Web 2.0 in the Workplace and Beyond: Catching the Wave

Karen Huffman ~ khuffman@ngs.orgLibraries & Information Services

National Geographic Society

LexisNexis Library WeekGovernment Librarian Breakfast Seminar

April 2, 2008

Del.icio.us/tag/2008LexisNexisLibraryWeek

Agenda

• Story: “Catching the wave”• Trends• Definitions: Web 2.0, 3.0• Survey results• Landscapes:

– National Geographic– Federal government– Professional associations– Vendors: LexisNexis

• Challenges and opportunities

Analogy: Catching the Wave

• Waiting, watching, taking a risk

• What happens if…– Select the right wave– Select the wrong wave– Timing is off by just a second

• Once you get to shore, what’s next?

As librarians, our task has always been and remains to use the tools of information technology to serve the needs of information workers or seekers, bearing in mind that all recorded information and its support infrastructure — books and shelves no less than online search engines — is information technology. (May 2003)

Information Trends

• Globalization • Ever growing digital content to organize and

synthesize• Growing role to manage electronic assets • More sophisticated research questions• Balance between digital for access, print for

preservation• Increased outsourcing and external hosting • Social collaboration on upswing• Staffing challenges

Web 3.0: Mashups 101• Integrates content/media from one or more

sources (e.g., API, Javascript, XML)

• Benefits– Improves access– Enhances experience– Adds value– Re-purposes products and services– Allows for transparency of information

Survey: Demographics

Survey (Q#5): Purpose and Usage

Survey (Q#6): Interactivity

Survey (Q#8): Reasons for Use

Landscapes

Collaborative Knowledge Networkswithin an Organization

• Hybrid of solutions– Think beyond barriers to solutions

• Understand your users– One size does not fit all

• Engage people to generate ideas• Connect the dots, show concepts• Manage resources, set standards• Capture ideas, share knowledge• Gain support from management, market

Research Database: NG Time Line

Wikis• Collaborative hubs • Courseware • Dictionaries and

encyclopedias • Directories • Manuals, tutorials,

and best practices • Newsletters • Project planning and

status reports • Reference

material/FAQs

• Research and expertise database

• Resumes • Special interest

groups • Team and division

sites • Training tool for staff • Websites (personal,

professional) • White-boarding/

prototyping ideas

Libraries Wikis

Examples: Women Explorers

Mapping our Global Reach

National Geographic EntertainmentIntegrated Marketing and Sponsorship Wiki

Wiki Prototype to B2B

Taxonomies Project Mind Map

Enterprise Taxonomy: Future NG Gazetteer

www.metalens.org

Meta Lens: Working Space

www.metalens.org/story/baja.html

NG’s Collectors Corner

National Geographic’sExternal Communities

• Blogs: NGM, Traveler, NG Channel• Facebook:

– Groups: National Geographic Expeditions, Prints, Traveler, and Widgets

• Flickr: Museum at Explorers Hall• iTunes: Videos• MySpace: myspace.com/natgeotv• YouTube: youtube.com/nationalgeographic• RSS feeds to various content• Virtual environments• And more…

Blogs

Government Wikis

Wikis: Internal Knowledge-bases

Facebook

Widgets & Gadgets

Custom Home Pages: iGoogle

Second Life

Professional Associations

Vendors: LexisNexis

Our Learnings• Change IS constant

– Step approach– Shewhart’s cycle: Plan, Do, Act, Check

• Localize, internalize– Explore and utilize new technologies– Position for innovation

• “So what” factor– Aggregate information that matters

• One size DOES NOT fit all– Collaborate with users– Share ideas, teach, educate

• Affect change– Actively participate, facilitate

http://www.go2web20.net/

Our Challenge

• Millions of sandboxes– Time constraints: 24 hours in a day– Just start somewhere…

• Expand your knowledge and definitions – Stretch beyond your comfort zone

• Participatory networks– Involve others, collaborate– Concern over accuracy of information

• Not having all the answers– Set standards, model behaviors– Learn as you go

The Potential

• Push resources and services– Limitless ways to mix, mash-up, and market

content• Collaborate, organize

– Set standards, facilitate best practices– Teach, educate– Learn from each other

• Unanticipated consequences– New partnerships– Opportunities for collaboration– Become an “expert”– Envision and offer new and/or improved

products and services

Thank you!