Thing #7: Something Tech-related

Well, this has been an interesting week. The wind storm of 2008 has rocked Columbus, and left tons of people out of power, and also, out of Internet access. It's kind of embarrassing for me to say how disconnected and awkward I felt not being able to check my e-mail whenever I wanted. On Monday, I got so fed up and stir-crazy, I drove the 30 minute trip to my mom's to use her computer so I could check my Twitter feed! Tuesday, my library was one of the fortunate ones who had power (and Internet!!), and wow, we were hoppin'! So many people rushed in, a harried look on their face, asking, "Do you have Internet access?" It was nice being able to give them the good news, "Yes, Virginia, we do have Internet!"

I was overjoyed (yes, I was that happy) when I got home Thursday night to see that my Internet was working again, and I promptly sat down and went straight to Facebook. My husband, at seeing me pour over status updates, claimed that he did not see the point in Facebook; it seemed like a waste of time to him. I rolled my eyes at him; yes, Facebook is a fantastic time-suck, I know, I know. I told him that Facebook in particular serves a specific need. Whether it is being nosy and wanting to check up on people's updates, sharing photos, or wanting to keep in contact with friends, Facebook, along with Web 2.0 technologies, fills a specific need. If you don't have a need to be filled by Facebook (like my husband), then yes, it seems like a waste of time.
But then I began to think: what if patrons adopt this sentiment, that Web. 2.0 does not meet their needs? Then today I came across this blog post that asks that very question: what if social media is not relevant to your users? One can promote Flickr until they're blue in the face, but if a person doesn't really take pictures or have a digital camera, they're not going to care. The post goes on to explain that there are so many social media outlets and Web 2.0 groups out there, that all groups should find something they identify with. Take my Facebook-hating hubby, for example. Yes, Facebook doesn't fit his needs, but there are other technologies that do. He's a huge news junkie, so an RSS news feed would be perfect for him. I guess reaching a specific audience takes some research and some probing on the librarian's part to find the user's need. then try to fill it!

Thing #6: Flickr Mashups

Eeek, I'm falling behind schedule. Between work, my practicum, and other various commitments, I'm finding it hard to find time to work on this blog! Yeah, the CML folks can get away with blogging at work, I just feel guilty if I do so while on desk. =/
Today's "thing" introduces mashups in relation to Flickr and other photo-sharing sites. Now, on the off chance anyone reads this who doesn't know what a mashup is, a mashup is a type of Web application that utilizes more than 1 tool into a single application. One easy example of a mashup is the infamous GoogleMaps, which utilizes photos into the map/direction database so you can "see" where you're going...or stalk an ex, either or. =) I wanted to put a picture up of my library, but it's not indexed in GoogleMaps' database. So instead, a link of my library growing up, the Gahanna Branch!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Gahanna+Library&ie=UTF8&ll=40.024098,-82.869637&spn=0.009465,0.022745&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.018475,-82.870121&panoid=Zr4yQJ0x_tCRu0YdkM0H6w&cbp=1,19.93966268672341,,0,5

But that Mashup is not necessarily Flickr, I don't think. So here's a true Mashup that utilizes Flickr, from Spell with flickr:



This type of technology, (Flickr mashups) allows users to play around and have extended fun with pictures, fostering creativity and sharing, the basis of Web 2.0, IMO.

~T