Implementing Practical & Successful Approaches to Learning Web 2.0 @ Your Library Carrie GitsAssistant Director of ReferenceNova Southeastern University

Today’s Library User Might Say…A member of my genealogy twibe group just tweeted about the library’s Genealogy Fair. Can you text me the dates?I’m a fan of your library and saw on your status update that you now offer RSS feeds…Will the photos from story time be on Flickr?I saw the Director’s blog post about the faculty research symposium, will there be a podcast available?I want to renew a book online, via my mobile device, is there an app. for that?Do you ChaCha?Can I follow the library? On Twitter?I created a video and put it to music. Can I post it to my Facebook account or on YouTube? How do I do that?

Access to Web 2.0 technologies happensat home, at work, at school, and on the go…

Web 2.0 is a term describing the trend in the use of Web technology and Web design that aims to enhancecreativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users. --Wikipedia

Social MediaSocial InternetSocial SoftwareUser -generated ContentUser CenteredNetworkingCollaborationRead/Write Web

BlogsWikisRSS FeedsTaggingFolksonomiesSocial NetworkingPhoto SharingMashupsPodcastScreencast

How do we avoid feeling like this?http://www.flickr.com/photos/ultimateslug/109566859/

http://plcmcl2-about.blogspot.com/August 2006 – Helene Blowers of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) launched Learning 2.0 an online self-discovery learning programProgram built using freely available Web 2.0 toolsEmphasis on-Encouraging staff to learn new technologies via playEnhancing and nurturing lifelong learning skillsRewarding staff who took part in learning 23 Things

August 2006 –

Helene Blowers of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) launched Learning 2.0 an online self-discovery learning program

Program built using freely available Web 2.0 tools

Emphasis on-

Encouraging staff to learn new technologies via play

Enhancing and nurturing lifelong learning skills

Rewarding staff who took part in learning 23 Things

Learning 2.0 ObjectivesExposestaff to new toolsEncouragethem to playEmpowerindividualsExpandtheir knowledge Eliminatefear

Creators encourage libraries worldwide to develop their own Learning 2.0 programMay 2007 – Yarra Plenty Regional Library System in Melbourne, Australia is the first library to duplicate the programWithin several months Learning 2.0 has a grassroots following and hundreds of libraries are learning about new technologies the Learning 2.0 way

Week 1: IntroductionWeek 2: BloggingWeek 3: Photos & ImagesWeek 4: RSS & NewsreadersWeek 5: Play WeekWeek 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & TechnoratiWeek 7: WikisWeek 8: Online Applications & ToolsWeek 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable audio

Why Learning 2.0?Expose staff to new technologiesEliminate fear of new technologiesEncourage communication and collaboration Generate new ideas Foster innovationEnhance library services and resources

http://explorediscoverplay.blogspot.com/

-1-Start LocalLook at your own strategic plan, mission or vision statementDoes it support a program like Learning 2.0Yes = easier to appeal to library administration No = you will have to creatively propose the program to themHints for Managers from Victorian Public LibraryRecognize your fiscal or personnel constraintsYou can do the program with little financial burdenYou cannot do the program w/o people to carry it through

Look at your own strategic plan, mission or vision statement

Does it support a program like Learning 2.0

Yes = easier to appeal to library administration

No = you will have to creatively propose the program to them

Hints for Managers from Victorian Public Library

Recognize your fiscal or personnel constraints

You can do the program with little financial burden

You cannot do the program w/o people to carry it through

-2-Look GlobalGather Information about the original Learning 2.0 programhttp://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/seminar_page.php?sid=74Look at the hundreds of libraries worldwide that have adapted the programGoogle maps L2 - http://tinyurl.com/37clb6Del.ico.us L2 http://del.icio.us/hblowers/learning2.0LibrariesGather ideas and approacheshttp://www.librarybytes.com/2006/11/nine-seven-best-practices-on-learning.htmlAsk questions to libraries that created their own program

Gather Information about the original Learning 2.0 program

http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/seminar_page.php?sid=74

Look at the hundreds of libraries worldwide that have adapted the program

Google maps L2 - http://tinyurl.com/37clb6

Del.ico.us L2 http://del.icio.us/hblowers/learning2.0Libraries

Gather ideas and approaches

Ask questions to libraries that created their own program

-3-Assemble a TeamDon’t work in isolationRely on the talents of staff members to plan, implement and manage the projectVariety of input makes for a stronger programMeet regularly during the planning processConsider using a wiki or blog during the planning process to generate and document ideas

-4-Sign A Learning ContractComplete a learning contractDetermine your goals and objectivesOutline tools needed to complete project ($, server space, time…)

-5-Personalize ItDecide on a platform to run the project from:Blogger (hosted on 3rd party server)Wordpress.com (hosted on 3rd party server)Wordpress.org (open source hosted on your servers)Decide which exercises and tools to include in your ThingsRemember it is ok to start smallAre certain tools blocked or inaccessible at your institutionThink about the participants, who are they? (all staff, administrators, library board members)Modify the content Use language familiar to your staff – http://www.librarybytes.com/2006/11/customizing-learning-20.html

Decide on a platform to run the project from:

Blogger (hosted on 3rd party server)

Wordpress.com (hosted on 3rd party server)

Wordpress.org (open source hosted on your servers)

Decide which exercises and tools to include in your Things

Remember it is ok to start small

Are certain tools blocked or inaccessible at your institution

Think about the participants, who are they? (all staff, administrators, library board members)

Modify the content

Use language familiar to your staff –

http://www.librarybytes.com/2006/11/customizing-learning-20.html

-6-Market it! Market it! Market it!Establish an effective marketing plan early onPromote the program via print, email or other mediumsLet people know what is coming, try to clarify it early to avoid confusionEstablish a public face for marketing the programPreferably an administrator Brand it: (consider the name and logo)http://blogs.library.nova.edu/tlchttp://www.tblc.org/library2.0/about-the-tblc-library-20-challenge/http://projectplay.owlsweb.info/

Establish an effective marketing plan early on

Promote the program via print, email or other mediums

Let people know what is coming, try to clarify it early to avoid confusion

Establish a public face for marketing the program

Preferably an administrator

Brand it: (consider the name and logo)

http://blogs.library.nova.edu/tlc

http://www.tblc.org/library2.0/about-the-tblc-library-20-challenge/

http://projectplay.owlsweb.info/

-7-Celebrate the Launch Kick off the program with informationConsider the launch date – keep in mind there will never be a perfect time for everyone!Inspire staff -- present ideas and concepts of Web 2.0 and the potential in librariesExplain HOW the program worksExplain WHY you are doing itProvide Q and A timeOffer something tangible to take awayKick off the program with a party!Celebrate the journeyAllow staff to mingleOffer incentives for staff who attend

Kick off the program with information

Consider the launch date – keep in mind there will never be a perfect time for everyone!

Inspire staff -- present ideas and concepts of Web 2.0 and the potential in libraries

Explain HOW the program works

Explain WHY you are doing it

Provide Q and A time

Offer something tangible to take away

Kick off the program with a party!

Celebrate the journey

Allow staff to mingle

Offer incentives for staff who attend

-8-Encourage & SupportEncourage staff along the way:Project leader(s) should be present on blogs – offer comments, let participants know you are reading their blogs, and that you hear their concerns and you recognize their accomplishmentsOffer incentives – small weekly incentives for staff that complete exercises (tangible or non tangible) (blog bling vs. $25 item)Support staff along the way:Be aware of different learning stylesOffer contact information, let people know who they can ask for helpRemind staff to ask their colleagues for help

Encourage staff along the way:

Project leader(s) should be present on blogs – offer comments, let participants know you are reading their blogs, and that you hear their concerns and you recognize their accomplishments

Offer incentives – small weekly incentives for staff that complete exercises (tangible or non tangible) (blog bling vs. $25 item)

Support staff along the way:

Be aware of different learning styles

Offer contact information, let people know who they can ask for help

Remind staff to ask their colleagues for help

-9-Be FlexibleChange the program as needed – setbacks are unavoidableBe in tune with attitudes and perceptionsParticipation waning? Consider slowing things down, speeding things up, identify resistance, make appropriate accommodations

-10-Celebrate The EndCelebrate as a group:Review the accomplishments of the program overallRecognize milestonesSummarize the programOffer a what next scenario – life after the programRecognize your teamReward staff who completed all 23 Things

-10.5-Life After Learning 2.0Evaluate the programSurvey the staffAsk participants and non-participantsOffer Closure –Encourage people to continue blogging, exploring and learningLet people know what is coming nextKeep communicating about Web 2.0 developmentsEncourage participants who did not finish to keep going

Evaluate the program

Survey the staff

Ask participants and non-participants

Offer Closure –

Encourage people to continue blogging, exploring and learning

Let people know what is coming next

Keep communicating about Web 2.0 developments

Encourage participants who did not finish to keep going

DiscoverLearnExplorePlayhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/markdavis/1150239279/

The Next Steps: Library Services & Web 2.0 – Full Speed Ahead?You’ve created a learning programYour staff is now Web 2.0 proficient Why wait, start implementing all that cool stuff“Don’t worry I’ll maintain the Library’s blog”

You’ve created a learning program

Your staff is now Web 2.0 proficient

Why wait, start implementing all that cool stuff

“Don’t worry I’ll maintain the Library’s blog”

Not So Fast -- Proceed With CautionKnow your population’s needs/wants and the technology they useBuild something useful, not just coolGive Staff time and tools for Web 2.0 projectsMake sure projects are inline with goals and missions of libraryPlan/Market Web 2.0 projects the same way you do any other new initiativeContinually assess the impact of the service, stop doing it if it isn’t working – change it-Meredith Farkas- Life After 2.0http://www.slideshare.net/librarianmer/life-after-20

Know your population’s needs/wants and the technology they use

Build something useful, not just cool

Give Staff time and tools for Web 2.0 projects

Make sure projects are inline with goals and missions of library

Plan/Market Web 2.0 projects the same way you do any other new initiative

Continually assess the impact of the service, stop doing it if it isn’t working – change it

-Meredith Farkas- Life After 2.0

http://www.slideshare.net/librarianmer/life-after-20

Tools For Keeping UpLearning 2.0 http://plcmclearning.blogspot.com/Learning 2.1http://explorediscoverplay.blogspot.com/ReadWriteWeb http://www.readwriteweb.com/Library Success Wikihttp://www.libsuccess.org/LITA Social Software Showcasehttp://www.yourbigwig.com/showcase

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oberazzi/318947873/

THANK YOU!Carrie GitsAssistant Director of ReferenceNova Southeastern Universitygits@nova.edu