This entry is a review of the article, "Beyond the Library's Walls: Using Library 2.0 Tools to Reach Out to All Users," by J.M. Sodt and T.P. Summey, 2009.
In this article, Sodt and Summey discuss digital tools that can be used as part of the Library 2.0 movement. Library 2.0 refers to the use of Web 2.0 technologies in libraries to help make them more user-centered and collaborative environments (p.98). Sodt and Summey call wikis one of the most popular applications affiliated with Web 2.0. In this article, they list several ways that libraries could use wikis both on the frontlines and behind the scenes to reach out to users and help serve them better. Here are three:
1) Libraries could use wikis as a resource guides for various subjects. These could be created by librarians alone, or in collaboration with their patrons. Individuals could add their own resource ideas, or they could leave comments about resources they had used. Reference staff could also create guides for FAQs or hard-to-answer questions. These could be visible by the public, or on a staff only wiki.
2) Libraries could create a wiki designed to review books and other materials. Librarians could post items and individuals could post reviews and comments about items to help guide other patrons in their selection.
3) Libraries could create an internal staff wiki for storing useful information and communication. Policy and procedural manuals, training resources and documents for employees could be kept online. Multiple copies would then not be necessary and policies and training could be updated or changed in real time. Employees could also use wikis for keeping open communication about ongoing projects, thus eliminating the need for paperwork or a lot of e-mail.
References
Sodt, J. M., & Summey, T. P. (2009). Beyond the library's walls: Using library 2.0 tools to reach out to all users. Journal of Library Administration, 49(1/2), 97-109.
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