NASIG Newsletter

TACTICS SESSION

Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts:  Social Software in the Library

Abigail Bordeaux, Binghamton University Libraries
Reported by Danielle Williams 

Abigail Bordeaux began her session with a brief overview of social software, using the Wikipedia definition:  “Social software enables people to rendezvous, connect or collaborate through computer-mediated communication to form online communities.”  While libraries have embraced nearly every form of technology for library service, only a handful of libraries have added blogs, wikis and podcasts to their offered services. 

Short for weblog, blogs have become a very popular form of communication for anyone comfortable with the Internet.  They are incredibly easy to use, and yet are under utilized in the library community.  Whether they are limited to updates by library staff or allow for comments from the public, blogs are an excellent way to promote library services, relate library news to patrons, or to share information with other libraries.  RSS feeds allow interested parties to subscribe to blogs and receive updates whenever the blog is updated.  RSS feeds are very easy to set up, can help provide a ready reference to the number of people interested in information about the library, and allow patrons to get automatic updates whenever the blog is updated. 

Wikis also provide numerous opportunities for use in libraries.  As of May 2, 2006, the Wikipedia definition of a wiki stated that it is “…a type of website that allows users to easily add, remove, or otherwise edit all content, very quickly and easily, sometimes without the need for registration.”  A wiki can be edited numerous times and content can be added without the need to email the document or to meet and discuss possible changes to the document, making it a perfect venue for librarians to share information with each other about a variety of topics, including reference information.  As with most software, there is no need for experience using HTML code.  Blogs and wikis are very easy to use and both contain features that allow easy editing and replying to posts.  Ms. Bordeaux ran out of time before she could discuss podcasts, but her presentation is available online at http://library.lib.binghamton.edu/presentations/index.html.  In addition to information about blogs, wikis and podcasts, Ms. Bordeaux also provides several links to examples of several libraries that have set up and are using social software.