Exercise 11 - Recommendations - City of Ryde Library in Web 2.0 technology

I suggest the City of Ryde Library to develop their web2.0 technology in their services.

A blog service is a good start. Blogs serve as a platform where the users can file their concerns, queries and suggestions regarding the services and activities of the library. For example, State Library of NSW is using blog services. In the categories of the blog, we can see some information about the children’s book week. It is a brainstorming event, where participants share their ideas about the shortlisted books, displays and competitions. We also see information on ebook service announcement. This collection is comprised of 2,500 Australian books, mainly academic in nature and all being e-versions of published books held in the Library. Please visit: the website:

http://blog.sl.nsw.gov.au/pls/index.cfm/Bookweek
Another example in Ultimo college blog services, we can see a lot of the latest news about library services and resources. Please visit the website: http://sydneyinstituteonline.net/uclibrary/

I would further recommend the following according to different sections to Ryde libraries.

• Local Studies : Good and active local community is very important. I would like to recommend a blog section to let locals to discuss on books, articles and events related to local community. An good example is libraything website:  http://www.librarything.com/groups/local.

• Children: I think podcats is a good media for libraries to promote children's books and children's events to children via playing audio or video files.   
• Teenage/Youth: Teenage and youth are very active user of web2.0 technology. It is a must of using web2.0 to reach this group. I would recommend facebook, twitter and youtube. It is also very important to apply mobile technology,e.g. Apple and Andoid mobile applications or mobile website. so they will easy to know libraries services, programs and new resources. 
• Adult Fiction: Adult fiction is an very active section in library. I would recommend book reviews in a blog section. An good example is this blog in Groovy Library website,  http://groovylibrarian.edublogs.org/2011/04/13/young-adult-fiction-book-reviews/.
• Information/Reference:  Digital reference (or virtual reference) is the service I would recommend. Digital reference could significantly reduces the time of users to search information and reference.

In conclusion, it is important of Ryde libraries to develop and adopt web 2.0 technology to enhance their library services. It is good way to reach and meet the ever increasing requirement of this younger and multiculture community.