Discuss how libraries (or a
professional setting of your choice) might make use of online applications and
productivity tools, and what impact might they have on front-of-house services
and behind-the-scenes work? Talk about the benefits and potential risks.
In the final blog of the semester,
I am to answer the given question and share my thoughts on the matter
respectively. With this said, I think that it is certainly possible for
libraries to utilize online applications and productivity tools for their
front-of –house services. Certain online application components such as
calendars, task organizers, announcement and event planning tools, and chat
tools are all examples of online applications that can be used to benefit the
productivity and efficiency of library services. Calendars from Microsoft
Outlook have been used on several occasions to organize activities in the work
place. The use of Microsoft Outlook to organize the library can greatly simplify
processes in terms of how staff members collaborate with one another, and which
tasks are allocated to which staff members. For announcement services, online
applications such as Twitter have already been used for announcements to keep
all staff members informed and up to date on the current workplace news.
Another online application called Evernote can be used for organizing workplace
tasks, creating to-do lists, and recording reminders to boost the productivity of
the user(s). Libraries can also use an online application such as Meebo Mobile
which can be useful for communication and monitoring chat between users. As
technology continues to advance, more online applications are being created for
organizations to experiment and select for their preferred method of how they
choose to organize their office administration tasks. Online applications that
offer more than one service prove to me more useful as they provide more
features and components for organizations to utilize. Nevertheless, all the
applications mentioned can greatly contribute to the productivity and
efficiency of libraries if used in the proper manner and to satisfy the needs
of the organization using it respectively. It is also essential for all staff
members of the library to be informed and trained on how to use the online
applications the initial library has adopted as this will provide the most
benefits out of it.
Good post Nana, what is also interesting is that productivity is being measured (attempted anyway) where I work. Its clunky at the moment as activities are collected across different tools and manually in spreadsheets. Tools that help are great but tools that also help demonstrate productivity across a range of settings would be really useful.
ReplyDeleteThanks MJ. That's interesting to know! It would be good to do that to make sure all staff members are on track. It's good you mentioned that as I was thinking that if there were to be a tool that provided many features, it would greatly satisfy the needs of its users!
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