Wikimatrix Found This For Me

Library Background

I work at a public library that has one main library plus five branches. It is a public library system funded by the county government. Based on 2014 estimates, it serves a population of 272,600 residents. According to the 2015 fiscal year budget report, the library will receive less than 2% of the county government funding at $3,512,000. The library system serves a diverse population with the six physical locations in five of its six cities. The county seat boasts two locations, the headquarters and one branch.

Wiki Calendar

Each branch independently hosts events and programs for its patrons. Although the programs are unique to the library, all events require approval from headquarters and are advertised at all the branches.

The wiki I would like to develop would include an interactive calendar for library staff use. This wiki calendar would provide up-to-date information regarding programs throughout the library system. Each staff member would be responsible for entering their information on the wiki calendar and any updates. All staff would have access to the wiki and be able to update the calendar. It would also include an option for participant registration so that everyone who views the calendar will know if an event is no longer accepting registration.

In addition to the calendar, the wiki would include a photo gallery of events. Library staff can upload photos from events and provide tag information to improve accuracy of attribution. This area would also be accessible to patrons to upload photos from events they participated in. All patron additions would require approval by branch librarians and an electronic release form.

There would also be an area for patrons to add their knowledge to enhance event pages, participate in polls, and sign petitions. Patron additions would require approval by branch librarians. Patrons will only be authorized to update their own information.

Goal

The goal of the library wiki would be to provide a streamline and easily accessible venue to coordinate events and registration for various activities throughout the library system. Library staff can find all the calendar information in one place. It will provide a more professional image for the library and provide better customer service to patrons inquiring about library events. The wiki would also provide for easy sharing of event photos without waiting on passwords from Tech Services.

Requirements

The wiki must have page history option, a simple mark up language, and an English-speaking interface language. The library will set up the wiki on the library’s own hardware to provide greater flexibility. A file-based system will be used for storage. Due to the library budget limitations an open source software application would be advisable.

Tiddlywiki (http://tiddlywiki.com) would best fit the needs of my library system as a single-file application, written in HTML, CSS and JavaScript, designed to run on any modern browser, self-contained hypertext documents that can be posted to any web-server, sent by e-mail, kept on a USB thumb drive or stored, and run, from a common cloud storage service.

Emerging into Web 2.0

Web 2.0

When we last met, I was explaining my journey in technology from the Web 1.0 side. Now follow me as we emerge into awesome possibilities of Web 2.0.

The Workforce (2004-2011): I was still basically using the Internet to email at this time. There were very few websites that I visited and no social media. I checked out my books at the library and learned to use the online catalog to look up books. At work, I used computers to enter information into databases. The Internet was mainly used to look up directions on Mapquest. I did try to create a website but it was difficult to use and not very appealing. I had a MySpace account. Come to think of it, I think I still do. Although I didn't realize that Web 2.0 had emerged from Web 1.0 at the time, I see the transition in hindsight.

Web 2.0 (2011-Present): The year I decided to publish my second fiction book, a college friend of mine said, "Why don't you brand yourself? Get a blog." What was a blog? I had no idea, but she helped me build one. From there, my Web 2.0 training began. I became a blogger on WordPress. I set up accounts on Goodreads and Facebook. I started following blogs and subscribing to RSS feeds. I discovered Smashwords.com and Amazon.com and learned how to format my own book and upload it for eBook distribution. I began purchasing items on the internet. At the library, I changed my log in credentials and renewed books. I became a Pinterest junkie. My food intake is being monitored by MyFitnessPal and I use my phone as an alarm clock.
Now I am on Twitter for this class. I can see the value in it, but I do not foresee a long term use on my part. But we shall see.

In short, I have become well versed in social media. Even if I haven't used it, I have heard of it. There is still so much to learn and next time, I'll discuss my expectations for MLIS 7505-Applied Tech Library Practice at Valdosta State University....after I build a wiki (whatever that is).