Web2.0 is Contagious!

I'm so proud of all of the wonderful Web2.0 activities happening across PA since doing the workshops.

Sharon Custer from Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library started a team blog for her library and incorporated a Google Calendar which helped address one of her library's needs. See the blog here. As she stated, "Many of our phone calls are about when our programs are, or to schedule use of the community room. The calendar, which will also go on our web site once we have the full re-design done, will help our patrons find that information even when we are closed. It will also allow all staff to immediately see when something is going on, and whether or not the community room is in use at any time." Great work using the tools to address the needs.

Beth Grant, Youth Services Librarian for the Rebecca M. Arthurs Library actually started a social network before coming to the workshop using Ning. It's called the RMA Parent Connection . It is by invitation only, but she let me peek in as a guest. This is just wonderful. The description states "This social network is an opportunity for parents, grandparents, educators and caregivers in the Brookville area to share resources & ideas." Parents can post their photo, have their own blog, make friends with other parents, share pictures and video and all the other wonderful stuff social networks allow you to do. Here's a screen shot:

Their Teen Services Coordinator (first, how cool that they have one of those...) set up another Ning network called The RMA Teen Connection. It's description states, "This social network is an opportunity for members of the teen book club at Rebecca Arthurs Memorial Library to share resources and ideas". Again, it is invitation only.

Beth also shared a cool Web2.0 tool with me, Ballot-Box.net. It allows you to create polls that you can then put on websites.

Lastly, they created a new blog after the workshop that will be promoted to all of the teens in their school district. Check out RMA Teen Space for yourself. Great work Beth and all at your library!

Next up, Linda Young, County Coordinator for Cambria County Library asked me a question about Scribd and iPaper. She read about them at the Internet Tourbus site. First, I'd never seen the Internet Tourbus site that's been around just about as long as the Internet. I added it to my Bloglines reader, of course. I also missed the boat on Scribd and iPaper and read up on those. This would be a great way to share documents on blogs or other avenues on the web. Thanks so much Linda for pointing me to these resources!

Lastly, Lynn Burkholder from Lower Providence Community Library shared an internal blog she set up for their staff. In her words, "I created a blog for our staff to improve communication since so many of us work different shifts, different days, and part-time. We often have information about issues, problems, a change in procedure, and so forth that needs to be passed along. We have a shortcut saved on the desktop of all staff computers and staff members are instructed to check it each time they report for work. Any staff member can post. We can also use it to share information about books we recommend, helpful websites, etc." Since this is a private blog, I will not share the link, but yet another great use of Web2.0 technologies to build communication.

I tell you, I'm learning more and more just watching everyone else. I look forward to continued updates of what people are doing and will continue to share what I learn with all of you.