Thing 8 Communication - Web 2.0 Style

Libraries eventually adjust to serving patrons in formats and spaces that meets the needs of the patrons. Today most libraries are playing catch up. The reasons are twofold. First, the communication landscape is changing rapidly. Just when you set up MySpace, we're told it's passe and Facebook is where we need to be. More on social networking on another Thing. Second, as can be evidenced by just reading many 23 Things blogs (if you didn't know this already), as a profession we seem to resist technology as a crusade. Granted technology can be a pain. And at the most base levels. For instance, our phone system needs to be replaced by one that has the 21st century options. Ours offers neither the capability of conference calling to two outside people nor can it be a guaranteed tool for web conferencing. Not to mention the capability of our servers to provide quick access to the internet.

1. Instant Messaging is one 2.0 tool I was using at the onset. But in reality I haven't used it for personal communication in years. I do think it can be credited (along with AOL) in bringing 2.0 to a broad population. But as a weekly participant in the statewide AskaLibrarian service, I can attest to the advance of technology propelling instant messaging.

I did sign up with Yahoo Messenger, mainly to activate the Meebo interface because I am curious in its usefulness in libraries as an aggregate im tool. I'm doing this at home today and asking a friend who uses AIM to place a Meebo on her computer. For years we watched the Oscars together. Since moving to Florida 3 years ago we usually phone each other a couple of times during the telecast. But I thought we'd try Meeboing (is that a word?--of course it is--everything's a word these days!) tomorrow night.

Instant messaging gets the award so far for easy set up. Setting up both Yahoo Messenger and Meebo took no more than 5 minutes with no need to read any help screens!

2. Since my children are in their 20s, I'm conversant with text messaging. I still don't get why they would rather thumb themselves to death rather than pressing my phone number and talking--yea, yea--I do know why.

aamof afaic i think txting instead of f2f communication is a sad societal change imho. Using it in libraries? not 4 me

3. Web conferencing in general is an excellent tool for libraries (and all businesses and organizations). With budget cuts and travel decreasing, it's a welcome addition for communication. However, I've experienced complete failures with the technology and it's almost uniformly a boring way to attend trainings so I'm not sure it's the best way just an expedient way for training and meetings.

I went to OPAL training in the fall and was very impressed. Of course, I'm ashamed to say in spite of my enthusiasm when I left Neflin, I haven't used it. It's on my list of good tools, though.

ttfn