Communication, but not as we know it?

Google intends to launch a new groundbreaking communication application that is a mashup combining email, instant messaging and document maps plus image and video sharing all neatly integrated into the one interface. Google wave will offer conference style calls between multiple people. Furthermore the application requires no special software download or plug-in to operate and can be easily used from any computer or 3g phone.

I can see a number of exciting applications for this technology from the perspective of facilitating collaborative initiatives such as the NSW Reference Information Services Group. It may also prove to be a powerful tool for providing reference services. Who knows virtual book groups may be just around the corner.

Google Wave was developed by the Google team in Australia, good old Aussie ingenuity. For further details please refer to the Sydney Morning Herald article.

Government 2.0

Twenty Theses for Government 2.0, Cluetrain Style highlights some useful points to think about when considering web 2.0 applications. The risks of not acting can be higher than taking action.

Web 2.0 based Library Portal

The diversity of web 2.0 tools available to entrepreneurial Libraries is staggering. That they are generally free and hosted externally has obvious benefits to those interested in utilising such tools. A recent article by Michael Stephens describes Dublin City Public Library's experiment with Pageflakes; a personalised start page. Dublin Public Library has created a Library web portal for their public PCs utilising the Pageflakes application. The main benefit to the library is that it allows for the creation of a website that can be quickly updated and displays useful information in a visually appealing manner.

Stephens interviews Edward Byrne (Web Services Librarian DCPL) to discuss the project. It's a fascinating read focusing not only the benefits but the potential pitfalls that can occur when relying on web 2.0 tools.


I know that Martin from Sutherland has created a google catalogue gadget that people can add to their own personal igoogle start-up page (fantastic initiative). I would be interested to know if there are any Public Libraries in Australia that are utilising similar web 2.0 software for the purposes of maintaining a web portal for public PCs? Please post your comments on the RISG tech forum.

Here Comes Everybody

Here's a video of Clay Shirky's speech at the Web 2.0 Expo 2008. His recently published book, Here Comes Everybody, looks at the culture of participation that is growing around Web 2.0.

I know that most public libraries in NSW are thinking about using Web 2.0 tools to reach out to users. One of the questions many people have is why we should be doing it if our community doesn't currently use those tools? Indeed, we are struggling to get much in the way of comments on our blog from the members of our community at my place of work. Comments aren't really on fire on the RISG blogs either (c'mon people, share!). But it's only a matter of time. Clay Shirky puts that argument in an eloquent and entertaining way.

Library Management Systems: Building the 21st Century Library

A recently released JISC report examining the role of the LMS in the future of library services raises some timely questions for libraries. The report titled: JISC & SCONUL Library Management Systems Study, examines the state of LMS software and the wider information environment in which library services exist. There are a number of recommendations for Libraries considering the future of their LMS. I, however, particularly like this section from the Executive Summary:

1.6 Service Developments
1.6.1
The ability to aggregate user behaviour has significant implications for the potential relevance and immediacy of resource discovery services based on click streams, data aggregation, personalisation and contextual information searching.
1.6.2
Libraries are not yet exploiting the metadata they are able to collect about user habits and needs as an asset in a network economy to consolidate their position in the information value chain.
1.6.3
Libraries are increasingly aware of the need to 'liberate' their data to allow users to create new and innovative services and applications. To do so their platforms will require easy-to-use and accessible services for discovery and delivery.
1.6.4
Once open to that model, services such as the individual institutional OPAC will become seriously challenged. The LMS may be reduced to a set of back-of-house systems.

I think this is an area that libraries haven't kept pace with the wider information landscape. John Blyberg had some sage words regarding the future of the LMS in his ILS Customer Bill-of-Rights.

What do you think of your LMS?

Web 2.0 applications

The Webware awards have been announced - with over 1.9 million people voting for them.

You will have heard of many of them, and used some of them, and others will be new(ish).

Do you have any ideas about interesting (and relevant) library applications inspired b these tools?