Review: 4

Using blogs and wikis to communicate with the library clients

Kate Watson and Chelsea Harper’s (2006) article “Using blogs and wikis to communicate with the library clients” (published in incite magazine, 2006) discusses how two Web 2.0’s social networking tools, blogs and wikis are used in libraries to communicate with clients, giving examples and links of libraries which use these technologies. However the main focus of the article is on how to develop a successful virtual communication tool, stressing the importance of communication and collaboration and providing tips.
Watson and Harper commence by differentiating blogs and wikis, stating that blogs and wikis have “ been the driving force behind emerging concepts such as Web 2.0 and Library 2.0”. A blog (short for weblog), is an online diary/journal that is displayed in reverse chronological order with usually only one editor, sometimes two. Readers can communicate with each other online through comments. Where wiki is rather different, it is a collaborative community website that anyone can contribute too, by creating, adding, editing or deleting the wiki content. The article touches briefly on the evaluation of the internet from a static place (Web 1.0) to its current collaborative place (Web 2.0) with users, and how the technologies of principles of Web 2.0 might affect libraries.
The main content of the article concentrates on key tips to use when planning for wikis and blogs within a library environment in order to make the implementation successful. The tips include a section called “Manage your communication tools” which discusses how introducing any new technology needs to fit in with the strategic mission and goals of the library. Clear guide lines, mission statements and strategic management plans need to be made publicly available, and staff need to be educated on all matters.
The tip on “Control technolust” suggests if blogs or wikis do not fit within the library’s goals and missions, the library should not implement them. The pair states that planning and testing internally is essential prior to the release to the library patrons.
Watson and Harpers third tip is to agree upon an “honest library voice” and to be honest and genuine. They then go onto to give an example of how a site was deceitful and needed to be quickly removed from publication due to heavy criticism.
“Updating often” is an essential tip to ensure that the library web presence is current, keeping its appeal fresh and inviting to users.
The next tip talks about how library staff need to respond to comments or to remove inappropriate content regularly in order to keep paths open and readers interested and collaborating with the library wiki or blog.
The final tip suggested the use of RSS feeds as a promotional tool and other online avenues of social networking such as Bebo, Facebook or My Space as a way of reaching potential users. Watson and Harper believe that the question in today’s society of advanced technology and social networking is to ask “how do we meet our patrons needs online, not if”.
This reviewer believes that Watson and Harper’s paper and collection of tips on how to communicate with library clients, via blogs and wikis should be an essential guide and read for all library staff involved in or on a committee which might be planning and creating blogs and wikis for the library environment.

References:
Casey M. and Stephens M., (2007), The Open Door Director, Library Journal 132, no. 12, 29, available at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6457240.html , accessed 1 August, 2008.

Wikipedia, viewed 15 August 2008, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page