Google Docs.

Now this is something to be excited about!

Google Docs is an online application suite similar to Microsoft Office. Sure, there are other free apps around that one can use, like Open Office, but the key word with Google Docs is- online.

Online applications allow for two very useful things: they allow you to access your work from any online PC regardless of the software it may or may not have, and it allows for collaboration on projects by fellow co-workers. Think of a wiki experience with documents, spreadsheets and presentations!

Google Docs is simple and streamlined. The essentials are there for you to create an application that looks good, and is functional. The controls are intuitive. You are not bogged down with too many options, yet you have enough control over what you are doing to come up with an effective document.

Libraries could easily benefit from such an online application. Think of work groups that can collaborate on a single job, bringing different participants together to share their strengths.

The days of being asked, "do you have Word?" are definitely numbered.

Learn & Play Wiki

It was only a matter of time- Learn & Play @CML has its own Wiki.

OK, you've seen Wikipedia, now its time to actually post on a wiki. It's surprisingly easy- three cheers for WSYSIWYG editors! I added this blog link, a favorite quote, and a favorite website there. It was easy to go back and edit what I added- very useful.

I'll admit I was already familiar with PBwiki, since the IM committee I'm on has a wiki there. I've found it quite handy for such work.

I forsee more wikis in our future at the library!

Wikis at Libraries.

Wikis are cool ways to collaborate with lots of users to bring useful information to any subject, and libraries are natural organizations to take this approach. Subject guides are the most obvious example- posting links to aid staff in readers advisory efforts, or even posting reviews of books that you think would be interesting to readers, as in this example.

I'm currently working on a committee to incorporate instant messaging services to my library system. We have a wiki that we use to communicate and share ideas, and create collaborative documents. This is a great way to stay in touch without having everybody meet on a frequent basis (which makes it easier on everybody's schedule).

Wikis draw on everyone's contributions to incorporate the particular insight and wisdom of all participants. What a wealth of knowledge to make available to others in a quick manner!

Library 2.0, or: the long tail comes to the stacks

Library 2.0 is a hot topic these days. Fitting right in with Web 2.0, this means greater customer service through technology. In reading about Library 2.0, I'm impressed how much The Long Tail keeps coming to mind. In essence, the new online social technology revolution plays right into customizing an optimal customer service experience for each customer, no matter how obscure or mainstream their interests are. Think of the huge number of choices in RSS feeds, Flickr or Twitter communities; and then think of the myriad number of interests that library users have, not only in a vastly different number of reading tastes, but in audiovisual and computer technology as well.

Amazon pioneered individual book recommendations for customers; Google uses targeted ads in a similar fashion. Libraries are just beginning to approach this level of individual attention for their customers. Technology has made it all possible.

Delicious Tagging!

Del.icio.us is a very handy way to have bookmarks on hand away from home, sort of a Web 2.0 reference tool. Learn&Play@CML has its own bookmarks there, of course. It is interesting to see how a consensus of users develop tags- much more collaborative than the old cataloger's method. Bookmarking this page will make learning and playing at work much simpler :)

Twitter Time.

Blogging is one thing, but tweeting is another. Using Twitter is a step into the world between blogs and instant messaging. It's quite interesting to see how technology provides users with more tools to refine their communication skills. Tweeting definitely encourages you to be concise and to the point.

People tweet about all sorts of subjects. Often they are just reporting their moods or their whereabouts to friends. Sometimes they tweet about bigger subjects to start a conversation with users they may not personally know.

I can see tweeting being a useful tool for libraries- for instance, I am on a committee that is investigating how to add instant messaging to our library system. Instead of email or IM sessions, tweeting back and forth could have its advantages during the day when working on assignments.

My Twitter account has been started- I'll try to tweet more soon.

Librarything!

LibraryThing is a very handy way to share your reading interests with others online. It makes cataloging your books a snap. Adding books is as easy as searching the Amazon engine through LibraryThing and clicking on the book you want to place in your collection.

You can take a peek at my LibraryThing catalog - as you can see, I have an interest in history and economics. I could put scores of titles there!