Primary Contact Name
Describe your project
We will extend the context and power of public library collections by hyperlinking the materials within libraries with an open global digital knowledge network for youth using semacode. Our ultimate aim is to connect all Physical library collections, Informative materials, media, and books, Cultural objects, and Specific physical locations and objects with a global digital community and open knowledge network which is mobile as well as virtual using common language, semacode, and free creative applications. About B3OK: http://www.b3ok.pbwiki.com It offers: * open customization and tailoring according to the demands of individual library collections * growth and expansion of knowledge areas dynamically across physical and digital realms * A more intuitive browsing and exploration of subject areas than other organizational systems, such as dewey * A greater ease of collection development, management, and maintenance * A broader spectrum of delivery possibilities and extension possibilities for knowledge, information, and culture across all media formats * Greater access to knowledge (both existing and dynamically being created) and creative contributions of people participating on the global digital knowledge network. How it works: Phase One: Replace existing organization (Dewey, LOC...) with B3OK tags, (browse subject tagging examples and guidelines on the wiki ~ http://www.b3ok.pbwiki.com~ add your notes and additional tags to the open system) Phase Two: Print and attach semacode labels to collections ~ books, media, and materials, using b3ok semacode generator to connect it with the open b3ok wiki platform (seeking these funds to develop further and get the word out to public libraries) Phase Three: Create, Contribute, and Share knowledge on the b3ok platform and continue to expand the open knowledge system into the physical and digital worlds through publicity and partnerships.
Organization or Business Name
Who would want to use it and why?
Public libraries across the United States. Public libraries' organizational infrastructures, networks and archtitectures are becoming increasingly obsolete and libraries are facing serious challenges to transform their collections and services to better meet the needs of modern citizens. B3OK gives them a way to allow greater access to the public to the power of their collections ~ both digital and physical and provides an open knowledge platform for collaboration, exchange, and community knowledge building and organizaton.
Why are you the best person or organization to develop this project?
I designed B3OK. I'm a Librarian (recognized as a "Mover and Shaker"~ one of the people changing the library profession~ by the Library Journal and advocate for change within the profession and its institutions across the country. I founded the Library Goddesses Blog Network and wikis, as well as the Library Youth and Teen Services 2.0 Ning group. I have taught workshops on Web 2.0 applications for Youth Services throughout the state of California and well as online courses for Simmons GSLIS. I am also techie as well as an entrepreneur~ I co-founded thebestkidsbooksite.com. I'm a member of Boston Media Makers. I am also a public librarian (Head of Children's Services). Basically though, I am passionate about public libraries and deeply understand the need for libraries to transform themselves and become part of the digital world. We need funds to continue its development and reach out to the rest of the public library community and get them networked with b3ok and the larger world.
U.S. State
Country
What potentially bigger thing might happen if everything went perfectly and the stars all aligned?
Global, instant, and ubiquitous access to knowledge, information, & cultural objects and the tools for their creation would be available to all people irrespective of socio-economic or geographic borders. Knowledge would and could be shared at points of physical relevance and answers to questions would be freely available to all citizens.
How will you be able to measure whether or not your project has really made a difference?
We will be able to measure this in the following ways: *The number of public libraries who adopt & actively utilize b3ok within their communities and the resulting impacts on library use and circulation *The number of school libraries who adopt & actively utilize b3ok *The quantity of local content generated and geo-tagged *The traffic and web usage In the longer term, we could look at the effects this effort has had on standardized test results and curriculm adaptations within local schools in communities which adopt b3ok, as well as looking at how this system has transformed the creation and sharing of information and knowledge within and across local areas.
Requested amount from Knight News Challenge
What unmet need does your proposal answer?
Traditional public libraries are becoming obsolete in their current form. Unless libraries move beyond their traditional static read-only resources and walled one-way delivery systems to become an active part in the global and local transformation taking place in the ways knowledge, information, and cultural objects are being created, organized, distributed, and delivered, this country risks losing the institutions which were founded to protect and ensure citizens' freedom of access to information, inquiry, and speech. Public Libraries need a future. B3OK answers this need by providing a new model, and a new knowledge archtitecture and network for public libraries.
Total cost of project, including all sources of funding
What specific, unique opportunity do you see that will make this project more successful than others trying to fill that general
A few public libraries have dropped the Dewey Decimal Classification System as a way to organize their physical holdings, choosing to replace it with BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications) Subject Headings, in attempt to make their library collections more accessible to people and encourage use. They have had limited success. B3OK is a knowledge system and platform developed for the creation, organization, distribution, and delivery of knowledge, information, and cultural objects which unites the digital and physical, is mobile, and successfully addresses a world which is now local and global. It is a powerful, yet simple, knowledge platform and network, not simply a merchandising and sales structure, and as such provides an outstanding working model and knowledge architecture for public libraries to utilize.
Expected amount of time to complete project (in whole years):
How will people learn about what you are doing?
We will get the word out to people about B3OK utilizing many different venues: *Social media gatherings, tech events, and unconferences *Library Professional journals and magazines *Library goddesses blog network (we created it) and prominent library bloggers *Library 2.0 ning groups, * Promotion and speaking engagements at state and national library conferences *Library unconferences like libcamp boston *Simmons GSLIS course and professional alumni network *Presentation at Computers in Libraries, 2008 *YouTube videos *Local Public library promotional materials in most communities across the country *State Library organizations and youth services consultants
Do you have any other funding or investment? We’re interested in knowing who else is interested in your project.
We have also applied for a MacArthur Foundation Knowledge-Networking Award.
Are you working with anyone else to complete this project? If so, please give names and what they would do?
I am and will be working with others (many others) in both the library world as well as tech community to complete this project. I am working with: Joan Howland, Organizer of Libcamp Boston (unconference focusing on web 2.0 techs and their applications for libraries), Online Instructor for Simmons GSLIS. She have many years of experience gathering, designing, and generating library circulation and statistical reports, in addition to collection management, organization, and development expertise. She is developing statistical and circulation reporting mechanisms for public libraries to utilize for measurement as well as to ease the b3ok implementation and conversion process. Christine Dimartino, Children's Librarian, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Media Educator. She is developing and distributing simple, effective online instructive and media pieces to promote the adoption of B3OK, show people how it works, and give people ideas about how to play with it/implement it within their local areas. She is in charge of media relations, viral marketing initiatives, arranging conference presentations and speaking engagements. Chris Brogan~ http://chrisbrogan.com/. Chris Brogan is a social media and social networks expert and one of the founders of Podcamp. He and his team will work on the successful technical implementation, openness, and scaling of the B3OK digital knowledge base. Judi Long, Librarian Judi is our Cataloging & Physical Collection Specialist, working with local libraries to assure effective implementation of the b3ok knowledge base within each physical library
Who else is working in this area? How does your work fit into the larger context of work in this area?
There aren't many people working on the development of a comprehensive new knowledge model transforming the way in which public libraries organize, create, deliver, and distribute knowledge, information, and cultural objects. There are many who are trying to make small changes within the old traditional frameworks for library services. By designing an open knowledge system and seeking contributions and participation from all, we hope to provide a larger context and support for all individuals working on the revitalization of public libraries, within any local community. Semapedia.org is the other major group working on physical hyperlinking in the mobile space, though our focuses are different. I and other members of the B3OK group attended Mobilecampnyc2 recently held in NYC, organized by Alexis Rondeau, one of the Semapedia founders, and we met other people working with 2D barcodes and mobile applications. We will remain an active part of this tech community as well as other social media tech communities self-organizing across the country.
What do you guarantee will happen if you complete the activities in this proposal?
People, irrespective of their socio-economic or geographic borders, will be able access, share, and create information, knowledge, and cultural objects within their local communities and share it with the world.