Five tips to stop thinking and to start doing

Rob Coers Internet trainer and consultant The Netherlands Worked in the (public) library sector Working for the (public) library sector Internet Librarian International

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What is this about? Why social software in your library? Commonly heard nos and buts 5 tips on how to address them Internet Librarian International

Why social software in your library? It doesnt matter in what type of library you work Public library Academic library School library Corporate library Special library (art, music, medical…) Internet Librarian International

Why social software in your library? Its free Its easy Its practical Its about people Its about interaction! Internet Librarian International

Which software? Weblogs Internet Librarian International

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Which software? Weblogs RSS Internet Librarian International

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Which software? Weblogs RSS Photo sharing Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

Which software? Weblogs RSS Photo sharing Video sharing Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

Which software? Weblogs RSS Photo sharing Video sharing Social bookmarking Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

Which software? Weblogs RSS Photo sharing Video sharing Social bookmarking Wikis Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

Which software? Weblogs RSS Photo sharing Video sharing Social bookmarking Wikis Enriched library catalogs Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

Benefits of social software for you and your users Vital, targeted information on their desktop (if they want*) as news happens Of course they want! Saves time for your busy client / patron / user Get in contact with people who share interests, both intern and extern Supports learning and networking in any organization Internet Librarian International

Benefits of social software for you and your users Get solutions, answers to your problems in a fast and innovative way A great chance to get rid of the zero-mistake- culture in organizations : encourages people to speak out Syndicate your content for promotion Get in-the-picture in your community Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

"Skepticism has never founded empires, established principals, or changed the world's heart. The great doers in history have always been people of faith". Edwin Hubbell, American clergyman "If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss bank. Woody Allen

... And of all kind Climate change Medics Computers Web 1.0 Science Instant messaging Aromatherapy iPods Friday the 13th UFOs Evolutional theory Tagging Web 2.0 Reincarnation North Korea Second Life Loch Ness Monster Web 8.0 Internet Librarian International

Based on fear and ignorance Internet Librarian International

Commonly heard nos and buts but we dont have the tech know how We dont have the time to do it We dont have the money to buy it Web 2.0 is a hype that will pass But our users are not 2.0-ish What if they start to comment on us? What if they take control of things? I am afraid to expose myself Its threatening our IT security! Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

1. Training and teaching Conduct short introductions for staff 23 Things (in English, Danish, German, Dutch, …) Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

2. Focus on the positive people Internet Librarian International

2. Focus on the positive people 10 % trendsetters, early adaptors, leaders, US 70% followers, want to be guided and open to hear your story 20% oppose to everything what is new

3. Speak of ROP instead of ROI You cant easily translate success into money Return On Investment Investment = minimal Result = maximal Return On Participation : measure conversations with tools like Feedburner and Technorati Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

4. Make friends with IT Often they dont have a clue about social software You dont have to install software on the network Social software is so easy to use Internet Librarian International

5. Just do it Build prototypes and prove users the benefit of it* Its sometimes better to ask for forgiveness than for permission * Brian Matthews, 2007 Internet Librarian International

Internet Librarian International

5a. Be patient BUT NOT TOO PATIENT !!! Internet Librarian International