The library in which I work (a TAFE Library) has taken the cautious approach to Web 2.0 tools, but we are getting "there" slowly. Just this week, our own Facebook page has begun construction and I am in the privileged position of being part of that team. We have been texting students for some time now - alerting them to overdues and reserves which are available and this works very effectively.
The A-Z of Social Networking offers 26 ways to utilise social media for library services. I'd like to see my own library use a blog - two in fact - one to inform students of library events and services, and the other to advise our own staff and to encourage collaboration within the library team. Different contributors would add a varied flavour to the blog, thus keeping it fresh.
We have yet to embark on offering eBooks to our clients and I am convinced that this would be an exciting and welcome addition to our collection. "Good Reads" appears to be a natural fit with eBooks, and something which our library has not explored - social media offers an easily update-able platform to promote eBooks - and the best reads available.
The last two options which would work extremely well, also go hand in hand - podcasting and reference service via social media. Podcasts would work well for education - "How to use the OPAC" or "How to reserve an item" for example. Students could Tweet a question and receive a Tweet answer, thus providing a very fast response to questions, and therefore solving problems almost as soon as they arise.
An added bonus of embracing these tools is that we are seen to be reaching out to students where they really are - on their iPhones, Facebook and Twitter. Web 2.0 brings us to them and gives them confidence in our ability to relate to them in their world.
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