Library Assessment using Web 2.0
AALL Conference
July 14th, 2008
Kim Vassiliadis, UNC Chapel Hill, University Library
Web 2.0: Defined
The second generation of the WorldWide Web, especially the movementaway from static webpages to dynamicand shareable content
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Web_2.0
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.
Value of Quick Assessment
• Easy to design and implement
• User friendly
• Instant Feedback
• PR tool
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.
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.
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