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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Podcasting

As I am a visual and hands on person, podcasting does not do much for me. I prefer to read or watch, listening is something I have a hard time doing when learning about something new. The vodcasts are something a little more my speed, but they do seem to be a little more slow coming.

I found the Denver Public Library podcast where they have recorded children's stories. I found this to be the best use by a public library for podcasting. That would be an exceptional use of podcasting for my library, I could use it to promote reading in young children and create excitement. If they enjoy listening to the story just imagine if they could see the book too, instant patronage in a pint sized package!

I really love this idea and may look into implementing it for my library.

Flickr Encore

I found a tool called the Flickr Chia Pet that adds hair to any picture. Say your father or husband is balding, take a picture of them and use this tool to grow them a head of luxurious green hair. I don't know about any one else around but I certainly remember when Chia Pets first hit the market, they were the fun, interesting and different gift for your Christmas giving. Of course like most things the novelty wore off and you don't see them around for the most part these days but this tool is fun nonetheless.

After searching some of the items about how a library can benefit from the use of Flickr, I am still a bit skeptical. One, for security reasons and two, not sure that it would be accessed by the people of my community so there would be little benefit. Our community is a small one and many people do not have computers in their home and/or internet access. I will continue to review the possible uses and benefits but currently I think it would do little for our library.

Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/17859338@N07/3116353350/

I have to admit that I have not quite gotten the fascination of Flickr. Even after exploring and going through the tutorial I don't understand it's implications for uses in the library arena. Personally, I guess if I was more into photography and sharing photos than I guess I would be more excited about this site.

I do like that I can take pictures and create all kinds of gifts, calendars and cards.

I have considered posting pictures on Flickr to advertise all the fun things we do at our library, but I am always concerned about posting anything to the internet that has other peoples kids (or mine, for that matter) or others that I have no direct authorization from. I will have to look into the legalities and of course weigh the risks involved.

The link at the top of this post is a gorgeous picture of a barren tree with snow on the ground and the evening sky. The color in the picture is surreal and beautiful. It reminds me of the movie "What Dreams May Come" with Robin Williams. The movie shows scenes of heaven that are basically parts of pictures that the main character's wife had painted. To me it is peaceful and beautiful, I could imagine spending eternity in a place like that.

RSS

RSS feeds are a great way of keeping up on all your interests and the news. I, personally, have never been much for following anything for any length of time (maybe because I didn't have this tool!). Before this assignment I guess I thought that the RSS was for news articles and had not considered getting my daily laugh or tonight's dinner from such a source. Upon signing up for a membership to bloglines I was astounded at the different areas of interest that were readily available as quick picks.

Googling, via the blog search, helped me find even more blogs that I wanted to subscribe to, but I decided to hold off on any more until I looked through the ones I already have, don't need to go on overload!

This tool could be handy to use in the library by myself and staff because of the librarian and book review blogs that are readily available. If I can go on one site (bloglines) and access all this information in one spot it will make my job so much easier and efficient.

I love new things, this may keep me busy for sometime exploring more and more available sources and uses.

Blogging

Creating a blog is quite simple, this one is not very fancy yet and I do intend to spruce it up over the next few weeks, as I have time. Currently, I have a blog for my library that I use to communicate different events that we are holding, this page is the start-up page for all the library terminals. By using the blog this way I communicate with every person who comes in to use the computers without having to repeat myself continuously. It is a great way to "advertise" without any costs, short of a few minutes of my time.

7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners

The habit that will likely cause me the most problems will be having confidence in myself. I believe this is a particularly difficult one for many people as we are our own worst critics, generally. I feel I have many great ideas and am talented for the most part, but I tend to doubt myself when I run into obstacles. I have to learn that to achieve what I set out to I must keep my goal in sight and not let myself pull me down and away from said goals.

The easiest for me will probably be using technology to my advantage. I love technology and use it whole-heartily. The more I learn about it and what there is out there the excitement tends to build for me. Technology is a vast scary place for many people but I use it extensively, while still remembering that "old school" has it's place as well.