Social Software in Libraries, SPEC Kit 304 (July 2008)

Bejune, Matthew; Ronan, Jana

SPEC Kit 304: Social Software in Libraries · 83
24. If library staff use of social software is voluntary, have there been any efforts to encourage staff
to participate? N=56
Yes 46 82%
No 10 18%
If yes, please briefly describe what has been done.
N %
Workshops 22 31%
Presentations 12 17%
2.0 training program 7 10%
Marketing 7 10%
One-on-one training 6 8%
Administrative mandate 5 7%
Brown bag 5 7%
Committee work 5 7%
Tutorials 2 3%
Comments
“A ‘soft’ approach—exposure to tools and discussions about their possible uses exposure through various
committees that use the tools to conduct their work.”
“A brown bag session was offered on using the Wiki. Brief workshops have been offered on up-and-coming
technological tools such as Second Life and Skype. A recruitment workflow for the blog has been developed
that includes informational meetings for those who might be potential blog contributors, one-on-one training
sessions on how to post, and a print guide for contributors.”
“A multi-week exploration course distributed via our staff intranet, with (optional) hands-on training weekly.
A party is scheduled for those completing the course.”
“Brown bag presentations about social software have been given.”
“Committee on Professional Development has sponsored a series of hands-on workshops for staff on use of
social software ongoing workshops on use of Wikis.”
“Committees discuss how librarians are using the tools on a regular basis. These discussions encourage others
to participate.”
“Directors encourage their staff to explore new technologies.”

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SPEC Kit 304: Social Software in Libraries (July 2008) resources

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SPEC Kit 304: Social Software in Libraries · 83
24. If library staff use of social software is voluntary, have there been any efforts to encourage staff
to participate? N=56
Yes 46 82%
No 10 18%
If yes, please briefly describe what has been done.
N %
Workshops 22 31%
Presentations 12 17%
2.0 training program 7 10%
Marketing 7 10%
One-on-one training 6 8%
Administrative mandate 5 7%
Brown bag 5 7%
Committee work 5 7%
Tutorials 2 3%
Comments
“A ‘soft’ approach—exposure to tools and discussions about their possible uses exposure through various
committees that use the tools to conduct their work.”
“A brown bag session was offered on using the Wiki. Brief workshops have been offered on up-and-coming
technological tools such as Second Life and Skype. A recruitment workflow for the blog has been developed
that includes informational meetings for those who might be potential blog contributors, one-on-one training
sessions on how to post, and a print guide for contributors.”
“A multi-week exploration course distributed via our staff intranet, with (optional) hands-on training weekly.
A party is scheduled for those completing the course.”
“Brown bag presentations about social software have been given.”
“Committee on Professional Development has sponsored a series of hands-on workshops for staff on use of
social software ongoing workshops on use of Wikis.”
“Committees discuss how librarians are using the tools on a regular basis. These discussions encourage others
to participate.”
“Directors encourage their staff to explore new technologies.”

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84 · Survey Results: Survey Questions and Responses
“Efforts are made to encourage staff to use these tools through demos, training, library guides. We have a
‘Not for Geeks Only’ program that gives a brief overview of a tool and encourages individual experimentation
and ‘playing’ with it. We also provide support for installing and using software and encourage in its use.”
“E-mail announcements.”
“E-mails sent to staff asking for volunteers.”
“Encouragement by Director.”
“Encouraging library staff to use IM for reference services in addition to several public forums on Web 2.0
tools. There are also efforts in the area of staff training on these tools.”
“Have had presentations on various social software in different settings to encourage participation by
highlighting the possibilities offered by them.”
“Informal spreading the word between colleagues, workshops, demos.”
“In-service training.”
“Intro tutorials, e-mails, info sessions.”
“Library presentation, training.”
“Library sponsored Web 2.0 training.”
“Marketing of and praise for units who have implemented these services through various internal library
communication channels. Various funding sources that can be (and have been) applied for to develop social
software pilot projects. BTW, the next section is really populated by best guesses, since all our participation
is voluntary, and some of it happens off the clock. The last question, in particular, “On average, about how
many hours per week do individual library staff members spend on social software activities?” is going to
give a skewed picture, since most staff _do not_ currently spend any time using social software (officially).
I would say, of those that are doing it, they spend 3-5 hours/week. But factor in the masses that don’t, and
the library average is the more pitiful 1 hour. Also, I am assuming for this next question you are asking how
many do this as part of their job so I’m basing my estimate on that (as many choose to participate in these
activities for their own amusement and edification).”
“Offering staff development and one-on-one assistance to encourage participation.”
“Participation in pilots and in departmental Wikis is required of some.”
“Presentations, training, information available via Web pages.”
“Promotional staff training programs which demonstrate the usefulness of application.”
“Reference staff has regularly been invited or had training sessions on various tools. Early in 2008 we are
going to have a training program based on the ‘Learning 2.0’ model for all KSL staff. In late 2008, it will be
rolled out to the entire Case community.”
“Requests for participation are issued and a certain amount of gentle arm twisting is done. If there is a strong
probability that the service will be adopted, e.g., Meebo, many librarians and staff tend to volunteer so that
they can participate in the evaluation.”

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SPEC Kit 304: Social Software in Libraries (July 2008) resources

82 · Survey Results: Survey Questions and Responses
“Participation in Wikis, blogs, chat and VOIP are also required for some departments.”
“Required participation is limited to staff engaged in reference activities.”
“Some sections/projects in the library require the use of Wikis for recording meeting minutes.”
“Wikis is a grey area. We don’t ‘require’ anyone to use any of the Wikis we have in place, but choosing not
too leaves most people so far out of the loop (particularly for internal committee Wikis, etc.) that they must
really use them, at least to consult (even if not to contribute) despite the lack of a mandate. RSS is similar,
since many of the committee Web sites and internal staff pages ‘must be checked regularly by members
of this department.’ They may not realize that what they are reading is an aggregation and injection of
departmental RSS feeds into their staff home page.”
“The intended interpretation of ‘required’ is not clear. For example, if staff are using a Wiki for their work it is
a requirement of those involved, but not necessarily all staff.”
“All the social networking we are currently doing is under development or in test, so that participation is
voluntary. After a service is tested and approved by PSC, it becomes a normal part of work assignments and
thus no longer voluntary.”
“Once a service is implemented we support it fully. During the experimental phase participation is voluntary.”
Voluntary
“Although staff are encouraged to participate with incorporating social software into their jobs, it is still a
voluntary exercise.”
“Staff use of and participation in Library initiatives employing these technologies varies depending on the job
description of the employee, and are guided by the Library’s IT security policies and Internet use policies.”
“There is no library policy on the use of this software. A few such as virtual reference and RSS feeds for new
books have been formalized however, the use of other social software is based on interest by individual
librarians or libraries.”
“Other =Facebook (voluntary).”
“Each of the blogs have formal authors/coordinators and others participate voluntarily.”
“VOIP and Virtual worlds may be used personally or for professional development, but have not been
implemented for library work.”
“There is no central organization or management of social software initiatives in the UCSD Libraries. Grass-
root, whoever wants to participate/create tools does so and if someone doesn’t want to, they don’t. We are
starting to take a look at systematically implementing use through library-wide committee, and the campus is
as well. Many librarians use tools voluntarily. Participation in UC-wide chat service is required by all libraries,
though not all librarians.”

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Page 9Survey Results click to expand contents

Page 113Representative Documents click to expand contents

Page 115Social Networking click to expand contents

Page 123Media Sharing click to expand contents

Page 131Social Bookmarking/Tagging click to expand contents

Page 137Wikis click to expand contents

Page 145Blogs click to expand contents

Page 155RSS click to expand contents

Page 161Chat/Instant Messaging click to expand contents

Page 167Virtual Worlds click to expand contents

Page 175Library Implemented Widgets click to expand contents

Page 181Library Developed Widgets click to expand contents

Page 187Social Software Committees click to expand contents

Page 191Selected Resources click to expand contents

SPEC Kit 304: Social Software in Libraries (July 2008) resources

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SPEC Kit 304: Social Software in Libraries (July 2008) resources

SPEC Kit 304: Social Software in Libraries (July 2008) resources