Putting Library 2.0 into Practice
˚got Berger (aaberg@kff.kk.dk)
A
Henriette Ritz Kylmann (hritzk@kff.kk.dk)
Thor Dekov Buur (thdeko@kff.kk.dk)
Copenhagen Public Library
August 9, 2006
Internet Librarian International 2006
London 16 - 17 October 2006
Session A102 October 16, 12.00 - 12-15
Abstract
This paper is the proceedings for a talk on Putting Library 2.0 into
Practice at Internet Librarian International 2006.
The talk will address two topics tagging in the physical library and instant
messenger reference. Tagging is already in use at Copenhagen Public
Library and the instant messenger is being testet. We will cover the
basics of the two technologies and look at how they are used in practice.
Copenhagen Public Library consists one City Library and 19 branches
and have 260.000 patrons.
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1 Tagging the Physical Library
A key concept in web 2.0 and library 2.0 is tagging. There are several
attempts to implement tagging in the catalogue, but this is often difficult
due to closed library systems (OPACs). This talk will not address the
online catalogue, but instead look at the physical library.
1.1 Tagging: a short introduction
You properly already know about tags and tagging. In libraries we have
used them for decades in a well defined way so we quickly can find related
materials. Now tags have become a tool for everybody especially as a
social tool. Just look a del.icio.us1 and Flicr2 here tags are the primary
method for organizing content. In short a tag can be compared with a
subject. A tag is defined by the user relying on no rules or guidelines.
Opposite to this a subject is defined by the libraries according to special
rules.
On may argue that the unstructured nature of tags makes it impossible
to use but it seems not to be true. People very often use the same tags for
the same content though they have never met. Also people tend to use
several tags for an item. This makes it easy to find relevant content for
what ever you are looking for. Finally tags are allowed to be subjective
and can express the tagger’s views.
1.2 How to use tagging in the physical library
In Copenhagen we offer tagging at two libraries at the moment. We use
a concept developed on a workshop at Copenhagen Main Library held by
Opening The Book3 . The concept is quite simple. We have made some
coloured flags that patrons can place in books and other material. This
way the tagged material will be highlighted when another patron looks at
the shelves. On the flags we put smileys or short words like wow, Boring,
Women only, Figure 1 shows two examples. It needs to be short and
easily recognizable so that the patron immediately knows what it means.
Figure 1: Two physical tags
1 del.icio.us
is a collection of links. You can keep, share and discover links: http://del.icio.us
2 Onlinephoto management and sharing application: www.flickr.com
3 For more inforamtion: www.openingthebook.com
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Figure 2: How a physical tag is used
The patron (or staff member) can take a flag and place it in a book to
state point of view on the book Figure 2 shows how it is used. How other
patrons will interpret the tag is not to say but nevertheless the book will
draw attention. A tag is of cause not only positive, it might as well be
negative. It just needs to express an opinion.
At the moment the staff decides the tags. Next step is for patrons to make
tags themselves. This could simply be done by making blank flags and let
the patrons put on words or signs. The tags is a quick way for a patron
to comment on a book. Time is often a factor in a visit a the library, and
far from all users have the time to make a review. Another way to use
the flags it as rating. A flag could have one or more stars as we know it
from e.g. Amazon.
2 Instant Messenger Reference
In the second half we will look at Instant Messenger and how it can be
used to service the patrons.
2.1 Instant Messenger: a short introduction
Instant Messenger (IM) is a way of chatting or sending text messages
between computers in real time. The concept has been around for years
but has had a major breakthrough over the last few years. Besides sending
text messages it is often possible to send files such as pictures as well.
IM is widely used but is often regarded as just for fun and somewhat
unserious. But we know that IM is heavily used by young people and
kids and they regard it on same level as mobile phones it is simply a part
of their everyday life. If we want to be attractive to this group we need
use the same technology as they do.// Unlike e-mail, phone etc. IM has
no standard way of opreating. This means there are several different IM-
network that do not communicate. How this is handled will be covered
later.
2.2 How to get started with IM
At Copenhagen Public Library we are currently offering IM at one
branch. It has to accounts one for kids/teens and one for adults. This
way patrons get more qualified answers. This branch started after a short
introduction to IM.
This fall Copenhagen City Library, which is the main library, will also
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offer IM reference. We have used a different approach and given all staff
members (including administrative personnel) a two hour course in IM.
This because sevral employees had never used IM and found it hard to
see the possibilities. Doing the summer they use IM for internal commu-
nication so they are ready to go public.
When IM is implemented at City Library also the rest of our branches
will start using IM also.
Which approach is better is hard to say. If the staff is new to IM the
second properly will be better. Through the course they get to know the
IM client and during the test phase they will learn how to use it properly
A side effect to this approach is the ongoing discussion on how to use IM
in the references. What kind of questions will we answer, what is best
practice, how to deal with troublesome users and so on.
So far we offer IM on same conditions as the phone. This means we will
answer shorter questions, make quick searches on the internet and so on.
The choice of client and network has also been discussed. We have
started with Windows Messenger as it is widely used among our patrons.
If IM reference turns out to be a success we will of course open for other
networks such as Goggle Talk (Jabber), Yahoo! and AIM. Hence the
choice of client must also change, it is not practical to use 3-4 different
clients. A runner up is Gaim4 which offers support for a wide range of
protocols.
4 For additional information see: gaim.sourceforge.net
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