#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.