Step #9: Social Networking

I already have profiles on Facebook, Myspace, Last.fm, Goodreads, and Library Thing, so I decided to sign up for a Linkedin account. I found quite a few contacts from my Gmail address book that were not on any of the other sites, so it’ll be good to make those (new, maybe professional) connections. Clearly Linkedin has a more focused purpose than does, say, Myspace or Facebook, so it’ll be good to see what types of professional connections I can make.

What do I like about these social networking sites? While it may sound like something scrawled on the inside of high school yearbook, I do enjoy reconnecting with old friends. I’ve had occasion to find many an old friend or acquaintance that I otherwise hadn’t spoken to in years. Just two weeks ago I ran into an old pal on Myspace that I’d often thought of but could never quite track down, despite Googling his (unique) name. We traded a few messages, caught up a bit, and exchanged email addresses and phone numbers. Maybe I’ll see him next time he’s in Chicago.

I’ve also been able to make connections to some folks who share similar interests (in music and books) and professional goals. Sure, there’s a ton of dreck to wade through on Myspace, but I’ve managed to meet writers who were in Chicago for a book signing. I’ve had bands—-ones I actually like—-send CDs and reminders about upcoming shows. I keep up with touring bands I might otherwise miss, and I keep up on new releases that too plentiful to buy. A couple weeks ago, I posted a bulletin, trying to help a band from Australia (The Cannanes) get a show in Chicago after the one they’d planned fell through. Needless to say, with a little bit of help, they now have a show and we’ve now been trading messages on Myspace to sort out hotel accomodations and other details.

Most of this Web 2.0 stuff dovetails pretty nicely. I enjoy adding content to the read/write Web. I value transparency and the social nature of the web.

If you have a profile on Linkedin, please add me as a contact.

If you’re hangin out on one of the other social networking sites, feel free to add me as a friend and say ‘hello’.

Step #6: Wikis

There’s still a lot of speculation about the accuracy and dependency of at least one well known wiki, Wikipedia. I kinda think the hesitancy is largely, uh, unfounded. It’s about conversations and participation, and creating and providing a collaborative information resource. What’s the first thing you do if you have a question about something? You ask a friend? Consider the wiki a friend.

Step # 5: One Stop Search

Blah, blah, blah …

Step #4: RSS

Real Simple Syndication. I’m already using Bloglines, and set up a Google Reader account about a year ago. I had a hard time adjusting to the interface, so I don’t seem to use it much. I need to look at it again as many folks have expressed a strong preference for using Google. I’m glad to have all these blog posts culled into one spot. I’ve got favorite blogs set up as bookmarks on my laptop at home, and I have some saved at Delicious as well, but if I want to do some significant catching up, I head to Bloglines.

Step #3: You Tube

I’m trying to get through these steps pretty quickly, so I may end up giving some of these tasks a bit of a short shrift. I probably don’t spend as much time watching videos on You Tube as some folks, but I recognize it as an incredible resource with the potential to record and shape the cultural zeitgeist. I won’t blaze and new territory with suggestions for how it can be used in the library. It can easily highlight and promote library programs by showing video of past programs. As with blogs, it can help humanize the library by giving staff an opportunity to talk about themselves, their jobs, and how they feel about their role in the community. It can be used in creative ways to promote librarianship. There’s a ton of ways it can help the library, of course, but probably not any more than you haven’t already thought of yourself. I’d be happy if the library starting using it….

I was glad this documentary about the seminal independent New Zealand music label ( Flying Nun Records) was put up last year. I used to have a video tape of it, recorded off or NZ television by a friend, but that’s long since been lost in various moves and shuffles. The independent (rock/pop) music of mid-80s to mid-to-late 90s New Zealand, centered around Dunedin and Flying Nun Records, had an unbelievable wealth of great bands, great albums, and great songs, and it’s stuff that had a profound impact on my music education. It’s stuff that I go back to ALL the time . Much of it (The Chills, The Clean, Bailter Space, The Dead C, Alastair Galbraith, Tall Dwarfs, The Bats, The Pin Group, Garbage and the Flowers, et. al.) sounds every bit as good, if not better, today than it did then. Of course, this isn’t to say that NZ isn’t producing music currnetly that’s just as, say, vital to my getting through the week (see: Birchville Cat Motel, Pumice, Anthony Milton, the (back-again) Terminals, among many others).

If anyone has a copy of those Marie and the Atom EPs please get in touch …

In the meantime, check this out. It’s the first in a 9 part series:

Step # 2: Flickr

Apparently I’ve had a Flickr account since about May of 2006. I think I cajoled asked my wife to use Flickr instead of Shutterfly for no particular reason. I’d completely forgotten about it until fifteen minutes ago when I saw all them pictures up there. I’ll add a few (newer) ones as soon as I get a chance.

Step #1: Blogs

I’ve been reading blogs voraciously for years now. Somehow, I’ve never felt a strong enough urge to add my own voice to the conversation. Sure, I’ve commented on (other) blogs before, and I really do enjoy the social nature of the read/write Web. I’ve been participating on various discussion boards (music, food, sports) and other virtual environments for probably 8-10 years. I’ve forged real friendship and collaborated with people I’ve never even met face-to-face. There are a ton of amazing folks out there creating incredible content, and blogs (not to mention discussion boards, social networking sites, etc.) make it especially easy to reach out and connect with them. It’s compelling and empowering. The read/write Web is a profoundly humanizing force, and I think that’s why so many Web 2.0 tools/ideas are relevant and useful for libraries, both internally and externally. The library needs to be continually updated (just like a blog) and humanized, so that our patrons will want to connect AND stay in touch with us.

I already appreciate this All Wired Up opportunity to create something and learn about some of the behind the scenes fucntions of blogs. To see just how a blog is created ( at least here at WordPress). It’s a nice kick in the pants and I bet I’ll even enjoy it some.

Special thanks to Dara and Gena for having me on board at Reader Services!

Hello (cruel) world!

Ok, I’ve got the Blog up. I’ve added a few links. I think I’m ready to go.