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?
As one of those bellydancing librarians, I too watch Youtube dance videos for choreography ideas.
As one of those bellydancing librarians, I too watch Youtube dance videos for choreography ideas.
Another great example:
This was related to me by a non-librarian friend:
He’s doing last minute research for a paper, and needs an article the library doesn’t have…no time to travel to other libraries, but he checks WorldCat and notes which University libraries own the journal. Then he goes on Facebook, contacts his friends from those Universities, and asks them if they can download the article and send it to him. Within 30 minutes, he has the article.
Not sure how this fits into the licensing guidelines for those libraries/journals, but it’s a great story about using Social Networking tools for non-entertainment purposes.
Another great example:
This was related to me by a non-librarian friend:
He’s doing last minute research for a paper, and needs an article the library doesn’t have…no time to travel to other libraries, but he checks WorldCat and notes which University libraries own the journal. Then he goes on Facebook, contacts his friends from those Universities, and asks them if they can download the article and send it to him. Within 30 minutes, he has the article.
Not sure how this fits into the licensing guidelines for those libraries/journals, but it’s a great story about using Social Networking tools for non-entertainment purposes.
I feel so honored to be part of your blogging and social media life!
I feel so honored to be part of your blogging and social media life!
It’s more than Topeka that needs it, this is a nation of cities and communities that could use it to raise awareness of what’s going on in their locale– from neighborhood watch to fun events.. or even as inane as garage sales.
However I know that in my own community there is little outreach done via the web– though they have a website, to engage the public.
quite frankly since this beach community is the least expensive beach community in So. CA and still a thriving city — growing and evolving, it would a smart move on the part of the city to hire a marketing whiz to get the word out and bring the city alive online.. while there are bloggers that do some things about the city, it will take a centralized liason to partner everyone up on the same page.
Whether Topeka or DC uses this model makes no difference but it does make sense — even $$ and cents.
It’s more than Topeka that needs it, this is a nation of cities and communities that could use it to raise awareness of what’s going on in their locale– from neighborhood watch to fun events.. or even as inane as garage sales.
However I know that in my own community there is little outreach done via the web– though they have a website, to engage the public.
quite frankly since this beach community is the least expensive beach community in So. CA and still a thriving city — growing and evolving, it would a smart move on the part of the city to hire a marketing whiz to get the word out and bring the city alive online.. while there are bloggers that do some things about the city, it will take a centralized liason to partner everyone up on the same page.
Whether Topeka or DC uses this model makes no difference but it does make sense — even $$ and cents.
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?
No, I don’t, because libraries and librarians were mid to late adapters to Twitter, YouTube, wiki, and other social media tools.
This is what I mean, David, by being annoyed when media people call gaming, blogging, and online video “new media.” They are new media in the sense that they aren’t as old as television, radio, or print, but so many pundits and librarians would have us believe that they showed up over night!
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?
No, I don’t, because libraries and librarians were mid to late adapters to Twitter, YouTube, wiki, and other social media tools.
This is what I mean, David, by being annoyed when media people call gaming, blogging, and online video “new media.” They are new media in the sense that they aren’t as old as television, radio, or print, but so many pundits and librarians would have us believe that they showed up over night!
I think it’s called “new media” because it IS new media. The OLD media has been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Twitter is barely 2 years old. Hence the title “new media.”
So, in comparison, these things DID spring up overnight, so to speak. And the world (not just librarians) is still figuring out what to do with it.
And an aside – I know librarians who were blogging in the mid-to-late 90s. I think most industries have early adopters, then more follow later on after it starts making sense to them.
I think it’s called “new media” because it IS new media. The OLD media has been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Twitter is barely 2 years old. Hence the title “new media.”
So, in comparison, these things DID spring up overnight, so to speak. And the world (not just librarians) is still figuring out what to do with it.
And an aside – I know librarians who were blogging in the mid-to-late 90s. I think most industries have early adopters, then more follow later on after it starts making sense to them.
Hello,
Who’s using Social Media? I just compiled nearly 50 interviews with the top SVPs and founders of the major social media companies world wide; Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, LinkedIn, MySpace, including Biz Stone the Founder of Twitter for my new book, The Social Media Bible published by John Wiley & Sons. http:www.TheSocialMediaBible.com/download/ They are 30+/- minute podcasts about how each technology is being used for business. The book is due out April 20th.
Lon Safko
Hello,
Who’s using Social Media? I just compiled nearly 50 interviews with the top SVPs and founders of the major social media companies world wide; Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, LinkedIn, MySpace, including Biz Stone the Founder of Twitter for my new book, The Social Media Bible published by John Wiley & Sons. http:www.TheSocialMediaBible.com/download/ They are 30+/- minute podcasts about how each technology is being used for business. The book is due out April 20th.
Lon Safko