Building the Online Community at WebJunction.org

Presented by: Betha Gutsche, Steven Bell, Max Anderson

Email: community@webjunction.org

Agenda

• Virtual Community• Background & History• Community Overview

– Read– Learn– Share

• Behind the Scenes• Q & A

Virtual Community

•Convening people in cyberspace–Share common interests–Collaborate electronically–Create virtual networks, discussions, & mailing lists

Building Our Community

In Person• Trainings, Workshops, & Meetings• Conferences• Local Colleagues

Online• Library list-servs (email, Web archives)• Blogs and News Aggregates (Web, RSS)• Virtual Communities (Web, RSS)

WebJunction is…a virtual community to support library staff

WJ History

• Gates Foundation’s 5 year Library Program– 46,000 computers– 11,000 libraries in the United States and Canada– Targeting need-based public libraries– Providing Native American access to technology

• May 2002: Gates Foundation awarded OCLC and partners a three-year grant to build a Web-based community for public access & technology support

The Partners

Our Beginnings

Needs Assessment • Focus Groups • Electronic Surveys• Gates Trainer Sessions• Site visits• Industry Experts

Libraries Need •Staff Training •Continuing Education•Technical Support•Management & Planning Assistance•Fundraising & Sustainability Support•Personalized Experience•Peer Networks

WebJunction.org

Launched May 2003

WebJunction Overviewthe online community ‘where minds meet’

Our Approach

READ

LEARN

SHARE

Site Organization

The Key is Community

• Community Initiated– Feedback & Suggestions– Comments & Discussion– Articles, Handouts, Themes

• Volunteer Based– Contributors– Moderators– Advocates– Editors

Member Benefits

• Courses• Discussion• Evaluation• Ownership• Member Directory• Crossroads monthly e-newsletter• Member Receptions & Programs• Individuals, then organizations

New Projects

• Community Partner Program– The first five pilot states:

WebJunction NM, CO, IA, WA, CT– And recent additions:

AZ, NM, VT

• Communities of Interest– PAComputing.org – Spanish Language Outreach Project– Rural Library Sustainability Project– SunSITE Communities

Community Buildingbehind the scenes at WebJunction

Unique Value

• Need Based

• People Focused

• Multiple Avenues to Ideas & Solutions– Read, Learn, Share

• Personalized Experience

Results (So Far)

-12,000 members

-10,000 online courses

-5,000+ posts on All Aboard [discussions]

-20 WJ Award winners

-20 moderators

-15 editors

-25 advocates

Members Rave

• I have found the hardware/software information very useful in that it has helped me to figure out some of the tough computer questions/problems that we had.

• It has been helpful to see that other libraries have been facing the same issues and seeing their plans for the future.

• I would be LOST without the Community Forums. We are in a rural, isolated area of Colorado without any other way to obtain needed technology support or information beyond surfing the Internet.

• During the last hour of the day, if I can, I try to spend some time here in WJ …. The Junction has been an able comforter. Thanks!

But they also Rant…

• Site Updates– The home page needs simplification

and focus on presenting links in a better way

• Attract & Engage Members– I had trouble finding the forums area at first.

Had no idea it was under “all aboard”

• Seamlessness– I can't always go directly to what I'm looking for.– I really want to see local input

Our Challenges & Goals

Continue to Build Trust – Attention to Needs

• Listen to feedback• Respond to everything?

– Communication Through Email and Syndicated Discussions

– Expert v. Community Authority

Prove Value– Retrieve Information – Make Connections to People

• Marketing & outreach– Archive & Record

Our Challenges & Goals (cont.)

High Quality Experience– Content

• Balancing Resources• In-person training and online learning

– Functionality• New Technology

– People & Partners• Managing cultural shifts

– Keep Having Fun• Too much fun?

How to Get Involved…

• Register• Take a course• Help us evaluate the site• Join the discussions on All Aboard• Nominate for a WebJunction Award• Sign up for our Crossroads newsletter• Network with other community members• Contribute your articles, handouts, & worksheets• Volunteer to be a WebJunction advocate or editor• Help us get the word out !!!

Q & Ayou have questions, we (hopefully) have answers

For more information…

Betha GutscheEmail: betha_gutsche@oclc.org

Max AndersonEmail: manderson@solinet.net

Steven BellEmail: bells@philau.net

OR visit us at WebJunction.org!

Email: community@webjunction.org