Library 2.0 fair

I'm please to announce that my library is taking a big step to introducing Library 2.0/Web 2.0 concepts to the library at large. This summer a colleague and I are going to launch (some yet to be determined catchy name) program that will give our colleagues a chance to see, explore, and use some of the tools that a number of us out in library land have already seen. While it is a possibility for them to integrate the tools into their daily workflow, it is a time for them to integrate the tools into their personal lives. A number of our colleagues are taking classes and furthering their education and learning these technologies gives them a chance to utilizie the tools in furtheirng their education. We recieved offical approval last week, so now we're throwing things into high gear to roll out what we want to do.

So here's a brief detailing of what our program will be:
Sending of the launch e-mail. The e-mail will have multiple parts to it. We're going to talk about what the program will be, a little bit about how it will work, include a survey, and have an attachment. The attachment will be describe selected web 2.0/library 2.0 topics, such as online music (Pandora), Wikis, blogs, etc. The descriptions will help our colleagues get a sense of the different topics that might be covered and help them decide what they want to learn about. The survey will give them a chance to choose 4 topics that they would be interested in learning about. The top four topics will be choosen for introducing to the library at large. Doing the survey up front gives us time to prepare for intruction.

We'll have an introduction for Library 2.0/Web 2.0 time! This will be our first face to face meeting that will give us a chance to sit and talk about what these concepts are, why they are important to know about, and how they will be beneficial to them. We'll cover how the program will work, what support will be provided to help them learn, and what they can look forward too. The program will run for four weeks.

The top four topics are choosen and announced to the group at large. If people are only interested in learning about one topic then they are free to attend the session on just that topic.

A "petting zoo!" The top four topics are displayed and demonstrated to the group at large. This gives participants a chance to see how things work, get a better understanding of what they want to learn about, and see how other libraries are utilizing some of these products. (I have to give thanks to Maurice Coleman, or (Almost)BaldGeek, from Harford County (MD) Public Library for the idea of the "petting zoo." His presentation at Computers in Libraries 2008 was exteremely helpful in deciding the best way to set up our program.)

Now comes the play! Participants are able to decide if they want to focus on all four topics, one, two, or three. They'll be asked to let us know which topics they want to learn about. Then instruction sessions commence! We'll offer multiple chances for participants to come by for short 30 minute detailed demonstrations of how to launch their topic. From here they'll be expected to being playing. While we won't have much time to all work together as a group, my colleague and I will be available to answer questions. And our hope is that they'll help each other. This is all self-paced learning. Their welcome to take all four weeks to learn one topic, or to learn about four different topics in the four weeks.

Capstone! At the end of the four weeks we'll all come together to showcase and demonstrate what we've learned. Participants will choose the end result that they are most proud of and share it and what they learned with everyone us.

We see this as just the beginning and will lead us into continued exploration of multiple topics. Most importantly though we hope to have fun helping our colleagues learn about new tools that they can use.