Librarian 2.0 or a Librarian in the Web 2.0 environment?

A spin off from Web 2.0, is the label 2.0, which is now used across many sectors such as library, health, gov and education.

While some say 2.0 is hype and a fad, it appears that 2.0 is becoming more mainstream. What is important however, is the shift from 2.0 being technology driven to an understanding that technology is an enabler of the social aspects of  2.0.

Social (people) underpinnings of 2.0

conversation
connection

collaboration

participation

engagement

sharing

networking

transparency
authenticity

distributed

user generated
content co creation

personalisation
user centered

Therefore, library 2.0 is about developing and delivering services and providing clients (and staff) with opportunities to engage with services and staff in a way that embraces the social aspects of 2.0.

The development of online services and technology driven applications which improve service delivery are a critical function of the library; however Juliet Eve in the YouTube Libraries and Library 2.0: Help or Hype? warns that technology is not the solution to all user needs and that non web based services offered by libraries are still important. Additionally, she asserts that many of the underpinnings of 2.0 have traditionally been used by libraries to develop and deliver services.

I would therefore, suggest that many of the competencies of a Librarian 2.0 are qualities already possessed by  a good proportion of librarians and information professionals. It should also be remembered that within the library profession there are a variety of library roles which require different skills and competencies; therefore it is important not to expect all librarians to be literate across all forms of technology and computer science skills (such as XHTML, java scripting). Rather there should be an emphasis upon:

• proactive and engaged staff who are competent in their field of expertise,continually learning and exploring opportunities, and
• organisations providing support to staff to develop and deliver services based on human-centric approach, where service value is two way. 

For the above to occur:

• staff need to take personal responsibility and accountability, and
• organisations need to embrace a culture that supports the social aspects of web 2.0 within the workplace.

John Blyberg, a self professed library geek, in his article Library 2.0 debased, aptly say: "The true pursuit of Library 2.0 involves a thorough recalibration of process, policy, physical spaces, staffing, and technology."

Website design

I’ve been reflecting on the paper that I wrote in 2008, Guidelines for the development of a blog-based current awareness news service. Since then there has been new web 2.0 tools and applications; however the following two quotes from the 2008 article are still relevant today:

Nielson (2005), Attwood (2006), Bustos (2007), and Kroski (2007) indicate that the ‘new web’ design should not throw away traditional web site design principles, but

1.      focus more on simplicity of design, which presents a clean and simple interface for users and draws attention to what is important, and

2.      provide options for users to connect and interact with each other, and with the site. (p. 414)

No matter what technology platform is used to develop a site, the development process should be based on a combination of evidence-based and ‘new web’ principles (Maness 2006; Cervone 2007; Kroski 2007; Saw 2007):

·         Be informed by practice and evidence

·         Involve all stakeholders and be communally innovative

·         Be nimble when responding to changes in consumer needs

·         Evolve by constant revision and adaption

·         Try something new or different

·         Use imagination. (p. 427)

So when asked to come up with 10 criterion to evaluate a library website, I have found the task nearly impossible. Especially, when you include the set readings on library website design (Matthews 2009), kids website design (Lazaris 2009), online library identity (McBurnie 2007) and web 2.0 architecture (Governor, Hinchcliffe & Nickull, 2009), plus other useful resources, such as Steve Krug’s books on website usability. What I have opted to do is identify key categories used to evaluate a website, which depending on the purpose of the site and intended audience(s) would be tailored.

Navigation

• Use of terms and labels that are meaningful to your audience
• Provide different pathways for finding information
• Simple navigation with 'major' pathways/categories persistent on each page
• Provide an easy way to ask for help

Search

• Optimised search engine with a search box visible on each page
• For libraries – a catalogue search box on front page
• For libraries - federated search

Visual design

• Visual cues such as images and icons that contribute to the content and meaning 
• Is written for the web (and intended audience)
• Uses relevant website design techniques such as: strong colours to emphasise key concepts, and use of whitespace to provide a clean and open feeling and improve readability.
• Is creative

Content

• Relevant, current content
• Added value content
• Engaging content
• User generated content

Accessibility

• Ensure good speed of multimedia download
• Is compliant with web accessibility guidelines and provides accessibility features, such as increase font size and alternative text for pictures.

Participation and engagement

• Provide an option to comment (may or may not be moderated) for relevant section
• Include a suite of social tools for relevant pages / sections such as re-tweet, bookmark, tagging, rating
• Make it easier for the user to subscribe by offering syndication via email and or RSS 

On the go

• Mobile–friendly pages to ensure compatibility with a variety of screen sizes

Branding

• Is appropriately branded for online identity

image source: http://www.nutwork.com.au/web-design-perth/

For more food for thought view the infographic by Kissmetrics on The Evolution of Website design

The A-Z of social networking for librarians remodelled

Based on the The A-Z of Social Networking for Libraries, which didn't quite resonate with me, I've taken some of the alphabet and condensed it to:

Strategy - have a Social Media and Social Networking Strategy to provide direction

Brand - have a Social Media / Networking Brand

Engage - engage with your community; no matter their age or background

Regularity - be active and regular in your social media conversations

Technology - use Open Source platforms (Joomla, Koha), ubiquitous technologies (Mobile), and other emerging tools (widgets)

Formats - provide new and emerging formats (ebook, podcasts)

Tools - push your services through a variety of SN tools (podcasts, blogs, slideshare, Ustream, YouTube, FaceBook, IM, text messaging)

Enthusiasm - staff are involved and engaged with the 'online' community

Content - provide content of value to clients


... I'm not even going to try and make an anagram

Information governance - getting started checklist

On 11 April 2011, I attended a workshop on information governance facilitated by Matt Moore (Innotecture) with support from Keith De La Rue (AcKnowledge Consulting).

Part of the session was run along similar lines to a world cafe. Two main themes discussed were "getting buy-in" and "getting started". Following are the key thoughts from the "getting started" conversations.

Getting started : an information governance checklist

þ Mandate

Ensure that a mandate for information governance is obtained from and endorsed by senior management.

þ Central support team
Create an information management central support team composed  of people with a diversity of expertise and skills across information / data / knowledge / change / project management and subject matter knowledge and expertise.

þ Clearly defined responsibilities
Identify and charting responsibilities and ownership of information and information processes based around the RACI model
        R-responsible
        A-accountable
        C-consulted
        I- informed

þ Management, stewardship and curatorialship of information
Consider information management in the light of stewardship and curatorialship.

þ Identify champions
Identify and nurture early adopters, innovators and enthusiasts of good information practices. These are the people who will help embed good information practices across the organisation.

þ Communications strategy
Develop a robust, but flexible communications strategy based around:

• audience / stakeholder (message based on segment)
• format (vary depending on audience)
• timing/phase (dependent on phase of project). 

Also consider a communication to have three elements:

• argument (the case) which is based on data, e.g. comparative website traffic stats
• narratives (the story) which is based on the personal account, e.g. outcome of using quality information
• reputation (credibility) achieved by using a champion or someone of credible standing to the audience being presented to.

þ Recognition program

Create a program that recognises the achievements of champions or people doing good practice. Add social tools, such as star ratings, to make it easy to engage a broad range of people with the recognition process. (Note: This program should not to be confused with a monetary rewards program.)

þ Align projects
Not only use a project management methodology for management of projects, but ensure that program management is occurring across the organisation and portfolio management is being undertaken by senior management.

þ Scalability and flexibility
Start small, but ensure your projects and programs are scalable and flexible.

þ The user is at the centre
Projects and programs, processes and practices are designed around the user and are modified according to the audience; remembering that not all users are the same (one size does not fit all).

This checklist is not exhaustive; however considering it emerged from two 15-20 minute discussions, it's pretty good!