Leading and Managing a Leading and Managing a Library Using Web 2.0 Library Using Web 2.0 Technology Technology Jessica A. Cubeta Jessica A. Cubeta LIBR 204 LIBR 204-10 10 Professor Robert Boyd Professor Robert Boyd August 12, 2010 August 12, 2010 Philosophy of Management & Leadership Project Philosophy of Management & Leadership Project
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InternetInternet--based tools are used in libraries todaybased tools are used in libraries todaymainly for reference services, or to communicatemainly for reference services, or to communicatewith patrons, however, a library manager [can] usewith patrons, however, a library manager [can] useit in decisionit in decision--making, library management andmaking, library management and
administration (Ali & Farooq, 2005, p. 14).administration (Ali & Farooq, 2005, p. 14). It is important for leaders and managers to closeIt is important for leaders and managers to close
the divide by keeping up with the pace of the divide by keeping up with the pace of technology and ensuring their staff are tech savvy.technology and ensuring their staff are tech savvy.
Web tools can assist managers with the definition,Web tools can assist managers with the definition,planning, execution and closing phases of projectplanning, execution and closing phases of projectmanagement (Evans & Layzell Ward, 2007, p. 162).management (Evans & Layzell Ward, 2007, p. 162).
Introduction (2)Introduction (2) Many managers have stepped out of theMany managers have stepped out of the
information service to take on a wider technologyinformation service to take on a wider technology
role within the organization (Evans & Layzell Ward,role within the organization (Evans & Layzell Ward,
2007, p. 456).2007, p. 456).
As the need for technologyAs the need for technology--based tools grows, thebased tools grows, theneed for eneed for e--leaders also increases.leaders also increases.
Part of the technology managers challenge is toPart of the technology managers challenge is to
deal with two issues . . . Integrated automationdeal with two issues . . . Integrated automation
systems used by staff in the daysystems used by staff in the day--toto--day performanceday performanceof their work, . . . and user access to services andof their work, . . . and user access to services and
collections (Evans & Layzell Ward, 2007, p. 461).collections (Evans & Layzell Ward, 2007, p. 461).
A key element in team functionality is howA key element in team functionality is howconducive the environment is for teamwork, andconducive the environment is for teamwork, and
working to ensure such an environment is anworking to ensure such an environment is an
important function for a project leader (Evans &important function for a project leader (Evans &
Layzell Ward, 2007, p. 162).Layzell Ward, 2007, p. 162).
�� Virtual teamwork is gaining popularity in the libraryVirtual teamwork is gaining popularity in the library
profession . . . Libraries of all types are embracingprofession . . . Libraries of all types are embracing
the concept of virtual teams to meet theirthe concept of virtual teams to meet theircommunication needs within departments and withcommunication needs within departments and with
other libraries (Knecht, 2004, p. 24).other libraries (Knecht, 2004, p. 24).
Teamwork andTeamwork and collaborationcollaboration
Facilitates communication between libraryFacilitates communication between libraryadministrators and staff, and/or amongst staff administrators and staff, and/or amongst staff members collaborating on a project.members collaborating on a project.
Can be used for specific team projects involving staff Can be used for specific team projects involving staff
from both onsite and offsite.from both onsite and offsite. Can serve as an administrative website where aCan serve as an administrative website where a
shared calendar, listing of upcoming meeting dates,shared calendar, listing of upcoming meeting dates,and files relevant to all library staff are stored.and files relevant to all library staff are stored.
Supervisors can easily track project progress andSupervisors can easily track project progress anddetermine who is contributing and who is not bydetermine who is contributing and who is not bymonitoring emails posted to the groups board.monitoring emails posted to the groups board.
ElluminateElluminate in librariesin libraries Staff and administrators in different locations orStaff and administrators in different locations or
branches can use the software to host meetings.branches can use the software to host meetings.
For team projects, recorded meetings can beFor team projects, recorded meetings can bereviewed by supervisors if the need arises.reviewed by supervisors if the need arises.
Can work as a virtual reference deskCan work as a virtual reference desk goodgoodalternative to Ask a Librarian chat systemalternative to Ask a Librarian chat systembecause there is twobecause there is two--way audio and live video.way audio and live video.
The reference librarian can share his or her desktopThe reference librarian can share his or her desktop
with the patron providing visuals on searching.with the patron providing visuals on searching.
Can be used to present and record online libraryCan be used to present and record online library--related tutorials.related tutorials.
Wikis have recently been adopted to support aWikis have recently been adopted to support avariety of collaborative activities within librariesvariety of collaborative activities within libraries
(PBworks, 2008).(PBworks, 2008).
Uses of wikis in library settingsUses of wikis in library settings data from 33data from 33
libraries (Bejune, 2007, p. 33)libraries (Bejune, 2007, p. 33)
�� PBworks is widely regarded to be the best softwarePBworks is widely regarded to be the best software
currently available, for which basic workspaces arecurrently available, for which basic workspaces are
free to librarians (Cambridge University Library,free to librarians (Cambridge University Library,
2010).2010).
�� Librarians are currently using wikis for a variety of Librarians are currently using wikis for a variety of
purposes: to produce staff manuals and subjectpurposes: to produce staff manuals and subject
guides, to manage projects, and as Intranetsguides, to manage projects, and as Intranets(Cambridge University Library, 2010).(Cambridge University Library, 2010).
Leaders who do not acknowledge theLeaders who do not acknowledge theimportance of keeping up with technologyimportance of keeping up with technology
Staff who are not technically inclined and areStaff who are not technically inclined and are
reluctant to learnreluctant to learn
Technical supportTechnical support although many of these toolsalthough many of these tools
are free, some require tech support for setupare free, some require tech support for setup
and troubleshootingand troubleshooting
Problems with technologyProblems with technology when the powerwhen the powergoes out or other technical problems occur, theregoes out or other technical problems occur, there
may be limited or no access to the programs.may be limited or no access to the programs.
PossiblePossible challenges of web toolschallenges of web tools
This is not new!This is not new!�� Libraries have been using a number of online tools toLibraries have been using a number of online tools to
streamline organization and communication both internallystreamline organization and communication both internallyand externally for years.and externally for years.
�� The University of Cambridge Library developedThe University of Cambridge Library developed T he 23T he 23T hings Cambridge University Blogspot T hings Cambridge University Blogspot , which lists 23 web, which lists 23 webtools that are helpful to librarians, including Doodle & wikis.tools that are helpful to librarians, including Doodle & wikis.
The 23 Things Cambridge University Blogspot. Image source:
Implementation of online tools proves leader is techImplementation of online tools proves leader is techsavvy and concerned with keeping up with the latestsavvy and concerned with keeping up with the latesttechnology.technology.
Leaders can use webLeaders can use web--based tools to help staff staybased tools to help staff stay
organized and focused.organized and focused. Online tools provide an easy means of Online tools provide an easy means of
communication between library branches.communication between library branches.
WebWeb--based tools can be used to assist patrons withbased tools can be used to assist patrons with
reference services.reference services.�� With ample training, web tools should be easilyWith ample training, web tools should be easily
ReferencesReferencesAli, Y., & Farooq, U. (2005). Internet as a Tool for Library Operations, Services andAli, Y., & Farooq, U. (2005). Internet as a Tool for Library Operations, Services and
Management.Management. Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal ,, 3636(2), 14(2), 14--24.24.Retrieved from:Retrieved from: http://www.pu.edu.pk/dlis/pjlis/index.htmlhttp://www.pu.edu.pk/dlis/pjlis/index.html
Bejune, M.M. (2007). Wikis in Libraries.Bejune, M.M. (2007). Wikis in Libraries. Information T echnology and LibrariesInformation T echnology and Libraries..
2626(3S), 28(3S), 28--38.38.
Cambridge University Library. (2010).Cambridge University Library. (2010). 23 T hings Cambridge University Library 23 T hings Cambridge University Library
Blogspot.Blogspot. Retrieved from:Retrieved from: http://23thingscambridge.blogspot.comhttp://23thingscambridge.blogspot.com. Last. Last
accessed: August 10, 2010.accessed: August 10, 2010.
Evans, G.E., & Ward, P.L. (2007).Evans, G.E., & Ward, P.L. (2007). Management basics for informational Management basics for informational
professionals professionals (2(2ndnd ed.). New York: Neal Schuman.ed.). New York: Neal Schuman.
K
necht, M. (2004). Virtual teams in libraries.K
necht, M. (2004). Virtual teams in libraries. Library Administration &Library Administration &Management Management .. 1818(1), 24(1), 24--29.29.