Social Software in Libraries: Building Collaboration, Communication, and Community Online [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Meredith G. Farkas (Author)
Key Phrases: screencasting software, librarian bloggers, social software tools, Social Software, World Wide Web, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Here is the first book to explore the growing phenomenon of social software and how these technologies can be applied in libraries. Social software lets libraries show a human face online, helping them communicate, educate, and interact with their communities. This nuts-and-bolts guide provides librarians with the information and skills necessary to implement the most popular and effective social software technologies: blogs, RSS, wikis, social networking software, screencasting, photo-sharing, podcasting, instant messaging, gaming, and more. Success stories and interviews highlight these tools ease-of-use and tremendous impact. Novice readers will find ample descriptions and advice on using each technology, while veteran users of social software will discover new applications and approaches. Supported by the author s Web page.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Information Today, Inc.; illustrated edition edition (March 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157387275X
• ISBN-13: 978-1573872751
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #622,366 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great survey of current internet technologies and applications, December 28, 2007

By	FauxScot (Central Vermont, USA) - See all my reviews

I am not a librarian, but I found this book to be an excellent survey of tecnologies with relevance to anyone with a need to more effectively utilize the internet.

I have spent the last year fairly bewildered by Web 2.0; what it means and how it's used. This tiny book cleared the fog considerably, and the examples of how the various technologies and web features are exploited in the library world are probably more informative and stimulating than if they'd been directed at my specific problems.

If I had a criticism, it would only be "book versus web", as the web is a river and a book is an island. Printing it 'fixes' it in time, and the highly dynamic web will outrun the content of this book in a few years, maybe sooner. Meantime, its succint, direct and practical nature recommend it as a map out of the bewildering tangle of what's out there. Now is the time to buy it.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding, practical reference., September 7, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

SOCIAL SOFTWARE IN LIBRARIES: BUILDING COLLABORATION, COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY ONLINE is for any college-level collection catering to library science students as well as practicing librarians: it surveys social software, which lets libraries interact online with the communities they serve. Chapters provide librarians with the information needed to implement blogs, RSS, wikis and other types of social networking systems, even down to podcasting and IM. Tips include how to assess, implement and use such software successfully, offering real-world scenarios and examples all along the way. An outstanding, practical reference.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch