Investigative Exercise 5: Social Networking

As the world becomes smaller and technology more advanced and easy to access, I think it is only logical for libraries to extend their reach by joining social networking sites.

By joining social networking websites such as Facebook, tumblr and twitter libraries are connecting in a way they have never been able to before. Social networking sites help libraries update and share information to the public quickly and in a way where the information can be spread with just a click of a mouse.

Many libraries have started their own Facebook pages, as well as many pages to advocate library funding and to keep libraries open and up to date with technology.

Some examples of library advocacy pages include :

PLA Facebook Forum

Public Library Advocacy

I'll bet I can find 1,000,000 people who think libraries are important Facebook group

I think libraries joining social networking site help them broaden their client base, makes the library appear more available to everyone and changes the stereotypical image of libraries.

Investigative Exercise 4: YouTube

This video promotes librarians moving forward with current technology. It is trying to dispell the stereotypical librarian image of dowdy old women, replacing it with the stereotype of people who are young, cool and tech savvy . The post follows the popular of "shit.......say" videos,

Investigative Exercise 3: Photo sharing and flickr.

I found a ton of fantastic photos of libraries, here are my two favourites:
The Bologna Library in Italy. It looks amazing, the perfect place to sit and read or study. It looks huge with towering bookcases and dim lights on the desks. It makes me want to go study in Italy so I could visit the library. This photo is part of the libraries and librarian group on flickr.




The second photo I loved was from the Boston Public Library on Copley Square.The windows and high ceilings are amazing. I visited a few libraries in New York, if I had known what Boston had to offer I would have made the effort to go see this library

Investigative Exercise 2: Slideshare

The slideshare presentation I chose was called  "Learning 2.0" posted by Helen Blowers.

The presentation is basically the benefits of training library staff to use web 2.0 based sites such as Facebook, blogger and twitter to promote their libraries. It is a great slide show to use as a starting point in a training exercise as it give a brief overview of the benefits of using web 2.0, explains exactly what web 2.0 is and gives insight to how it has changed libraries who make regular use of such websites.

Learning 2.0

View more PowerPoint from hblowers

Investigative Exercise 1: Blogs

I looked at both blogs, but decided to choose an article from the John Oxley Library. The John Oxley library is part of the Queensland state library, it's main focus is maintaining a large heritage collection. The collection contains historic items relating to Queensland's history. The items include maps, photographs, manuscripts, artworks and published materials.
The blog post I chose was from the 21st of May, titled :
NEW ACCESSIONS: ANNIE LETITIA ELMES SHIPBOARD DIARY. This post showcases one of the collections newest item, a diary from a female passenger who migrated to Australia on the ship the 'Limerick'. This post interested me because of the photographs of the diary and the story behind the 8 week long journey from Europe to Australia.