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Best Practices
Best practices for social software in a library starts with trying.
While it is important to upkeep the staple web elements (web site, online catalogue search, etc.) other important and exciting web applications should be explored.
These tools can be equally, if not more, helpful and interesting for users to learn about your institution.
1. Start with a need:
What is your library lacking online? Where can you improve your web presence? What is your intention with the web? Once these questions have been answered;
2. Choose a social software that will address one of the above issues.
3. Implement the software.
I think a large part of social software in libraries is governance and upkeep. Without a designated individual or committee choosing web content, setting out retention and disposition dates, and being adventurous and trying new things, it may be difficult to keep a strong online presence.
4. Have fun with it.
Try new things. What works for one library will not work for another. Don't get discouraged and don't loose focus. There is a place for social software in every library. It is essential for library growth and for users to obtain information, exchange information, and build community.
An online presence is necessary to address the online patrons within every library community. Today there are two social venues, a library must acknowledge and address both online and offline community needs.
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Hi Jane,
I like your point that the patrons that libraries serve can vary greatly between library systems and what works for one library may be inappropriate for another. The examples found around the web of what libraries have done with social software still provide other libraries with useful ideas of what can be achieved with careful planning. As you say, trying new things and building on these examples will hopefully increase the benefits that libraries can bring with social software.
I think its so important for libraries to try these technologies out, like you said. Since technologies are changing so fast, I think that librarians have to get into the experimental mindset and not be afraid to implement web 2.0 applications and any other new developments that happen in the future.
amy
Hi Jane,
I like your point that it's important that once these tools are implemented, there is a responsible party designated to maintain the software, regardless of the web 2.0 tool chosen.