Wanted and Needed: A test bed!

I sent this message out to the SUNY Librarians Association
Discussion
List (SUNYLA-L) today.  I am posting it here for discussion
and
suggestions.
 
 In Participatory Networks:  The Library as Conversation (
http://iis.syr.edu/projects/PNOpen/ParticiaptoryNetw
orks.pdf
<http://iis.syr.edu/projects/PNOpen/Particiaptory
Networks.pdf>  ), the
authors suggest the creation of a test bed to be shared by
groups of
libraries: 
 
"To complement the more abstract exploration of
participatory networks
and participatory librarianship, there must be an active
"playground"
where conversants can experience first hand the technologies
discussed,
and then actively shape the tools of participation. This is
the test
bed. This test bed would implement a participatory network
of libraries,
and provide a common technology platform to host blogs,
Wikis,
discussion boards, RSS aggregators, and the like. These
shared
technologies would be used both to experiment with new
technologies and
to provide real services to libraries. Thus, libraries could
not only
read about blogging applications, they could try them and
could even
roll them out to their community members. As libraries start
new
community initiatives they could rapidly add Wikis and RSS
feeds, hosted
at the shared test bed. The test bed would also make all
software
available to the libraries so they could locally implement
technologies
that have proven themselves. The test bed would provide both
the open
source software, and consulting support to implement
features locally.
The test bed would also develop new metrics and means of
evaluating
participatory library services for the use of planners and
policy
makers."
 
I believe that such a test bed could be created within and
amongst SUNY
libraries for the use of SUNY librarians to learn about
these new
technologies and to develop new services within their
libraries and
across SUNY.  This may take a buy in by the Council of
Library
Directors, SUNYLA, ITEC, and of course OLIS.  Many of the
pieces are
available for free from such sites as Blogger, PBwiki, and
others but we
need to be able to do this within SUNY using SUNY expertise
and
resources.  The test bed could provide a place for libraries
within SUNY
that do not have local support for such services to provide
these
services.  Many SUNY libraries (both state ops and community
colleges)
are already providing these services using Blogger and other
non-SUNY
sites.  Lets bring it in-house so we can develop the
necessary technical
expertise and experience to use and develop so-called
Library 2.0
services.  Any thoughts?  
 
I will also post this message to my blog at
http://babybo
omerlibrarian.blogspot.com so you can leave your
comments
there as well.
 
Wilfred (Bill) Drew 
Associate Librarian, Systems and Reference
Morrisville State College Library
E-mail: mailto:drewwemorrisville.edu
AOL Instant Messenger:BillDrew4
Facebook me <htt
p://www.facebook.com/p/Bill_Drew/202201900> 
BillDrew.Net: http://billdrew.net/
Wireless Librarian:    http:
//people.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/wireless/
Library:    http://library.morris
ville.edu/
SUNYConnect:    http://www.sunyconne
ct.suny.edu/
My Blog:   http://babybo
omerlibrarian.blogspot.com

"They that can give up essential liberty for a little
temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin,
1759

 
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