The document discusses Swansea Libraries' early experiences with Web 2.0 technologies like blogs, social media platforms, photo sharing, and video sharing. It provides examples of how different libraries in Swansea have begun using these tools, including blogs to engage visitors and Facebook and Twitter to promote events. It also highlights challenges faced, such as limited user engagement and the need for frequent updates. The document concludes by asking if libraries are ready to further explore the opportunities of Web 2.0.

1. Web 2 Oh-Oh! Swansea Libraries first tentative steps

2. Web 2.0 Cloud tag 2007 Author: Markus Angermeier http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:web_2.0_map.svg

3. The term " Web 2.0 " is commonly associated with web applications that facilitate interactive information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web. A Web 2.0 site gives its users the free choice to interact or collaborate with each other in a social media dialogue as creators of user-generated content in a virtual community, in contrast to websites where users are limited to the passive viewing of content that was created for them.

4. A term used to describe a new generation of Web services and applications with an increasing emphasis on human collaboration. www.headland.co.uk/pages/glossary Examples of Web 2.0 applications include social-networking sites, blogs, wikis, video-sharing sites. Swansea has chosen as it’s preferred platforms the following :

5. www.wordle.net

6. Swansea Libraries 2.0?

7. Blog – over 10,000 visits in 3.5 years. Chatty, not really targeted, strong personal “character”. Challenges – constant blocking of Blogger in corporate network. Difficulty in not tiring of writing content, finding something fresh to say. Limited feedback.

10. Facebook – Gorseinon, Central, Gowerton, Penlan. Mainly events promotion. Challenges – can’t get user engagement as no pre-moderation available. Needs to be updated frequently to have impact.

16. Twitter – Paige Librarian. Spin off from blog. Strong personal character, mainly involved in professional discussion and chats with other librarians. 240+ followers Twitter – DiscoverMore. Mostly events promotion, few information posts. 340+ followers. Must be updated constantly. Can get instant feedback. Challenges -Twitter users or “twitterati” like to be active – very savvy to just being talked at, would like conversation

19. Good practice (Twitter): @Talesofonecity – Edinburgh public libraries @leedslibraries @OrkneyLibrary – legendary Good practice (Facebook): http://www.facebook.com/EdinburghCityLibraries http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotherham-Library-and-Information-Service/52373997763?ref=mf

20. Future Developments

21. Flikr – photo sharing e.g. Plymouth libraries and Newcastle libraries: http://www.flickr.com/photos/plymouthlibraries/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/newcastlelibraries

25. Our biggest challenge so far? … .and today you can meet the star!

26. You Tube examples http://www.youtube.com/talesofonecity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkTm_j8v_Eo

27. What have we learnt?

28. Web 2.0 is not complicated The software is very easy to use but has limitations Anyone can do it Its FREE It requires some staff resource but so does a lot of other things we do Talk nicely to your IT people to gain access Do it anyway and apologise later (pick the one that works!) Not perfect – just starting to explore what is out there. Need to define audience, define message, encourage more interaction, crowd source more (get multiple content creators), converse rather than just communicate outwards…

29. Finally - why are we doing it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8

31. Are we ready? Are you ready?

32. Steve Hardman Library Services Manager City & County of Swansea [email_address]