Exercise 9 - Community Profiles

Woollahra Council
http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/library

Community Profile
Woollahra council is located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, from Paddington where the western boundary is located over to Watsons Bay in the north east.  Located at Watsons Bay overlooking South Head is HMAS Watson, a large naval base.  Many of the homes in Woollahra are on or near the harbour so residential property is expensive and because of its proximity to the CBD retail and commercial property is also expensive. It is an affluent area where much of the population falls into the 'high' socio economic bracket, however there is a cross section of people who call this area home.  There are elderly, families, single adults, the disabled, children, teens and many people who have moved here from overseas to work in Sydney in various job roles. Religions are varied and include Judaism, Catholicism, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Church of England and other protestant groups.  Several of the private schools in the area are the most expensive in Sydney. Some examples are:-
Ascham
Cranbrook
Kambala
Scots College
Kincoppal

The Liberal Party holds power in both the federal and state seats in this area, and notably the high profile politician Malcolm Turnbull is the member for the federal seat of Wentworth.

Woollahra Library caters for students, children, seniors and other adults. It is located in an old, wooden, two storey building and is not accessible to people in wheelchairs because there is no lift and you need to go down at least one flight of stairs to get to the library from the road.

Exercise 8 - Current Awareness Post

Current Awareness Post

Eli Pariser: Beware Online 'filter bubbles'

Nowadays it is difficult to watch something that has not been tailored for you. This is called your filter bubble. This is why search results for 2 people googling the same subject can come up with completely different pages and links.

I agree with the presenter that it is important as to what information gets through our filters.  Websites need to have algorithms encoded in them so users have access to important information and a sense of public life, not just  'junk food' pages and links.

Exercise 7 - Podcasts

Podcasts

Podcast of Paul Brunton, curator of the Charles Darwin Down Under, 1836 exhibition talks about Darwin's impressions of Sydney in January 1836, and about the first edition of On The Origin Of Species.

Darwin's impression of Sydney was that it was in a 'boom period', experiencing rising rates, a shortage of housing and those doing well flaunting their wealth.

The NSW State Library did not buy a copy of the book On the Origin of Species until 2006 when they were able to acquire a copy in pristine condition that had belonged to Charles Darwin's great grandson.

State Library of NSW
Title of podcast - Paul Brunton talks about Charles Darwin
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/exhibitions/index.html

Exercise 6 - Social Bookmarking

Social Bookmarking

Reviews such as those found on the catalogue of the State Library of Tasmania and the Stonnington Library of Victoria are useful to any would be reader of that particular material whether it is a book, video, periodical or DVD.  If you read a review before you borrow, you have a better idea if you want the item or not and if it is something you decide against, after reading the review it can stay on the shelf for other library clients to use/borrow.
It is a useful service and I think libraries should provide it.
My local library has a Readers Advice column keeping readers up to date with new book lists and reviews.

Exercise 4 - YouTube

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise 3 - Photo sharing and Flickr

Photo sharing and Flickr

Photo of State Library of Victoria, Australia

This is a photo of the inside of the library. In the centre is a desk consisting of 2 semi circle shaped desks forming a circle, and radiating out from the centre are 8 long tables.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/waltonics/with/94021529/

Exercise 2 - Blogs

Blogs

John Oxley Library blog
An interesting article on this blog was about the Queensland State Library and the 2011 Queensland floods.  The library was not spared in the floods with the lower level of the building being inundated with floodwaters that threatened to destroy thousands of collection items stored in basement vaults. Quick thinking of state library staff saw the collections moved to higher ground in plenty of time.

Exercise 1 - What is Web 2.0?

What is web 2.0?
Library 2.0 is about Web 2.0 in libraries. Web 2.0 is a variety of sites, networks and applications on the internet which allow participation, interaction and to work collaboratively with other users, including the ability to browse and search. Web 2.0 is also called Social Media. Libraries are increasingly using Social Media, this may be to engage clients, or to encourage them to participate or share. For example - allowing readers to leave ratings or reviews on the records of books on the library catalogue.
The web 2.0 applications commonly used by Libraries are:-
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, RSS feeds, Podcasts, YouTube.

Exercise 5 - Social Networking

Why It Is A Good Idea for a Library to participate on a social networking site

Social networking is a social structure that lets the user interact and work collaboratively with other users, including the ability to browse and search. The technology enables people to connect, and form virtual communities via the computer and/or internet. They provide and encourage the opportunity to interact, share and change resources dynamically in an electronic medium.
They are an ideal environment for people to share what they are learning or to build something together online. This medium allows students to receive feedback from librarians, teachers, peers, parents, and others. Social networking creates a sense of community (as do the physical library and school).