Email – Ah yes, email – this tool has been around forever and is probably one of the most useful tools ever created. This Web tool has an unlimited number of potential uses. One thing is for sure. If used correctly this tool can cut down a librarians work substantially. The days of calling people up or typing up letters is over! No need to call people to let them know that their books are over due – or that they just got a new book in from a Inter Library Loan. This can now all be automated. Also, it is easier to file away correspondence as well. Just set up a folder for each patron and you have an instant electronic filing cabinet.
1. Yes, these are good tips, but it is very difficult to Blog on something that is common knowledge and/or common sense.
Instant Messaging – Although this has its place in the library it is a little bit more involved and possibly not as practical, since it needs to be monitored continuously. I think if you used it as a means to communicate with the public you would need to have someone monitor this for the whole time that the library is open – if the library is short staffed then it would be next to impossible. So a dedicated IM person would be needed. This would however help students who are not able to make it into the library or have a simple question that could be asked and answered in the time it would take to make a phone call. A better use might be using it as an internal communication piece between to areas of a larger library – as an example if the Media Center is on one end of the library and the Library circulation desk is on the other side of the library it is very practical to IM someone for a quick question rather then sending an e-mail. I have been using this technology for several years now and it is very useful and easy to use.
2a. This is an interesting concept an IM help desk. I was able to see how one student who was shy was able to get answers quickly from home. The question is would they continuously IM the librarian? And if they spent all the time IMing it may be faster just to drive to the library and look the information up themselves.
2b. Although this article does a good job explaining the benefits of IM, one has to wonder if the patron had used that same amount of time researching the question themselves would the IM have been necessary in the first place. Surely practically anything can be found on the internet from finding a subject to write to writing an outline and research paper.
2c. As I have mentioned before I have been using IM for many years. I practice every day J
Text Messaging – If I am not a fan of instant messaging I am certainly not a fan of text messaging as I feel that text messaging is even less helpful or useful the IMing. One has to wonder if people are so worried about keeping up with technology that they try to find a purpose for something as soon as technology comes available.
3a. The two people in this video appeared to have been sitting in a library that was not that busy. Why did they not just walk up to the circulation desk and ask the librarian, instead of making the poor old lady find her phone and type out the message. OR why didn’t the girl just IM the librarian? Chances are the librarian was sitting in front of the computer anyway.
3b. Sorry I am still not convinced. Also, unless there are several people taking and answering the text messages it could wear someone’s thumbs out.
3c. I do not even own a cell phone.
Web Conferencing – Now here is a good and useful technology. This is something that can be recorded once and then set up so that patrons can view it. Once it is set up there is no more work to be done.
4a. Web conferencing is the way to go. This is an excellent way to broadcast a seminar or show off how the library can be used. Perhaps this could be used to demonstrate how to use the various search screens when looking for information or books in the library.
4b. I was unable to find anything in progress that I could jump into.
Describe how your library uses email. Has it improved productivity?
When a book comes in from the ILL we now just e-mail the patron that there book is in. This saves time and we needn't call them any more. Also when a book is over due we just send out an e-mail. Once this is automated it will be much much easier with no hands on whatsoever.
Share your thoughts on online reference using some of the other Web 2.0 communication tools.
This is a very useful tool that can show the patrons how to use the library without a librarian having to take the time out of his/her schedule to do this. This frees up time for them to help other patrons. This along with e-mail cuts the work load in half.
Are you an active user of text messaging, IM, or other communication tools?
I live on the internet mainly using IM and e-mail. It is very helpful when I am explaining things to people overseas.
Which OPAL or MINITEX Web conference (Webinar) did you attend? How was it? What do you think o this communication tool?
Unfortunately I was not able to attend one as there were not any in progress - although I have seen webinars before. I think they are awesome and a great means of communication!
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2 comments:
There are archived webinars at the Minitex website that you could view; not exactly the same as live, but you'd get the experience.
Which multitype region are you with? I don't have you registered in the NCLC region. The blogs are being read, but there are so many it's hard to keep up..and we are doing it too. Plus some of the blogs are set up to only allow team members to comment which is frustrating after you have taken time to comment and then find out you can't do it. It happens enough to get discouraging especially with slow dial up connections. I hope you will continue to blog. It's been a great way to know people over such a large region better.
Hi Linda,
I am with Northern Lights Library Network (NLLN) I guess - I work in the Media Center in Brainerd. I have worked in IT for about 15 years. Seven of which as a Software Engineer. Much of this technology is a little boring for me, but there is a lot of good stuff here that I have not seen. I think I will continue to BLOG now that I see there are others out there too.
Fleno
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