Librarians and Web 2.0

I've been fascinated by this whole new world of Web 2.0 and how it is changing the way we communicate. In the Resources in Humanities class (taught by Prof. Lewis) we read a very thought-provoking article on technology and society. The author Norman Balabanian raised some interesting points: for instance, that technology is not neutral. Access issues, such as the ones we are learning about in the Horton readings, are an example of technology either including or excluding parts of society. Those with high-bandwidth Internet connections can "choose" to exclude those without the same level of access by designing flashy, multi-media presentations that do not translate well onto a computer system circa 1998. Or--as we see with the Access readings-- websites can try to include more diverse readers by designing in a way that allows systems of any type to view and participate.

More on Final Topic: Digital Library

I think I have decided that for the scope of this class, I will focus on creating a mini digital library for the Central San Joaquin Valley. I have spent quite a few hours perusing the Web for similar sites and have so far found none. I think there would be a need for such a site, especially for those people interested in networking and linking locally.

I was originally thinking about a news/feature site, but I think I will hold off on that until later, since I'm not sure what sort of content I could produce in the next few weeks.

I think I'd like to link to nonprofits in the area, large business/employers, major educational institutions, the established media, as well as any active local bloggers. I would also like to include geographical information, and the resources to find more local information--such as demographics, or local history. I would of course feature links to the local library!

I think the challenge would be deciding if it would be comprehensive or just superficial, and if it is NOT comprehensive, how I would present that in a useful way. If it were superficial, I'm not sure how that would work either, since I would have to choose which topics to cover. Also, finding the links would be quite time consuming. Maybe would I could do is create the structure of the digital library, and then link it to wikis so that the public can participate.

Experiment posting from Google Docs

It did work to post from Google Docs, it's really easy, just go to the "Share" option and publish it as a webpage (even though you're going to publish as blog post). Then you give the settings for the blog. Then you publish post!

I'm going to see if this works. I'm trying to post online from Google Docs. Anyway, the idea that I am interested in for the final project is that news website about the geographical area of the Central San Joaquin Valley. Also, I am toying with the idea that it wouldn't be news necessarily, but rather a digital library of links connected geographically--sort of like an IPL for a community. What do you think? I'm not sure what colors I would use though--maybe colors of vegetables.

Here

Bringing staff up to the web

Here is a link for librarians interested in training other staff members on the Web 2.0. I think that we're getting inundated with this information, but many librarians still aren't on the bandwagon yet.

Blogging Pace

I'm really torn about blogging. Obviously since this week seemed to slip away so quickly. I find that I am hesitant to post unless there is something substantial to say. On the other hand, there is an accepted pace of blogging that must be kept up to social norms (post about ever 2 hours?).

How to write for the Web

Here is a post/article on How to write for the web. It's from the Online Journalism Review out of USC.

http://www.ojr.org/ojr/wiki/writing/