Sustainable Web 2.0 Services Sustainable Web 2.0 Services for Small and Underfunded Librariesfor Small and Underfunded Libraries

Sarah Houghton-Jan, MA, MSLISDigital Futures Manager, San José Public Library

Author of LibrarianInBlack.net

Let's start with some questions.

Why is it important to focus on online services and

resources?

No...really. Why?

Library Users TodayLibrary Users Today

brick and mortar library users

digital library users

POWER USERS

This group is growing dramatically.

This group is growing slowly.

Library Users TomorrowLibrary Users Tomorrow

brick and mortar library users

digital library users

POWER USERS

Angry Robot courtesy of www.bohdate.com/angryrobot

Digital Library User ActivityDigital Library User Activity

Library System #1 (150,000 residents)

Library System #2 (350,000 residents)

Website visits 5.6 6.3

Database usage 0.7 0.4

eBooks usage 0.2 0.3

Virtual Reference usage

0.01 0.01

Annual per capita usage for 2006 at two California public library systems

Sarah's 15 Steps to a Sarah's 15 Steps to a

Better Web PresenceBetter Web Presence(that almost every library can do)(that almost every library can do)

Planning for New Web Planning for New Web ServicesServices

#1: Advocate to Your Leadership#1: Advocate to Your Leadership

Why is the eBranch important?Why is the eBranch important?

The eBranch is the library's most public face

Libraries are digital centers in our

communities

A library without a substantial digital face

positions itself for future lack of support

Why does the eBranch rock?Why does the eBranch rock?

eBranch can be open 24/7, and for all users.

eBranch is c-h-e-a-p Minimal staffing Rent and maintenance vs. web hosting Cheaper materials (+ no processing/shelving) Almost limitless free services to use Highest return on investment in use vs. dollars

#2: A (Wo)Man, A Plan, #2: A (Wo)Man, A Plan, a...Library?a...Library?

Duo of Successful Library Tech Planning:

1) Technology Hierarchy of Needs

2) Formal 3-Year Technology Plan

Technology Hierarchy of Needs

Successful Technology PlansSuccessful Technology Plans

Ask, ask, ask.

Survey users and staff.

Follow your Hierarchy of Needs.

Plan no more than 3 years out.

#3: How to Implement New Tech#3: How to Implement New Tech

Everything can be a pilot!

Appoint project manager who...

...creates a project plan.

Extensive staff training.

Constant communication.

Tech Project Plans are Easy...Tech Project Plans are Easy...

Time and Money Completion Date (start date Sept. 15)

Research 10 hours, $0 September 22

Committee review 20 hours, $0 October 6

Software installation 10 hours, $35 October 13

Staff training 40 hours, $0 November 3

Can get more explicit on costs for staff time, breaking items down further.

Web Services Web Services

to Start Withto Start With

#4: Talk #4: Talk withwith your customers your customers

Instant messaging MeeboMe Widget Trillian Astra Widget Text messaging Voice Over IP (VOIP) Video Chat

Answering any and all questions...Answering any and all questions...

Photo by (Tres): http://flickr.com/photos/estarsid/842914707/

UNLV's IM ServiceUNLV's IM Service

MeeboMe WidgetMeeboMe Widget

Take Meebo a Step FurtherTake Meebo a Step Further

Screenshot courtesy of David Lee King, Topeka Shawnee County Public Library:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidking/2076505032/sizes/o/

Southeastern Louisiana University Southeastern Louisiana University Text Messaging Reference ProgramText Messaging Reference Program

#5 Offer Tools and Mash Ups#5 Offer Tools and Mash Ups

People are mashing up your library's content. Be Aware.

Library ELF: Library account tracking and alerts via e-mail & RSS

Library LookUp: click on this bookmarklet when on a webpage with an ISBN to look up item in the catalog

LibX Toolbar: Direct access in web browser to catalog and more (other toolbars too)

Library Elf

#6: Make Dynamic Lists #6: Make Dynamic Lists

So long to the .DOC book lists! Use blogs or wikis Recommended movies, music, & books Encourage full staff participation Use an entry template, tags, categories Welcome customer comments

#7: Give Your Library a Face#7: Give Your Library a Face

FlickrFlickr and other photo sharing sites show what the library is really about

library's interior and exterior (photo tour) staff customers new services and resources anything you can think of!

Decatur Public LibraryDecatur Public Library

Oomph your photos...Oomph your photos...

Flickr' Do More with Your Photos page Flickr Badges and Slideshows Moo: calling cards, sticker books, note cards, etc. HP: posters, books, photo cubes Qoop: calendars, keychains, back-up discs Zazzle: shirts, bags, mousepads, mugs, etc. Imagekind: print photos on canvas

Nashville Public Library's Teen Nashville Public Library's Teen WebWeb

#8: Provide audio content#8: Provide audio content

Podcasting = people who can talk and/or sing +

digital microphone (free) +

Audacity (free) +

a Blogger blog (free)

Everyzing ($): turns audio and video files into text

Odiogo (free): turns text into audio files, create a “listen” button for blogs

Some ideas for podcastsSome ideas for podcasts

University of Sheffield audio library tours WSU database and catalog searching tutorials Thomas Ford Memorial Library teen book revie

ws Pierce County Library staff book reviews Worthington Library kids songs and rhymes Cornell University Library recorded events

#9: Provide video content #9: Provide video content

Videocasting = people who aren't camera-shy +

digital video camera ($100+) +

Avidemux editing software (free) +

a Blogger blog (free)

5.2 MP Samsonic for $128

@ NuLime.com

Some ideas for videocastsSome ideas for videocasts

Manchester Public Library teen book reviews DOK Library community events reports Worthington Libraries classes and events Curtin University Library classes and lectures

#10: Exploit the blog as a format#10: Exploit the blog as a format Don’t call it a blog Encourage comments! Reuse content across blogs, social

networks Repeat important posts over time WordPress and Blogger

Free Easy Feature-rich

Examples of Good BlogsExamples of Good Blogs

St. Joseph County Public Library Game Blog: www.libraryforlife.org/gameblog/

Framingham Public Library Teen Blogomatic: fplya.blogspot.com/

Providence Public Library Computer Class Blog: provlibcomputerclass.blogspot.com/

Western Springs History: www.westernspringshistory.org

What about those URLs?

#11: Help your catalog (it needs #11: Help your catalog (it needs it)it)

Open source options: Koha Evergreen Scriblio LibraryFind (metasearch)

Can’t change ILS? Consider an overlay: AquaBrowser ($) Endeca ($) LibraryThing for Libraries (little $) VuFind (open source, free) WorldCat Local ($)

AquaBrowserAquaBrowser

LibraryThing for LibrariesLibraryThing for Libraries

Hennepin County LibraryHennepin County Library

#12: Be present in social #12: Be present in social networksnetworks

Be present Be real Be reliable and continuously new

$10 = 5000 Facebook Flyers to targeted

audiences

Facebook Flyer image by Stanislav Orlav: http://www.cla.ca/divisions/cacul/regenerations/2008/01/libraries-on-facebook-should-we-or.html

Mount Saint Vincent University Library

Tutt LibraryFacebook Flyer image by Steve Lawson:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuttlibrary/1546577200

#13: Tap EngagedPatrons.org#13: Tap EngagedPatrons.orgFree and low-cost Web 2.0 services for librariesrun by Glenn Peterson (Hennepin County Library)

Library Events Calendar with online registration Library blogs Google Maps mashup for library locations Library contact form RSS feeds Custom web-enable databases

OK Miss Fancy Pants, OK Miss Fancy Pants, Then What?Then What?

#14: Keep everything current#14: Keep everything current

www.flickr.com/photos/ogman/252251866/

#15: Re-evaluation#15: Re-evaluation

Survey users and staff 6 months into the pilot How much staff time is being used? How much is the service being accessed? Has adequate marketing been done yet? What would you change? Other issues? Choose to continue, discontinue, or extend the

pilot for another brief period.

and #15 (2.0): CELEBRATE!and #15 (2.0): CELEBRATE!

Photos by Homer Township Library: http://flickr.com/photos/homerlibrary/433104519/ and http://flickr.com/photos/homerlibrary/433102240/in/photostream/

Thank you!Thank you!

Sarah Houghton-JanEmail: LibrarianInBlack@gmail.com

IM: LibrarianInBlack

Web: LibrarianInBlack.net