reaching out using technology
By the time you read this web page, you probably will have already seen five YouTube videos. YouTube is becoming a standard method of communication, at least for those who have access to Internet connected computers. But then, aren't almost all public libraries capable of being connected to the Internet and aren't the Gates computers in most libraries just about the most popular places in the library?
But are Internet-connected computers the only way the public library can leverage the power of current and future technologies to reach the libraries' communities? There are numerous ideas out there about how imagination can be mixed with technologies to provide services that make the library essential to the community. Some of them are decidedly old-school. Take the Memphis (TN) Public Library offerings. In addition to their online resources which include
they also offer services through mediums that are not often as well exploited by other libraries
- their own
public access TV station on cable
Viewers in the Comcast Cable viewing area may tune to WYPL TV-18 for programs about library events, health, folklore, and much, much more.
- their own
low-power FM radio station
Since March, 1980, the Library's radio station has provided information in the radio reading format, originally as WTTL, the West Tennessee Talking Library, satisfying the need to know for the visually impaired population of its service area. The station now known as WYPL FM 89.3 presents daily readings of The Commercial Appeal, USA Today and other newspapers and magazines as well as a variety of fiction and non-fiction books, author interviews and specialty programming.
What makes Memphis special? They seem to have some robust funding, but they are probably like every other public library system - always scrimping and always underfunded for the needs of the community. But they aren't really special, they seem to be taking initiative where they see the opportunity.
The same can be said for any library system. Randolph County (NC) libraries, for example, are often cited for their forward thinking use of LibraryThing for their OPAC. When one goes to their site, however, one notes that they have also integrated Twitter updates, email updates, RSS updates, and blogs into their methods of communication to the community. Randolph County is not the richest county in North Carolina, but they are using what they have in imaginative ways.
What's the point of this week's topic?
The point is to ask ourselves if we are limited in our technological aspirations for our library systems by our fiscal limitation, or perhaps by our limitations of imagination. Do the readings and think about the concept of Library 2.0. Then ask yourselves -
- is it just another buzzword, another
zeitgeist , another fad; or is it really the way of the future? - what can be done in terms of incorporating Web 2.0 ideas into your system, even in the absence of fiscal and personnel resources?
- can a single system leverage its connections with other organizations in the community to expand the Web 2.0/Library 2.0 footprint in the community?
- how high is the moon?
OK, that last one was a dated reference, but it was also an aspiration about how far can one hope to go.
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