Quick Update about WebJunction!

In one of my blogs, I looked at how librarians can benefit from the website WebJunction. In that blog, I looked at how librarians can take advantage of this website and what the website has to offer. Since then, there have been some minor changes to the website. Although I did made some minor changes to my blog to reflect those changes, there are some minor additions to the Website that need attention.

Specifically, they have three new tabs that read "Share Your Story" "About Us" and "Our Partners." In the "Share Your Story" section, librarians are encouraged to share their success stories on the ways the use to advocate for the library. In the "About Us" section, you can learn more about the website, and how you can maneuver through it, and how you can become a member. While in the "Our Partners" section, you learn which US libraries have teamed up with WebJunction to offer free courses to their members. Lastly, I've also noticed that there is a bigger emphasis on becoming a member than in the previous layout. [1]

As you can see, it's quite hard to work with online tools such as websites. If I had not checked back with the website, I would have provided you guys with the wrong links to those necessary sources. Although I did try my best to update my blog post as much as I could (before the Professor advised me to do otherwise!).

One major change that I did not agree with is that they removed the User Guide that I found so beneficial. That User Guide answered many questions that one may have, from questions relation to how to add courses, to things like how to add articles, presentations or handouts onto the website.

References:
[1] WebJunction. WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from http://www.webjunction.org/

Using RRS Feed on Your Library's Website

Every library in every city now seems to have a website displaying upcoming events, new books releases and new programs. But how many libraries use RSS feed to inform patrons of these events? Although the numbers are growing, many are not taking advantage of this free service. [1]

What are RSS Feeds?

RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication” or “Rich Site Summary” which “…allows a producer of information to broadcast the information across the Intranet or the Internet” [2]. Or in other words, it is a “…notification system used to alert subscribers to changes made to their favourite websites, blogs…” [3] or a library's website! An RSS Feed is created through an extensible markup language or also known as an XML language. Going into the details of the XML language is beyond the purpose of this blog, and therefore I am not going to discuss that. What I am going to discuss are the purposes for using an RSS Feed in a library setting.

What an RSS Feed Can Do for Your Library

            Hart (n.d.), in his article Library 2.0: RSS Feeds Dynamic Uses for Special Libraries provides a few ideas on ways in which a special library can use an RSS Feed. Although his focus is on special libraries, some of his ideas can also apply to any library. Here are his suggestions for the uses of an RSS Feed:

·         Consumer and patient education.

·         Creation of library RSS feeds to be read by an individual’s RSS Reader helping the user stay current on available library services such as upcoming library training programs or new resources.

·         Current awareness and news.

·         Guideline updates.

·         Integrate feeds into Learning Management Systems as available resources.  

·         Latest books from the library catalog.

·         Local health alerts.

·         RSS Calendar, www.rsscalendar.com, allows you to create a calendar on the web, then publish the calendar and create a feed using JavaScript to copy and paste into web pages.

·         Ta-da-lists, www.tadalists.com, create a project to-do list organizing the team’s tasks and deadlines, and then share the lists on a web page.

·         Reading Lists and Sharing Bookmarks sites such as Del.icio.us, http://del.icio.us, create a list of valuable web resources to share with team members. An RSS feed can be created from this site to be shared with team members and library web site users.[4]

Feed Reader Choices

To be able to subscribe to an RSS Feed, users need to be aware that there are three different types of readers available: a standalone reader, add-ons and built in web feed readers. Let’s look at what each has to offer!

Standalone reader – According to the article written by Digital Trends—a well-known website that provides product reviews, editorials and technology news about new consumer products, their functionality and how to make the most out of these products—a standalone reader is basically an application designed to gather all the news from the websites that you have signed up on. In other words, it is “your news’ hunter and gatherer.” [5] The advantage with this type of reader is that patrons get automatically notified of any updates on the library’s website. [6] FeedDemon, Blonglines or Netvibes are all examples of standalone readers. The only disadvantage with a standalone reader is that it is another program that a patron needs to download onto his or her computer. [7][8]

Add-ons – Contrary to a standalone reader, add-on readers work together with your internet browser or Outlook. The upside about an add-on reader is that users do not need to download another program onto their computers; and most of the time, users will have Internet Explorer or Outlook on anyway, which makes it that much easier to access your news feeds. However, there is also a downside! With some add-on programs that are compatible with Outlook, individuals have the option to make folders for each website news feed they sign up. The disadvantage with that is that folders can accumulate, and users may find themselves with too many folders to manage. [9]

Built in Web-Feed Readers – These readers require no installation as they are built in right into the web browser. For example, Mozilla Firefox allows a user to basically bookmark an RSS feed in their Favourites folder, creating live bookmarks. [10] Google Chrome also has the “star shape” icon which signifies the benefit of bookmarking.  Although this is fast and easy, the downside is that the user has to go in and look for updates, as opposed to the updates coming to him or her as with the standalone reader.

Using an RSS Feed is great for those patrons who already know how to use it. Having an RSS Feed available encourages individuals to either add the library to their favourites list or bookmark such page through the web-browser’s Bookmark page. If individuals already have a standalone reader that they use to keep up to date with other websites and blogs, it makes it that much easier to also add the library’s RSS feed link into to the reader.

How to Create an RSS Feed?

Make-RSS-Feeds.com is an excellent website that provides step by step instructions on how to make an RSS Feed onto one’s website. For example, it explains that in order to begin, one must use an XML file that uses open and close tags (which are surrounded by brackets < >) in order to identify the tile, description and link of a website. The website further shows how each section has to be written in the XML format. The format follows the HTML format normally used in website designs. The website further explains that an RSS feed is a series of items that are tied together in order to create a channel. This channel is then elaborated on and the website provides step by step instruction on the format that one has to write in order to write a channel. The website discusses the RSS designation, and what formatting is necessary to achieve such designation. [11]

Where should you place the RSS feed Icon on the Library’s Website?

            Lennartz (2007) in his article RSS Feed: Best Design Practices and Icons, argues that there are two ideal positions for an RSS icon to be placed: in the area that surrounds the logo of the website or the top area of the website. He argues that the lower an RSS icon is placed, the lower the chances are that individuals will subscribe. [12] That is, when librarians are questioning the placement of an RSS feed, the key is to place it at the top as patrons can readily notice the RSS Feed and quickly remember to add it to their favourites.

Recognizable Rss Icons

           

            Lennartz (2007) also suggests that it is crucial to use icons that are easily recognizable to users. [13] The most common and recognizable icon is the orange square with the white “sound” that looks something like this:

Image Retrieved from http://media.smashingmagazine.com/images/rss/feedicon.png

Other icons that librarians can use when creating their RSS Feed are the following examples. Note that most of them contain the orange icon or shape for easy recognition.

         

Image Retrieved from http://media.smashingmagazine.com/images/rss/webfruits.png

  

Image Retrieved from http://media.smashingmagazine.com/images/rss/studyabroad.png

Image Retrieved from http://media.smashingmagazine.com/images/rss/vikiworks.png

Anybody can design their own icons. The key is to make sure patrons can recognize the design and that it somewhat represents the normal RSS Feed Icon.

Here are some icon examples, that in my opinion, are not as that easily recognizable:

Image Retrieved from http://media.smashingmagazine.com/images/rss/rss128.png

Image Retrieved from http://media.smashingmagazine.com/images/rss/blimp.jpg 

Overall Advantages of Libraries using RSS Feeds

In his article on why special libraries should incorporate RSS Feed, Hart (n.d.) discusses some of the following advantages:

1.      Not only can you deliver immediate information, but patrons can have access to instant information about the library’s upcoming events and new programs etc.

2.      All information is transmitted automatically to users when an update is made, which means no added labour for the librarian!

3.      It increases traffic on the library’s website.

4.      Information that is transmitted through an RSS Feed can be collected from the catalogue or databases.

5.      Users can easily unsubscribe from the RSS Feed, at any time.

6.      The information that a user would get from an RSS Feed would be read through an RSS Reader or through the web-browser, which means that a user’s e-mail inbox will not get crowded with this additional information.

7.      And most importantly, it enables patrons to stay up to date with the most current information that the library wants them to know. [14]

Disadvantages of RSS Feeds

            Lastly, there are also some disadvantages to using an RSS Feed. Hart (n.d.) suggests that firstly, copy right issues must be addressed when using RSS Feeds and secondly, that librarians must use a selection criteria to evaluate the resources used in order to reduce irrelevant results. [15] Other issues that may arise relate to the fact that some patrons may not know how to use an RSS Feed and therefore, may not take advantage of that type of newsfeed. Perhaps, one solution to that is that librarians can put posters around the library that tells patrons of the option to sign up for the RSS Feed on the library’s website. Or, librarians can inform patrons about such option when patrons use the library’s services, like signing out books.

Do you think RSS Feeds are useful? Comment below!

References

[1] Lennartz, S. “RSS Best Design Practices and Icons.” Smashing Magazine. (2007, Nov 2). Retrieved from http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/11/02/rss-best-design-practices-and-icons/

[2] Hart, L. G. Library 2.0: RSS Feeds Dynamic Uses for Special Libraries. N.d. Retrieved from http://www.sla.org/pdfs/sla2007/hartrssfeeds.pdf 

[3] Digital Trends. (2005, Oct 10). How to use RSS. Digital Trends. Retrieved from http://www.digitaltrends.com/how-to/how-to-use-rss/

[4] Hart, L. G. Library 2.0: RSS Feeds Dynamic Uses for Special Libraries. N.d. 

[5] Digital Trends. How to use RSS. Digital Trends. (2005, Oct 10).

[6]  Lennartz, S. RSS Best Design Practices and Icons. Smashing Magazine. (2007, Nov 2).

[7] Digital Trends. How to use RSS. Digital Trends. (2005, Oct 10).

[8]  Lennartz, S. (2007, Nov 2). RSS Best Design Practices and Icons. Smashing Magazine

[9] Digital Trends. How to use RSS. Digital Trends. (2005, Oct 10).

[10] Digital Trends. How to use RSS. Digital Trends. (2005, Oct 10).

[11] Make RSS Feeds.com. (n.d.) Make RSS Feeds. Make-RSS-Feeds.com. Retrieved from http://www.make-rss-feeds.com/making-an-rss-feed.htm

[12] Lennartz, S. (2007, Nov 2)

[13] Lennartz, S. (2007, Nov 2)

[14] Hart, L. G. Library 2.0: RSS Feeds Dynamic Uses for Special Libraries. N.d.

[15] Hart, L. G. Library 2.0: RSS Feeds Dynamic Uses for Special Libraries. N.d

WebJunction: A Librarian’s Best Friend

Photo retrieved from http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/sites/society/img/26094_best%20friends.jpg

  What is WebJunction?

         WebJunction is a site which aims to promote learning among any library staff and ensure that all librarians have access to free knowledge, skills and support in order to be able to manage and promote their libraries in the best way way possible. According to its website, WebJunction has helped over 50 000 library staff build the necessary skills that would help them overcome the daily challenges that libraries bring. [1]

         WebJunction was launched in 2003 and is based in Seatle, Washington and Dublin, Ohio. Its funding comes from various sources: such as the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Institute for Museum and Library Services and other libraries that have partnered with this website. [2]

           Membership is FREE and anybody can sign up (I already did!). WebJunction states that once you register, you will be able to contribute content, participate in discussion forums, take courses and connect with friends and other library members. To customize your experience, you should look to see if your main library is a member of WebJunction. By affiliating with a library that is a member of WebJunction, or any other applicable community you may be interested in, you can then have free access to many of the courses that are offered. Note, however, that if you which to affiliate with another applicable community, approval from that community may be required, in which case, an administrator would have to confirm your registration with that community (which may take a little longer). [3] 

           The advantage of affiliating with a community is that "you will have an additional link added to your My Account area that is your direct access to that site. When you click on that link, you will be directed to the customized portal--with a customized color scheme--that has the potential to offer you specialized content and courses." [4] In other words, depending on what types of courses your library or community has signed up for, you will have access to those extra courses as well. But keep in mind that even without affiliating with a library community or with a library, you can still have access to hundreds of useful articles and webinars. 

What Can WebJunction Offer You? 

Let’s look at what each tab can offer a librarian. Under the Explore Topics tab, you will find four different sections: Leadership,  Library Service,  Technology  and  Staff Training. Lets look at what each of these sections can offer you. 

Under Leadership you will find articles that focus on: 

• Budget and Finance: such as how to deal with budget cuts and challenges,
• Community Relations: such as how to serve the needs of your community,
• Facility Management: which contains articles on how to safely plan the physical space of the library
• Friends & Trustees: how to find groups and volunteers to advocate for the library and find funds
• Marketing: how to advocate for library services
• Organizational Management: how to write vision and mission statements and how to plan in a strategic way Personnel Magement – which includes guides on how to recuit staff and work with volunteers
• Staff and Training Development: ways to manage staff in order to keep up with the new technologies, such as how to train staff on e-book readers among much more! [5]

Under Library Services, you can learn about:

• Customer Service and gain interpersonal skills
• Programming
• Technical Services such as Digitization, Preservation and Collection Development
• Information about Literacy, Internet sources for patrons and virtual reference
• New Research on patron training [6]

Under Technology, you can find articles about each of these topics:

• Computer Skills
• Buying Technology
• Networking and Web Tools
• Security
• Website Development [7]
• Under Staff Training, you will learn about:
• Competencies
• Creating and Delivering Training
• Managing Staff Training
• Resources for Learners [8]

Under Find Training, you will find information about courses that are offered through WebJunction. One drawback is that they no longer sell individual enrolments to the public, but instead, you have to be a member of a library or a community that has partnered with WebJunction, through the Web Junction Partner Program. Librarians who are part of this program can benefit for courses that focus on:

• Library Management
• Personal/Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Skills
• Customer Service Skills
• Ethics and Values
• Leadership and Project Management
• Learning and Personal Growth among others [8]

Under the same tab, you can also find different recorded live Webinar presentations on numerous topics that range from how to develop and maintain e-book policies to how to organize story telling for librarians. These webinars are FREE for EVERYBODY, including members and non-members. [9]

Lastly, under the Member Center, you will find a very helpful User Guide that discusses how to engage on the site! For example, it explains in detail how to:

• Create your own avatar!
• It shows you how to bookmark pages on WebJunction--using the site itself--in order for you to easily find those pages again
• It discusses how to use the Course Catalogue and how to add courses to your cart.
• It shows you how to find and invite your friends to also join this website
• It instructs you how to prepare your computer to watch a Webinar
• It advises you on how to create groups, documents, and how to make recommendations to your friends about the certain content or courses that you may  have found useful
• And it also details how to add articles, presentations and handouts to the site. [10]

What  is the Coolest Aspect about WebJunction?

Its Community Center! Block (2003) in her article, cites WebJunction, who state that “In our community, we recognize our achievements, share news and events, ask reference questions, and make connections with others on our experiences, challenges, and successes with public access computing." [11] She also states that WebJunction encourages its members to submit success stories, their own tips and tutorials, which are then rewarded through an awards program. [12] In other words, any member of the site can contribute with articles, tutorials and presentations!

But then you ask, “How will I know if those articles are legitimate?” Well, you can always learn about who wrote the article, their job description and for which library they work. Every article has attached a picture (optional) of the author, along with that information. For example, some of the main contributors to the articles are the employees of WebJunction, while others are librarians who work for different libraries. [13]

In the end, WebJunction should be bookmarked by every librarian! If your library has partnered with WebJunction, why not sign up through them and have access to even more things? If your library is not a partner, that’s OK because there are plenty of free articles, webinars and discussion forums that you can join! With WebJunction, you can engage in meaningful discussions and can gain support for future learning.

What do you think? Is WebJunction a site that you would bookmark or sign up on? Are you glad to know about it or do you think it’s not a big deal?

If you want to sign up for WebJunction, you can go to www.webjunction.org.

References

[1] WebJunction. WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from http://www.webjunction.org/1

[2] Gutsche, B.” Competency Index for the Library Field.” WebJunction.org. 2009. Retrieved from http://www.webjunction.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=67024497&name=DLFE-16500008.pdf p. vii

[3] WebJunction. “Create an Account.” WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from http://www.webjunction.org/accounts/#create_account

[4] WebJunction. “Create an Account.” WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from http://www.webjunction.org/accounts/#create_account

[5] WebJunction. “Explore Topics: Leadership.” WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from http://www.webjunction.org/content/webjunction/explore-topics.html

[6] WebJunction. “Explore Topics: Library Service.” WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from http://www.webjunction.org/content/webjunction/explore-topics.html

[7] WebJunction. “Explore Topics: Technology.” WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from  http://www.webjunction.org/content/webjunction/explore-topics.html

[8] WebJunction. “Course Catalog.” WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from  https://oclc.plateau.com/plateau/user/site/browseCatalog.do

[9] WebJunction. “Webinars.” WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from  http://www.webjunction.org/content/webjunction/explore-topics/for-learners/webinars.html

[10] WebJunction. “Member Center: User Guide.” WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from  http://www.webjunction.org/membercenter/userguide

[11] Block, M. "Gates Foundation and OCLC Announce WebJunction." Information Today, Inc. 19 May 2003. Retrieved from http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbreader.asp?ArticleID=16700

[12] Block, M. "Gates Foundation and OCLC Announce WebJunction."

[13] WebJunction. “About Us.” WebJunction.org. 2008. Retrieved from http://www.webjunction.org/content/webjunction/about-us.html

Why Librarians Should Care about Twitter!

Photo retrieved from http://tweepi.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/t12.jpg

First, let me point out some interesting facts about Twitter:

1. There were 3 million users in 2008 and that number sky-rocketed to approximately 225 million users as of March 2011. [1]
2. On June 25, 2009, when Michael Jackson passed away, there were 456 tweets per second...a record in 2009. In 2011, there were 6,939 tweets per second [2]
3. On March 12, 2011, there were 572,000 new accounts created on that day. [3]
4. In 2010, there were 25 billion tweets sent on Twitter. [4]
5. 300,000 new users sign up for Twitter every day. [5]

Why are these stats important? Because it shows how widely used Twitter is and why librarians can take advantage of this free service!


For the few of you who still do not know, Twitter, according to their “About Us” section on their website, is a “…a real-time information network that connects you to the latest stories, ideas, opinions and news about what you find interesting.” [6] Individuals can communicate with each other via “tweets” but are limited to only 140 characters per tweet. [7]


How can librarians use Twitter? Well, librarians can create a library Twitter account and have patrons follow them. Through the Twitter account, librarians can send short messages about the availability of services within the library or announcements such as new programs being offered or new book releases. For example, if computers are available in the library, the librarian could tweet “5 computers are available right now on the second floor.” [8] Librarians can also use twitter for reference, instruction and outreach. [9]


Not only is Twitter beneficial for the library, but this is a quick and simple way for librarians to network and stay updated about new information. [10] Librarians can also follow other librarians, other library twitter accounts or any other library related group in order to stay up to date with new information. For example, librarians can follow twitter accounts such as LISNews.org (which is a website for news for librarians), School Library Journal, ALA Booklist Pubs, American Library Association, Global Librarianship, ALA Job List (which is the number one website for posting Library and Information Science jobs within the US), among many more! [11].


To find which accounts to follow, a librarian can type in the search engine (after creating an account, of course) “librarianship” or “library’ and pick to see between tweets or people that are related to these words. Once you decided which person you want to follow, you just click the “Follow” button. [12]

*This is a print screen of my twitter account

How else can a librarian use Twitter? Well take for example the Casa Grande Public Library in Arizona. They took the RSS Feeds (news regarding new books, programs or events available) and fed them through their “rss2twitter” account in order to automatically become transferred to the library’s twitter account. In other words, any news that’s generated through the RSS feed from the library’s website would be automatically transferred into the twitter account. [13] [14] Therefore, whoever did not sign up for the newsletter from the library’s website can enjoy the same updates and news by following the library’s twitter account. However, unless patrons have a good cell-phone plan with their carrier, getting twitter messages on one’s cellphone as SMS (text messages) can become quite costly. Therefore, for those who receive their twitter updates only through the twitter’s web page, then they are safe, but for those who receive messages via their cell-phones, not only can they incur extra charges, but they may also be annoyed if librarians post irrelevant tweets. [15]


That’s why I will suggest a “Best Practices” section for librarians when using Twitter. The Twitter website actually suggests a “best practices” section onto their website for businesses in order to build their reputation and customers’ trust. In the same way, a library can follow the same practises. [16]


Best Practises for Librarians when using Twitter:

1. Share: share photos of behind the scenes library events or of future projects. For example, post pictures of Book Clubs or any shows and concerts the library may be associated with.
2. Listen: Monitor the comments or questions that patron post onto the account
3. Ask: Ask your patron followers questions as this will help one gain valuable insights about the community the library is serving and it also shows that the library is listening!
4. Respond: Librarians should respond to any feedback or compliments that patrons post onto the twitter account. This will make them feel that they are listened and that their input matters.
5. Reward: Notify the patrons of any upcoming free programs that can be beneficial to them.
6. Demonstrate wider leadership and know-how: Reference any articles or links that discuss news or progress about the library. Reply publicly, or even re-twitt, to any great tweets posted by your patron followers or other libraries.
7. Establish your voice in the community: Post comments that will place the library in a good light and that will send a positive image to the community. [17]

Please let me know your thoughts about this post and how else you think Twitter can be of help to libraries and librarians. Thanks!




References:
[1] Bullas, J. “30 Terrific Twitter Facts and Figures.” JeffBullas.com, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.jeffbullas.com/2011/05/02/30-terrific-twitter-facts-and-figures/
[2] Bullas, J. (2011).
[3] Bullas, J. (2011).
[4] Bullas, J. (2011).
[5] Online Marketing Trends.com. “Twitter Statistics on its 5th Anniversary.” OnlineMarketingTrends.co,. 2011. Retrieved from http://www.onlinemarketing-trends.com/2011/03/twitter-statistics-on-its-5th.html
[6] http://twitter.com/about
[7] http://twitter.com/about
[8] Campion, S. (2008, January 13). Learn More: Twitter. Library Stream: Watching the Flow of the Participatory Library Blog. Retrieved from http://librarystream.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/learn-more-twitter/
[9] Murphy, Joe. “Twitter for Libraries: Best Practices and Advanced Uses of Micro-Blogs.” SlideShare.net, 2011 Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/joseph.murphy/twitter-for-libraries-acrl-2009
[10] https://twitter.com/#!/search/users/librarianship
[11] https://twitter.com/#!/search/users/librarianship
[12] https://twitter.com/#!/search/librarianship
[13] Froncoeur, S. Reference Services and Twitter. Teaching Librarian.org: Digital References, 2007, May 02. Retrieved from http://www.teachinglibrarian.org/weblog/2007/05/reference-services-and-twitter.html.
[14] Scott, J. “How I found a good use for Twitter.” Gather No Dust: Libraries, Management & Technology, 2007, April 9. Retrieved from http://gathernodust.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-i-found-good-use-for-twitter.html
[15] Froncoeur, S. 2007, May 02.
[16] Twitter: Best Practices, 2012 https://business.twitter.com/en/basics/best-practices/
[17] Twitter: Best Practices, 2012