Web 2.0 Tools and Strategies for Archives and Local History [Paperback]

KateM Theimer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2010 | ISBN-10: 1856046877 | ISBN-13: 978-1856046879

In a time when increasing numbers of people use the web as their primary means of locating information, most of the websites of archives and other historical organizations have not kept pace with overall web improvements in design, usability and utility. Many of these organizations lack the resources to hire consultants to improve their sites, or the internal expertise needed to know where to start. Many of the staff of these collections are intimidated by Web 2.0 technology, and have a requirement for a low-tech, concept-based resource that approaches their web presence as an integral part of their business. They need a book written from the point of view of someone managing a historical organization, targeted specifically at the kind of material that is key to their missions, that will focus on giving them the information to make their own decisions about their own sites - and this new publication offers just that. The key areas covered are: archives in the age of the web; what do you want the web to do for you; what is the state of your current website; sharing your stories using Web 2.0 tools; 'pushing information out' about your organization with Web 2.0 tools; interacting with your users using Web 2. 0 tools; interacting with information using Web 2.0 tools; and, how do you measure your success. This introductory guide for anyone working with collections in archives and historical organizations will act as a tool to assess the current utility of an organization's web presence, and to identify how to improve that presence using the latest Web 2.0 technologies. Drawing on examples of good practice from real archives websites, providing a wealth of checklists and pinpointing available resources, it offers all that is needed to transform a website to achieve an organization's goals.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This guide aimed at those working in archives, special collections departments, historical societies, public libraries, and museums explains how these organizations can use social media to share their activities and archival and manuscript collections on the internet." --SciTech Book News, May 2010

"Given that this is the first book to address the topic of Web 2.0 and archives, this is where Theimer truly delivers--one of the greatest values of this book is its practicality and applicability in one's daily work. She effectively provides a roadmap for evaluating, implementing, and managing Web 2.0 services in an archival setting; as such, this book would make a useful addition to an archivist's or institution's library." --The American Archivist, Spring/Summer 2011

"Theimer's efforts are to be commended. Her enthusiasm for the subject shines through and the resulting work will certainly go a long way to close the gap in our field between the technology and our collective knowledge about how to implement it." --Journal for the Society of North Carolina Archivists, Fall 2010

"Striking a balance is key, and this work provides a great launching point for not only background information on the tools available, nit a case-study approach on how to implement them. Valuable not only for those looking to gain knowledge of what tools are available…this work may also be a stepping stone to getting institutional buy-in that many are seeking." --AASLH History News, Winter 2011

"This book does a very good job of reviewing the well-known tools for social networking, user-to-user collaboration, user customization and personalization, and automated updating and notification for improved and easier access to archival and historical library collections." --Catholic Library World, March 2011

"…an informative and approachable resource for novices as well as experts…Theimer's book offers archivists a great manual for implementing Web 2.0. Her step-by-step style is easily accessible, and the examples give even an experienced professional new uses for standard tools." --Archival Issues, 2011

"…an informative and approachable resource for novices as well as experts…Theimer's book offers archivists a great manual for implementing Web 2.0. Her step-by-step style is easily accessible, and the examples give even an experienced professional new uses for standard tools." --Archival Issues, 2011

"This book is a practical reference work, writen in a very peer-to-peer style, and this sets the perfect tone for something that seeks to dispel myths and bring us all along together into the world of interactive communication, informal dialogue, resource sharing and collaboration. You feel that Theimer really understands her audience, and wants to bring them with her into the Web 2.0 world of user engagement." --Business Information, May 2011 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Kate Theimer was formerly Policy Specialist and Team Leader, National Archives and Records Administration, USA, and has also held posts at the Smithsonian Institution, and the Historical Society of Washington DC.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Facet Publishing (February 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1856046877
• ISBN-13: 978-1856046879
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,125,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kate Theimer is the author of the popular blog ArchivesNext and a frequent writer and lecturer on the use of social media by archives. In addition to writing and editing two books, she has contributed chapters to Many Happy Returns (edited by Larry Hackman) and The Future of Archives and Recordkeeping (edited by Jennie Hill).