Program Overview

Soaring to Excellence

Best New Technologies: Keeping Up with the Storm

Program Description

New technologies keep coming at a rapid pace, and librarians are subject to the stress of being expected to both absorb and implement them. Is there any surprise that the challenges faced in keeping up with this storm of new technology is where the talk turns when librarians gather? Our cause for optimism is that a handful of these new technologies may actually help librarians to more effectively connect with their communities and involve community members in developing resources and content. This program will examine the challenges librarians face as we enter the world of Web 2.0. It will explore several of the newest technologies, investigate why librarians are adopting them and how they’re being used, and examine sensible approaches to choosing and implementing the technologies that are right for your library.

I. Themes for Season and Today

• What is Library 2.0?

• “Shiny New Toy” Syndrome (pressures to keep up with new technology)

o Myspace/Facebook: Should Libraries Be There

• A Better Way (applying design thinking to technology integration)

• Tips for Successful Technology Adoption in Libraries

o Balancing experimentation and investment

o Free doesn’t not mean “no costs involved” – “opportunity costs”

o Leading Edge or Trailing Edge (merits of letting the bandwagon pass)

o Identifying your “compassionate pioneers”

o Following your plan – and when not to

II. Library Blogs

• Define library blogging (differs from personal blogging)

• How does it work

• Examples of library blogs

• Content issues

• Integrating blog content into library web or courseware – putting

blog content where the user is (“21st century librarian’s mantra –

be where the users are)

• How we use it or don’t use it (using the blog to facilitate discussions

between librarians and their communities – Ann Arbor District Library)

III. Social Bookmarking

• Define social bookmarking

• How does it work?

• Examples (del.icio.us, cite u like, and FURL)

• Discuss how this is changing search (i.e., “wisdom of the crowd")

• How we use it or don’t use it

• How one library is promoting social bookmarking

IV. Wikis

• What is a wiki?

• How does it work?

• Examples (several we could choose from)

• How we use it or don’t use it

• Using wikis to create community and empower library users

V. Final Segment

VI. Q&A from Audience

| Presenter Biography