Rural & Small Web 2.0 ToolsHow to find Immense Collaboration with Miniscule Library Resources Prepared for the Association for Rural & Small Libraries Annual Conference, Gatlinburg, TN, 2009 by Sonja Plummer-Morgan

What we hope to accomplish…Introduce social networksExplore time saving social network toolsConnect traditional and modern library precepts

But I’m already exhausted!

Why Social Networks?Keeps you connected with other professionalsSocial networking tools can be used to share information, advertise events, and connect with local and distance readers. Librarians often underestimate the impact they can make in any online or local community.

What Happens Online?E-learningPhotographs and other documents digitizedRural isolation partially mitigated Answers found to questions for our patronsLibrary associations share newsBooks recommended, downloaded, discussedEmerging trends discussed Libraries marketed and promotedCreative spirits expressed (art)

Wikis Project Gutenburghttp://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_PageLargest and first producer of free online books 30,000 free books.Wetpainthttp://www.wetpaint.com/page/about“Built on the power of collaborative thinking. Create websites that mix best features of wikis, blogs, forums and social networks into a community.”

“We may sit in our library and yet be in all quarters of the earth.” John Lubbock 1834-1913

The idea of libraries reaching beyond the boundaries of our buildings or communities is expanded with online social networking and communication.

Web 2.0 and You…Blogging events and writing articles gives patrons an opportunity to contributeLet your patrons’ “voice” be heard Showcase library events Blogs are easier to maintain than a websiteVolunteers or staff can “blog” togetherContribute to the degree that your time allowsResource share

Blogging events and writing articles gives patrons an opportunity to contribute

Let your patrons’ “voice” be heard

Showcase library events

Blogs are easier to maintain than a website

Volunteers or staff can “blog” together

Contribute to the degree that your time allows

Resource share

Collection Development—Social Networks as Database

It’s Not Just the Big Guys…In a library district of 4,500… Created a blog for book reviews and library events Used 42 things for web 2.0 Uses Facebook, LibraryThing, podcasts, Snapfish & Flickr Felt pleased to see patrons over 60 adapting to new technologyJoy Neal, Library DirectorLa Conner Regional LibraryLa Conner, WA jneal@lclib.lib.wa.us

Created a blog for book reviews and library events

Used 42 things for web 2.0

Uses Facebook, LibraryThing, podcasts, Snapfish & Flickr

Felt pleased to see patrons over 60 adapting to new technology

Taylor County Library, FL“We have included a blog as partof our library website. We areusing Word Press for the web siteand the blog. You can check usout @ tcplreads.com.” Pamela S. Grigg, DirectorTaylor County Public LibraryPerry, FL library.director@taylorcountygov.com

Social Networking Practices…Make your Mission the foundation Add disclaimers—views expressed are the author’s and not the library’sHonor confidentiality of patronsShow respect to everyoneRemember your online presence reflects libraryCarefully observe copyright lawsCreate or imagine no expectation of privacy

Make your Mission the foundation

Add disclaimers—views expressed are the author’s and not the library’s

Honor confidentiality of patrons

Show respect to everyone

Remember your online presence reflects library

Carefully observe copyright laws

Create or imagine no expectation of privacy

Sample Disclaimer “This blog does not represent official Library of Congress communications.Links to external Internet sites on Library of Congress Web pages do not constitute the Library's endorsement of the content of their Web sites or of their policies or products. Please read our Standard Disclaimer.”~Library of Congress

Making it Happen…Set aside time every dayUtilize volunteers

Set aside time every day

Utilize volunteers

Time is money & money is tight…Instant chat……...fewer long distance phone callsPost events……...reduce costs for paper adsDigitize photos.....archival and storage cost downSocial sites………find solutions to problemsE-learning………..travel costsOnline flyers……..postage costsCollections……….grant access not acquisitionNotices or signs…less paper and ink usedColleagues………reduce burnout with support Prof Dev………….find grants & fundraising

Instant chat……...fewer long distance phone calls

Post events……...reduce costs for paper ads

Digitize photos.....archival and storage cost down

Social sites………find solutions to problems

E-learning………..travel costs

Online flyers……..postage costs

Collections……….grant access not acquisition

Notices or signs…less paper and ink used

Colleagues………reduce burnout with support

Prof Dev………….find grants & fundraising

Reader’s Advisory**Also try Shelfari, LibraryThing, LivingSocial

Sharing Photos

Reference Questions

Online Communities

A few of my favorite tools…Technorati (search engine blog) http://technorati.com/Skype (free phone calls) http://skype.com/Collaborative Thinking Blog http://mikeg.typepad.com/Work Literacy Blog http://www.workliteracy.com/Passion for ‘Putershttp://www.rhastings.net/presentations-and-publicationsE-Learning Technology http://elearningtech.blogspot.com/2007/03/elearning-trends.htmlJane’s E-learning Pick Day http://janeknight.typepad.com/Ninghttp://www.ning.com/DimDim http://www.dimdim.com/

Technorati (search engine blog) http://technorati.com/

Skype (free phone calls) http://skype.com/

Collaborative Thinking Blog http://mikeg.typepad.com/

Work Literacy Blog http://www.workliteracy.com/

Passion for ‘Putershttp://www.rhastings.net/presentations-and-publications

E-Learning Technology http://elearningtech.blogspot.com/2007/03/elearning-trends.html

Jane’s E-learning Pick Day http://janeknight.typepad.com/

Ninghttp://www.ning.com/

DimDim http://www.dimdim.com/

For Further Reading/ReferencesMinnesota State University. John Lubbock. http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/klmno/lubbock_john.htmlKeeping Rural Libraries Linked and Rural http://www.pbs.org/livelyhood/ourtowns/lff-rural.htmlThe Rural Blog http://irjci.blogspot.com/The Latino American Experience http://lae.greenwood.com/blog/American Indian Library Association http://www.nativeculturelinks.com/aila_faq.htmlRural Library Initiative http://www.rurallibraries.org/