Library 2.0 is making our technology spaces and services that we offer more user friendly. We (students, teachers, everyone) are bombarded with technology, ways to communicate, and information. We must figure out a balance, or otherwise it is just noise! At any given time, I will have the tv on, the computer open in my lap, and talking on the phone. And I am old! You ought to see my daughter!
After reading these articles, it confirmed many things for me and opened my eyes to others. We need to start looking at how we spend money on our collections. Do we really need that book that nobody ever uses "just in case". Or can we go online and find out the information we need, or can we use ILL with one of our local schools for that book they have.
We need to make the computers easier to find information. It is very frustrating when you can't us the software or get it to work the way it needs to! Technology is a waste if you keep hitting a brick wall!
The ratio at my school is about 650 -700 (counting faculty) to 1. So I need to teach students and faculty how to find information, books, whatever they need for themselves because obviously I am not available to everyone. I spend lots of time at the beginning of the year going back over how to check in and check out by themselves. I spend lots of time showing them how to find books for themselves, either on the computer or simply where things are in the library. They are very happy when they can do for themselves!
We need to make the library much more appealing...because it can be the heartbeat of the school, where it all happens! I am excited about the new software we are getting for the library. It does look much more user friendly. For example with Alexandria you had to spell things correctly or it would not find them. I am so pleased that OPAL will offer suggestions of words, yea for the kids! I am also thrilled that they will be able to access my catalog in their classrooms and at their homes. This is huge!
I offer a flexible schedule in my library because as much as some of those teachers need structure and a fixed time every week, others need their kids to get in and do some research on something that just happened yesterday in the news or a topic that came up in their classroom! These schedules can change monthly, weekly, even daily with the needs of the patrons!
I truly agree that if you can satisfy the needs of your customers, they become the advocates of your library. Everyone should feel welcome at all times. We want to offer so much that they cannot live without us!
LOTS to think about!
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So true! We are the epitome of multi-taskers and it is a lot to think about.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. You have moved so far ahead of me and I'm seeing that we have a long way to go to keep up! Very thoughtful comments on your blog!
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