LibraryTrax

Helene Blowers has a great post over on LibraryBytes (the blog formerly known as PLCMC Library TechBytes) on Learning 2.0 and best practices.  My favorite insights cover focusing on discovery, radical trust, encouraging staff to work together, and remembering that it isn’t about doing it RIGHT.  Great stuff.  Read her entire post at http://www.librarybytes.com/2006/11/nine-seven-best-practices-on-learning.html

Just took a look at one of our favorite marketing blogs Logic+Emotion.  Today’s post is about World Usability Day — which libraries are definitely a part.  Customer service and making the library a simple place to use and enjoy are one of our hallmarks.  Take a look at the wonderful graphic and the list:

Today is World Usability Day

Imagine if you couldn’t figure out how to upload videos on YouTube
Imagine if Google seemed too complex
Imagine if using Tivo was as hard as using your VCR
Imagine if your iPod intimidated you
Imagine if customizing your Avatar wasn’t any fun
Imagine if you couldn’t figure out how to comment on this post
Imagine if buying offline was more convenient
Imagine if classifieds were easier than Craigslist
Imagine if the buttons on your mobile device didn’t work
Imagine if running a blog was only for techies
Imagine if your bank teller was faster than your ATM
Imagine if del.icio.us wasn’t
Imagine if I couldn’t figure out how to publish this post

Imagine if all agencies and our clients took usability seriously?

A product, service or brand experience that isn’t usable is like a barking dog without teeth.  All bark, no bite and highly annoying.

Today is World Usability Day

Think like a designer, empathize with your users and create something usable.

–Deborah

I was reading Michael Stephen’s Tame the Web blog and he is presenting a session on Using Flickr. There are a number of links that will give you great examples on using Flickr. One library is using Flickr to show off new books, another is using it for children and teens. Take a Look!

We have now finished 4 of our Blogging classes offered through the SC State Library. Don’t forget to find the PowerPoints here on the LibraryTrax Blog (top right corner tab) and links to sites with more information. Looking forward to seeing the folks signed up at the the Columbia and Florence classes. If anyone needs information about directions and parking, please feel free to contact me:

jboller@statelibrary.sc.gov.

Below is a photo from the Charleston Blogging Class. This was taken while Felicia was pointed out that Jenny Levine’s Blog (The Shifted Librarian) is listed under the most subscribed/popular blogs in Bloglines. Yay Jenny!

Last evening I was with my husband at his department’s International Conference on Sport and Entertainment Business Conference awards banquet. You might ask why write about this in a library blog–because there are powerful things we can learn from all walks of life. The awards last night went to a number of people, but most notably Allan Bloom, Executive Vice President of Feld Productions (the Ringling Brothers, Walt Disney World on Ice, promoting concerts of the likes of Buddy Holly, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and Paul Anka); Wilson Howard President of Live Nation (Talent Promoter and management of seven amphitheatres in five states); and Chuck Fruit, Senior Advisor in Marketing, Strategy and Innovation for Coca-Cola.

What did I learn from these three very successful men is that they all had passion for their work and they developed very strong teams through loyalty and teamwork. Colleagues from all over America came to see these men receive their awards. So you ask, what does this have to do with libraries? In order to truly be successful in any profession you must have passion for your work and develop strong people around you to support your work goals and trust them to get the job done. Sometimes listening to best practices from another profession puts it all in perspective as to what is important.