Computers in Libraries 2009 - Keynote

Information's pretty thin stuff unless mixed with experience - Clarence Day

Having some wireless difficulties. I'm really excited about this as my first CiL.

Lee Rainie from Pew Internet Research
- Friending Libraries: The newest nodes in people's social networks

He's explaining Twitter which is very useful for about 90% of the audience.

2000:

45 - use internet
5 broadband
50 - own cell phone

2009
75% of adults surveyed use the internet
57% - broadband at home
82& - own cell phone
62% - connect to the Internet using wireless

The ecosystem has changed:
1. Volume of information has grown.
2. Variety of information has increased
3. Velocity of information speeds up - more information is coming out you in different ways.
4. Times and places to experience media enlarge (can read newspapers on laptops, watch videos with iPod)
5. People's vigilance for information expands and contracts
6. Immersive qualities of media are more compelling
7. Relevance of information improves.
8. Number of information voices explodes and becomes more findable
9. Voting and ventilating are enabled.
10. Social networks are more vivid

- Does this just ensure that you are getting the information you think/believe/goes along with your ideals, thereby sheltering you from challenging notions? How can we serve as nodes in social networks when some people in the world think we are irrelevant?

Motivated by mobility groups
Group 1 - Digital collaborators (8% of the population)
- They lead the pack. Are always on (broadband, cell connection) -
- How to serve : Be a place that they can jack in, give them a place to collaborate and share, enlist their help in giving you coaching and feedback on tech experiments that we want to try.

Group 2 - Ambivalent networkers (7% of the population)
- They are worried about connectivity and find mobile devices intrusive. They feel obligated and always available.
Heavy student cohort - fanatic cell users/texting.
How to serve- be a sanctuary and a place where they have permission to go offline, heavy into gaming so offer a gaming haven, help them figure out online social networking etiquette and help them navigate information overload.

Group 3 - Media Movers
- Fanatic about gadgets? Missed a bit because I was tweeting simultaneously. :P
Serve: outlet for sharing creation, navigate material

Group 4 - Roving nodes (9% of population)
- Think working soccer mom or caregiver of an aging parent. Way too busy to be blogging. - More female.
Serve: Be more efficient and give access to tech so they can check in more frequently and deal with info overload.

Group 5 - Mobile newbies - 8% of population
Just got a cell phone and they are so freaking excited. Not really using it as mobile tech tool, more just a cell phone.
Serve: Teach them how to, offer tech access, tech support, they are afraid of the Internet - Teach them!

Stationary media majority - Desktop veterans
2004 was the best year of their lives.
Hrmm.... the stats started making me cross-eyed at this point. @justnathan said it best: How can libraries help net and mobile users? Educate, support, provide structured opportunities for collaboration and sharing.

Friending libraries are 5+ things
- We are pathways to problem solving information
- We are pathways to personal enrichment (serendipity in collection roaming
- We are pathways to entertainment
- We are pathways to new kings of social networks built around people, media and institutions
- We are pathways to the wisdom of crowds

We just need to find better ways to get inside social networks. I think this gives more food for thought. Just need to figure out how now..... Hrm.