second, there's the Community Calendar. This is intended to let people know what is going on locally ... and an additional place to advertise our own programs, etc. You rollover each entry for detail. It is also "interactive with the community" since people can send us info about events.

Third, there's the Local Web Directory. Here's a single place to go to find the local web ... built with the cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce. It includes more than Chamber members (members get the Chamber logo next to their entries) and has two purposes. One is to make access easier for everyone. Two is to make sure that the library is firmly supported by the business community.

Fourth, there's the "Volunteer Center" where people can go to find local volunteer opportunities. We've partnered with a couple local organizations and will be expanding this.

Please let me know what you think.

On another point, we now (as of a half-hour or so ago) have a Facebook page. We'll be using it, of course, to advertise programming, etc., but we'll also be using it for teenage volunteers to write reviews of programs they've attended, hopefully from their own FB accounts. This may bring in their friends, thus expanding our fanbase.

Outstanding, Bob!!

I was so impressed, I created a document showing your fine example: http://www.webjunction.org/technology/website-development/-/articles/content/71851190.

I especially love the virtual bulletin board.

Well done!
JP

On another note (and always hoping that others might post their successes), two very nice things happened within a few minutes of each other this morning. Wikipedia was updated to reflect *my* definition of "social media" (not done by me, btw, but rather by net elder John Lebkowsky) and a local company e-mailed me about inclusion in our new local web directory.

But of course!

Here's the social media entry on Wikipedia. Reading this definition reminds me of a great blog post I read last night on the Social Signal blog. Alexandra reminds us to stop trying to keep up with social tools, and to stay focused on why we use them.

I agreed with her reminder about the broadcast. There's a lot of that going around, though I suppose it's better to have *lots* of broadcasters than to have only a few, it still sort of bugs me when people use the tools more like a soapbox than a conversation enabler. And sometimes I suppose I do that myself, but I try not to.

That's great news! I'm a big fan of local newspapers and I'm glad they are surviving, even thriving.

Do you have enough words in you to fill up facebook, WJ discussions AND your column? Super!

Another activity that won't work with a Kindle: using them as percussive instruments in a parade! (well, maybe it would work once, but probably not covered by the warranty!)

Welcome back, Pam. It is nice to meet you.

Sharon

Here's my latest TribLocal column.

It's on library ROI. I hope this column also makes the print edition.About the ROI

I dunno. It's their copyright (though of course anyone can link to it until link-rot sets in).

If you ask, they may well be pleased that one of their columns had value. I can pipe up, of course, but you're the ones who see the value at WJ.

It doesn't hurt that OCLC is a non-profit!

Bob,
I've reposted the article here: http://www.webjunction.org/demonstrating-impact/-/articles/content/84700922.

Thanks again and keep us posted on future pieces!