THE END

This is it, the last lesson in our Learning 2.0 program. It's been quite an interesting journey and have found it extremely rewarding. I have really enjoyed this course and have learned how to access a new world of information that we will be using in our library to promote it to a wider audience.

So what is social networking - It is another impressive tool which would be even greater in engaging the younger generation and encouraging them to participate in the Library even if it is in a virtual world.

I believe that social networking sites such as My Space, bebo and Facebook could be very valuable to promote the library, library services, library events such as visiting authors and to highlight parts of the library collection.

GOOGLE DOCS

Online applications and tools that is free! No installation of software that is required, only a web browser and internet connection. All I can say is wow!! a whole new world of online features that is so user friendly. We can use these features in a library quite effectively and efficiently. If you have a project for example, a Library Newsletter, you post the first draft of the newsletter to your colleagues. Everyone can in turn add or edit text on the document. That way everyone is using the most current version of the document, meaning that it will get to print earlier! you cant get better than that!

MASHIES

Mashups are hybrid web applications that take features from one application (like Flickr) and mash it up with another (like a mapping program)and its sooooo much fun! I see quite a lot possibilities for mashups in the library, especially for local studies and promotional ventures.

PODCASTING IN YOUR LIBRARY

What a great idea podcasts are. I can easily see them being utilised in a public library. Podcasts could be made for lectures and author talks at the library, also, to deliver online books to library members who use the cassette and cd formats. I also like the idea of going to one's favourite radio program to listen and download a radio show you happened to miss. Versatile and easy to use.

SLAM THE BOARDS

Slam the Boards is an attempt to get reference librarians to provide answers on popular "Answer Board" sites like Yahoo Answers, WikiAnswers, AskVille, etc. The questions are been answered by librarians. I like the slamming the boards idea and think it is a great way to promote librarians.

LIBRARYTHING

LibraryThing was developed by booklovers, for booklovers and its basic function is to quickly and painlessly create an online catalog of your personal book collection. What makes it even more special is its social networking component - once you've entered your books, you get to see everyone elses via book titles, authors, and the tags you assign to each entry.

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/

Del.icio.us

Del.icio.us is interesting, straightforward and quite useful! Well, in addition to tagging your bookmarks, you can see how other users have tagged the same links and see related websites are important to them. This is an excellent way to find websites that may be of interest to you.

http://delicious.com/Inverell.Library