I won’t have access to this blog for much longer, so if you want to follow me you can on my other blog.
http://runninglibrarianblog.wordpress.com/
It has all the same posts so you won’t miss out on anything.
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Category: Welcome
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First Morning Run
Today I went on my first morning run in years. I have never been a morning person and therefore rarely ran in the morning. I’m also one of the few people you might encounter on the road who also does not listen to music or who will chat while running. I love nothing more than hearing my feet hit the ground. Today was another first for me, I brought along my dog Crosby. The jury is still out on whether he will be joining me again.
**This post has been copied and pasted here from my other blog: http://runninglibrarianblog.wordpress.com/, it was faster, easier and without any issues, unlike the luck I have had trying to export and import from another blog.**
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Views from my backyard
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcN08Tg3PWw]
This post was originally going to be about social media and rural libraries in America, but it ultimately morphed into social media and senior citizens who use the libraries I currently work. Yes, I work in a rural library, which is also in an area well known as a good place for rural retirement. The retiree community seems to be divided into three camps, those who are comfortable with computers and using the internet, those who want nothing to do with either and those who have been “forced” into using social media by their children or grandchildren. The challenge becomes how to make social media more comfortable and accessible to the “forced” group to embrace population?
The “forced” group is pushed by the younger generations to adopt social media as a means to stay in touch with children and grandchildren who may live far away. The majority of their accounts are created while on holiday with family, or created remotely by family members. Often, individuals want to show other family members that they can use social media without help, which in time may happen, but initially is very difficult. Some individuals cannot even access their account, and come to the library seeking assistance to fix their problems. While we are more than happy to help them through the steps, it is library policy not to touch a personal laptop, phone or tablet. I understand and agree with the policy, nevertheless it has caused conflict with patrons who would like nothing more than to have you solve the problem and watch from the sideline; however taking over is a quick fix that does not allow the patron to learn.
I have noticed a trend during my time at the library: following holidays, particularly the winter holidays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day, there is a significant increase in the number of social media questions relating to new accounts, or just how to use social media in general. Our library does offer free community classes in various computer topics, including social media, but these are often geared toward those who already have some experience with social media which does limit access for those who want to learn the basics of social media. The library system is now going to offer one on one session for patrons on the topic of their choice, so far patrons have requested time for social media and e-readers. From personal observations and interactions I feel it would be best for patrons to have one on one time when first exploring social media it will allow people to work at their own pace and in a more comfortable situation.
[polldaddy poll=7000381]
**This post is based on personal observations, not research.**
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Social Media and Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are nothing new, but social media and smartphones have made it possible for people to contact loved ones to ensure they are safe after a disaster. In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan in 2011, and more recently following h=Hurricane Sandy in the USA this past fall, people turned to technology for assurance. After the disaster has occurred and forgotten by the news, social media keeps the event fresh in people’s minds. Facebook has a page on their website named “Using Social Media Before, During, and After a Natural Disaster.” This page gives detailed instructions on how to properly use Facebook to get in touch with people and also provides links to other Facebook pages such as the Red Cross and FEMA as well as a Red Cross’ “Safe and Well.” Safe and Well allows people in the disaster area to register themselves and they then can be searched for by loved ones; although both parties must be register, it is another way to connect people with people when traditional methods are not always reliable.
Another type of social networking site whose most well-known use are various sites that were created after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan 2011 for the sole purpose of returning lost property to the rightful owners. If people came across items they could upload a picture and a description of the item and people could search the sites for their property.
A limiting factor to having the ability to connect with people during and immediately following the disaster is being able to power one’s phone, although after Hurricane Sandy in New York City people who had power allowed other to charge their phones. From personal experience, I was able to contact with family living in the New York Tri- State area through social media during and after Sandy, a feat which was nearly unthinkable nearly ten years ago.
- American Red Cross. Safe and well. http://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms//(accessed 15 February 2013).
- Global Disaster Relief on Facebook. Using social media before, during, and after a natural disaster. http://www.facebook.com/notes/global-disaster-relief-on-facebook/using-social-media-before-during-and-after-a-natural-disaster/10150290416059936 (accessed 15 February 2013).
- Strigaro, K. Social media and natural disasters. http://icma.org/en/icma/knowledge_network/blogs/blogpost/910/Social_Media_and_Natural_Disasters (accessed 15 February 2013).
- Yeomans, M. Social media’s crucial role in disaster relief efforts. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/social-media-hurricane-sandy-emergency-planners (accessed15 February 2013).
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Hello world!
Welcome to my blog! I’m a librarian who is always on the run and enjoys nothing more than getting out for a run. You can follow me on Twitter @Run_Librarian_.