The IPL Teen Space is easy to find on their home page, which then leads the user to IPL’s Poetry Wiki.  The user has options from the splash page of the Poetry Wiki site to explore the wiki, or go into an open mic, word play, poet of the week, and exquisite corpse. In order to utilize these features and become involved, the user has to join the IPL Teen Space.  

Besides which, in the Teen Space, there are other categories that provide homework assistance, research and writing techniques, FAEQ’s (Frequently Asked Embarrassing Questions,) Procrastinator, and Graphic Novels Guide.

The Mic, which is part of the Teen Poetry Wiki Space provides poems and other writings from various authors.  It also provides directions on how to begin the process of writing the poem in html code.  The Exquisite Corpse game also seems enticing and fun.  Both of these sites for teens and youth are a beneficial way of incorporating their views, as well as, providing information literacy.  

While, the Teen Space doesn’t exactly coincide with the rest of IPL’s website pages, (because many of them regard post-secondary education oriented research,) it’s a great idea to incorporate teens, youth, and children.  It’s also a beneficial way of including a broader and wider scope of demographics, besides trying to provide information literacy skills.  

I viscerally feel that this is the overall goal for this website though–educational purposes.  Yes, I state above that Teen Space seems out of place when compared to the rest of the IPL website, but overall I think the website is providing its conceptualized idea, which is to educate and provide knowledge.  Kudos and well done.  

While, I would probably not use the Teen Poetry Wiki site, I think I would utilize the other resources that IPL has to offer. There are some new resources that I was introduced to while navigating through this site.

While the IPL website is well done, one of my few critiques is, would the IPL broaden their scope to older demographics, also?  If they already provide youth and teens with their own portals, then why not seniors or geriatrics?  That demographic is on the web too, and they still love to learn and educate themselves.  

The other critique I have may seem nit-picky, but in no way means to degrade the website–it’s just a braoder scope in the use of semantics or meanings or words that are utilized.  For instance, in one of the categories, FAEQ’s (Frequently Asked Embarrassing Questions) there is information regarding sex, doctors, help phone hotlines, etc.  But, I think this information is nothing to be embarrassed about, right?  So, why categorize thoughtful, responsible and accountable questions in this way?  Shouldn’t older generations state and discuss that these types of questions and comments are not embarrassing and should be asked?  

If the website states that these questions are embarrassing, is that a way of implying that the questions in that umbrella term are embarrassing, when in fact, they are not?  Isn’t this the opposite psychological implications educators are trying to instill on youth?  Maybe, it’s just me, but I don’t think those questions that are placed in the FAEQ’s are embarrassing at all, and the teens that may end up on that page should know that asking and analyzing those questions are not embarrassing either.  (My apologies for the rant)

Overall, I think this website is again, a really great service for providing a sense of community for youth, by incorporating their ideas and commentaries.  The users are able to utilize the features that allow them to comment and write poetry, use the Teen Space site for other assistance (i.e. homework), like many other libraries, besides the post-secondary information that could be research and utilized.  This is a really wonderful service and a great idea for all libraries that want to focus on youth patronage.  

Et Voila!  I finally reach the blog space where the RGL staff provide current and updated information regarding anything affiliated with the AAOA department at the MMA.  They provide articles, new publications from the AAOA Department’s exhibitions and MMA publications, and Web 2.0 immersion of social software.  I enjoy this blogging site because RGL tries to incorporate the user by providing the patron with informative research, and then sections of commentaries for social interaction.  They even state this on their “Are there any other blogs like this one out there?” in the “So what’s your blog about?” page.  

I like all the information, including the archive, the blogs, multiple categories for users access, journal content, new publications, and especially the images.  The RGL in the blog provides numerous images and thus, emphasizes the “role” of the image within it’s blog–and should, since it’s part of the MMA.  

But, I wonder if it’s too busy?  As a user and researcher I get lost in the heap of information.  It’s categorized well, but in some areas there is an abundance of text.  Therefore, the design is a bit stifling, but could be easily managed and rearranged.  For instance, this is seen in “blogroll” and “categories.”  The blogs are imperative, as well as the “categories” and “blogroll,” obviously.  It’s just a matter of placement.  

My other critique is that if somehow the RGL blogging information could have a headline on the AAOA‘s department website on the MMA, there might be more users reading, commenting and utilizing the MMA’s and AAOA’s multiple resources.  (Well, that’s my utopian and idealistic Web 2.0 dream for all social networking capabilities.)  I think it would be a wonderful asset for the MMA, the AAOA Department, and the user.  Why not get everyone involved in the museum Web 2.0 project–isn’t that we all want, as users, educators, and students?  

Also, the user may not even know it ever existed, as it’s not attached or linked to the BL’s web pages. Maybe I am looking in the wrong places–services, reader services, etc, but I couldn’t find it as an embedded source on the BL’s site.  

It’s really too bad, because I think it’s a beneficial way of gaining patronage throughout the world who use the web, who use youtube, and who use web 2.0 applications.  This social software approach is appropriately friendly, in order to provide positive attitudes towards information literacy, research, and use of current and updated technological services.  With this v-cast, the BL and any library for that matter, seems “user friendly.”  

The speaker, Tim Campbell, discusses in the YouTube Video above, various genres and specializations, the public who are able to utilize the library, and reference desk information.  He also provides information on how a patron can obtain a reader’s pass, the rules and regulations, architecture and space, current technological processes, and exhibitions they offer.  It’s a vast scope that he covers in about four minutes, but a beneficial way of advertising a “special gem of information” that should be utilized.

A beneficial way of this v-cast being utilized is by placing it on the BL website.  I think the BL would benefit from the youtube video.  The BL may also already notice a difference in the numbers of patrons utilizing the reading room, etc. now, than before the video was produced?  The thoughts of the BL may be to separate the web sites from the web 2.0 material, but if the library is supposed to be the forerunner in digitization, technology and other services for the user, wouldn’t this be a benefit for the BL and their patrons?  

I think the web sites and the BL’s RSS feeds look great and are user friendly, as with the video–can’t they just be placed together?  

Okay, that’s once the user is on the Lab page, but how does one get there from the NYPL index page? Hmmm, just a day ago there was an option for the user to click on one of revolving digital images shown on NYPL’s index page.  Where did it go?  I can only assume not enough people were utilizing the NYPL Labs project space?  If that is true, then the NYPL has to place that material out in front.  It would be such a shame to not incorporate the NYC community with the blogs, RSS feeds, 24 hours of public programming at the NYPL, and National Digital Newspaper Program that the NYPL Lab offers.  

These options are for the user, but the NYPL also offers other Web 2.0 possibilities for the NYPL staff, such as, exhibit builder.  I think what I enjoy especially about NYPL’s ideals and conceptions regarding their RSS feeds and other blogging areas, are the incorporation of the user and the public.  They have introduced a comment for every section, even when most users would probably not “intend” to comment, the NYPL does not assume anything. Rather this approach informs the user which, emphasizes and provides a hybrid of information literacy and Web 2.0 technology.  When the NYPL creates a commentary space for the NYPL section, Improved Metadata Creation Interface it just validates that Web 2.0 is a strong link between the community and the library.  

For those of us users that don’t think we are high tech savvy, well, there’s always the Power Point presentation on what RSS is and how to use an RSS feed: Guidelines on how to contribute to the NYPL Labs section.  Plus, they just added an itunes feature, which provides information on archives and programs.  

I actually have the NYPL as my home page and would definitely use their features.  I think one of the negatives to the NYPL Labs is getting to the page though.  It was on the revolving digital image gallery on the home page, but it has been removed, as of today (April 10th.)  One of the easiest ways of getting to the NYPL Lab is via the RSS feed, placed at the bottom of the home page.  Then on the right, the user can see the NYPL Lab hyperlink.  

Other than this point, I think the integration and collaboration between the patrons of the NYPL and the staff of the NYPL, besides the Web 2.0 and library 2.0 features offer beneficial information to the community of NYC.  

Regarding the teen review blogging and commentary site:  Hmmmm….I wonder if this is for the librarians to have fun and play with or is this really for the teenagers in the Los Gatos community?  When a user looks a website, like LAPL (Los Angeles Public Library), and then the user comes to this LGPLTR (Los Gatos Public Library Teen Review) site, I wonder who the LGPLTR site is for?

Paul, the History/Teen Librarian at the Los Gatos Public Library maintains the web site and provides imagery so the user is eased and has more of a face-to-face interaction, rather than user to machine.  This is cited and indexed to the right, of the reviewed book blogs to the left.  It seems that he recommends books and sometimes through other users.  For instance, “Jenn’s picks” seen on this page in the blogging site.  But, who is Jenn?  Is it a teen, a parent, a library professional at the LGPL?  

Besides which, I see no comments from any teens or others on the site.  Can’t we do something to change this?  If we need to get youth and teenagers involved in the library and the community, could we do a post a book that is of a current curriculum and see the reactions?  Who has read “this” book?  Did the user enjoy it?  If no, why?  I think it would be great just to provide some fun exercises for younger users, who are able to claim a freedom of thought when reading.

What Paul is doing on the teen review blogging site is great.  But, I think it’s a bit out of place with the rest of the library web pages.  If there are still free or cheap alternatives to offering young adult services, then why not claim them to empower others?  I think the library could do some sort of montage or a hybrid of what the library offers on the LGPLTR blog site and the LGPL my space page.  

The “what I am reading now” and the “yaARCS” pages that are archived on the left may provide comfort. But, the yaARCS is no longer available, which is unfortunate, and the “what am I reading now” regards what the youth librarian is reading.  Why isn’t there a blog for youth to explain what they are reading?  

I feel like that’s what’s missing–how are youth, teens and other young community members incorporated into the LGPL library web 2.0 and library 2.0 sites?  The Los Gatos Public Library has the my space page, and the general library blog page, but the space for the youth and teen pages and blogging sites aren’t designed for them.  I think with some time and effort this can change this, and I also realize it’s relative to budget and funding, but I think the youth community in Los Gatos would enjoy a site that is for them.  

When the user goes the Los Angeles Public Library Website (LAPL) there is no sign of a blogging area.  This may be the hardest part for the user, as they would have to navigate their way through the pages, or if they searched “comments” in the “LAPL website” or “selected all.”  I figure if libraries are going to merge Web 2.0 into Library 2.0, then I think the largest demographic would be teenagers and thus, I choose the purple box on the lower left-hand corner.  Besides, it had a cool looking outline of a spider-web, so I knew I was getting closer to at least something interactive and fun.  

Teen web takes a second to load, but obviously becomes apparent I am the wrong demographic looking at this “moving note,” since when I was in high school I actually wrote on paper–yup, officially old.   The librarians and staff at the LAPL did a great job of integrating youth blogs into the library site.  When you get continual positive feedback and comments from people about your site, it must work.

The LAPL youth section not only provide sections of the web to provide youth commentary, but the library provides assistance with homework, health, college information, teen events, events for teen activist and advocacy issues, and assistance for personal problems.  

Overall, the LAPL really provides a great Library 2.0 service for their youth and teens in the LA area.  My one concern with not only LA, but other large city communities and Library 2.0 and youth is, what if youth and teens do not have access to a PC?   How do the librarians and libraries in the community continue to use outreach programming?  

Since I am not a teenager or youth, I would not use this Library 2.0 site.  Although, I could certainly provide feedback.  I think if I did provide feedback, one issue I would focus on, is letting them have a blog site where the students can have their own space.  

I noticed that the comments were indexed under “What do you think?” and then indexed again under “You Have Spoken.”  The issue with this is, it’s hard to navigate to, and then the user has to be able to read and write about imperative topics, and then read other users comments.  This may be too much work for a teenager, but what do I know?  Also, the last discussion was November 2007–can’t they place a new topic each month and then archive and index the comments, so they can can be observed later?  It may be too much to ask, I know, but sometimes putting that little bit of extra effort comes out with stunning results.

The Yale Arts Blog is easy for the user to find, as it’s placed on the home Art and Architecture Library page, to the right, near the hours.  The site is clear, organized and easy for the user to provide comments.  

Most of the blog posts are snip-its of articles regarding art and architecture on an international scope.  So, while the library site seems a bit segregated from the blog, I think the main purpose of the Art and Architecture blog is to remain a distinct entity from it’s host website.  With this stated, there is a “research tip” located at the top left margin, for the library to infiltrate some assistance to the user.  Besides, “Research Tools” as an indexed link.  

If I was affiliated with Yale and art, I would be interested in reading and having an RSS feed to their site. There are numerous organizations, associations, links, updated journals, museums, galleries, etc. information in the Yale Arts Library Blog.  

There are even commentaries suggesting other links and websites for further assistance for other users. This is what a blog is supposed to be about.  Providing information, assistance, resources and having affiliates and other interested parties give their “two cents.”  I especially love their statement in About, “It is an evolving beast, so check in often to see what’s new and exciting in the arts.”  

In the NAS Library blog page it is easy for the user to look for current art events, art competitions, and new journals. Information is indexed and archived well, as well as, leads the user to other links and web locations for more information, if needed. There are four library personnel that update the blog on a regular basis.

There are also images located in the blog, as an enhanced feature not only for the blog user, but for the artists’ work that is being showed in the blog. It is a smart way of integrating art students with the library and the NAS Blog for networking activity.

On the front page of the NAS library web site there are brief synopses regarding the events, new journals, etc. Then the user must “read more” in order to get the full statement. The user is then brought to the NAS Library Blog site.

While, the blog seems to be an imperative feature for the NAS Library site and works well with the rest of the Library pages, I am unsure whether I would utilize this feature. As a student it is very probable that I would use this blog for updated journals, new exhibition competitions, and events. This may sound ridiculous–why doesn’t the library site provide a separate blog for a student sound off? If the library wants to integrate users into the site, why not really integrate the student population into the blog, instead of the librarians having the blog?

It seems that the librarians are enjoying the blog, but not necessarily giving the students a blogspace. For instance, if the user wants to comment to the blog, they can do so, by clicking “comment” on the bottom of each post.  But, by observation, it doesn’t seem overly popular.  

Besides which, the information that is on the blog can be easily stated on the front page of the NAS Library web site. Instead the information, which is located on the front page is then brought to the NAS blog, which provides posts by librarians, only allowing the user to comment on sections.

While, this a good service, it only seems acceptable for the user to be allowed to network, and have a personal space, in order to really integrate a NAS community in the NAS Library site. If the library really wants to use Web 2.0, then the user should be offered their own communal blogspace.

(And for all of you looking at this website, since I have posted this site, the NAS has changed the design, so I’ll have to re-post when the IA’s [Information Architects] have finished.  Thanks for reading!)