Five tips for implementing social software in your library

Five tips to stop thinking and to start doing

Rob Coers

Internet trainer and consultant The Netherlands Worked in the (public) library sector Working for the (public) library sector www.robcoers.nl

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What is this about?

Why social software in your library? Commonly heard no’s and but’s 5 tips on how to address them

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Why social software in your library? It doesn’t matter in what type of

library you work Public library Academic library School library Corporate library Special library (art, music, medical…)

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Why social software in your library? It’s free It’s easy It’s practical It’s about people It’s about interaction!

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Which software?

Weblogs

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Which software?

Weblogs RSS

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Which software?

Weblogs RSS Photo sharing

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Which software?

Weblogs RSS Photo sharing Video sharing

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Which software?

Weblogs RSS Photo sharing Video sharing Social bookmarking

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Which software?

Weblogs RSS Photo sharing Video sharing Social bookmarking Wikis

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Which software?

Weblogs RSS Photo sharing Video sharing Social bookmarking Wikis Enriched library catalogs

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Benefits of social software for you and your users Vital, targeted information on their

desktop (if they want*) as news happensOf course they want!

Saves time for your busy client / patron / user

Get in contact with people who share interests, both intern and extern

Supports learning and networking in any organization

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Benefits of social software for you and your users Get solutions, answers to your

“problems” in a fast and innovative way

A great chance to get rid of the zero-mistake-culture in organizations : encourages people to speak out

Syndicate your content for promotion Get in-the-picture in your community

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"Skepticism has never founded empires, established principals, or changed the world's heart.The great doers in history have always been people of faith".Edwin Hubbell, American clergyman 1814-1880

"If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss bank”. Woody Allen

. . . And of all kind

Climate change Medics Computers Web 1.0 Science Instant messaging Aromatherapy iPods Friday the 13th

UFO’s Evolutional theory Tagging Web 2.0 Reincarnation North Korea Second Life Loch Ness Monster Web 8.0

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Based on fear and ignorance

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Commonly heard no’s and but’s “but we don’t have the tech know how” “We don’t have the time to do it” “We don’t have the money to buy it” “Web 2.0 is a hype that will pass” “But our users are not 2.0-ish” “What if ‘they’ start to comment on us?” “What if they take control of things?” “I am afraid to expose myself” “It’s threatening our IT security!”

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1. Training and teaching

Conduct short introductions for staff 23 Things (in English, Danish,

German, Dutch, …)

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2. Focus on the positive people 10 % trendsetters, early adaptors,

leaders, US 70% followers, want to be guided

and open to hear your story 20% oppose to everything what is

new

2. Focus on the positive people

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Followers70%

Opposers20%

Leaders10%

3. Speak of ROP instead of ROI You can’t easily translate success

into money Return On Investment

Investment = minimal Result = maximal

Return On Participation : measure conversations with tools like Feedburner and Technorati

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4. Make friends with IT

Often they don’t have a clue about social software

You don’t have to install software on the network

Social software is so easy to use

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5. Just do it

Build prototypes and prove users thebenefit of it*

It’s sometimes better to ask for forgiveness than for permission

Brian Matthews, 2007

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What are YOUR tips?

Share them at the Library Success Wiki

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