More the
exception than
the rule

Why 2.0
Services Fail

Window Dressing
We really need
to do these Web
2.0 things all the
other libraries are
doing

“____are SO COOL! We should have
one at our library!”

The Lone Ranger
I think our library really needs a
blog to be relevant to our patrons.
Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything!

We Know our Users…
Better Than They Know Themselves

Going Where our Users are
Without Being Useful

Web 2.0 Tech is Free… as in Kittens

You never call, you never write…

Tips for Building
a Successful 2.0
Service

• Get to know your population’s
needs/wants and the technologies they
use
• Build things that meet a demonstrated
need rather than what you think is cool
• Give staff time to work on 2.0 projects
• Plan for/market 2.0 projects the same
way you would any other
service/technology
• Make sure 2.0 projects are in-line with
library’s mission/goals
• Continually assess the impact of your 2.0
services and change or stop doing what
isn’t working

Assessing Web 2.0
Depends on your initial goals
• Web statistics
• Number of visitors (and their behavior),
subscribers, members/users/fans,
comments, tags, ratings, etc.
• Surveys and Focus Groups
• Satisfaction, utility, relevance, usability
• What information/services do they
want/need from the library
• What technologies do your patrons
use? (good for future planning)

Thanks!
mgfarkas@gmail.com
AIM: librarianmer
Links and presentation at
http://meredithfarkas.wetpaint.com

Photo Credits
• Gips http://www.flickr.com/photos/ciotka/136357642/ by clotka
• Digitage Web 2.0 http://flickr.com/photos/oceanflynn/315385916/ by ocean.flynn
• Long Range Plan Discussion
http://flickr.com/photos/maubrowncow/2763362494/ by Nebraska Library
Commission
• Toolbox full http://www.flickr.com/photos/zakh/337938459/ by Austin
ampersand Zak
• TBLC Annual Meeting http://flickr.com/photos/sylvar/287940515/ by Sylvar
• Slide from “If You Build It, Will They Care?”
http://www.slideshare.net/charbooth/if-you-build-it-will-they-care-1159058 By Char
Booth and Chris Guder.
• Chemistry library on Facebook
http://www.flickr.com/photos/libraryriot/2855148330/ by library riot
• UB Library on Facebook http://www.flickr.com/photos/inju/2949690631/ by inju
• Sprout attacks a kleenex box
http://www.flickr.com/photos/asimpledarksquid/1187308493/ by Squid!
• sunny day http://flickr.com/photos/iamthebestartist/2226165685/ by jessamyn