Technology Sandbox
After completing the chart in the technology sandbox document, I have found that all of these types of technology can be beneficial to libraries. By using technology, libraries can attract more populations of patrons. This helps the library to continue thriving in their communities, creates a bond with the communities they serve, and helps libraries pass along more information to more people.
Core resources that I feel libraries and information agencies should use to reach a wider user population are social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter along with sites that show photos and images such as Flickr. By using Facebook and/or Twitter, I think libraries will encourage young people to be more active in using the library and attending library events. If young people who are constantly staying in touch with their friends and the world through these sites followed their library, they would be informed of all that the library has to offer. They can even interact with their community librarians through these sites. The Capital Area District Library in Lansing, Michigan offers a program on their Facebook site called “Book Sleuth”. This allows patrons to follow the library and tell a librarian about the last three books they read. In return the librarian can suggest another book for the patron to read based on their interests. Through this program, the library is promoting literacy in the community, especially with teens and young adults, as well as promoting visiting the library. Patrons using this tool through Facebook might learn about materials that they didn’t previously know about along with what is going on at the library without leaving home. The same applies to using Twitter. Libraries can post events and activities happening in the community. They can also use Twitter as a type of blog for librarians and the public to get to know one another. These are all beneficial reasons for libraries to use social media.
I also feel like an account with Flickr or another photo sharing app/ site can promote library happening. People who might not get out much might decide to visit the library based on pictures they see. They might come to the library if pictures of an event are posted, or if a book they find interesting is shown on this site. Visual sources can help libraries attract people to them who are on the fence about leaving home or are not sure if they want to go to the library for something. It might give people a more specific reason to visit the library. Someone interested in architecture might see a photo of a library with a very interesting building. By seeing this picture on Flickr, they might decide to go see the library just for that reason. While they are at the library, they might find books on this subject or talk to a librarian about the architecture of the building- all because of a picture on Flickr.
If I were given complete freedom, I would set up accounts for Flickr, Twitter, and Facebook. I think this is the biggest help with getting patrons to come to the library. Along with these sites, I would also use Youtube to post videos for people who might not be able to leave their houses, or for young children to hear someone reading a children’s book. I would also provide a map to the library on the library website for patrons to find the library, along with a map of the library, so people could find sections they were looking for faster if they were in a hurry. For me personally, I don’t think I would set up my own company using Web 2.0 technologies, but I would be interested in using these technologies to keep the library website current and up to date with current happening for the web. I think it would be a great idea to run courses for friends and neighbors in learning how to navigate the library’s website. It would be nice to run this courses through the library website or social media sites for all patrons to become more familiar with technologies the library is using along with how to learn about the sources the library has available. I think the worst possible thing for any library would be to ignore the technologies available to them. This would make patrons less informed and less likely to use the library.
