Wikis Everywhere

Learning 2.0 this week focuses on wikis and the many different ways they can be utilized in the course of business (and fun for that matter!). Of course, everyone should be familiar with Wikipedia - the grandaddy of them all. This is a site that allows users to add and edit content on subject areas of interest to them. Wikis can also be used as a collaboration tool such as a forum for a team project. Instead of shooting emails and attachments back and forth among many people, all of the work can be compiled into one central place - a wiki - that each team member has access to. This can save time when you're working on a deadline. I am on a team at the library that utilizes a Wiki and I find it very useful and it provides for real time work because as soon as a page is edited by someone, an email is genereated to those team members advising them so.

However, Libraries need to look beyond a "team" or "employee" aspect and start to realize the potential benefits of using wikis as a means of communication with our customers. How about a wiki where customers can add their favorite book? Or a wiki with pages for customer suggestions on collections, or services they'd like to see offered. A wiki would also be a good place to have forms that customers need - such as a library card application. They could have it printed and ready when they come into the agency and they would save valuable time.

All you need is imagination.