INF206 - Assessment Three - Reflection

REFLECTION

Prior to commencing INF206 Social Networking for Information Professionals I considered myself to be aware and current with Web 2.0 technologies, how wrong I was.

The subject through self paced learning and interaction with fellow students gave me the environment to explore further.  It didn't matter our level of experience, there were times when many of us were able to share information.

I began using Delicious http://www.delicious.com/about to assist me with collating articles.  I was disappointed when not long after opening an account the platform changed its format with the deletion of "stacks" a feature I really enjoyed and  found most useful for my ordered mind.  I never embraced Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/about. Other students were very active and "pinning" regularly. Eastern Regional Libraries (ERL) have started using Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/fashionmfiction/ and linking to their Facebook page on "Fashion meets Fiction" event, https://www.facebook.com/#!/FashionMeetsFiction .  This has proven an effective means to develop a conversation with their audience, a useful example of cross-promotion between platforms.

Twitter was one micro blogging tool I was able to use frequently and enjoy.   I think because of its brief, quick, spontaneous nature made it easy to post something and most articles or interest pieces online have a link to various sharing applications, i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Delicious, Blogger and Google+.  I found it convenient and quick after reading an article to "Tweet" a link. The INF2506 Daily was exciting.  Seeing my contributions and those of other students was good learning tool.

However, I can't help but think that some "tweets" maybe misconstrued due to the very nature of the 140 character limit. I experienced how libraries interact with their twitter audience by tweeting events and branch updates.  The public libraries that I did follow at times only broadcasted but generally they contributed meaningful information to their followers.

With Facebook I learnt quite a lot especially about groups.  Prior to INF206 I was not aware "groups" existed and/or how they operated.  What a useful feature and one that I can see would be most useful in a Library setting.  Libraries can set up groups, i.e. teen's homework groups where they can communicate with a Youth services Librarian and discuss books, share information and also discover more services and events available.

I can't finish without mentioning my experience with SecondLife http://secondlife.com/. I found this learning experience most challenging.  Due to the system requirement, where my computer lagged and I was left hanging on numerous occasions.  Also, the constant jolting movements made me feel uneasy due to the fact I wear multifocal glasses and this causes focusing issues (Mooney, 2009).

Carole Gerts provided students with the opportunity to be escorted around CSU in SecondLife.  The tutorial was of great benefit as my initial experience was dreadful.  I actually didn't think I would attempt it again, but I gave it another go. However, Carole was able to explain some of the functions and the best way to manage your avatar.  We ventured into the CSU conference facilities.  Carole explained how the space could be used in a library setting.  I can envisage the space would be well placed to conduct workshops, events, author talks and lectures.  For this purpose SecondLife is an exciting option which could provide Libraries with a cost effective option for staff training, students lectures as hiring a room can be quite costly.
On another occasion I attempted to meet up with fellow students and Carole however was unsuccessful in locating them.  I somehow managed to find myself transported to a German site where I was subsequently involved in a "Drag Race".  The participants politely asked me to move on.

Suzanne watching a "Drag Race" after initially driving straight through it! http://secondlife.com/

On numerous occasions I found myself in the water and this seemed to be common occurrence among fellow students.

Suzanne in water on SecondLife http://secondlife.com/

Overall, I am confident when discussing social networking platforms and also don't baulk at investigating a suggestion from a colleague, friend, patron or fellow student.

I have met the learning outcomes by being able to evaluate new technologies, apply Library 2.0 skills, I consider myself capable to apply learned skills, to provide and educate other library staff and library users in using social networking tools.  This includes setting example of good practice and applying my employers Social Media Policy.

References

Delicious, 2012. About. Retrieved from, http://www.delicious.com./about

Mooney, L. (2009). Computer Vision Syndrome. Retrieved August, 4 from, http://www.livestrong.com/article/25560-computer-vision-syndrome/.

Pinterest, 2012. About. Retrieved from http://pinterest.com/about/ 

Second Life. (2012). System requirements. Retrieved July 25 from, http://secondlife.com/support/system-requirements/?lang=en-US

INF206 - Assessment Three - Evaluation

EVALUATION

I don’t only see this as evaluating my social networking journey but that of libraries also.  It’s difficult to isolate three learning experiences, however the blog posts I’ve chosen are:

SecondLife   http://secondlife.com

How Public Libraries use social networking and meshing with this the importance of Libraries website and homepage.

I had never experienced SecondLife for myself and must confess I was sceptical about its relevance in any workplace.  In February 2012 I attended VALA in Melbourne http://www.vala.org.au/vala2012/conf2012 .  One of the concurrent sessions was ‘Playing at Professional Development’, by Ellen Forsyth from State Library of NSW.  At one point I turned to my colleague and remarked “ERL are paying me to sit and listen to this”.  I felt guilty and that I was wasting mine and my employer’s time.

My SecondLife experience was not a positive one, due to the system requirements and that I wear multi-focal glasses.  I often felt unsettled, queasy after a session.  This was backed up by the following article (Mooney, 2009). My evaluation of SecondLife as learning tool I stand by.  For certain situations there are benefits of SecondLife becoming typical of the new classroom, meeting place with benefits for the providers and users, i.e. students.  I raise an area I only hinted at and one that is extremely important, the Digital Divide.  Students may not meet the system requirements or have impaired vision and therefore will not have the same learning experience as fellow students.  The introduction of NBN doesn’t solve all the Internet access issues. Cost, basic level of education to understand concepts, continued education/training, language, age are also barriers.

I am not against ‘learning – through play’ just that there needs to be measures to determine the success and relevance of any program.  For example ’23 Things – learning through play’ created by Helen Blowers http://www.heleneblowers.info/2009/02/wj-hosts-23-things-summit.html.  Organisations officially embracing this and facilitating staff time to spend on ’23 Things’ during work hours allowed staff to accept that it was acceptable. And I was one of them.

A libraries homepage is the window to who they are and what they have to offer.  Their website, homepage and how they use Social Media are inter-connected.
The library websites I visited displayed and used social media differently. I did get a sense these libraries wanted to be seen to be involved in social networking, however in some circumstances it was a token gesture rather than a well thought out plan with a clear structure and budget to facilitate the digital branch with the same commitment as they do with the traditional static branches.

Frankston Library made it difficult to discover they had a Facebook account.  Other libraries didn’t display links or icons to enable user’s easy access to their Social Media pages.

When looking at various library websites I should have included in the criteria the use of ‘jargon’ and a ‘search ‘option higher in rating.  I for one look for the search button immediately I enter a website. Jargon can lead to user frustration, if visitors to your site don’t understand or relate to the terminology being used they may leave without experiencing all the website has to offer.  They may think the website is not directed at them.

ERL's homepage has been updated since I set my criteria and viewed it.  ERL had quite a significant white space on their homepage however that has since been filled with library promotions, I was too quick to judge.

However, I did miss a couple of areas.  There is a RSS icon in the middle of the page with no explanation of its use. Users unfamiliar with this icon may not know its usefulness.  The slideshow is only for promotion of library events to the website visitor as there is no means to ‘share’ this on other Social Media sites.  However ERL's blog is set up so users are able to share amongst their peers on Social Networking sites.  This is advertising money can’t buy ‘Word of Mouth’.

Finally, Twitter is one of the two main Social Networking sites ERL use and the Twitter feed is set to the sidebar and low on the page.  Matthews (2009) suggests that simply having content on the homepage is not enough, that placement whether it’s in the headers/footers and sidebars must be considered as visitors to the site may have difficulty in navigating the page easily.  If Twitter is the main platform to encourage conversation with ERL's audience they need to make it easy to access by having the Twitter feed prominent on the homepage.  ERL, by not promoting Twitter, are doing them a disservice.

Brown (2009) suggests an effective strategy is important in ensuring your audience has a positive social networking experience with your site.  ERL don’t sign up for every new technology, but they must have a clear plan and maintain the Social Media sites they do use for interacting with their audience, continuing to upgrade and develop these sites .

Frankston Library in contrast uses many Social Media sites. I’m curious how they measure and evaluate the success and effectiveness and whether they eliminate platforms that don’t work for their library service.  They appear to dabble in numerous Social Media Sites and generally in what I have read this is not recommended.  Choosing a couple of platforms and developing them and supporting them are a better business model.
After re-viewing Frankston Libraries website they are inconsistent with the banners, naming and look.  They use variations for example:-

    Frankston City Libraries
    Frankston Library Service
    Frankston Libraries, and
    Blogalogue (Blog and Twitter)

Overall, the libraries that I visited are delving into social networking without a strategy and without support to maintain its existence. A libraries social networking audience is just as important as the visitors to the branches.  Public Libraries support and maintain their catalogues and static branch infrastructure they must also be committed to their digital branch, their website and the social media technologies they use.

References

Blowers, H. 2009. 23 Things. Retrieved from, http://www.heleneblowers.info/2009/02/wj-hosts-23-things-summit.html

Brown, A. 2009. Developing an effective social media marketing strategy.  Examiner.com. Retrieved from, http://www.examiner.com/article/developing-an-effective-social-media-marketing-strategy

Matthews, B. 2009. Web design matters. Library Journal. Retrieved from, http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6634712.html

Mooney, L. (2009). Computer Vision Syndrome. Retrieved August, 4 from, http://www.livestrong.com/article/25560-computer-vision-syndrome/.

Second Life. (2012). System requirements. Retrieved July 25 from, http://secondlife.com/support/system-requirements/?lang=en-US

INF206 - OLJ Evaluating how libraries use Social media

EVALUATION OF THREE LIBRARIES USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Eastern Regional Library Corporation www.erl.vic.gov.au

Boroondara Public Library www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/libraries

Frankston Public Library http://library.frankston.vic.gov.au/

Social Media Application	Eastern Regional Library Corporation	Boroondara Public  Library	Frankston Public Library
Facebook		ü	ü
Twitter	ü	ü	ü
Flickr	ü	ü
Blogger	ü		ü
YourTutor
Tumblr		ü
RSS Feed	ü		ü
LibraryThing		ü
QR Codes	ü
BookMyne	ü		ü

Social Media allows libraries to develop relationships with members and the publishing community and engage in conversation with them.  It is this two-way conversation where many libraries fail by only using social media to broadcast.

Frankston Library and Boroondara Library use Facebook as a social media tool.  According to recent statistics they are making the right business and marketing decision as Facebook has over 11.5 million users in Australia alone http://www.socialmedianews.com.au/social-media-statistics-australia-august-2012/

Frankston Library has a multi-purpose blog www.flsblog.blogspot.com.au in which they engage their readers by asking leading questions, tempting them to respond via Twitter for example.  They also reach out to staff as this is where Frankston Library update their footy tipping competition and share feedback on how they have responded.  The libraries transparency increases the confidence in the organisation.

Eastern Regional Libraries (ERL) are considering creating a Facebook account.  The Social Media team are still in the early stages of outlining exactly what they want the Facebook account to achieve for the organisation.  ERL’s social media team review many social media applications and evaluate what they consider will compliment their online presence.  Signing up to everything is not considered a good option (Kerpen,2011, p194).  How an application will work with existing social media tools is analysed.

Frankston Library does not display a link on their homepage to their Facebook account.  Members who read their blog do have visible access to the link.  Users of social media have come to expect a cluster of icons, where they can identify what other applications an organisation participates in.

ERLs homepage displays links to their Twitter account and a feed of their tweets (which does appear below the page fold), RSS feed, Blogger and BookMyne link that rests within the catalogue search area.

Improvement could include such as how the homepage presents to mobile users could include the option for downloadable applications.  Recognising a member is using a mobile device would be good customer service.

Boroodara use Facebook and Twitter with the links appearing with the catalogue details https://twitter.com/BoroondaraLib.  This appears to be a mis-match of unrelated icons.  Their posts are generally passive, promoting events and advising of branch closures etc.  Boroondara have a Flickr account but no link to it on their homepage.

Boroondara’s blog ‘Library News’  http://boroondaralibraryservice.blogspot.com.au  was last updated 24^th September 2012 due to the impending council elections.  Other public libraries don’t appear to be taking the same stance.  Their Flickr account has not been updated for four weeks also.

Choosing the target audience is an important step in the determination of the most suitable method to reaching them.  Time spent analysing the libraries’ target audience and researching where the majority of them are spending their time online is valuable. For example 57% of active users on Facebook are female alone, therefore if the library wishes to reach female members they should start there.  There is an even higher female representation in the membership of Pinterest http://www.socialmedianews.com.au/social-media-statistics-australia-august-2012/

Social Networking is being discussed in many spheres.  Even on a news bulletin the reporter will add a comment that was made on Twitter for example.  Senior Information professionals want to be a part of the social networking community, however, have they done the research and planned how the libraries online presence will look like.  Having a strategy in place is an important key to success.

All three libraries are attempting to provide their audience with a taste of what social media has to offer.  They need to have a clear structure in place to become successful in this area.

Reference

Cowling, D. (2012, September 3). Social Media Statistics Australia – August 2012. Social Media News. Retrieved September 5, 2012, from http://http://www.socialmedianews.com.au/social-media-statistics-australia-august-2012/

Eastern Regional Library Corporation. (2012). Retrieved October 2012, from http://www.erl.vic.gov.au/

Kerpen, D. (2011). Five social pitfalls to avoid. In C.C. Shih (2011, p194). The Facebook era: Tapping online social networks to market, sell, and innovate. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall.