OLJ Task 4: Based on three readings related to finding authentic information within a socially networked world, identify two essential take-home messages that you believe will inform your work as an information professional.
The three reading I used to complete this task are: Garfinkel, S. (2008). Wikipedia and the meaning of truth; Lorenzo, G. (2007). Catalysts for change: Information fluency, Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and the new education culture; Wittenberg, K. (2007). Credibility of content and the future of research, learning, and publishing in the digital environment.
The two take-home messages that can help inform my work as an information professional concern the need to provide adequate spaces for patrons in their information discovery and content creation, and secondly, to continue to educate both staff and patrons regarding reference tools available in the library, but also providing guidelines as to the appropriate sources of information and guidance in content creation.
The blogging phenomenon has shifted the tables slightly, by introducing the concept of content creation where patrons go from passive consumers to active participants. The library should be able to take advantage of patrons ability to create information to add value to the library experience, but should also be able to inform them and educate them about the different types of digital information that are available and the information’s value (Wittenberg, n.d., 9).
In addition to this, the library should be able to provide patrons an easily accessible space where they can share information. By utilising a service such as a Delicious page (http://delicious.com/), the library will not only be able to provide patrons with reputable sources, but it will also be an outlet where patrons can share online resources with each other. As such, the library is not only providing a key service to patrons, but is also able to monitor and direct the types of information patrons are seeking out. There is the ability for the library to provide links to a variety of topics, adding and enhancing the online profile of the library, while providing an avenue for online references.
A plan to evaluate the education of library staff and patrons regarding their knowledge of online reference tools may also be advisable. According to Lorenzo (2007, p.12), it is not enough to simply be able to provide the services to patrons, staff must be able to use them, explain them and market them to the appropriate patrons. To do this, staff need to keep informed about the reference services their library offers. Communicating the benefits of these tools to patrons will become so much easier once staff themselves are informed. The library may generate user-driven guidelines regarding the types of information, how to use it and what information is be suitable for different needs. Understanding how patrons use information and moulding the types of information they select should help the library (and myself as an information professional) in its endeavors.
References
Lorenzo, G. (2007). Catalysts for change: Information fluency, Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and the new education culture. (March). Retrieved from http://www.edpath.com/images/IFReport2.pdf
Wittenberg, K. (2007). Credibility of content and the future of research, learning, and publishing in the digital environment. The Journal of Electronic Publishing, 10(1). doi: 10.3998/3336451.0010.101
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