Wednesday, December 24, 2008
LibraryThing
I have experienced the use of LibraryThing through my dealings with bookmooch.com, I really think that by using it as a database for our library books it could be beneficial for our patrons. The patrons would be able to see what we hold in our library without ever coming down to the library. Obviously larger libraries have elaborate online check-out systems and would not need something like this but for small libraries like mine it is a great resource for patrons.
The learning curve
I have had a lot of fun learning about some of things I knew of but never really took the time to sit down and explore. There are items in the Library 2.0/Web 2.0 that I will continue to use (hopefully faithfully) and others that I will probably keep at the back of my head for future needs.
Before we started this challenge I already maintained a blog for the library and use(d) it to keep patrons informed of activities and such. The blog is the home page on all the public access computers so it is readily viewable by all those using the computers. It really is a great way to keep information flowing and I will be implementing some of the other tools to progress further in this area.
We must always remember to continue learning and moving forward with changes that keep libraries from becoming obsolete. I thank the people at the state library who take the time to help us learn about all these exciting new tools and their potential uses.
Before we started this challenge I already maintained a blog for the library and use(d) it to keep patrons informed of activities and such. The blog is the home page on all the public access computers so it is readily viewable by all those using the computers. It really is a great way to keep information flowing and I will be implementing some of the other tools to progress further in this area.
We must always remember to continue learning and moving forward with changes that keep libraries from becoming obsolete. I thank the people at the state library who take the time to help us learn about all these exciting new tools and their potential uses.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
WikiWhat?
Wikis are a neat way to share information, I visit the YALSA wiki for information all the time. Wikipedia.com is also one of my favorite places to go and look up certain information, usually it is accurate but I must always keep in mind that there could be false information. I use it for more trivia based questions I may have as opposed to any scholarly type needs.
I was having fun exploring the Library Success Wiki that the lesson linked to, it has lots of valuable ideas to help me run the library better and see what others have already done and gauge the success. Up until about 3 months ago I never really realized how useful wikis can be and I certainly didn't know how many are out there.
My thoughts are that wikis are like having an easily maintainable and changeable website, that others can contribute to the content. This makes the use of them more dynamic.
Currently I can not see implementing one for library use, but to go to others and see what information they have to offer will be a great asset.
I was having fun exploring the Library Success Wiki that the lesson linked to, it has lots of valuable ideas to help me run the library better and see what others have already done and gauge the success. Up until about 3 months ago I never really realized how useful wikis can be and I certainly didn't know how many are out there.
My thoughts are that wikis are like having an easily maintainable and changeable website, that others can contribute to the content. This makes the use of them more dynamic.
Currently I can not see implementing one for library use, but to go to others and see what information they have to offer will be a great asset.
MySpace or Yours
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=439918454
I have created a myspace page for this project and the link is above, feel free to look at it and I will update it more later with additional elements and other fun stuff.
There are many different tools you can use to create a page on this site and it was fun to pull it together, in a quick way. I will certainly find some interesting ways to utilize this application to reach the teens in our community and maybe even those that are older and not afraid to try something new.
Many of the internet users at the library go onto myspace so I would think that it would be a great tool to communicate with those users. I am not sure how large of a group I can reach through this method but it will be fun to try and see.
I have created a myspace page for this project and the link is above, feel free to look at it and I will update it more later with additional elements and other fun stuff.
There are many different tools you can use to create a page on this site and it was fun to pull it together, in a quick way. I will certainly find some interesting ways to utilize this application to reach the teens in our community and maybe even those that are older and not afraid to try something new.
Many of the internet users at the library go onto myspace so I would think that it would be a great tool to communicate with those users. I am not sure how large of a group I can reach through this method but it will be fun to try and see.
Is it delicious?
I will be coming back to post about myspace when I can actually get the verification email to come through so I can create one! Until then, here is my thoughts on delicious.com.
Social bookmarking can be a useful tool for research as you can see the sites others have found useful and possibly notes on why they felt the site was worthy. I felt that the notes section was redundant in nature because so many people did not post original thoughts and it was just the same message over and over again.
I also think that by storing bookmarks on a site like this it is very convenient for when you are away from your computer or when your computer crashes (never fun to lose years worth of bookmarks!). I must admit though that I like having my bookmarks on my computer, it is quick and easy without, what I perceived to be, clutter as on the delicious site.
I don't foresee myself using this tool in the near future except maybe to safeguard my bookmarks from being lost. I might use it to find other sites that I might otherwise never find or think as useful for research or shopping needs.
Guess I'm a little stuck in my old school ways on this one, maybe some day I will get over that bump in the road.
Social bookmarking can be a useful tool for research as you can see the sites others have found useful and possibly notes on why they felt the site was worthy. I felt that the notes section was redundant in nature because so many people did not post original thoughts and it was just the same message over and over again.
I also think that by storing bookmarks on a site like this it is very convenient for when you are away from your computer or when your computer crashes (never fun to lose years worth of bookmarks!). I must admit though that I like having my bookmarks on my computer, it is quick and easy without, what I perceived to be, clutter as on the delicious site.
I don't foresee myself using this tool in the near future except maybe to safeguard my bookmarks from being lost. I might use it to find other sites that I might otherwise never find or think as useful for research or shopping needs.
Guess I'm a little stuck in my old school ways on this one, maybe some day I will get over that bump in the road.
Office 2.0-Kickin it up a notch
OK, so who hasn't been in a position where they have tried to share a document, presentation or spreadsheet with someone, whether it be work or personal, and the two parties did not have compatible software. I know I have run into this situation far more often then I care to remember. Google Docs is an excellent way to manipulate the situation to your advantage.
The application I had the most fun with was the form maker. You can create questionnaires, surveys, or send out invitations with an RSVP function. The possibilities are endless! Once you create the form you email it to the intended recipients and they then respond to the questions presented in the form. Google Docs will then display the results of the questions in either a spreadsheet or summary form for your use. I think that this could be very useful in a library setting if you maintain an email database of patrons. You could send out surveys to determine what types of books they would like to read, specific titles that may be in great demand, activity planning and communication with your Library Board.
I know that I will be starting to ise this part of the Google Docs to get responses from my Board members on issues or dates for meetings. I also think that I will try to start obtaining email addresses from my patrons so that I can use this useful tool to help determine purchasing and activities.
The application I had the most fun with was the form maker. You can create questionnaires, surveys, or send out invitations with an RSVP function. The possibilities are endless! Once you create the form you email it to the intended recipients and they then respond to the questions presented in the form. Google Docs will then display the results of the questions in either a spreadsheet or summary form for your use. I think that this could be very useful in a library setting if you maintain an email database of patrons. You could send out surveys to determine what types of books they would like to read, specific titles that may be in great demand, activity planning and communication with your Library Board.
I know that I will be starting to ise this part of the Google Docs to get responses from my Board members on issues or dates for meetings. I also think that I will try to start obtaining email addresses from my patrons so that I can use this useful tool to help determine purchasing and activities.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Vodcasting-the sequel
I have been on both Google Video and Youtube (not to mention other sites) many times for entertainment purposes. There are many videos on there that are fun to watch and even astounding at times. Often I have been sent links to instructional videos that are on Youtube and I utilize them for whatever my current purpose.
I watched a video today that showed a dalmatian riding a bike. It was quite interesting to see the dog get up on the bike, unassisted, hang onto the handlebars and peddle. Although this video is not educational it is truly entertaining. I believe that most people use these types of sites for entertainment value more than educational or informational purposes.
I really am quite stumped on how I would implement anything for the library using this format. I suppose after taking some time to read others blogs from Library 2.0 I may get some ideas but currently I still feel that for my patrons it would not have a lot of use and would be far more work than benefit.
I watched a video today that showed a dalmatian riding a bike. It was quite interesting to see the dog get up on the bike, unassisted, hang onto the handlebars and peddle. Although this video is not educational it is truly entertaining. I believe that most people use these types of sites for entertainment value more than educational or informational purposes.
I really am quite stumped on how I would implement anything for the library using this format. I suppose after taking some time to read others blogs from Library 2.0 I may get some ideas but currently I still feel that for my patrons it would not have a lot of use and would be far more work than benefit.
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