Week 10: #20, 21, 22, 23
#20 – I did check out Twitter. This is really of no interest to me at this time. I searched for a couple of things of interest, didn’t find any comments outstanding or worth my time, so I ended that. This is one thing I don’t understand the interest in or the benefit from.
#21 – I checked out FriendFind. This seemed to be something that any organization could use. This appears to be a way to get information about library schedules, program changes and announcements out quickly. If a storytime needed to be cancelled, post it here; a new author will be in to give a talk; right here. Staff could also use this site for planning, scheduling, etc.
#22 – Some libraries in my area have MySpace and Facebook accounts. It is a great way to profile your organization or group. Adding “friends” who are more than just “driving by” or are trying to accumulate “hits” is a good way to get your message out, to show the world (truly) who and what you are and what you can offer them. I like this as a quick way to get yourself known.
#23 – I’m glad I took this course. It showed me that I knew more than I thought I did and that there is a great deal more for me to learn. I do now have a Flickr and a Bloglines account. I don’t see myself using the Flickr account much, but I will continue use with the Bloglines account. There is a certain amount of vacillation between what I like and don’t like, but that’s Ok. Part of the filtering process, I suppose. My understanding of Twitter and various social networking sites has been enhanced. Thank you for the opportunity.
Week 9: #17,18,19
This is an interesting process for me. uTube is very familiar to me as are eBooks and Audiobooks. Podcasting -a totally new experience. I fist saw and heard “Straight No Chaser”, the Indiana University acapella group shortly before the holiday season. A friend e-mailed the link. I enjoyed their rendition of the “12 Days of Christmas” as did half the planet. I forwarded the link to my son, requested the cd as a gift, had to wait because everyone was sold out. While waiting, my granddaughters and I brought up the uTube performance time and time again. We also viewed some of their other performances. Then we learned the history of the group, since the girls noticed not all the singers were the same everytime. That little e-mail opened up the world a bit more for the girls and I and since we LOVE our music, we were happy to find a new group.
I think I already mentioned how much I enjoy the Common Craft tutorials. I viewed the ones available on uTube and some of the comments left by other viewers. It was interesting to see what others think about them. For those who are into all the gadgetry, I understand the appeal of podcasting. It’s great to have all this “stuff” at your fingertips, to be up to date with friends, hobbies, intellectual pursuits. I have an MP3 player. I haven’t made it a part of my life. When I can have a period of time without sound, I revel in it.
Our consortium offers Overdrive, an e-book and audiobook site, to the patrons. Working on the initial set-up of this site for the consortium was enjoyable. I have always enjoyed being able to purchase content for any collection that I was privileged to help develop or maintain. Our e-book patrons are a very loyal contingent; just like our patrons who only read hardcover, or only read softcover, only like thrillers, or mysteries, or romances. E-books and audiobooks are another format offered to the patron; some patrons incorporate them into their reading practices, others read them exclusively. However it fits their lives, fits ours.
Week 8: Things #15-16
I decided to try Zoho Writer. Choosing a word processing program is similar to shopping for tee shirts in the department store, they all look alike. It becomes a matter of picking the manufaturer you like. Who has the most choices, add-ons that appeal, great price (Free is always best).
I looked at the Web 2.0 short list. As part of this course I now have Flickr and Bloglines accounts. Google maps is a part of my day. I have a bad sense of direction and I need visuals. Google maps terrain and aerial options are very helpful to me. I just used the program to get directions for a trip I will be taking later this week. This definitely makes my life a little easier.
Week 7 #13, 14
We use a staff wiki in our office. I sort of backed into using the wiki. Our technology co-ordinator set it up and we just added, edited and saved to it. Having the wiki does simplify the search process when looking for documents and procedures that are commonly used in the office. It isn’t all that difficult to add to either, once I knew where I was going and what I was doing.
I totally enjoy the Common Craft instructional videos. So nice to have something explained simply, logically and concisely. I have watched a few of them more than once. Great teaching tools.
Week 6, #10, 11, 12
I enjoyed learning about tagging. This can be of great use in a library, public or academic. When I worked in a public library, we often had repeat requests. I can see where tagging would reduce the need to search the same sites. I visit a few book blogs looking for reviews and I have recently added Goodreads.com to my social network sites. I can see where tagging would be very helpful to me.
The discussion about Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 is one that I have followed for a couple of years now. Each side of the issue have very strong opinions of where library world should be heading. I see libraries adapting what works for them and jettisoning what doesn’t. Not all libraries are seeing their circulation falling. Most are seeing both a rise in circulation and an increase in technologically adept patrons. Some libraries offer both book clubs (using the real thing, books!) and free computer classes to their patrons.
I feel public libraries are meant to serve everyone. Their primary mission is to provide information. The fact that libraries choose to provide that information in various formats is something to applaud. After all, not all of our citizens believe technology is grand, but they still deserve to be served.
Week 5 Playtime
I did create an avatar. I decided not to add it to the blog. The amount of time someone could conceivably spend “building” their avatar could be quite a bit. The options are endless. That is the one ‘thing’ I have about social networking as a whole. The amount of time one person spends alone using their computer, iphone, etc. to “stay in touch” and socialize. I prefer talking and seeing. I like the idea of using these tools, but I also only consider them to be tools in the same category as my gardening tools and scrapbooking tools, no more, no less.
Tea Party: Week 3; Things 5,6,7
Well it does appear that Flickr and I have resolved our conflict. If you only use the photo component this isn’t very different from other online photo accounts. It’s the additional features, such as being able to post to your blog and having your photos and videos available for the world to see that make Flickr interesting.
This photo was taken at a tea party for a former colleague. Some of her favorite patrons were invited along with family and friends.
This past week the team I am a part of began installing time and print management software in some of our local libraries. This is a process that will continue for a period of time. The days were long, the amount of information to be absorbed astounding. The feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day – great.
Week 4: Things 8 and 9
As you can see, I’ve jumped ahead to Week 4. Flickr and I are having a personality conflict. I’ll go back there later. Setting up the RSS reader account was quick and painless. I have quite a few book review blogs bookmarked, so it was a fairly easy process to copy and paste them and subscribe. I also subscribed to a couple from the recommended (or popular) list as well.
At the moment I don’t see how this will be easier than what I do now. I am really not all that interested in saving time and rushing onward to something else. Too many years were spent doing that. Taking my time is more appealing now.
Week 2, Thing 3, Set up your blog and add your first post
Well, we’re good to go!. This is my fourth post and it is taking a few minutes to come up with the words, but so far, it works!!
Babci's Blog 