Interview with Bridgett Birmingham

This interview was done with Bridgett Birmingham, Undergraduate Technology Librarian at Strozier Library and Interim Associate Director at Dirac Library on Florida State University. This interview was done on Tuesday, June 21.

1. How do you define Web 2.0?

Hmm, in my opinion, the beginning of the web/internet movement (Web 1.0 if you will) was about pages that you could not influence. I might put up a page and then someone could read it and gain information from it but that was it. For me, Web 2.0 is about interaction. Now when I put up information there is an opportunity for us to interact with each other. If I put up a page, you can comment on it and then someone else could comment on what you said so we create the page/resource together. On Twitter, you might talk about how much you love/hate a service or policy that we have and then we can both reply, respond, and gather more feedback. Web 2.0 is about creating a social web of interactions in a digital space.

2. Please explain how you use Web 2.0 in Strozier and Dirac Libraries.

In Strozier and Dirac, we have a plethora of Web 2.0 projects going. We have a twitter account where people can ask us questions or give us suggestions and where we push out information about what the libraries are up to. We also have a Facebook page where we put up pictures, events, and solicit feedback. We have (and this isn't strictly Web 2.0, it may be Web 3.0) QR codes that allow you to use your mobile phone or tablet pc to find out more information about an exhibit we might have or in the stacks it might take you to a database that is relevant to that area of shelving. We have Ask Us Now embedded into our main pages and some of our databases so that students and faculty can talk to us online while they are doing their research. I've personally done several research consultations and media consultations using Skype. One student who was required to meet with me to work on a poster presentation for a conference lived in Panama City rather than have him drive to Tallahassee, we collaborated virtually. We are open to leveraging software and the internet to meet the needs of students. This is a core mission of my department (Undergraduate Technology and Media) especially since more and more programs are launching online degrees. The library needs to be equally accessible to all students. In fact, I personally began this interactive online work as a response to meeting the needs of FSU's students with disabilities.

3. Why did you select this applications?

Twitter, Skype and Facebook are ubiquitous. We try wherever possible to meet students where they are and use technologies that they are already familiar with. Navigating all of this stuff is difficult enough, we try not to make students or faculty cram their head with even more products and services unless we absolutely have to. In the case of Ask Us Now, we hope that this service is intuitive. Just click and type. Ease of use is an important factor for selection. QR codes are an example of us trying to anticipate where technology is going. It is just one more way to connect with people. It also (we think) positions us to be on the cutting edge.

4. What are the benefits to using Web 2.0 in your work?

It helps us to have conversations with our constituents. Not everyone is going to write a letter or come in and tell us what they think about what we are up to. Both Twitter and Facebook make it easy to talk to us. We don't have to know a real name or see their face, they just have to be willing to engage with us. So, it is a win-win for everyone.

5. What are some of the problems you have found while using Web 2.0?

We haven't had any real problems. It's the internet so sometimes people use profanity. We just don't respond in kind. Sometimes people are harsh in giving their criticism but better that than the alternative which is to not know about the conversations going on that affect us.

6. Are there any additional Web 2.0 applications you are hoping to add in the future?

A blog would be nice. One of the great things about Web 2.0 is that you can survey the landscape and engage at your own comfort level. A blog is a real commitment in terms of writing and responding and I'm not sure that anyone wants to devote that kind of time to upkeep.

7. How do the students respond to these Web 2.0 applications?

Like anything, we hear mostly from people that are enthusiastic. I doubt that anyone has joined Twitter to keep up with our feed but people that like Twitter and use the libraries do see and use our feed. We get RTs from a variety of places. Also, sometimes we get unsolicited "I love the libraries" type messages from the community at large like businesses and community organizations. It helps that we respond and people can see that on our webpage. Ask a question, get an answer.

8. In your opinion, what do you think the future of libraries are in 10 years?

Who knows? I certainly don't. I don't believe that the services a library provides are going to go away any time soon but we have real challenges to face. And I think our big challenge is one of connection. We need to have people care about libraries in order to secure the future of libraries. A virtual library needs to have a presence every bit as personal as your local library at home. It is easy to think of all online services as the same so emphasizing and capitalizing on the personal aspect of our services is one of the things that needs to happen. Another challenge is going to be eBooks and finding where libraries fit.