The escalating awareness of Web 2.0 and its expanding use in the law library environment grows more apparent every year. The intersection of technology and law librarianship sends a shutter down the spine of many law librarians. However, the use of technology in teaching, scholarship, and as reference tools is forcing technophobic librarians to look for understanding of these tools.
The offerings at the conference emphasize the understanding of law librarians of the changing nature of the profession. Understanding and using technology is becoming an ongoing part of any law librarian’s job requirements. Every module of the conference had at least one technology-oriented program. Many had several programs showcasing technology and its uses in the profession; from bibliographic technology tools to Facebook, from audience response teaching tools to Second Life, from new searching tools to innovative software tools, the conference covered technology in the library in its many varied shapes and sizes.
These programs were sponsored by all of the Special Interest Sections, showing the depth of technology’s impact on the profession. However, the Computer Services SIS really focused on technology programs. They understood the dilemma of law librarians, the need for use of the tools, and the “fear of flying” mindset of many law librarians. The section undertook at this year’s Annual conference to meet these needs. The section sponsored many programs spotlighting an array of these issues. The CS-SIS section sought to make the learning informative, entertaining, and useful. Reviewing the agenda of AALL shows the following programs, which highlighted the various nuances of Web 2.0 applications and the use of technology with its many varied components by law librarians. Here is a list of topics offered:
An examination of the scope of these topics shows that they explored technology in the following areas:
There isn’t sufficient space to discuss all of these programs so I will focus on one, multifaceted program. The program that I feel shows the diversity and range of Web 2.0 and the scope of multifunctional technology applications in a law library environment was the Cool Tools: Energizing Law Librarianship with Web 2.0 presentations. The programs covered the gamut of Web 2.0 tools from very technical to easy tools for adapting presentations. It also covered very techno oriented subjects such as AJAX, RSS, and APIs that are making the “Web-as-platform” possible to simple widget and Web 2.0 extensions that work on your website.
The format of this program was also uniquely adapted to the topic and the teaching methods. The program started with a panel discussing the varied types of new technology and illustrated how they are using this new set of tools to teach, market the library, and connect with patrons. They showed tips and traps that librarians encounter when employing the use of technology. They talked about ways to innovate at the library and advertise the opportunities that technology can bring to the library. Following the panel discussion the panel split into 5 separate groups each demonstrating specific technology applications and initiatives that can be used in the library. These programs were to be 15 minutes segments and then audience could then shift to another program in the hall.
The multi-layered format of this program with all of the 5 module sessions being demonstrated simultaneously was very creative. In fact the programs were so good that the audience had too many questions for the programs to end at the required times. The sessions were extended so that only two shifts were accomplished.
The speakers were excellent and they knew their subjects well. The program consisted of Debbie Ginsberg teaching about widgets and Web 2.0 Extensions; Jewel Makda, RSS 101 and wikis; Harvey Morrell, social networking programs and their ability to help the library; Barbara Ginzburg, RSS feeds and other updating tools; and Kincaid Brown, Simile’s Exhibit data visualization tools and open source tools.
Additionally, Bonnie Shucha talked about the Web 2.0 Challenge. As her materials explained, the Web 2.0 Challenge was “a free, comprehensive, and interactive online course. It uses use hands-on exercises to introduce law librarians to many kinds of social technologies in just five weeks. The course is intended for those who have little experience with these technologies but are interested in learning more. The course will take only 1-3 hours per week.”
The Web 2.0 Challenge took place between July 21 and August 18. The course was divided up as follows:
Weekly activities included an instructional screencast and hands-on exercises. The participants were expected to blog about their experiences and discuss the technologies in a weekly small group chat session. At the end of the course, participants developed proposals for implementing a specific Web 2.0 tool in their libraries. The challenge is over now and I await reading the blogs and reviews about the challenge and how effective it was for law librarians in learning new technology.
Overall the Cool Tools program was a great program that was fun, interesting, and informative. It showcased technology and how to adapt Web 2.0 tools to a changing library environment. I await further programs from CS-SIS in the use of technology in law librarianship.
For more information on the topics covered at the Cool Tools programs, see the following websites and links for handouts, PowerPoints, and additional information.