Summary: Thing 23

I would like to start out by saying that I am a huge fan of Stephen Abram, who wrote "43 Things I might want to do this year" (on which this program is based). I have had the good fortune of hearing him speak at several conferences, including Computers in Libraries the late 1990's. His topic then was Knowledge Management, and it strikes me that all of these tools are a form of attempting to, if not manage Web 2.0 resources, ( since they are way too fluid and out of our control!) at least know enough about them to manage our way to utilizing them when necessary. This certainly applies to sending patrons to these resources as needed as well as using them for our own recreational or lifelong learning applications.
I think it has been a useful exercise to investigate these web tools, but I also think that a significant percentage of our user population does not use them. However, this is changing, partly due to our success at providing free Internet access to patrons. Now, people who could not afford home pc's are able to access them at the library and are more likely to visit some of the sites that we have during the course of this exercise.
I do agree with Abram who said: " ... I asked every teen and college-age friend and relative I met about the way the used the Web, and many of the links above were tools and services that they considered essential to their lives. It's your entry into the new world of next-generation coworkers." It is certainly our introduction to the next (and much of the present) generation of library users. We must keep in mind that we are not to discount what we have learned about print, electronic and web-application library resources by any means, but understanding even a little bit more about all the other tools people are using 'out there' on the Web gives us a broader
perspective on our world. It's all part of the learning process that won't stop until we do!

Web 2.0 awards: Thing 19

I looked at several award winning sites and explored "Cocktail builder" for the heck of it. Not that I can afford to buy many of the ingredients! In scrolling through the categories, I see that I have visited many of the sites previously as well as for this exercise in 23 Things. I am glad that someone out there is evaluating and rewarding 2.0 sites that actually work given the nature of this beast. I will bookmark this site so I can look at it occasionally.

Technorati: Thing14

I looked at Technorati and certainly understand tags, but I wouldn't bother to use this site. I am sure it might be useful in specific cases, but, for example, I did a search on "local history" and got
227, 000 + hits. Of course many commercial sites were offered as well.

Library 2.0: thing 15

I love the video, "The Machine is Using Us." It's very creative. I read Michael Stephens blog @ 2.0 and the OCLC summary by Tom Storey. I do think that applications for YouTube, Flckr, LibraryThing and del.iciou.us are already quite heavily used by librarians of any ilk. I am on the public library listserv (Publib), and read many references to how and why libraries use these tools. We have seen several examples throughout the 23 Things links. I think that it is essential to teach use of these tools in library schools these days, and know that a colleague in a graduate program is taking such a course this very semester.

lifelong learning: Thing 2

I viewed this podcast in June, and took some notes. My favorite points were : Accept responsibility for your own learning, view problems as challenges and to have competence in yourself.
One of the applications of this philosophy I have manifested is that I continue to work reference in busy libraries to keep my skills sharp. My job in materials management is extremely satisfying, but I like the challenge and edginess of work at the reference desk. I am always learning new things and have the opportunity to use some of the new resources and technological applications
we have been working on in 23 Things.

Online productivity tools: Thing 18

Well, I was glad to see GoogleDocs incorporated into these resources. I am on an ALA Committee and we are using this to collectively write an article on collection development and liaison work in libraries based on a survey we sent out last year. It's a great way to pool ideas for such a project.

Rollyo: Thing 12

Well, I didn't like Rollyo much when I first looked at it last month, and I still don't! I did "Try out"
the String Theory 'string', since I was just talking about it with a friend last week, believe it or not.
I think there is too much advertising and a lot of distraction on the page. I did not login since I am tired of registering on all these sites, but I don't think I would use this site.

Audioebooks : Thing 22

I don't use these products myself but I think I would if I had an MP3 player or even a computer at home! I think this is a wonderful application of technology for libraries. I work reference in Montgomery County Public Libraries and often tell patrons about these resources when they need a title quickly and are interested in this format. They are often thrilled to have this option to obtain the material they want without waiting for it.

Wikis: Thing 17

I do think wikis could be a useful application in libraryland. I know a colleague who is setting one up to use for Interlibrary loan procedures. I took a look at the Princeton BookLoversWiki and could see how we could use something like this down the road.

Podcasts: week 21

I took a look at Podcasts.net and searched keyword 'library 2.0'. I 'got' 48 hits and looked at them. Interesting to see our ILS vendor, SirsiDynix, listed at #2. I think I will use podcasts as recreational and educational resources as an alternative to listening to music or books on the computer.

Youtube/ Thing 20

This site was forwarded to me by a colleague: I love this particular application of technology, especially since current copyright issues/regulations are so confusing!
Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJn_jC4FNDo

Thing 8 and 9: Bloglines and RSS

I had already set up RSS feeds for Library Journals Computer Media Reviews and one for AL News Online. I did explore other library RSS feeds and set up my Bloglines newsreader account.
I set up a feed on Bloglines to Library 2.0, Libworm and Tame the Web. Recently read an interesting post on PUBLIB re good library blogs to watch.

del.icio.us etc. Week 6

Set up delicious account tagged "book reviews". Seems to work! Checking out Technorati and enjoying BoingBoing! Interesting that Chris Anderson from Wired talked about this @ MLA this year.

librarything

Librarything: here's my link: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/colamd. These are some titles that have been special to me over time....

imagegenerator

Flickr share/TechTry

This is a photo of the interior of the Algiers Branch of New Orleans Public Library where I volunteered last year.
This is before we got started sorting through boxes and making room for workstations. Many of the boxes were completely falling apart and full of moldy, dusty books. I was so glad I brought my white gloves from the Maryland Room move! My group of 34 volunteers worked all day in the 100 degree NOLA weather, and made a lot of progress. I was the volunteer coordinator so I actually made the rounds and got to talk to everyone. I have had responsibility for donations @ FCPL and now realize how lucky I was that our donations never quite looked like this!

FunFlickr

This site is the most fun and intriguing to me:

http://www.krazydad.com/colrpickr/

Try it you'll like it!

Bonjour

What I learned @ the library today

Setting up a blog is simple, but it is important to follow instructions and pay attention to directions.
For example, I am not sure if I should have set up a gmail account, but I skipped that step since I don't want another email address! "It" still "let me" set up this account since I have successfully logged in twice now. For me, the hardest of the 7 1/2 habits is to view obstacles as challenges or learning opportunities, not necessarily negative situations. However, I have learned through experience that this is generally true, and have learned much at the workplace about addressing difficult situations by changing behaviors and adapting my ways to turn the problem around into a learning opportunity. The easiest habit as I learn and grow is "Play!"

PS: did I do this right??!!