Using a Library’s Blog

The University of Texas at Tyler Robert R. Muntz Library has a great example of how to use a library blog. Sort of a researcher’s advisory post (instead of a reader’s).

So, what might you use this book for?

You are discussing a poem in class, and the professor says it has
internal rhyme? You want to know what that is? The dictionary will tell
you that it is “a rhyme that occurs within a metrical line in
order to create a musical or rhythmical effect. . . ” (145).

You need an overview of Romanticism (pages 268-269).

You need to tell the difference between a Petrarchan sonnet and a
Shakesperean sonnet (see the entry for sonnet on pages 281-282).

This is one of those cool books that you can use to look up a term quickly and get an answer. The Longman Dictionary and Handbook of Poetry is available in the library’s reference collection. Its call number is PN 1021 .M94 1985.

Two things:

1. I love that Angel Rivera, the Outreach/Reference Librarian, even gives the call number in the post so the user can find it readily.
2. Angel also writes about why the text is useful, not just about the book itself. Reference books are used less and less now-a-days but it is mostly because many users don’t know why they can be more useful than just a Google search.
   

Julie Andrews About Libraries

Julie Andrews just got even cooler. She talks about her experience in a libraries as a child and promotes libraries in general here.

So Where is Your Library?

Check out what LibraryThing has just added as of yesterday: LibraryThing Local. Man, this thing is awesome and super easy (I added my library in all of two minutes). I see huge potential in collaborating with other libraries and bookstores in the area. Now you can really know what your other local bibliophiles across town are up to.

It seems the next logical step is having a catalog search box embedded into each library’s LT Local page or (eventually) have a record in LibraryThing for the library’s holdings through batch loading. Too optimistic? Probably, but still fun to dream about.

Just one more way to get your library out there and connecting with users in non-traditional ways. And it’s COOL (I guess I just really love maps…).

Library Brand Doodling

Google is a master a self-promotion. They are opening a contest to see who can come up with the best “doodle” on their brand. Wouldn’t it be cool to do something like this for a library? Anyone in the community could come up with a fun rendition of the library’s brand for a special event or day. One more method to increase library user involvement and especially a sense of ownership and loyalty.

Facebook and Libraries

Is Facebook as a business working for libraries? While some question its effectiveness, it seems that there are plenty of libraries which use Facebook as just one more resource to reach their users. Even if only a small percentage of users find their way to the library through Facebook, those users have been served in the way they prefer.

Iowa City Public Library has a great example. I love how it has the app which includes its blogs. Great way to have access to all the library news. University of Winnepeg also has some cool stuff like the meebo app and the WorldCat search.
Aurora University Charles B. Phillips Library has one of the largest fan bases because they used an incentive: good ol’ Phantom tickets. Not bad. I love their banner: what a beautiful library space for collaboration.

Another nice idea comes from Sacrament State University: YouTube library video tour embedding. Deakin University Library has it’s own library catalog app which is pretty awesome.

Know of any other libraries who are using Facebook?