#4 - The Thing I missed

I enjoyed exploring others blogs and making comments here and there. As far as the Top 10 library blogs go - none of them were especially appealing to me. The Annoyed Librarian is just too much to read regularly. I did get a chuckle out of Judge a Book by Its Cover.

Thing #23 - The End

I really enjoyed going through the 23 Things. Some of the things took a lot longer for me to complete than I initially thought they would. I am not much of a photo person, but I enjoyed learning about Flickr and the online photo editors available.

Reading the blogs of other staff members was also a lot of fun. It was entertaining to try and figure out who was who. Reading all of the different perspectives was helpful and beneficial to me.

If another program like this was offered in the future, I would definitely take advantage of it. Going through the program gave me the opportunity to try things that were new to me and to be reminded of websites and applications about which I had forgotten. There are always new applications out there, so I hope that this program will continue.

Thing #22 - Downloadable Media

For the purposes of this exercise, I explored Overdrive. I am a Mac user and own an iPod, so Overdrive is currently my better choice for downloadable audio books. I found the website easy to navigate. I had no trouble checking out and downloading a book at home. My main issue with Overdrive is that I was unable to figure out how to limit my search to titles available for the iPod. Instead, I would just have to browse through all the titles in a category, until I found one that would work with my player. Now that I have had a chance to test out the downloadable media that SAPL provides, I think I will really be encouraging our patrons to try it out.

Thing #10 - Online Image Generators

I skipped #10, but I finally completed it. I used the Captioner generator from Big Huge Labs. The hardest part was deciding what picture to use, using the program itself was very easy. I thought working with the online image generators was fun, but I am not sure how often I would use them in my regular work day. Possibly for promoting various programs?

Thing #21 - Podcasting

I have been enjoying podcasts for several years now. I regularly listen to several NPR podcasts (This American Life and Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me are two of my favorites). I am used to searching iTunes for interesting podcasts and I found I did not like the search results I received when using Podcast Alley. So, I tried the NPR podcast search tool and added several interesting podcasts to my Google Reader account. I would probably not use Reader to listen to my podcasts, I prefer loading them onto my iPod and listening to them on my commute.

Thing #20 - YouTube

I found it fairly easy to embed my YouTube video. I chose Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas because it is one of my favorite holiday shows. I think libraries could utilize the technology by posting videos on their websites. Instructional videos, informational videos, promotional videos... Plus there are new, less expensive camcorders on the market that are ideal for posting videos to YouTube - the Flip Mino for example.

Thing #20 - Emmet Otter Video

Thing #19 - 2.0 Toolbox

I am choosing a web 2.0 award winning site that I already use - last.fm. Last.fm is a social networking type site, but for music lovers. It does require a plug in, but since I use it at home, I decided it would be okay to discuss it here.

What is last.fm? Here is the description from the Web 2.0 awards site:

Billing itself as the social music revolution, Last.fm lets you connect with
friends, discover music they like, discover music you'll probably like and keep
up with music events and news. Download tracks from Amazon or listen to free
online radio.

To use the site, you create an account, download the plug-in, and start listening to music. last.fm tracks all of the songs that you listen to - either on your computer, using their free online radio, or songs from your iPod or other player. As you build up your library of tracks, last.fm shows you neighbors with similar musical tastes. This allows you to explore other users profiles, and see their most listened to artists and hopefully discover new music that you might like.

As far as the library world goes, this probably has limited appeal, except as a way of recommending new music to patrons. But for music lovers, it is a really great site for discovering new music.

Thing #18 - Online Apps

I had never tried Google Docs before. I like that my documents would be accessible from any computer. At work, I might have something saved on the desktop of my office computer, so I am unable to access it from a Reference desk computer. (I should be saving onto my H drive, but sometimes I forget.) I can see the benefit of having all of my files available from any computer. It is also nice that you can upload documents created using Office. I attempted to publish a document in my previous post - the formatting changed when I posted it, probably something to do with Bloggers narrow columns.

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

 

I will now attempt to post this on my blog.

 

Thing #17 - Wiki Sandbox

Posting to the sand box was not too hard. Like Desk Duty, I had a bit of trouble with the scripts, but I was eventually able to post my link. I like the idea of a sand box, it lessens the pressure on first time Wiki users. You can test the waters without worrying about messing something up.

Thing #16 Wikis

I used to be kinda snobby about Wikipedia. I didn't see much use for it. But, I have recently been converted to its awesome power. Say that you need to know who won the second season of Dancing with the Stars, a quick search on Wikipedia and not only do you know who won, you can see who was voted off, week by week. This is valuable information.

I enjoyed looking through some of the more library oriented wikis. I liked the free resources provided by the Librarianchick's wiki. Branches could use wikis with their book groups - members could not only write reviews on the current book group selection, but they could also review other books they have read and make suggestions for upcoming discussions. A subject guide wiki could also prove useful to our patrons. Patrons with expertise in certain areas could contribute their knowledge to a subject wiki that would in turn benefit other users.

Thing #15 - Web/Library 2.0

I like that Library 2.0 is really focused on customer input into the services libraries provide. According to the wikipedia entry, "With Library 2.0, library services are frequently evaluated and updated to meet the changing needs of library users. Library 2.0 also calls for libraries to encourage user participation and feedback in the development and maintenance of library services. The active and empowered library user is a significant component of Library 2.0. With information and ideas flowing in both directions – from the library to the user and from the user to the library – library services have the ability to evolve and improve on a constant and rapid basis. The user is participant, co-creator, builder and consultant – whether the product is virtual or physical."

I think that libraries have always been focused on what customers want and need. We are in the business of providing the information that our customers are seeking. Taking advantage of the new technologies and social aspects of the web can provide new ways for us to get input from our patrons. This has the added benefit of allowing patrons to be personally invested in their local library - which could be an added benefit when budgets are allotted and library issues come up during elections.

Thing #14 - Technorati

I think I need more practice with Technorati. I don't seem to get good results whenever I try searching. I had better luck with the blog directory. I was able to see specific categories of blogs and check out ones that seemed interesting. I was surprised at the number of female celebrities that were in the top 10 searches. Who knew so many people were interested in Jennifer Garner? I think I would use Technorati to see what is currently being blogged about, but I will probably continue to use Google Reader to discover new blogs.

[SAPLL2]

Thing #13 - Social Bookmarking

I am seeing a trend in some of these Things. I tend to sign up for things and then completely forget about them. I did this with GoodReads and this exercise reminded me that I have a Delicious account. So today, I logged on and looked around. It has been about a year since I added any bookmarks to my account. I am glad they changed the web address for the site. I could never remember how to type it in, d.eli.ci.ous or del.ic.ious or de.licio.us, it was too confusing. I like that my bookmarks are accessible from any computer, but I can tell from my past lack of use that I will probably not use it much in the future. I tend to access only a limited number of sites on a daily basis. I can see the potential as a reference tool, it is similar to Rollyo, having a list of trusted sites would help patrons retrieve better information.

Disney Vacations Search Roll

Select...Disney VacationsSearch The Web

Thing #12 - Rollyo

Rollyo was really easy to use. The hardest part was deciding what type of search roll I wanted to create. In the end, I went with my tried and true - Disney Vacations. I picked some of my favorite vacation planning sites. It took about two minutes to sign up and create my first search roll. It would be fairly easy to create customized search rolls for library patrons. Genre fiction search rolls, family history, school projects. It would be especially helpful for the homework crowd, instead of using Google and getting all sorts of weird information, you could guide students to your specialized search that is focused on reliable websites.

Thing #11 Goodreads

I signed up with Goodreads a few months ago. At the time I signed up, I didn't explore the site too fully. I added a few books, I poked around a little bit, then I forgot about it. So, it was good to do this Thing, so I could refresh my memory and maybe become more active on the site. I think it would be interesting to set up an account for the branch and then tell patrons about your account. Staff could share recommended books, read-alikes, etc. It would be a neat virtual "staff picks" spot.

Thing #9 - Exploring RSS Feeds

So far, I am finding the keyword search on Google Reader the easiest way to add feeds. Feedster appears to have died, I cannot get it to come up. Currently I probably subscribe to too many feeds. If I go a few days without checking it, I'll have 1000+ posts. Some of the blogs I follow are very prolific. When I have too many posts to read, I usually resort to the "Mark all items as read" button for some of my categories. One thing I enjoy about Google Reader is something that a co-worker pointed out to me. You can click "show details" for any feed you subscribe to and Google will show you how many people are subscribed to that feed and gives you the average posts per week. So, if you subscribe to your own blog, you can see how many other people are following your blog. I think that is spiffy.

Thing #7 - Technology

Last week at COLS, we had the opportunity to play with a tablet PC and an iPod touch. These devices are currently being tested to see if they can enhance Reference service by allowing staff to be out in the stacks instead of sitting behind a desk all day. After I played with the iPod for about 37 seconds I decided that I needed one. I am not new to MP3 players or iPods. I have one classic iPod that died (but will still occasionly work if you bang it on something long enough), a new classic to replace the old one and a pink Nano. I probably didn't need a new iPod, but on Sunday I bought one anyway. So far, I love it! When watching TV shows (I am waaaay behind on Lost), the screen is nice and large and easy to see. I am also enjoying trying out all the various applications that are available. I am sticking to the free ones for the time being. I have only had one opportunity to try it for catalog lookup, but I am hoping to test it out in the stacks next week. I think that I would prefer it over the notebook because it is lighter and fits in your pocket when you are not using it. I think my next tech purchase will be an Amazon Kindle, but I will have to wait for a price drop. $359.00 is a bit much for me.

Thing #6 - Halloween Flickr Mosaic

In honor of Halloween, here is a Flickr mosaic I made with Mosaic Maker at Big Huge Labs

1. My Lil Green Army Man Costume Halloween 1999 Clifton Heights, 2. Halloween Costumes and Noisemakers, 3. US-HALLOWEEN-DOGS COSTUME PARADE, 4. Excellent Katamari Costumes, 5. Bennett Lion, 6. Meow!

I attempt to embed a YouTube video

I have two cats and this video really cracked me up.

Thing #8

I am posting about the things out of order, because I already use Google Reader. I learned about RSS last year, from a coworker. At the time she was using Bloglines to keep up with all of her feeds. So, I set up a Bloglines account and entered into the world of blogs and other content pushers. A few months ago I switched over to Google Reader. I like Google Reader better, I find it easier to manage my subscriptions. I also enjoy the discover feature. Google analyzes the blogs you are already reading and suggests others that might be of interest. It is a great way to discover new blogs. I like being able to organize my feeds into different folders, so if I am short on time, I can just read the librarianship blogs or the crafty blogs or my friends blogs, etc. For work, I use Reader to keep track of all of SAPL's blogs. As soon as someone posts a new item, it shows up in my reader. No useless checking for new content.

Thing #5 - Disney Obsessed?

These are my Tiny Kingdom figurines that I brought in for our display case in August. In the picture, you can't tell that one of my cats knocked Rabbit off the shelf and snapped off his head. A little bit of super glue and Rabbit was as good as new. Children that visited the branch seemed to enjoy the Disney memorbilia. Teens were usually interested in The Nightmare Before Christmas figures, several wanted to know if they were for sale. Since The Disney Store no longer sells these figurines, Ebay is the place to go to find them.

I must confess, I am just a tiny bit Disney obsessed. My home is filled with quite a bit of Disney memorbilia - posters, stuffed animals, PVC figurines, movies, music, the list goes on and on. Also, Walt Disney World is my current favorite vacation spot. In a little over a month, I will be on vacation in Orlando. I can't wait!

Things #1-3 - The 23 Things and Lifelong Learning Habits

I am excited about The 23 things. I think this will be a really terrific learning opportunity for all staff.

The toughest habit for me is viewing problems as challenges. Sometimes I hide from problems rather than facing them head on. If I ignore them, they might go away on their own. I know that it would be better to view the problem as a challenge and go ahead and tackle it, but I don't always follow through.

Using technology to my advantage is easier for me. I enjoy using technology and making it work for me. I don't think that technology can take the place of human interactions, but I do think it can be a very useful tool.