Week 12 - Wrap up; Social networks and catch up

Social networking is a very popular online service that people can share their interests and activities with others.  The most common social network services are email, Facebook, Twitter, Wikis, etc.  These web based social networking services make people connect and share their interests without any geographic barriers.  They can share with others any time and any where.  New technology, such as Iphone and Ipad, changes people's work and life.  Especially young generation, they prefer to share and chat with their friends by using digital technology.  Social networking services have lots of potential to be used in library services, especially for marketing, client interaction.   We can find many libraries' web page have provided social network services, such as blog, facebook, twitter, rss, and more.  It is not surprising that we can utilize social network to make connection with our digital community.  Library as the information gateway, we should redesign our services to connect our patrons in the digital age.  

Week 11 - Online applications and tools

I think Google Docs is straight forward and easy to be used.  In the library, it is a new way that we can be possibly to set up a team work document in Google Docs.  It saves time on sending email to others.   Online free apps have changed the way we do things in our daily activities.  In the future, I think it can help us to organize every day routine work, such as OH&S report, meeting report, holiday programs' records, etc.

Week 10 - Mashups

Mashups is fun and creative.   It can be used for many things in the library, such as promotion materials, displays, children activities.  It seems an endless list of creative application that we can make and use for many things.  I like "Big huge labs" that enable me to create and design ideas for library activities, such as school holiday programs.   There is no doubt that Mashups can be used for many things in the library.

Week 9 - Podcasts and audio

It is amazing.  The use of podcast and audio is very common everywhere in the digital world.  In the library sector, we can utilize it as a communication tool to show and tell any events or activities to our patrons.   The advance of information and communication technology (ICT) makes connection with our patrons easier than before.  The digital users can search the internet and locate library's news easily.  It is an effective way that end-users can find our services from the web.  The use of podcast and audio enables patrons accessing our services without any barrier.   Libraries can use it for library tours, lectures, book clubs, author talks, and more.   It is a fantastic marketing opportunity that can offer to our patrons.

Week 8 - Answer boards and social searching

"Slamming the boards" provides an opportunity to all librarians with questions and answers around the world.  It seems a new reference section placed in a digital world, that enables members to access knowledge and organize knowledge.   It is a good idea for everyone to enhance their views and explore their knowledge. However, the site is occupied with many commercial advertisement that makes me impatient to explore it any longer.