Friday, April 17, 2009

Google Docs

I've tried Google Docs before in order to share spreadsheets, and I love the way it works. It really does make it so much easier when everyone can access and edit the data in one place, rather than everyone working on their own PC and then trying to compile the data! I don't see the same benefit in documents, but I'm sure it would also have its uses there.

One interesting thing might be that the use of these web-based apps would actually encourage people to collaborate when they might not have thought of doing that otherwise. If so, that would be an interesting change with all kinds of implications!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

TCCL wiki-ing

Well, the TCCL wiki is delightfully easy to edit - I had a good time talking about my favorite books. Could see how it would be easy to spend lots of time adding all kinds of information about my favorite things! It really is neat that it has been made that easy to add my own information to that of the rest of the library as a whole. If we only knew everything everyone else knew, when we needed it. Seems like it would be neat to have a reference question wiki or a readers advisory wiki.

Wacky wikis

I have to admit, I like the idea of wikis, but have always had trouble actually contributing to them. I think that they could be very useful in many ways in libraries, in order to gather the collective information of the staff - we know so many things, and wikis are a way to share what we know. I'm not sure people don't sometimes use wikis when they don't need to, though. There are a few Technical Services wikis out there - they mostly contain the procedures and policies of the department. This isn't really the kind of thing I think a wiki is best used for. There can be only one established policy or procedure, so why suggest that anyone can modify those things? I think there may be some wiki opportunities within Tech Services, but a wiki may work better for discussion of issues before a policy or procedure is codified and entered more permanently into stone. Of course, I may just be a fuddy duddy who needs to realize all decisions will soon be shared decisions and jump on board.