David Lee King

social media | emerging trends | libraries

Patrons Use Social Media Tools, Part 2 – The Rotary Club

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The Rotary Club of Topeka on Ustream.TVI love finding emerging tools and services in use outside of the library. Why? Some librarians I’ve met aren’t sure if “normal people” use these things… they tend to think that only techie types use them.

Pointing these uses out also helps libraries see 1. what our customers are using, and 2. provide ideas for how WE as libraries can reach out to our communities, using tools and services the community is already using.

So what’s our local Rotary Club doing? They are live streaming their events, using ustream.tv – how cool is that?

FYI – they also have a twitter account.

Libraries – anyone live streaming events using tools like ustream.tv or justin.tv? Let us know!

Patrons Use Social Media Tools

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Think it’s only geeky librarians like me that use social media tools like Twitter or YouTube or wikis, and your community isn’t really there yet? Think again.

Here are two examples of people in my local community (Topeka, KS), engaging with others via new-fangled social media tools (both discovered via the vanity feeds set up for my library):

Example #1: Dancing Teens, Twitter, and YouTube

This morning, I saw Chris Abraham’s tweet saying this: “These super friendly high school dancing girls are going to YouTube to get ideas for dance routines. Social Media rocks here in Topeka, Kansas!”

And his Qik video and blog post of the event (Qik video embedded below):

Yes, the girls were practicing their dance routine at Topeka’s Starbucks (I try to never be seen dancing in public… but that’s another story entirely 🙂

So what do we have? One guy, passing through town … creating live video, blogging about it, and twittering about it. About two teenagers that use YouTube NOT for entertainment, but to find dance choreography ideas.

Example #2: Technology Planning in Topeka

A local newspaper columnist asked Topeka techies (using a wiki, no less) this question: “How do we make Topeka a better community by using technology? That is the question I address to you. Join me in a public discussion and offer your suggestions and let’s collaborate to make Topeka a better place.”

Yes, people in your community are already connecting and engaging with others via social media tools. Are you?

photo: http://flickr.com/photos/chrisabraham/2800383966/

New Ways to Think about Technology and Tools, Part 2: Driving a Car

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Smart CarHere’s another post on new ways to think about technology and tools (see my last post for the first one).

Here’s a photo of a Smart Car. Do you think you could drive it? Yes? Cool. How about if something broke – could you fix it… or would you need to hire a mechanic? I know I couldn’t fix it – I’m pretty much at the mercy of the auto mechanic when it comes to doing practically anything under the hood of a car.

And you know what? that’s ok. I don’t have to understand the technology to use the technology.

It’s the same way with computers and the emerging social web, too. For example, in order to blog… you don’t have to know how to build a blog. You really only need some very basic typing skills. In fact, in some of my recent presentations, I’ll ask people if they they can type a Microsoft Word document and hit save – and of course, they all say “yes, I can do that.” Then I tell them they just admitted that they have the skills needed to blog. Then it gets really quiet… 🙂

Using most of this new-fangled social software is much like driving a car – you don’t have to understand the techie stuff in order to use it. You need other skillsets (like driving).

So – get out and drive!

New Way to Think about Technology and Tools, Part 1 – Scene at the Airport

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I’ve seen this scene a lot at the airport lately – a person on a cell phone, Blackberry, or laptop, sometimes plugged into the wall… talking or typing away. And it’s made me realize there’s a shift going on here – but not the one you’re thinking of.

Tell me – what do you think this person is doing? Is he:

  • chained to a device?
  • using a gadget?
  • doing email?

Or is this person:

  • connecting with others?
  • keeping up with friends?
  • checking in with his kids?

(ok, ok, I know… we obviously don’t really know what he’s doing. But let me make my point anyway 🙂

See the shift? People used to think of computers and “gadgets” as primarily devices that you used – like using a typewriter. The activity was operating the machine.

But now, for some of us … when I turn on my computer, it’s more of a connector, like a telephone. With my laptop, I’m not “using the computer.” I’m writing. I’m editing video. I’m playing with photos. I’m writing music. I’m doing non-techie activities.

I don’t “use the phone” – I’m talking to someone. When I’m txting on my phone at the mall, I’m not “chained to my device” – I’m connecting with someone.

When I’m answering email, “doing email” is not the activity – I’m answering questions, offering my input, or throwing out ideas to others. I am connecting with others.

See the shift? I’m not operating a machine anymore. I’m connecting with people. HUGE SHIFT!

Librarians – in order to connect with your younger and wired users, you need to adapt this same mind-set.

photo: http://flickr.com/photos/95911695@N00/2329436525/

Vote for my SXSWi2009 Panel Idea!

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I had a great time at last year’s South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) conference – there were some great presentations focused exclusively on the social web, and I brought some cool ideas back.

The one problem? I also had to do some “translation work,” as most sessions were led by corporate or start-up types, and the conversations usually drifted to monetization, ad networks, and selling products. So, I did what I usually do when I don’t like something but see the value of it – I submitted my own panel ideas!

And this is where YOU can help … because people have to VOTE on these panel ideas (very cool). GO VOTE FOR MY PANEL! Go here – http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ – set up an account, then find my two panel ideas. My two submissions are:

1. Experiencing Digital Community: Conversation Economy and Non-Profits
The conversation economy is all about experiencing real conversations in your organization’s digital space. This panel discusses online conversations in the digital spaces of non-profits. We’ll touch on: * Conversation as experience (conversation economy) * how to start conversations online * examples galore from non-profits, what works and what doesn’t

2. Non-Profit Rockstars: Using Video to Share Your Message
Video is a great way to share your organization’s message, start conversations, and move people to action. How do online videos fit into your non-profit’s digital space? This panel discusses ways to incorporate online, interactive video into your organization’s digital space.

To vote, simply click on the “Your Vote” star rating thing.

So – go vote (voting ends on August 29), and if you can (whether or not I get to speak) go to the conference. It’s a great one for anyone interested in new media and web 2.0.

Update: also check out the list of potential non-profit-related sessions that Beth Kanter (of Beth’s Blog) put together. Lots of good stuff this time around (hopefully!).