The Knight Foundation has released a new report Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy. A good deal of the content either is or could be applies to libraries.  The entire report is 148  pages, you can also download a 2 page summary that includes recommendations like these

• 2: Increase support for public service media aimed at meeting community information needs.  Read more …
• 6: Integrate digital and media literacy as critical elements of education at all levels through collaboration among federal, state, and local education officials.  Read more …
• 7: Fund and support public libraries and other community institutions as centers of digital and media training, especially for adults.  Read more …
• 10: Support the activities of information providers to reach local audiences with quality content through all appropriate media, such as mobile phones, radio, and public-access cable.  Read more …
• 12: Engage young people in developing the digital information and communication capacities of local communities.  Read more …
• 14: Emphasize community information flow in the design and enhancement of a local community’s public spaces..  Read more …
• 15: Ensure that every local community has at least one high-quality online hub.  Read more …

The Foundation has also taken actions that affect libraries:

$3.3 million to improve free, public Internet access in libraries in 12 communities

$2.28 million in broadband access projects in underserved neighborhoods in three cities

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Control what you can

-    Brand – logo, identity
-    public website
-    opportunities for practice
-    best practices online

let go when you can
-    what is tied to your brand
-    where can you let go?
-    What needs to have a system wide project?

Trust
-    trust staff
-    give guidelines
-    provide opportunities to learn

Evaluate
-    honestly assess performance
-    find the right person for the job
-    accept that it will take time
-    accept that there will be mistakes
-    it is a learning experience

Communities have been around for years they do police themselves, think of book review on Amazon, some will be positive and some will be negative

Social media monitoring
Do we really need to talk about why again, everyone that matters is doing it
Customer service – when you get negative feed back go out and respond
Identify stakeholders

Technorati
Google search
Backtype
Discussion boards – niche communities
Boardtracker
Twitter
Friendfeed
Flock
Optiem
Techregime

Not about the tools, its about the community using the tools
Cultivating a culture of learning
Learning is not a spectator sport
Libraries are not a spectator sport

Stewardship –
Helping people manage info exchange
Creating a space for innovation

Open circle concept, it’s the public’s library

People assume their experience is unique, that someone else will tell that story.

Movement strategy – make it relevant, be flexible to accommodate buy in
Provide incentives

Blend online and face to face, you benefit more

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