#23

The End!
Wow I learned many new things and had some fun while doing it, which is always good. I think the program was good and covered, at least to me, many new things. I enjoyed setting up a blog and I will us that in the future. Flickr, image generators and wikis are something that I would like to explore a little more in the future. I also think that the online applications and tools are something that I will use and can show my husband so that he can use them in his business. I felt that some of the discovery exercises were a little long and more time-consuming than a hour a week. I did not enjoy any of the tagging and other things covered by Delicious and Technorati. And Rollyo was not a tool I felt I would use. For me the program moved along easily until I got to Week 5 and then when it came to Rollyo I hit a wall, but I was determined to get through it. Week 5 and Week 6 were the hardest, and I don't think I will use any of those tools in the future. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to be exposed to the information and at least I am aware of what they are. Once I got through those two weeks I was able to moved along with the rest of the exercises without to much trouble. I'm glad I was able to do these exercises.

#23

#22

Thanks to Deirdre and Joan Churchill I was able to complete this exercise. I downloaded a book that was readable on the computer and then also download an audio book. I had problems with the audio book and ended up having to install somethings so it would work. After doing that the process seemed simple. I think this is a good tool to offer, but I also believe it can be frustrating to use. Once you have your computer set, I think many customers would find this important for them. I think it should be used with a warming that they may have problems and that yes they may have to install somethings to get it to work.

#21

http://recordings.talkshoe.com/rss2.xml

http://feeds.feedburner.com/lansinglibraryadult/podcast

I listened to a podcast from Lansing Library. The author Katherine Hoeger Flotz speaking about her memoir, Pebble In My Shoe. I added it to bloglines. Besides being able to listen to the author speak, from the podcast site you could see if the title was available also included information about other events and other podcasts. Because I picked a library I could see how they have use this tool. I could also see applications for staff meetings and training with other locations in our own library system or with another system, a sharing of limited library resources also library board meeting, author events. Podcasts are a very interesting tool and I would like to explore them a little more in the future.

#19

Recipes for success : huge number of tools for all ages and all sorts of interests. Lots of tools for note taking and highlighting ideas in articles. Need to spend more time to explore all the ins and outs of this tool.

Zoomii books.

With this tool you select a subject and the cover of books would load on to the page and you could scan through them. If you selected a title and clicked on it, it would take you directly to Amazon if you wished to order it. It also showed reviews. I like how you type in a subject and the book covers appear.

I could see this concept being a useful tool in the library setting, if a customer could type in a subject and not just get a list of titles under that subject but also picture of the covers to help make their selection.

#20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AppCIzJD84

I decided to limit my search in YouTube to library or Library tutorials. There were so many.

They seem to fall into two categories. Funny, with exercising library staff, books used as dominoes, things about the Dewey system and the list goes on. The second group were mostly dry tutorials about using the library, world cat. and databases etc. I watched a summer reading club promotion from Denver Public library. I found it hard to limit my search down to get smaller numbers to decide what video I wanted. I watch the Denver public video and I also viewed the OPL summer reading club video. Denver's video was a story and Opl's was like watching a commercial of TV.

Even though I didn't watch any of the library tutorials I think they are a good way to teach the customers about things like databases, how to videos on using the library. Staff could also benefit from this kind of training. I think people would be more likely to watch a short "how to" then to read a flier that was given to them.

I also saw several videos with celebs reading children's classics like Meryl Streep reading the Velveteen rabbit. Very interesting tool with the ability reach a large customer base.

#18

I used Google docs for this exercise. This could have many applications in my household. I made a spreadsheet, I did a presentation with slides on going green. It was fun! The spreadsheet was easy to use, in fact every document I created easy to produce. The templates with address labels, cards etc. I will differently use what I learned here again and if fact I'm going home and show my husband the different thing he can use at his small business.

#17

PBWiki was an interesting exercise. The hardest part was finding the code so I could add it to my blog. I read several of the favorites -- restaurants, movies, vacation spots. Like a few other lessons in 23 things I'm glad I was exposed to this but I don't think I will use it.

# 16 Wiki

I selected four of the library wikis.

The first one was the SJCPL subject guides -- I really like how this was arranged and how easy it was to use. Each subject area showed magazines that the library subscribes to in that subject area. An example would be Cooking and the list of magazines includes Taste of Home, Cooking Light and Martha Stewart. It also listed new books and tips. They also include community activities. An example of this is under Antiques & Collectibles there was a list of clubs, auctions sales, online sites, television shows and even finding an appraiser. I would think this would have great appeal for the customer.

The second was Book lovers wiki -- I liked the idea it was a little more difficult to find something specific. But it would be a great way to find and determine what you might what to read next.

The third -- Library success -- huge amount of info about everything library.

The fourth other library wiki -- again a huge amount of info.

As far as applications that might work well in the library setting:

a list for local authors

promote new books

sharing of community resources, projects and happenings inside and outside the library

input from the public

input from the staff

requesting titles to be purchased

what book clubs are reading (library and bookstores)

using a wiki as a book club (all reading and discussing a selected title)

sharing of what works for programs

These are just a few and the list is endless.

# 15 LIBRARY 2.0

“Library 2.0 simply means making your library’s space (virtual and physical) more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs. Examples of where to start include blogs, gaming nights for teens, and collaborative photo sites. The basic drive is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives…to make the library a destination and not an afterthought."

Sarah Houghton http://librarianinblack.typepad.com/librarianinblack/

I like what she is saying in the quote above. It is what we all want -- to make the "library relevant" to are users. And this means not just the people who come through are doors but also the virtual customers where ever they may be. We can expand our customer base.

Omaha Public Library enriches our community by providing unlimited opportunities for information, education, inspiration and imagination.

The mission statement of OPL already gives us the opportunity to use Library 2.o, it does not limit us to what we are doing, but only allows us to expand into our community and world. We can provide unlimited opportunities. Library 2.0 would allow us to increase new materials, information and and give our customers a role in deciding what would best meet their wants and needs. And not waste funds on materials, programs and other services just because "we always have".

Library 2.0 would mean constant changes and change is hard, but is good. It can make you feel uncomfortable, out of place and not on level ground. But if we do not face the changes we will be left behind. By being a library community, reaching out to other libraries, using the resources that they have, and sharing, all libraries will benefit.

We all know that the traditional library is not what our future tax payers (the younger generation) want. Gaming, computers, new and ever-changing materials. But with this we can not leave behind the people we serve now. It is a balancing act; are we up for the challenge?

# 14

Technorati.

Endless searches! One blog into another blog and so on and so on! Most of the time total different results will come up depending on where you search. In some cases I was surprised at how broad the tags can be. While looking at Asian cooking blogs -- I also came across blogs about all things Asian. The tags are such a individual thing that it is hard to know what someone might have called what you are looking for. Each tag can almost take you in the opposite direction of what you are looking for. I find I have better result just searching in Google. I did read the help page and some of the FAQ. I learned some new technology words like weblog and blogosphere. I don't feel that this is something that I would use very often. It is interesting that it captures blogs. I actually found the key word search more helpful than the tag.

#13

Is there a reason Delicious is number 13. I found this the most difficult task so far. The tagging was not helpful -- my mind must not work the same way. This short introduction, did not make me a fan. With more experience, I may grow to love it, only time will tell. As for now I think I'll use the word Delicious only in terms of cooking and eating!

#12 Rollyo

http://www.rollyo.com/index.html



Rollyo could be a useful tool for following blogs and sites that you frequent. In the library setting I could see setting up sites that you visit often to help customers with questions. Information about immigration or a special homework assignment that students keep asking you about. I found it difficult to use.

# 11 Library thing.

http://www.librarything.com/home/ampn

I made a list of books I would like to read. It was easy to use, and I could add a check to say it was something I want to read in the future. I could also see how many others had also selected this book and even read the reviews the wrote, or add my own. I can also see what people are reading that have similar libraries and talk to other people about titles.

# 10

http://www.streetsigngenerator.com/download.php

http://www.streetsigngenerator.com/download.php


http://www.letterjames.com/start.php?mod=ecard-service&r=8&s=1&image=398_1


This was a fun exercise!

#9

Search tools.

The search tools did not seem easy to use for me. Topix and Syndic 8 were overwhelming, so much information and so many places to find it. Technorati was easier to use.
I found an RSS about Effigy Mounds National Monument, Marquette, Iowa. Interesting pictures and a Global Marijuana March Vancouver BC 2008 (who knew). I found these on Technorati. I found several interesting articles on public libraries. One was titled Libraries Without Books
it stated that libraries are doing well, even with all the info you can get on the internet. This was an interesting exercise, but not something I feel I will use a lot in the future.

# 8 RSS

I had a hard time getting my head around the usefulness of RSS. Not so much in my personal life, but in the library setting. After I have used it for awhile, not just this brief exposure, I'm sure it would come to me -- slowly but surely. So like all good reference people I went looking for some insight into it's usefulness in the library setting. I found the Moxie librarian (I added her blog to my RSS list) (is that the right terminology??) and I think she answered it best. She has 10 point.
http://moxielibrarian.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/10-ways-libraries-can-use-rss/

10 Ways Libraries Can Use RSS
1. Create an RSS feed for new additions to the online catalog.
2. Create an RSS feed tied to a library card account for hold notifications and/or overdue materials.
3. Create an RSS feed for new programs and events posted on the library website.
4. Create an RSS feed for the library’s electronic newsletter.
5. Create an RSS feed for press releases and other media advisories.
6. Create an RSS feed for library closings, including emergency closings.
7. Create an RSS feed for library job openings.
8. Subscribe to a few RSS feeds, such as local news websites, and share the content on the library’s website. This could be included on a page containing other local resources and local links.
9. Subscribe to RSS feeds of interest to library customers and share the content on the customer’s personalized library webpage. Customers can choose to access selected RSS feeds, their library account information, subscription databases, and email/chat with a librarian all in one spot.
10. Subscribe to a few professional RSS feeds and share with library staff on the library intranet.

After I read through her list I said oh yeah I think I understand it better.

#7 Technology and the movies

On cold winter days I like to watch old movies. And one of my favorite things to do while watching is to imagine how different an old movie would be if they had access to the technology we have today. Here are a few examples of this. Imagine in An affair to remember
she is hit by a car and can't make it to the Empire State building to meet the love of her life because she is in the hospital (then) now she sends him e-mail, a text, calls on her cell phone, blogs about the accident the list goes on and on. In Desk set Katherine Hepburn feels her job is threatened by an "electronic brain" (a computer) that is suppose to make her research easier. Have you felt that way today? Try it for yourself. Even an all time classic Gone with the wind-- imagine!

#6 Flickr

I found all the different Flickr mashups and 3rd party tools every interesting. There are several I would like to try on my own in the future. Trip planner and retriever are just a couple of them. Actually I would like to try them all at some point -- So much to do so little time! For the moment because we all like to do puzzle on our breaks in the tech services dept. I decide to make a picture of my cat Nicodemus. How cute!

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/viewpostcard.php?id=86824-1234b

Plans for fall plantings.

#5 flickr

One of my goals for fall is to purchase and plant some more lilies in my garden. In the past a had a large number, various color and sizes. They have died out over the years. This picture is a beautiful example of the kind I would like to grow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jstalusphohttp://tographs/2359616552/

and

I also (in an insane moment) purchased over 100 daffodil blubs to add to my vast collection.

Hopefully it will be a beautiful spring in my garden.

Wow! I learned how to put pictures and links on my blog and how to move thing around to look just the way I want them to. And I added a line under my blog name.

life long learning!

I know I've always been a life long learner. To me it is seeking more knowledge about something I saw, something I read or something I heard about. That new knowledge can come from many sources conversations with other people, reading more about it in a book, magazine, or on the net. I think in the world of library staff, we are all life long learners. We strive to find the answers to not only our questions, but the questions of those people we serve. It is a need to know and it is a personal challenge to find the answer.

Starting out!

Wow! I set up my own blog.