STATE LIBRARY RECEIVES CHEERS FOR INNOVATION
In the recent edition of Library Journal (3/15/2008), notable authors, librarians, and proponents of the transparent library movement, Michael Casey and Dr. Michael Stephens look back over the last year and review some important trends in libraries. These trends center around the Web/Library 2.0 movement and concentrate on adaptability and innovation. According to Casey and Stephens, “The transparent library contains three key elements: open communication, adapting to change, and scanning the horizon.”
In July of 2006, the South Carolina State Library completely revamped its website using an open source content management system, Joomla, to provide users with an organized and balanced method for accessing information. Casey and Stephens wrote, “Cheers to the State Library of South Carolina for its engaging, personalized web portal created with Joomla. Other state libraries should look to this as a model: blogging state librarians, open online forums for discussion, and shared videos of South Carolina librarians.”
The South Carolina State Library uses many Web 2.0 technologies to promote events and services. The State Library offers a YouTube channel, shares photos and images on Flickr.com, has accounts with MySpace and Facebook, offers an online chat service to answer reference questions, and is consistently looking to new web based technologies to reach citizens and state government employees to provide needed information and services. For more information, visit www.statelibrary.sc.gov.