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public libraries, internet access, & online community services
public libraries, internet access, & online community services
5:37 PM EDT 8/8/05
I'm posting this (rather long) entry on BlogJunction today (includes data about public libraries and the internet, along with a few questions about public library online services) and wanted to create a space here for folks to discuss, if interested...
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
12:16 PM EDT 8/15/05 as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
Hi Chrystie,

You raise some interesting points. About 30% of public libraries in CO still lack web sites. One of the projects that I hope to begin this fall is to work with small libraries in creating and maintaining web sites. Depending on the type of software we use for this project and where the sites are hosted, it is highly possible that we could incorporate some interactivity within these sites by creating blogs around certain topics. I know that some libraries are using blogs on their web sites to let patrons post book reviews, or have patrons comment on building projects or other things relevant to the particular library. See http://www.aadl.org/ I think it's important to initially gather in person to discuss a particular issue such as raising money for a building renovation, or a book club and then set up a blog to continue discussions.

There are creative ways in which libraries can use blogs. If they host city council meetings, the minutes can be posted to the library website and a blog created to comment on the public meeting? Libraries can use blogs to get public feedback or even voting on local issues.

The challenge is to demonstrate that creating a blog or other types of online interactivity isn't just adding more work to an already busy day, but some how adds value to what the library does. The blog serves as a connection point to the community and is a reminder to the community that the library continues to be relevant today.
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
12:50 PM EDT 8/15/05 as a reply to Rose Nelson.
Very interesting, Rose--thanks for the good thoughts. We're putting together an editorial focus on Online Community for Public Libraries launching in September, and we'll be exploring this kind of issue. That's a great stat about the % of libraries in CO that don't have web sites.

Ann Arbor is quickly becoming the library blog poster child (which is appropriate--they're doing a great job). Do any of you know of other libraries (especially small ones) who have started blogs--or are thinking about doing so? We'd love to include their stories as part of our focus.

Joe
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
2:29 PM EDT 8/15/05 as a reply to Joe Anderson.
The Lunar and Planetary Institute library has a weblog.
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/library/whats_new.shtml

Not a public library, but small and open to the public.
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
5:14 PM EDT 8/16/05 as a reply to David Bigwood.
I also found this listing of public library blogs: http://xrefer.blogspot.com/publiclibraryblogs.html
I scanned through some of them, but very few have comments. It seems they are just book reviews or used for library program announcements. Hmmm.... I wonder if any library has been able to get patrons to participate in blog discussions. It seems like book reviews would be a great way to get patrons involved in blogging, but maybe everyone is just too busy, or the adoption period for this type of web collaboration takes a lot longer.

Rose
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
5:56 PM EDT 9/13/05 as a reply to Rose Nelson.
I work with a lot of small libraries and maintaining a professional-looking, frequently updated website is a huge challenge. Even with supposedly simple WYSIWYG editors (like FrontPage and Dreamweaver), it's just not an easy thing. We have been encouraging libraries to explore blogging. It's so easy. There are great templates to make it look attractive. A couple of our libraries have jumped on board and are really having fun with it. I think the Ann Arbor site shows that it works for big libraries, too. I see more libraries thinking about a blog (or blogs) instead of a website (rather than in addition to a website).

I love the simplicity of blogs.

Brenda
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
8:08 PM EDT 9/13/05 as a reply to Brenda Hough.
This topic is so timely--

I am about to start a project to help libraries create websites. The sites will be hosted on a central server and we will be using an open source content management system for creating the sites. Assuming everything goes as planned, library staff will be able to login to their site and make updates once the basic template for their site is created.

I plan to do some basic training on the conceptual aspect of having a website. This will cover things like using your library website as a marketing tool, how to decide what to put on a website, etc. When Brenda mentioned that some libraries creating blogs in place of websites, it made me wonder about the marketing aspect of having a web presence. I think it's still crucial to have a website particularly when a large percentage of patrons are accessing the library remotely. I see the website as a marketing tool which sends a message to the community that the library is just like any other business or organization and keeps current with technology. Yes, they can demonstrate much of this with a blog, but I still think a website is a basic necessity even if it just has the library hours and contact information. In colorado about 34% of the public libraries still lack websites. In helping them to create these sites I want to explore blogs and RSS feeders as add-on's to their sites. Of course, it all boils down to maintaining and updating the site, but I'm hoping that the content management system will make this a fairly painless process.

Rose
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
11:07 AM EDT 9/14/05 as a reply to Rose Nelson.
Hi Rose,
Yes, it definitely sounds like we're working on some of the same things -- having a web presence is so important! Your project sounds great. Is the open source product you are using Drupal (like Ann Arbor)?

I still think a blog could maybe do the trick for small libraries. They can include static content (like their hours and their location) as part of a blog. If there's a product that's as easy as a blog to maintain and update though, then I'm all for it... that's why I'd love to hear more about the solution you're using in CO.

In addition to (or maybe as a part of) the marketing aspect of the web presence, I think that some of the best library websites incorporate a lot of community involvement - lots of pictures and information that is patron driven rather than just about the library. For example, it's amazing, as you look around at library websites, how many don't really have pictures of people -- lots of pictures of buildings.

Brenda
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
3:09 PM EDT 9/14/05 as a reply to Brenda Hough.
Brenda,

You mentioned some really good points about library websites. I agree that community created content is a wonderful idea and a great way to instill the value of libraries within the community.

The project we are joining is Plinkit--Public Library Interface Kit. Plinkit is a project of the Oregon State Library developed with LSTA grant funds. You can view Plinkit libraries from http://www.plinkit.org/libraries/ . Most of these sites are still in beta, but at least one of the sites has gone live: http://tillamook.plinkit.org/. Plinkit uses Plone as the content management system, Zope is the application server, and Python is the programming language in which Zope is written. I'm still learning so can't tell you much about how this works except that it is open source software and the application and all the library websites will be stored on our Unix server. There is a basic template and libraries can add their content to this through a login/password process. Ironically, the Plinkit sites look a little bit like blog software.
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
4:58 PM EDT 9/14/05 as a reply to Rose Nelson.
Hi Rose,
Very cool! I've poked around in the Oregon plinkit project a bit and think it's a great idea. This is one of the reasons that WebJunction is so nice -- we're all out here trying to figure out these same things and this gives us a forum to get/give advice. I hope you'll keep posting updates as your project progresses.

Thanks again for sharing!
Brenda
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
1:09 PM EDT 9/26/05 as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
Not sure if this fits exactly here, but it seems to have a bit of relevancy, and I was not sure where else to post it ;-) :

"Google Isn't Everything"
Stephen Manes, 08.15.05, Forbes.com

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2005/0815/056_print.html
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
12:10 PM EST 1/4/06 as a reply to Ross Riker.
This is such a broad topic that what I want to say probably fits. ;->

It's a comment on library technology in general ... that there have been vast changes in "what library technology means" over the past 10 years or so that are largely unrecognized by management types. This has enormous implications for technology planning, especially as it impacts job descriptions and personnel decisions.

In a nutshell: library technology, for many years now, has -- aside from the catalog (OPAC) vendors -- largely been about network management. Dumb terminals were followed by PCs (and may be followed by thin-clients).

We've added two layers: PC maintenance and Internet access. We're now adding numerous server-side functionalities such as websites, blogging software, etc. that require considerably greater skillsets.

Yet, I think, most administrators still see "computers" as a network maintenance issue when, really, they are a much more extensive proposition ... they are as much the "center" of what the library does as the book cataloging department was 50 years ago.

Message was edited by:
librarybob
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
12:18 PM EST 1/4/06 as a reply to Bob Watson.
We must be entering a convergence zone. Just a couple of days ago there was a telling comment posted to Chrystie's BlogJunction post from August that started this discussion thread:

http://webjunction.lishost.org/?p=81#comments

which to my mind beautifully illustrates LibraryBob's point: there is definitely more than trival resistance to the idea of technology as central to libraries. The battle to win library staff (and management!) hearts and minds is as important as the battle to keep current with technology. And the battle is far from won.

What I love about WebJunction (OK, I work here, but still...) is that we have the opportunity to bring together good ideas about technology *and* the networking and support individuals need to keep on believing.
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
1:42 PM EST 1/4/06 as a reply to Joe Anderson.
Here's my particular problem: I'm an administrator. :-)

Tomorrow, there's a meeting of the long-range planning committee for our (very large) automation consortium. I chair that group of administrators, in large part because I'm very active online and have at least a passing acquaintance with library technology (I've also taught intro computer use in libraries).

I am frustrated on two counts. One is "administrators not demanding more of the consortium" because the consortium should be able to provide the type of web-savvy people who can advise the libraries on the entire range of computers-in-libraries issues -- but doesn't since this wasn't on the "list of things the consortium does" when it was established 20+ years ago. Two is "the consortium itself not pushing the administrators," which I see as being due to a "don't rock the boat of shared ignorance" attitude.
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
3:32 PM EST 1/4/06 as a reply to Bob Watson.
Technology boot camp for consortium directors?

Or maybe it's time for WJ to do a focus on "Stumping for Technology in Your Library System."

Seems like a lot of the issues are similar to those "Demonstrating Your Impact In Your Community" (see the updated focus we just posted on this topic). This year's edition is focused on building partnerships, but that might be relevant too:
http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=12377

It would be great to hear from others how they address the *politics* of managing emerging technology.
Re: public libraries, internet access, & online community services
3:42 PM EST 1/4/06 as a reply to Joe Anderson.
I love the idea of WJ doing something re: "Stumping for Technology in Your Library System"! and could we also include "Stumping for Technology in Your Community"?