Inspiring, enabling, transforming communities - extending web 2.0

This blog has been set-up as part of Manukau Libraries web 2.0 project to encourage staff to experiment and learn about the new and emerging technologies that are reshaping the context of information on the internet today.

This is a self-discovery programme which encourages employees to take control of their own learning and to utilise their lifelong learning skills through exploration and play.

Week 1 : Blogger - set up your own blog

• get an overview of this programme
• set up your own blog (or use an existing one)
• register your blog
• write a post about your experience - we've listed some questions/pointers to get you started. If you're a first time web 2.0 user then consider: How could you use this in your role? What worked for you? What didn't? What surprised you? what amazed you? How could a library use a blog? What would customers get out of a library blog? Would you promote this to customers? If you're a repeat web 2.0 user then consider: what are your 2.0 expectations this time around? What are your 2.0 fears? How might a public library use a blog? What could our customers expect to see on such a blog?

Week 2 : Zamzar - converting file formats

• find a microsoft word document on your pc
• follow steps 1-4 at Zamzar and convert your file to a pdf
• check your email for the converted file link
• create a post about this experience and consider: Is it easy for staff to use? Would customers find it simple? Could we use this in the learn.nets and in our workrooms? Do you think that you're likely to use this site again? Would you promote this site to customers? Why/why not?

Week 3 : Twitter - micro-blogging at a glance

• sign up to Twitter
• find @Manukau_Libs and follow their tweetstream
• send us a 'tweet' (message) on Twitter
• write a post about your Twitter experience and consider: Is it easy to use? Would customers find it simple? Could we use this in the learn.nets and in our workrooms? Do you think that you're likely to use this site again? What could Manukau Libraries promote via Twitter? What would you use Twitter for? Would you promote this service to customers? Why/why not?

Week 4 : Books and social networking

• visit GoodReads
• take the tour
• create a post and tell us how you think this site can be used for readers' advisory purposes

Week 5 : Music files and mp3s

• visit 1 of the free mp3 sites from the list
• take note of the various types of music genre available
• explore the website
• if you're especially daring, download an mp3 file
• write a post and consider: Was it easy to use this website? Do you think customers would be able to use it unsupervised? Can you think of any other sites that offer free and legal music for download?

Week 6 : Facebook - playing nicely with others

• visit Facebook and create an account
• find 1 colleague and add them as a friend
• find our Manukau Libraries Facebook page and become a fan
• post a comment to the discussion topic 'What book are you reading - RIGHT this minute?'
• post a comment to the discussion topic 'What is the BEST book you ever and WHY?'
• find 1 library (public, tertiary or other) and look at what sorts of updates they make
• create a post about this experience and consider some of these questions: What can Facebook do for you individually? What can Facebook do for us as a public library? Is it easy to use? Is it hard? Would you continue to use Facebook? Have our customers asked about Facebook? What would our customers get out of a Facebook page? Would you promote our page to customers? Why/why not?

Where to from here?

• complete the online survey
• summarise the overall web 2.0 experience for your final blog post

Is this the end?

The lifelong lesson of discovery through play is far from finished! You can take steps to keep yourself up-to-date with new or tweaked web 2.0 tools and applications for libraries by following such blogs/sites as:

• Tame the web by Michael Stephens
• Stephen's lighthouse by Stephen Abrams
• Learning 2.0 and Learning 2.1 by the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County

There are also a large number of librarians out and about serving customers and navigating their way through the playground of web 2.0. If you're interested in a list of names contact digital services staff: manukaulearn@gmail.com