Review of Using blogs and wikis to communicate with library clients

Watson and Harper (2006) in Using blogs and wikis to communicate with library clients, discuss how blogs and wikis can play a role in creating virtual communities, and ponder how they can be used within the “framework of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0”.

Watson et al., (2006) describe blogs as online journals only specified contributors can add too, although comments by anyone can be allowed. Alternatively, wikis are described as web pages able to be edited by all. The communication and collaboration enabled by blogs and wikis are described by Watson et al., (2006) as the “driving force behind concepts such as Web 2.0 and Library 2.0”.

Establishing blogs and wikis as a library communication tool is simply done. However, to ensure it is a successful tool and one that integrates with other library tools and services, it is necessary to undertake much planning prior to their creation (Watson et al., 2006) and provide the following tips for successfully creating communication tools:
1. Manage the tool.
2. Control technolust.
3. Be honest and sincere.
4. Update regularly.
5. Enable comments and respond where appropriate.
6. Use RSS feeds or other promotional methods.

Expanding these tips, Watson et al., (2006) says technology must accord with the library’s goals and mission. The technology also should be really needed and not just implemented because it will project the right image. Indeed Stephens (2008, p. 314) says “technolust is an irrational love for new technology combined with unrealistic expectations for the solutions it brings”. Libraries should be careful to avoid becoming the victims of technolust. Technolust can result in the library loosing users through the incorrect or unnecessary implementing of communication tools or as stated by Murley (2008, p. 201), adding a new source or service can result in the need to delete something else.

Honest and sincere communication from libraries is also important. Users who sense library communications lack these attributes will be discouraged from further interactions with the library (Watson et al., 2006). Libraries need to be aware that users can form an opinion of the library as a whole based entirely upon the information found on the library’s blog or wiki.

Regularly updating the library blog or wiki is a must. Out-of-date content, or irregularly posting, implies to users that the library does not value the blog or wiki. Watson et al., (2006) states that content which is “fresh” creates appeal.

Allowing contributions is another important feature of blogs and wikis as it creates a sense of personalisation for users (Benson & Favini, 2006, p. 18). This personalisation is created because users feel “a sense of ownership” of the blog or wiki because it holds their work (Curran, Murray & Christian, 2007, pp.291-292). Also libraries should ensure they respond to user comments where appropriate as this will further enhance this sense of personalisation.

RSS feeds allow users to find out what is happening in the library without having to visit the library’s website (Anderson, 2007, p. 10). Bradley (as cited by Secker & Price, 2007, p. 42) states that “RSS is fundamental to Web 2.0 technologies…[as it] underpins most social software”. Libraries utilising RSS feeds as a method to promote the library’s blog or wiki are pushing their content to users rather than passively waiting, and hoping, for users to seek out the information for themselves. Libraries need to be pro-active in promoting their blogs or wikis to ensure they are successful.

This article is brief and contains little substantial discussion regarding blogs and wikis. However the strength of the article lies in the tips it provided for libraries wishing to use Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 technologies successfully to communicate with users. The tips are succinct and clear in meaning and should be considered invaluable by libraries.

References

Anderson, P. (2007). What is Web 2.0? Ideas, technologies and
implications for education. Retrieved May 22, 2008, from Joint Information Systems Committee website: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/document/techwatch/tsw0701b.pdf

Benson, A., & Favini, R. (2006). Evolving web, evolving librarian
[Electronic resource]. Library Hi Tech News, 7, 18-21.

Curran, K., Murray, M., & Christian, M. (2007). Taking the information to
the public through Library 2.0 [Electronic resource]. Library Hi Tech, 25(2), 288-297.

Murley, D. (2008). What is all the fuss about Library 2.0? [Electronic
resource]. Law Library Journal, 100(1), 197-204.

Secker, J., & Price, G. (2007). Libraries, social software and distance
learners: Blog it, tag it, share it! [Electronic resource]. New Review of Information Networking, 13(1), 39-52.

Stephens, M. (2008). Taming technolust: Ten steps for planning in a 2.0
world [Electronic resource]. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 47(4), 314-317.

Watson, K., & Harper, C. (2006). Using blogs and wikis to communicate
with library clients [Electronic resource]. InCite, 28 (December). Retrieved from ALIA website: http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/incite/2006/12/print.html?ID=138