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December 13, 2005
Why should librarians care about Flickr?
When the big Flickr rage set in about a year ago, I sat back and watched (as I tend to do with most things new and wild). I was asked again and again, "Do you have a Flickr account?" I'd simply say no, point out that I posted private albums through the add-on feature on Typepad (which I use for LiB), and say I was happy with that.
Then the Librarian Trading Cards came out. So, I created a Flickr account for the sole purpose of participating in that. Now I have about two dozen photos (paltry by some standards, I know) posted on my Flickr site. And I keep thinking about all the cool things we could do with Flickr at the library, since you can do so many cool things: license the images, tag the images, have private collections, see how many people have viewed each image, allow comments, and more.
So, if, like me, you were/are a Flickr doubter, especially in a library-use context, check out Michael's post with links to examples of how libraries can use Flickr to promote services, create a sense of community, and connect with users. I am a doubter no more.
December 13, 2005 | Permalink
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Comments
Tina, your situation is hard. Showing your library's decision-makers how effective these tools have been for other libraries is a good first step toward changing attitudes. Showing the huge return on investment is also effective. But until attitudes change, most progress will be limited unfortunately. There has been a lot written about how to show power-holders the impact of these online tools. Take a look at some of those articles for help.
Posted by: Sarah Houghton-Jan (LiB) | May12, 2009
We have staff that have no idea what social networking is. I am trying very hard to help us achieve social networking through various avenues such as flickr, twitter and FB to name a few. Staff is very reluctant and I had to take all staff photos off of flickr. Can we achieve a social network with this attitude and unwillingness to understand?
Posted by: Tina Weiss | May11, 2009
In resposne to Anne's question: our library has a photo release form that we get signed by anyone we photograph at public events. If we're going to use the photo on the web or in publicity materials, we require a release. We are particularly cautious about young people, always getting their parents' permission and usually hesitating to take any front-shots that would include faces. If our library starts using Flickr, that policy would hold true and we would get releases from all people included and identifiable in the photos.
Posted by: Sarah Houghton (LiB) | December14, 2005
Cool. You are now a Flickr contact for me and my library.
I'm still not entirely sure what value my library will get from Flickr (aside from getting blogged by Michael Stephens), but I can see a lot of potential for quickie digital exhibits, photos of library events for PR purposes, etc.
Posted by: Steve | December14, 2005
I saw a link from a library to pictures on Flicr - when I followed it, there were a number of pictures of people of various ages using computers at the library. Maybe I am being overly cautious, but should we be concerned about children's (or any regular library patron's) pictures being made available in this fashion? Even without identifying them by name, these pictures could be put to use by predators who could select a victim and hang out at the library in hopes of finding him/her. Just a thought from someone who has worked in libraries for thirty years and never ceased to fear for children "dropped off" at the library.
Posted by: Anne Knight | December14, 2005
