Online Journal Entry 4 : Five reasons why organisation need a social media policy

Online Journal Entry 4

PART (1)

What is the aim of social media policy?

Who is covered by a social media policy?

Why should we use a social media policy?

A social media policy will contain the particular organisation’s rules in relation to social media. It will inform staff about using social media so they feel empowered to participate, while being mindful of their responsibilities and obligations under their organisational values and code of conduct. Social media are online services and tools used for publishing, sharing and discussing information. They include forums, blogs, wikis, social networking websites that allow individual users to easily upload and share content.

5 points on why organisations will use a social media policy

1. A Social Media Guideline should be created.

With reference to the Australian Government websites (Australian Government [AG], 2012 & 2010), a guideline will provide support for the application of the Social Media Policy. It will show how to use social media on behalf of the organisation.  

2. Social media tools are used to build more meaningful relationships with customers, communities and stakeholders.

Making public comment online is becoming increasingly common for employees in official, professional, and private capacities.  Using social media tools at work where staff are able are encouraged to share ideas and information through blogs and wikis run by the organisation for the purposes of work collaboration. 

3. Breaches of the policy

Breach of this policy will be dealt with in accordance with the organisations employment agreement and may lead to disciplinary action include possible termination of employment. As a staff of any organisation implementing a social media policy, the working party needs to ensure staffs behaviour, must be in line with the code of conduct and values of the organisation. It is important to understand that failure to adhere can result in a range of sanctions including reprimands, reduction in classification and termination of employment.

4. The role of the Digital Media Section is to monitor social media.

All organisations will have to establish a Digital Media Section who will responsible to monitor and manage the social media online services.  Where necessary, staff will be contacted to discuss their behaviour online or a person’s manager may also be contacted by the digital media section during a breach of social media policy.

5. Three standards on social media policy

In the Australian Broadcasting Commission website (Australian Broadcasting Commission [ABC], 2012), enforces these 3 standards as and when appropriate which apply to work and personal use of interactive services, by staff at any time.

1. Do not mix the professional and the personal in ways likely to bring the organisation into disrepute

2. Do not undermine your effectiveness at work.

3. Do not disclose confidential information obtained through work.

PART II

What to advice staff using social media web 2.0 tools doing personal work on organisation computer and time?

Generally staff are to use work technologies for work related use and not for personal use. If staff wish to use social media both for work and privately, they should create separate profiles for each it will be recommended employees maintain separate social media profiles. This makes it easier for people to manage the boundary between their role as a public servant and their private life. Staff need to be careful about the material they post on their personal profile as well as any work profile.

The organisations’ guidelines treat employees’ personal use of social media at work in a manner consistent with other internet access, which is covered by existing IT department usage policies and broader code of conduct.  These polices and code of conduct indicate that work technologies should only be used by employees for work use and personal work should be done in personal time and not in work time.

As per the Australian Government website (Australian Government [AG], 2012), their guidelines recognise the difference between personal and work-related use of social media by distinguishing between three different kinds of social media accounts employees of an organisation should have-

1. Official accounts used when employees are commenting in their capacity as a staff

2. Professional accounts for when employees comment in a personal capacity but also in light of their expertise in a given field – the guidelines give the example of an accountant working at Finance who comments on an accounting blog.

3. Personal accounts for non-work-related use which does not fall under either of the above two categories.

References

ABC. Use of social media policy. (2012). Retrieved from

http://about.abc.net.au/reports-publications/use-of-social-media-policy/

Australian Government. Department of Human Services.  Social Media Policy for departmental staff (2013). Retrieved from 
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/corporate/site-information/social-media-policy

Australian Government. Government 2.0 planning and governance. (2012). Retrieved from

http://webguide.gov.au/web-2-0/gov-2-0-primer/government-2-0-planning-and-governance/

Australian Government. Social media how to. (2010). Retrieved from

http://webguide.gov.au/web-2-0/online-consultation/social-media/social-media-how-to/

Online Journal Entry 3: Definition of Library 2.0 & Web 2.0 Information Professional

Online Journal Entry 3:
Module 3:
Definition of Library 2.0

Casey & Savastinuk (2006) explain the heart of Library 2.0 is a user-centered change. Library 2.0 is a model for library service that encourages constant and purposeful change, providing user participation and supporting consistent evaluation of services. It also attempts to reach new users and better serve current ones through improved customer-driven offerings. Each component by itself is a step toward better serving our users. Technology can help libraries create a customer-driven, and a library 2.0 environment. Web 2.0 technologies have played a significant role in our ability to keep up with the changing needs of library users. Technological advances in the past have enabled libraries to create new services that before were not possible, such as virtual reference and personalized OPAC interfaces. This increase in available technologies gives libraries the ability to offer improved, and offer customer-driven opportunities. Proponents of this concept, expect that the Library 2.0 model for service will ultimately replace traditional, one-directional service offerings that were the norm.

Eilers (2012) describes in her article technology has changed the resources and the ways libraries do business. It has also changed the ways in which library patrons seek information. Le Deuff (2012) explains the evolution of libraries inside web 2.0 environments and explains how culture of information can be a new way for information literacy. Library 2.0 is one of the most interesting concept influenced by web 2.0. It has emerged shortly after the start of popularization of Web 2.0. Moreover it mixes two concepts that are essentially distinct from each other (1) the traditional library and (2) the web 2.0 philosophy.

2. Knowledge, skills and attributes of Web 2.0 Information Professional

Sudhakaran & Sivankutty (2011, p.257) state the majority of the librarians are aware of web 2.0 skills, and  attend training programs, online tutorials to sharpen their information technology skills. Social networking, blogging and wikis are the favorite web 2.0 services for information professionals. Librarians also make use of the web 2.0 skills for professional communication, library services and for research purpose. Librarians are aware that web 2.0 have influenced the technological, communication and professional skills. User expectations are ever-changing one in this new era of web 2.0, and so the challenges faced by the library professionals to support the tech savvy user generations have become multi dimensional. The authors explain libraries and professionals have to be well sufficient to accept this change and should expand their services using the web 2.0. Web 2.0 acts a platform for collaboration, conversation and interaction enabling the library professionals to think about synchronizing these attractive features of web 2.0 in library services which in turn provides ultimate 'user satisfaction'.

Partridge (2009), agreed that the 2.0 librarian should possess a complex array of attributes such as personality traits and that personality traits were more important than skills. Librarian 2.0 should be enthusiastic and inspirational. Librarian 2.0 should be able to clearly communicate an idea and through his or her passion.  These librarians have vision, spark, and creativity. They know how to lead and motivate. Librarian 2.0 is adaptable, flexible, persistent, and resilient. Librarian 2.0 is a self-starter who has no fear and is willing to move outside of their comfort zone, is proactive and willing to take calculated risks. The 2.0 librarian aims for excellence not perfection.

Gutsche (2010) observed that an increasing number of positions in libraries are moving closer to the technical end of the scale and that consequently technology competencies are starting to comprise an “ever growing piece of the performance pie, impacting every job in the library” (p. 30). She contends that new competencies must be defined and that “everyone who works in a library must stay nimble and ready to receive new knowledge and skills” (Gutsche, 2010, p. 31).

Reference

Casey, M.E., & Savastinuk, L.C., (2006). Library 2.0 service for the next-generation library, Library Journal.

Eilers, J. (2012). Library 2.0: how did we get here? A resource guide, U of I SLIS Journal Retrieved from
http://ir.uiowa.edu/bsides/26

Gavrilis, D., Kakali, C., & Papatheodorou, C. (n.d).  Enhancing library services with Web 2.0 functionalities. Retrieved from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.178.6163&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Gutsche, B. (2010). Coping with continual motion: A focus on competencies can help librarians stick to values while absorbing future shock. Library Journal, 4(135), 28–31. Retrieved August 23, 2010, from
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6719414.html

Le Deuff, O., (2012). Library 2.0 and the culture of information: new paradigms? Retrieved from
http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/71/54/48/PDF/articleevora_abstract.pdf

Sudhakaran, J., & Sivankutty, V.S. (2011). Skills of new genre librarians: an exploratory Survey of the web 2.0 skills of library and information science professionals in India, International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology, 1(4), 253-257.

YCLibrarynews. A definition of library 2.0 in only 800 words, (2011). Retrieved from
http://yclibrarynews.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/a-definition-of-library-2-0-in-only-800-words/

Partdridge, H. Lee, J. & Munro, K. (n.d.).Becoming “Librarian 2.0”: The Skills, knowledge, and attributes required by library and information science professionals in a Web 2.0.

 

Online Journal Entry 2 : Module 2 : exploring the concept, application and practice of RSS in libraries

Exploring the concept, application and practice of RSS in libraries

RSS have benefitted the library and library users in many ways. RSS feeds can make libraries’ web reading and news gathering activities more efficient. RSS feeds users to collect content on the web from multiple websites without having to visit each site individually.

Bansade, Dahibate & Ingale (2009) explain the advantages for RSS on information producers are: increasing web traffic, easy updating and dissemination of information, and efficiency for webmasters. For web content managers, there is delivery of targeted information and value-added services. For information users, there is control over the flow of information, easy sharing, and a more efficient delivery method. The authors concluded the disadvantages include the fact that not every site has a feed. Some feeds expire after a specific time period. RSS content may not be being fully used, and there may be copyright issues. Librarians must apply selection criteria and evaluate resources to reduce irrelevant results.

I personally think when the library website is updated quarterly the RSS feeds for the visitors will inform them of the latest services, events and exhibitions if they are a subscriber. At the end the outcome is the library website will obtain higher interested customers in the library. Another advantage of RSS is that they help the library to keep return visitors who are truly interested in your website and in my opinion it is essential to put the RSS feed for your site because it has a lot of advantages. In determining whether to add RSS to an individual client’s website the advantages are the dynamic updates from other people so when the RSS gets updated, client’s website gets updated. 

Two examples of how the 1. State Library of NSW and 2. CNN use the RSS 

RSS Feed titles in the State Library of NSW include - news and events at the State Library of NSW, Media Centre, and Collection feeds. RSS feeds are used to access new material acquired for the collection. Users can access a complete list of new acquisitions or new material by subject or format type and can access new titles added to the catalogue. Once a client subscribed to the State Library of NSW website, it will keep them up-dated on the news, events, collection and new acquisitions.

Second example of a RSS is the CNN RSS feed. The CNN RSS will support the reader to allow users to generate up-to-date news and postings, as information and content in the RSS readers or aggregators are automatically updated each time the RSS feed is 'refreshed'.  CNN RSS will allow users to have control over their information that they wish to view or receive, as they can remove a feed of their choosing any time they want to. For example: world news, and local news. It is a time saving tool as it gives the user the synopsis of the related articles and hence helping to pick and choose the articles. It can be used as a awareness tool as the users can receive the latest news on product and services without receiving any junk mail. This is beneficial to both user and owner as it becomes target oriented and helps concentrating on users’ actually interested in specific product.

References

Bansade, S.,  Dahibate, ND., & Ingale, K., (2009)., RSS Applications in Libraries and Information Centres,  Library Philosophy and Practice

RSS feeds: advantages and disadvantages. Samir Kamble (2009). Retrieved from
http://www.samirkamble.com/rss-feeds-advantages-and-disadvantages/

SEO Masters blogger tips and tricks make money online. (2011).
http://www.honey-dollar.com/2011/09/seo-tips-rss-introduction-advantages.html

Advantages and disadvantages of RSS. Tycoon Talk. (2013).  Retrieved from
http://www.webmaster-talk.com/seo-tycoon/183017-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-rss.html

 

Academic assessments, social media networking, web 2.0 techniques and creative discoveries : Online Journal Entry 1

Pages

• Online Learning Journal
• Portfolio
• CV
• Academic Submissions
• Tips and Tricks

Online Journal Entry 1 : INF506 201390 Social Networking for Information Professionals

A) Define social networking

My definitions of social networking are (1) grouping the individuals into specific groups of people such as: rural communities, friends and colleagues, (2) is an online community of people with a common interest who use a social networking website to communicate with each other. Social networking websites are used by online members who share common interests in hobbies, religion or politics. Social networking is the process of creating and expanding the number of business contacts by connecting with individuals. In general it works by the user joining one of the sites and inviting people to join as well- these people invite their contacts to join who in turn invite their contacts to join. In essence any individual can make contact through anyone they have a connection to. Examples of a number of social networking websites are – Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace etc. Generally, these social networking websites are with or without a main focus. For example the LinkedIn has a focus to strengthen the professional history and contacts.  Once you are joined into these social networking websites you can bring your own network of friends with common goals and can start networking.

B) List of social networking technologies and sites used

Flickr: I have used Flikcr to promote and advertise TAFE Library Events. Flickr is a social media site used for managing of photos and for photo sharing. All TAFE Colleges posted photos of their Library events on the Flickr and the tags provided under the photos allowed users to quickly access the appropriate images. Flikcr is the 4^th largest social networking site used worldwide. Flickr is easy to use is that has a clean user interface. My main disadvantage in using of Flickr is that photo sharing is important but not as big a priority in my social media technologies/websites priorities list.

C) Expectations upon completion of INF506

At present and after the completion of INF506 I will achieve an in-depth understanding in the concepts, theories and practice of social networking technologies.  Currently I have joined a number of social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace and in hindsight, I will continue to join potential social networking websites that interest me. This will lead me to explore the current and potential application and practice of social networking websites to support my educational and professional needs. INF 506 will develop my skills and the capacity to plan, implement and evaluate social networking technologies. I will develop the ability to become aware of social media networking amongst my peers, community and organisation. It will enable me to judge between synchronous and asynchronous social networking technologies. During and after the completion of INF506 I will have mastered my own educational journey and supported my professional growth through an online learning environment. It will increase my knowledge, understanding and experience in social media networking and social media techniques.