Library Assessment using Web 2.0 AALL Conference July 14 th, 2008 Kim Vassiliadis, UNC Chapel Hill, University Library
Web 2.0: Defined The second generation of the World Wide Web, especially the movement away from static webpages to dynamic and shareable content
Web 2.0 & Library 2.0 are like “kissing cousins” Library 2.0: –User centered –Provides a rich multimedia experience –Socially rich –Communicating innovation Library 2.0 is not about searching but about finding and sharing Tonkery, Dan. Web 2.0 and Library 2.0: subscription agents respond to new technology, trends and opportunity Serials, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 142, Jul 2007.
Non-traditional Assessment Tools Insta-Polls Blogs Chat / IM Transcripts
Value of Quick Assessment Easy to design and implement User friendly Instant Feedback PR tool
Web 2.0 in Everyday Life
Insta-Poll Your website has a built in audience Ask for Feedback!
Insta-Poll: Promotion How can we promote our services effectively?
Insta-Poll: Promotion Promote new Features
Insta-Poll: Feedback
Insta-Poll: Student Preferences
Insta-Poll: Davis (main) Library Would you like Writing Center assistance in Davis? If we rename the Reference Desk, what should we call it? How late do you stay in Davis on Friday night? Does Davis Library need a cafe? Where in Davis do you like to study?
Insta poll: Things to Consider Poll stability Phrase the question simply Timeliness Keep the poll “fresh” Who will monitor the poll? Finding room on your homepage This is NOT 100% valid assessment
Insta-Poll: Benefits of the Poll Constant Polling sends a message –“We want your feedback!” –“We’re listening” –“We may even change” Your users will notice the change. Keep it up to date and your users will respond.
Blogs Create two way communication Promote services Ask for feedback Answer patron comments and questions.
Blog: Virtual suggestion box
Blog: NCSU Message Board
Blog: Promote survey
Blogs: Things to Consider Open up communication between librarians and users. Keep it current Make it applicable to your users If no one reads it, does it really exist? Who will update it? Who will monitor it?
Blogs: Benefits Gives users an anonymous space to ask questions or post comments Allows librarians a chance to publicly respond. Opportunity to promote services and changes in policies. Create conversation between librarians and users.
Chat / Instant Messenger Chat / IM reference Reference questions as feedback Student expectations Research needs Market current services
Chat: related to the OPAC In Davis (main) library: An analysis of the most recent year of web-based chat and IM logs showed that nearly 20% of interactions were questions involving the OPAC. Prompted move from Traditional ILS OPAC to ecommerce software, Endeca Alleviate OPAC display and retrieval questions.
Traditional Catalog
New (Endeca) Catalog
Chat: related to citations
Chat: Citation Assistance Citation Builder
Chat: Citation Assistance Citing Tutorial
Chat: Benefits Keep statistics on your chat transcripts They can provide impetus for new services. Help you assess user expectations Allows you to promote new services
Chat: Things to Consider How to log your chat transcripts? Who will analyze the transcripts? What kind of system will you have to keep track of your statistics?
Wrap Up Don’t underestimate the value of instant feedback Builds relationships between the library and your users Opportunity to promote your services and resources
Thank you! Kim Vassiliadis www. libraryquality.com