July 16 & August 21, 2007 Blogs, Podcasts and Wikis Kate Pitcher, SUNY Geneseo

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Web 2.0 Tools You Can Use Web 2.0 is the second generation of web-based services and tools which make content creation on the web easier and more accessible to a wide variety of users.

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Questions to answer… What are these Web 2.0 social collaboration tools? Why should your library should use these tools to distribute and share content to users? How can your library use these tools to distribute and share content with users?

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Web 2.0 in action…  Amazon.com “recommendations” and Wish Listsrecommendations  Flickr photo sharing  tagging and bookmarking  YouTube video  chat and instant messaging  blogging  mixing and creating music files  “participatory web”  Mashups of content  Google Maps

July 16 & August 21, 2007 What is Library 2.0? Maness’ theory of Library 2.0 ¹: A theory for Library 2.0 could be understood to have these four essential elements: User-centered Provides a multi-media experience Socially rich Communally innovative

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July 16 & August 21, 2007 Library 2.0 in action…  “Recommendations” in library catalog  Tagging of books in library catalog (Users make their own subject headings!)  Subscribe to an RSS feed notifying patrons of new books  Patrons post book reviews to a library hosted blog  Library news using blog format  Library patrons add and edit content to a subject guide wiki on library’s website  IM at reference desk  Downloading music and books onto iPods  Offering podcasts of events through library website

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Blogs “…online journals or websites where users can post commentary, links and news…” “[Blogs] enable the rapid production and consumption of Web- based publications”

July 16 & August 21, 2007 What makes a blog different? Dated entries (“posts”) Each “post” has a permanent webpage created automatically (“permalink”) Links to favorite or recommended blogs (“blogroll”) Content is syndicated to users (“RSS feed”) Readers can leave comments Posts are archived

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Why a blog? Categorization of posts Tagging the content of posts No need to know HTML Role of hyperlink Interactivity with reader Frequency & currency of content Blogging community

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Anatomy of a post…

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Clicking on Comments in the SJCPL Blog… A comment left by a library patron on the Milne Library News blog…

July 16 & August 21, 2007 SUNY Geneseo, Milne Library

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Integrate & collaborate with your campus courseware or portal….

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Who reads blogs? 27% of Internet users read blogs as of November that’s 32 million people! greater-than-average growth of readers among women, minorities, and those between the ages of tend to be young, male, well-educated and veteran Internet users

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Why should your library have a blog? News Current events Interaction with library patrons Market and promote different library services Easy to create, maintain and update No HTML skills necessary User feedback FREE!

July 16 & August 21, 2007 What makes a successful library blog? currency frequency relevance to library or patron’s needs well written interaction with patrons through comments know your purpose and focus simplicity lots of hyperlinks Syndicate the content with an RSS feed publicize

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Tips for successful blogging… Collaborate Edit Policy Interaction Purpose

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Some library blogs… Ann Arbor District Library Moraine Valley Community College St. Joseph County Public Library Stark County Law Library Georgia State University Library Waterboro Public Library

July 16 & August 21, 2007 What you need: Application (many free services will host your blog: Blogger, WordPress, LiveJournal, etc. ) BloggerWordPressLiveJournal Commitment (“buy-in” from your contributors) Technical support (at least one person who can fool with the code behind the application if you want to host it on your own server) Training

July 16 & August 21, 2007

Free blog applications Blogger WordPress LiveJournal Diaryland (hosted) Pitas (hosted) Slash (open source app) Greymatter (open source app) LifeType (open source app)

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Other blog applications (cost $$) Movable Type ($) TypePad ($) Radio Userland ($) Manila ($)

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Blogger Free Easy to use Will host your blog (no need to put blog on your own server) No prior knowledge of HTML or CSS needed Tutorials available

July 16 & August 21, 2007 WordPress Free Customize the look of your blog Will host your blog on their server No need to learn HTML or CSS

July 16 & August 21, 2007 LiveJournal Joining the site is free Will host your blog on their server “Online journaling community” Additional services such as IM and text messaging are possible

July 16 & August 21, 2007 What in the heck is RSS??RSS Real Simple Syndication Rich Site Summary RSS lets publishers use XML code to define the content of their Web sites, much the way HTML lets them determine the format in which content is displayed.htm =.rss Graphic used to indicate RSS files

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Blog Today’s post RSS Feed Feeds into an aggregator or Newsreader Subscribers Archived posts How RSS Feeds work…

July 16 & August 21, 2007 RSS Advantages visitors can access multiple sites without having to go to each one subscribe to the RSS feeds of sites you like and the content comes to you use a news aggregator to read the headlines and links in one place do not need to give out your address to web sites to receive updates will need a aggregator to read content Jardin, Xeni. “Why RSS is Everywhere.” Wired. April May

July 16 & August 21, 2007 RSS Aggregator Resources… Bloglines Bloglines FeedDemon FeedDemon NewsGator NewsGator PocketRSS PocketRSS My Yahoo! My Yahoo!

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Library-related RSS Feeds Pubmed Pubmed Library Stuff Library Stuff LISNews LISNews Library Jobs Library Jobs Research Buzz Research Buzz Resource Shelf Resource Shelf LISFeeds.com LISFeeds.com

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Wikis “…collaborative websites where users can add, edit, or delete content on a certain topic, using a web browser...”

July 16 & August 21, 2007 The best example…

July 16 & August 21, 2007 What makes a wiki different? Multiple users may edit content Searchable No formal HTML coding experience needed Very similar to many content management systems Upload documents and files

July 16 & August 21, 2007 LIS Wiki

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Ohio University Libraries

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Milne Library WebDev Wiki

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Library Instruction Wiki

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Why use a wiki in your library? Document management (i.e. training documents, manuals, meeting minutes, etc.) Archive Intranet Collaboration by many (faculty, students, community users, etc.) Knowledge base Project management tool Staff internal communication

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Useful features… Track recent changes (RSS feeds can be incorporated so users can be notified immediately) History of page revisions (With some wiki apps, you can revert back to a previous version of the wiki) Accessibility of documents and information through a web-based browser login (can be password-protected)

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Some disadvantages… Mostly text-based Anyone (if you don’t require login) can contribute and edit documents Must use special “wiki” editing syntax to make changes or contribute content – this can be cumbersome for some users to learn

July 16 & August 21, 2007 What you need: Application (many free software apps: PBwiki, Wetpaint, MediaWiki, DokuWiki; just to name a few)PBwikiWetpaint MediaWikiDokuWiki Commitment (“buy-in” from your contributors) Technical support (at least one person who can fool with the code behind the application) Training

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Wiki tools PBwiki MediaWiki DokuWiki TWiki (open source app) ClearWiki (free for 10 users) Wetpaint (free) SeedWiki (free; multiple wikis)

July 16 & August 21, 2007 PBwiki Free Hosted (no need to download software) Web-based; login from any internet browser

July 16 & August 21, 2007 MediaWiki Open source application Download and install on your own server Designed for use with large websites/multiple servers Some WYSIWYG Editing syntax allows users to edit and contribute content without knowledge of HTML

July 16 & August 21, 2007 DokuWiki Open source application Download and install on your own server Has its own editing syntax for contributing and editing content

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Blogs vs. Wikis: What should you use? What do you want the software to do? Is it for the public or internal use? What is the technology “aptitude” of those you want involved?

July 16 & August 21, 2007 When to use a blog: You need a tool for communication purposes within a group “chronological; staying on top of things” ( M.C. Morgan, Bemidji State University, )

July 16 & August 21, 2007 When to use a wiki: You need a place to store and collaborate on group documents “topical; carved from the inside out” ( M.C. Morgan, Bemidji State University, )

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Podcasts “…syndicated audio or video content in a multimedia file meant for play on a handheld device (such as an iPod) or a personal computer…”

July 16 & August 21, 2007 June 28, 2005 MP3 + RSS = Podcast

July 16 & August 21, 2007 iPods Can be used as… hard drive calendar contact manager audio recorder save text files photo library notes reader alarm clock PDF library video player can be projected w/LCD or TV music

July 16 & August 21, 2007 MP3 players

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Why should we care? “…Teachers in every strata of education are increasingly dealing with a student population that is not only more wired than they are but also grew up in a techno-drenched atmosphere that has trained them to absorb and process information in fundamentally different ways. This generation of students is more likely to be armed with cell phones, laptops, and iPods than with spiral notebooks and #2 pencils…” 

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Finding a podcast is EASY: Type podcasts + directory in any search engine and you will find LOTS of podcasts on MANY subjects Look for a icon on your favorite website Search for podcasts + “subject” in any search engine In iTunes, search the podcast directory for thousands of podcasts on many different topics

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Creating podcasts is EASY: Create an MP3 recording Host it on a website Publish a feed

July 16 & August 21, 2007 To be or not to be… Why should libraries create podcasts? Library tours Special events Story times Book reviews Readings Guest lectures Campus events Student research presentations

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Arizona State University Libraries

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Bridgewater College: Internet Podcast Resources

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Grand Rapids Public Library

July 16 & August 21, 2007 South Huntington (NY) Public Library

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Other libraries podcasting… Dowling College Omnibus UNC at Pembroke Library Minute Worcester Polytechnic Institute Library Audio To Go Fairfield University Library Podcasts Ohio University Alden Library Audio Tour Library Guide for Nursing Students (Cal State U, Fullerton) UCOL Library Podcasts Moraine Valley Community College Library

July 16 & August 21, 2007 What technology do you need for podcasts? Computer or handheld device (iPod or MP3 player for example) to listen to or watch the podcast Podcast receiver (or podcatcher) to subscribe to the podcast

July 16 & August 21, 2007 How do we find and subscribe to podcasts? Find a podcast you are interested in listening to Find the orange “RSS” or “POD” button Click button OR copy and paste the URL into your podcast receiver

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Some podcasts of interest…

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Subscribing to podcasts with iTunes…

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Other podcast receivers: Doppler Juice

July 16 & August 21, 2007 How do we create podcasts? Two easy ways: 1. Create podcasts by phone 2. Use recording software to:  Record audio and convert it to a downloadable format (MP3)  Create a text file which describes the audio (RSS)  Upload to the web

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Podcasting Tools Gabcast podOmatic Odeo

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Gabcast Free Record podcasts by phone

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Creating a podcast by phone… Toll-free number Click on “Testing” icon to get the podcast and play!

July 16 & August 21, 2007 podOmatic Free Record your own podcasts

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Odeo Free Upload MP3 files

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Elements needed for recording your own podcast Recording & editing software Microphone Audio card Convert audio file to MP3 file format Upload MP3 file to server Create an RSS feed for the podcast

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Recording Software Sound Recorder (found with most Windows OS) Audacity (for PCs and Macs; free) GarageBand (for Macs)

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Creating an RSS feed for your podcast: 1. Apply Tool’s Podcast RSS Feed Generator: 2. Poderator: 3. PodcastBlaster:

July 16 & August 21, 2007 In order to create the RSS feed for your podcast, follow these steps: 1. Create a plain text file on your computer (i.e..TXT file if you are on Windows. Note,.DOC or other will not work). 2. Copy and past the podcast XML code into the new file. 3. Rename the file to "podcast.xml" and upload to your server.

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Example of RSS feed as it appears when I click on podcast logo…

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Works Cited 1. Maness, J. M. (2006). Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries. Webology, 3(2). Retrieved January 17, 2007, from (2006). Library 2.0 Meme Map. Flickr. Retrieved March 17, 2007, from 3. Habib, M. (2006). Toward Academic Library 2.0: development and application of a library 2.0 methodology. A Master’s Paper for the M.S. in L.S degree, November Retrieved January 17, 2007, from Rainie, L. (2005). Memo: the state of blogging. Pew Internet & American Life Project, January Retrieved 10 February 2005, from McHugh, J. (2005). Synching up with the iKid. Edutopia Magazine, October Retrieved March 26, 2007, from

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Recommended Resources: Library 2.0 (2006). Library LISWiki. Retrieved February 2, 2007, from LISWiki. Web site: Crawford, W. (2006). Library 2.0 and “Library 2.0”. Cites & Insights: Crawford at Large, 6(2). Retrieved January 17, 2007, from Miller, P. (2006). Library The Challenge of Disruptive Innovation. Retrieved January 17, 2007, from O'Reilly, T. (2005a). What Is Web 2.0: Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software. Retrieved January 17, 2007, from Stephens, M. (2005). ALA TechSource - Do Libraries Matter: On Library & Librarian 2.0. Retrieved Nov. 17, 2006, from American Library Association. Web site: 20.html 20.html Stephens, M. (2006). Web 2.0 & libraries: best practices for social software. Library Technology Reports, 42, no. 4. Chicago: ALA TechSource.

July 16 & August 21, 2007 Contact Info… Kate Pitcher Reference/Instruction & Web Development Librarian Milne Library SUNY Geneseo This presentation is available online at: