Libraries Using Web 2.0 Effectively

I checked out the library websites highlighted on Infopeople's 23 Web 2.0 Things list. I was immediately drawn to Seattle PL because I wanted to see their MySpace page for teens. In our library, teens and other young people access MySpace constantly on our public access PCs. They love it, can't get enough of it -- it really does seem to be a community experience for teens in particular. But would they ever in a million years go to the library's MySpace page? Maybe. They're going to the physical library building, so why not in MySpace too? I guess the key would be to identify what would draw them in. In our bricks-and-mortar library, it's free internet access and a chance to hang out with their peers in a welcoming environment. What would a library MySpace page have to offer?

At RCPL we are using hosted blogs to post events, staff picks, our library weblog, and soon a director's blog, all of which allow library users to subscribe via RSS. We also use a hosted wiki for internal staff schedules and some procedures. We have a couple of podcasts and webcasts available, too (accessible under our About Us page under the Professional Contributions header). And as I mentioned a couple of posts ago, we have set up a photostream in Flickr.

I think it's important for the library to get out of its own building and into the greater community. I also think this is true of our online presence -- the library should go beyond the confines of its own website and server and become visible in web communities like Flickr, MySpace, Second Life, YouTube and others whenever possible.

In fact, look for Redwood City Public Library's listing in Wikipedia soon!