The NextGen Approach to Getting it Done: Web 2.0 in the Weinberg Memorial Library
1. Invitation Title
The NextGen Approach to Getting it Done
Web 2.0 in the Weinberg Memorial Library
Donna Mazziotti, Public Services Librarian
Kristen Yarmey-Tylutki, Digital Services Librarian
SPREAD THE VIRUS
LISTEN
When you’re surrounded by fascinating, fun technology, it’s easy to get carried away
and lose track of your goals. We sat down with a group of our Library student
workers early this semester to get a feel for what students are really looking for.
What we got was a reality check: our students weren’t interested in technology for
the sake of technology. What they did want was pure, simple, useful content, that
could be accessed at any time, from any place. While we talked about podcasts and
RSS feeds, the students wanted to hear about how to write a good paper, or how to
start a research project – even how to use the printers in the Library.
With this feedback, we’ve adjusted our goals to focus on content first, technology
second. We look at what students need to know first, and then figure out the most
effective way (or ways) to deliver that information.
Kristen Yarmey-
Tylutki
COLLABORATE
The Web 2.0 world thrives on collaboration. To have the best chance of success with our Web 2.0 initiatives, we
avoided a traditional, hierarchical workflow model and instead focused on collaborating across Library
departments, across status lines, and across the entire University of Scranton campus. We made connections
with the University’s Systems and Software Resources group and Public Relations office, the Center for Teaching
and Learning Excellence, faculty members in various disciplines, and our Library student workers.
Most importantly, we’ve encouraged the Library’s faculty and staff to get on board and participate in our
projects. In order for our Web 2.0 endeavors to succeed, we need buy-in from the entire Library, so that
students hear a consistent message when they come to the building or visit our web site. So far, we have eight
different authors on our blog, and twelve Library staff and faculty members have joined Facebook and become
fans of our Library’s Page. With all this collaboration, though, we’ve learned that each project should have a
single “champion” who’s chiefly responsible for updating and maintaining what we’ve done. This way, we steer
clear of having too many cooks spoil our Web 2.0 broth.
Posted by Kristen Yarmey-Tylutki on October 28, 2008
Facebook
IMBlog
Student
Newspaper
Library
Newsletter
Email
Library
Homepage
E-Newsletter
Word of
Mouth
BE AUTHENTIC
Posting your picture
will help students
recognize you at the
reference desk.
JUST DO IT
STEP 1: Identify need.
STEP 2: Find right tool.
STEP 3: Use tool to meet need.
STEP 4: Pitch finished and fully
operational project to
colleagues and superiors.
STEP 5: Adjust as needed.
If the tool really meets the need, endorsement for the project
should swiftly follow!
Reference Librarian
Facebook Page
Internet Resources
Wiki
Phone
Reference Desk
Blog
Podcasts
IM
24/7 Chat
Frustrated Student
Bring it Together
ROLL THE CREDITS
Our WML “Twopointopian” Team:
Donna Mazziotti
Kristen Yarmey-Tylutki
Jennifer Maher
George Aulisio
Special Thanks To:
Bonnie Oldham
Charles Kratz