Visualizing Information

While I was listing to the lecture Visualizing Information, I kept thinking about a metaphorical search engine that I ran across while working on a project for another class. The search engine, YossarianLives!, is based on the concept that rather than sharing information everyone else knows you generate new knowledge based on algorithms generated by the search engine. The search engine returns pictures that are potentially metaphorically meaningful to the user who can then tag them and / or share them creating a whole new knowledge base.

So for instance if I search “information” I am returned a number of photos which in some way shape or form can be or could be or have been related to term “information”. I mark the photos that speak “information” to me thereby creating a whole new genus of information about information. This type of search engine caters to “people working at the edge of their field…looking to generate new ideas or see their problem or topic in a whole new light.” [YossarianLIves! About] It’s geared toward the creative, the stumped and the blocked.

Some of the images are very obvious…

…and some of them are not

But it is fascinating how the images I may not find useful in relation to information someone else might, and then there will be a totally different genus for information based on how that person saw “information”.

So swinging this around to libraries, I think we, as professionals, need to keep in mind that people will see and understand things differently. I think the best way to alleviate this issue is to incorporate the Library 2.0 tools that we have available allowing the user to tailor the library at least virtually to their needs, wants and tastes. By letting the patron design their own map we are actually gathering valuable insights to how people access, digest and use information. Which if we’re smart we’ll use to that data to figure out a way to reorganize the library for the patrons.

In the lecture one student pointed out that by specifying directions for one place isn’t it possible that the user is missing another; and I have to agree, by letting a handful of people decide what and how materials are organized we are running the risk of obscuring information that could be very valuable. I think in libraries we need to let the users take the steering wheel and make the maps, we have the technology, we just have to use it.

Carissa 2.0

Some people think Microcenter or the Cheesecake factory or the art museum is a little slice of heaven…for me it is Web 2.0. It appeals to me because of the highly social aspects, the sharing, the conversations and the openness of being part of virtual community that has a connectedness not so much different from being connected in the real world. The sharing of information and ideas, the willingness to learn from one another, it simply amazes me.

I hope that one day our library can afford to implement a discovery layer in order to go from an OPAC to a SOPAC, to allow patron participation (tagging, commenting, recommending), it’s just not in the cards for now. I would love to be able to engage our patrons at that level, one day, perhaps.

I have to say this by far was my favorite lecture because I am an admitted Web 2.0 feind, a Facebook-alochic, Pinterest addict, Linkedin hound, and overall information junkie your mother warned you about. I think learning new things about new people/places/subjects is simply fascinating and gives me something to do between the release of books in the Songs of Fire and Ice series (George R. R. Martin please don’t die before you finish book 6). I prefer virtual meetings, I like taking online classes, I like connecting to my library in this way as well. Being connected to so many different people/places/things all the time actually allows me to get more things accomplished simultaneously, which is important to a procrastinator like myself. It also allows me to be more things at one time, it allows me to be a professional, a mom, a wife, a student, and a friend without having to physically be all those places at once. I truly believe that I’m not the only one that feels that way, and I think that is an important factor with Web 2.0.

With Web 2.0 enabling Library 2.0 the patrons can be many “places” at one time and still have a direct impact on their library. They can tag materials for locating later, they can request items to be picked up a convenient location, they make recommendations and comments about material the library is offering, they can interact directly with library staff through social networks, and virtually connect with groups of similar interest. Library 2.0 allows patrons to be at the library without leaving their living room.

Dr. Roland challenged us to share a Web 2.0 application in this entry, well, everyone knows the biggies, so I thought I’d look for something a little unique and something that I would enjoy as well. I found it…Bake Space. While Bake Space really isn’t that unique, you can share recipes, checkout other members “kitchens”, follow those with similar cooking tastes; to me, it takes the best of Facebook (socializing) and the best of Pinterest (recipes) and condenses it to one place. I can “cook” with people all over the world or right down the street with a “cooking party”, I can even create an d-cookbook to sell for profit, charity or just put it out for the fun of it. People can comment, give advice and encourage each other and they also have special quest celebrity chefs that do online demonstrations followed by question and answer sessions.

Have I said how much I love Web 2.0? You can be a socialite, a foodie, AND a social-foodie! It just doesn’t get any better. Now if I can just keep focused on my classwork and not think about Bake Space I think I’ll be okay, but that may be nothing short of a miracle.