Week 1 article post - Social software in the library by K.M. Dames

This is the first article I read as part of this course only because my focus is understanding how libraries can use these technologies best. I was a little disappointed that the article did not really treat this subject in depth, but merely listed some social software technologies and how they have been used in the past. It is important to also note, that although this article may present a good historical perpective (published in July 2004), it may not necessarily touch on current issues, since in a world like ours, these change day by day.
I liked that the article talked about the image that librarians often have in the world as "we can find it (the information) in Google" and that it also recognized that by using social software tools, an information professional will reach to people outside the lirbary walls and in the end, it may even draw those people in.
I also pickep up the fact that Dames talks about large library systems that use blogs as a way of internal communication. Needless to say that I would love to see that in Mississauga, however we have a long way to go. However, I was recently told by a colleague about a website from a public library in the States where they set up a blog they use to teach their staff social software tools (similar to what we have in this course, but in a more laid back format with not marks, but with prizes). You may want to check out Learning 2.0
I also noticed that he talks about instant messaging (we don't even have that available in Mississauga for security reasons as determined by out IT department!!!) and wireless. Although many of us are used to have wireless technology at home or at school, in reality there are few public libraries who are offering that. Once again, in Mississauga, the project is in the pilot stage at the Central Library.
I think that once again, after reading this article, I'm a little dissapointed in what we have where I work and hope that things will change. I also noticed that at the time this article was written many of the examples are from academic libraries and hope that throughout this course we will be able to examine more the way in which public libraries have used social software tools to communicate with their customers.