* Go back to your thoughts/ideas about Library 2.0. Has anything changed as a result of this experience?
I feel like this experience is something that anyone could tackle - not just someone already interested in web 2.0. I think it would be a great thing for more librarians to participate in. I loved that there were simple directions to help get people started and to guide the process.
* What were your favorite Things and discoveries?
I loved making a slide show of photos. I've seen those on tons of websites and myspace profiles but I had never made one. It was pretty fun! I also know how easy it is now to put one of those on a post on our library website. :)
* How would you describe your learning experience in one word or in one sentence, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things On a Stick learning activities to others?
Webtastic!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Task 22 - Maintain this blog?
Nope. I don't blog. I blog for our library...but not for me. Task 22: fail.
However, I think the most important thing to come away with from 23 Things is not a blog. It's a better understanding of what kinds of web tools patrons are using, might use, or are talking about. It's imperative that librarians on the "front lines" know as much about the web as they do about what the headlines in the newspaper are. (Even more so as newspapers are dying :( and news will be on the web darn near exclusively.)
Here's a suggestion; if you can't figure out Flickr or the next web 2.0 thing you explore, find a patron using it (a friendly one, maybe one that you already know) and ask them to show you. I'd bet they'd be thrilled to show the know-it-all-librarian something new!
However, I think the most important thing to come away with from 23 Things is not a blog. It's a better understanding of what kinds of web tools patrons are using, might use, or are talking about. It's imperative that librarians on the "front lines" know as much about the web as they do about what the headlines in the newspaper are. (Even more so as newspapers are dying :( and news will be on the web darn near exclusively.)
Here's a suggestion; if you can't figure out Flickr or the next web 2.0 thing you explore, find a patron using it (a friendly one, maybe one that you already know) and ask them to show you. I'd bet they'd be thrilled to show the know-it-all-librarian something new!
Task 21 - Other Social Networks
I used to have a Ning account, because that was the cool new thing, but then I deleted it recently. Even though I'm supposed to join the 23 Things Ning, I'm not going to recreate my account just to do so. I find that just because I'm willing to try a new 2.0 product does not mean I have to remain a participant. If the service doesn't grab me, why would I waste my time where there are so many other things to try?
The 23 Things blog lists Webjunction as a social networking site. I had never thought of it that way, but I guess it is. I <3 WebJunction. I love their re-designed site. I love that there is a clearinghouse for documentation related to real-life library stuff. I've not used it much for discussion board/social networking purposes, but I certainly go there looking for information sometimes.
I have no doubt that social networking could help raise the visibility of the library within certain segments of our service population. However, we have to take into account that a large segment of our service population at my library may still not have high speed internet (Web 2.0 on dial-up is just depressing) and that one whole segment of our library users come to the library to use the internet. They visit our building; we don't have to draw them in using web 2.0.
It's like anything else - libraries need to balance their enthusiasm for something new with not alienating the population you already serve in the "old" ways.
The 23 Things blog lists Webjunction as a social networking site. I had never thought of it that way, but I guess it is. I <3 WebJunction. I love their re-designed site. I love that there is a clearinghouse for documentation related to real-life library stuff. I've not used it much for discussion board/social networking purposes, but I certainly go there looking for information sometimes.
I have no doubt that social networking could help raise the visibility of the library within certain segments of our service population. However, we have to take into account that a large segment of our service population at my library may still not have high speed internet (Web 2.0 on dial-up is just depressing) and that one whole segment of our library users come to the library to use the internet. They visit our building; we don't have to draw them in using web 2.0.
It's like anything else - libraries need to balance their enthusiasm for something new with not alienating the population you already serve in the "old" ways.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Task 20 - MyFace
My Grandma said, "Do you have a MyFace Account?"
My dad is totally paranoid that my sister and I are going to get stalked because of Facebook...but he totally loves looking at people's profiles and being, well, a bit of a stalker.
I've got a Facebook. I've got a MySpace. I keep up with my cousins that way. I also ignore about 3/4 of my friends. I'd bet that's pretty typical.
As for Facebook and MySpace in libraries: If your library's filters block them, then your library shouldn't have an institutional Facebook/MySpace. If your library doesn't block them, go for it. However, don't be a stalker library and track down your patrons. That's practically like hanging a sign around their digital necks that they have a library card with you. Let them come to you.
My dad is totally paranoid that my sister and I are going to get stalked because of Facebook...but he totally loves looking at people's profiles and being, well, a bit of a stalker.
I've got a Facebook. I've got a MySpace. I keep up with my cousins that way. I also ignore about 3/4 of my friends. I'd bet that's pretty typical.
As for Facebook and MySpace in libraries: If your library's filters block them, then your library shouldn't have an institutional Facebook/MySpace. If your library doesn't block them, go for it. However, don't be a stalker library and track down your patrons. That's practically like hanging a sign around their digital necks that they have a library card with you. Let them come to you.
Task 19 - Podcasts
Sometimes I listen to podcasts of my favorite NPR shows (like This American Life and Car Talk).
For a while, it seemed like libraries and other organizations thought they all ought to be making podcasts and making them available. I think a library's mission is more to point poeple towards what's already out there. I do think pod/video casts can be really helpful learning tools that are available to patrons 24 hours a day. A that can be played along as a patron tries to navigate your online catalog might be neat.
I do thing we should make our tech savvy patrons aware of Audacity. It's free and it's super, super easy to use! Try it out!
For a while, it seemed like libraries and other organizations thought they all ought to be making podcasts and making them available. I think a library's mission is more to point poeple towards what's already out there. I do think pod/video casts can be really helpful learning tools that are available to patrons 24 hours a day. A that can be played along as a patron tries to navigate your online catalog might be neat.
I do thing we should make our tech savvy patrons aware of Audacity. It's free and it's super, super easy to use! Try it out!
Task 18 - YouTube
YouTube is full of more than strange, lip-synching children.
It's got useful stuff!! I recommend YouTube videos to people pretty often when they are having trouble using something like Microsoft Excel. It's a really great way to get a little one-on-one coaching. There are actually tutorials for just about anything you can imagine on YouTube. I've looked at tutorials for altered books among other things.
Here's a tutorial related to Excel 2007:
YouTube is more than recreational, it's super useful. Recommend it to your patrons today!
It's got useful stuff!! I recommend YouTube videos to people pretty often when they are having trouble using something like Microsoft Excel. It's a really great way to get a little one-on-one coaching. There are actually tutorials for just about anything you can imagine on YouTube. I've looked at tutorials for altered books among other things.
Here's a tutorial related to Excel 2007:
YouTube is more than recreational, it's super useful. Recommend it to your patrons today!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Task 17 - ELM
Oklahoma's version of this is the "Digital Prairie" which provides access to EBSCO databases, FirstSearch, etc. It's a great resource that many libraries would not be able to afford on their own so it's fantastic that the state library provides it for us.
I have been a college student in recent history, so I used online databases a lot. However, lots of people, including lots of library staffers, haven't. There are some secondary school teachers who don't understand what those resources are (and thus try to tell their students they can't use things like EBSCO for research...)
I think libraries have a real obligation to teach our communities about these resources. They are available 24 hours a day by web - that's something our reference department could never do. Fancy places (universities) are playing around with integrated searches that would retrieve articles, books, etc. all in one search. As it stands for the rest of us, we have to a) know that EBSCO and the like exist, b) know how to navigate them meaningfully, and c) have the time/opportunity/access to sit down and help patrons navigate them.
There's always a downside to electronic access to resources. The guys who come in and look at old Chilton manuals aren't likely to want to sit down, learn how to use Chilton online, and print out pages of schematics. Sometimes the digital format isn't really what a community most needs. There's always a trade. Online search functions are pretty darn handy (remember actually using the Reader's guide to periodical literature?) In the end, the quantity of information available through databases often trumps the issues with having only online access.
I have been a college student in recent history, so I used online databases a lot. However, lots of people, including lots of library staffers, haven't. There are some secondary school teachers who don't understand what those resources are (and thus try to tell their students they can't use things like EBSCO for research...)
I think libraries have a real obligation to teach our communities about these resources. They are available 24 hours a day by web - that's something our reference department could never do. Fancy places (universities) are playing around with integrated searches that would retrieve articles, books, etc. all in one search. As it stands for the rest of us, we have to a) know that EBSCO and the like exist, b) know how to navigate them meaningfully, and c) have the time/opportunity/access to sit down and help patrons navigate them.
There's always a downside to electronic access to resources. The guys who come in and look at old Chilton manuals aren't likely to want to sit down, learn how to use Chilton online, and print out pages of schematics. Sometimes the digital format isn't really what a community most needs. There's always a trade. Online search functions are pretty darn handy (remember actually using the Reader's guide to periodical literature?) In the end, the quantity of information available through databases often trumps the issues with having only online access.
Task 16 - Student 2.0 tools
So I just finished looking at the Assignment Calculator and the Research Project Calculator. Pretty fancy stuff. Students input the type of assignment and the due date and get a timeline and suggestions about how to go about the project. It took me back to 5th grade. Mrs. Campbell gave each student a small, spiral notebook at the beginning of 5th grade. It was our responsibility to keep track of that thing come (the 5th grade versions of ) hell or high water. We had to write down our assignments as we got them and we had to take the book home everynight to show our parents and bring it back the next day. In high school, I visited Mrs. Campbell and thanked her profusely for preparing me for High School and for keeping track of my own assignments. She was my homework hero.
So, be it in a spiral notebook or online, I wish more teachers would use these kinds of tools and share the project timelines with the library! If we know 30 kids will be coming in looking for "hot button issues" for reports, we can be ready! I think tools like these could be especially helpful if teachers coordinated with school librarians. If the librarians got the same reminders as students about when things are due and what step the research is in, they could help the process along.
Things like the Research Project Calculator are really cool...if your students have the internet and computer access required to make the work realistically. One options is to have email reminders sent to the student. That only works if the student has reliable access to the internet. Quite frankly, in my community that is not the case.
So, be it in a spiral notebook or online, I wish more teachers would use these kinds of tools and share the project timelines with the library! If we know 30 kids will be coming in looking for "hot button issues" for reports, we can be ready! I think tools like these could be especially helpful if teachers coordinated with school librarians. If the librarians got the same reminders as students about when things are due and what step the research is in, they could help the process along.
Things like the Research Project Calculator are really cool...if your students have the internet and computer access required to make the work realistically. One options is to have email reminders sent to the student. That only works if the student has reliable access to the internet. Quite frankly, in my community that is not the case.
Task 15 - Online games
Online games and libraries. I think the fact that this is one of the 23 Things project at all dates this whole project. It's so 2007. The media blitz surrounding Second Life has died down considerably. Do libraries need to have a presence IN these online games? I'm on the fence. Do libraries need to have a strong web precense? Um, yes. Do they need to be providing reference help in a video game? Probably not. Have we completely mastered providing reference answers in person, by phone, by text, by chat, by email, via Skype, etc??? If any library can asnwer yes to those things, I'd say "Sure, jump into Second Life and man a reference desk!" If not, well, maybe those energies would be well spent elsewhere.
Do I think the concept that there's a library or two in Second Life? You bet. That's neat. But being involved in Second Life sure isn't at the top of my small library's to do list.
I think online gaming is a blast. For a brief window of time, I used to spend a significant chuck of my Computer II class in high school playing online, multiplayer, live College Jeopardy. I was playing against other real people. It was a blast. It went away and I nearly cried. I understand how addictive the online world can be. However, if we really want to serve the interest of our online gaming patrons, we might consider buying computers with better graphics, comfy computer chairs, mass quantities of Mountain Dew, and extending our Time Limit Manager to allow them to sit at the library and play games all night long.
Do I think the concept that there's a library or two in Second Life? You bet. That's neat. But being involved in Second Life sure isn't at the top of my small library's to do list.
I think online gaming is a blast. For a brief window of time, I used to spend a significant chuck of my Computer II class in high school playing online, multiplayer, live College Jeopardy. I was playing against other real people. It was a blast. It went away and I nearly cried. I understand how addictive the online world can be. However, if we really want to serve the interest of our online gaming patrons, we might consider buying computers with better graphics, comfy computer chairs, mass quantities of Mountain Dew, and extending our Time Limit Manager to allow them to sit at the library and play games all night long.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Task 14 - Library Thing
What are Library Thing and GoodReads good for? Helping find "read-a-likes." You can see who's reading what and then see what else they are reading and enjoying. It's a great discovery tool. I think that's where the most benefit would be for libraries who use Library Thing. It would be to help steer readers toward more books they might like.
I do think it's neat that Library Thing wants to work with libraries, but I think it's pretty questionable to input a ton of time and trust into what is basically a vendor who might or might not have staying power and/or library interests at heart. It's just something for libraries to think about (especially considering I keep reading about how small libraries should use Library Thing for a catalog.) If a library used Library Thing, would that data be exportable or in any way useful outside of the Library Thing website construct? MARC records move between catalogs pretty smoothly really. What about Library Thing entries?
p.s. you can view my GoodReads list here. I haven't updated it in a while - who has time to read while working and going to grad school?
I do think it's neat that Library Thing wants to work with libraries, but I think it's pretty questionable to input a ton of time and trust into what is basically a vendor who might or might not have staying power and/or library interests at heart. It's just something for libraries to think about (especially considering I keep reading about how small libraries should use Library Thing for a catalog.) If a library used Library Thing, would that data be exportable or in any way useful outside of the Library Thing website construct? MARC records move between catalogs pretty smoothly really. What about Library Thing entries?
p.s. you can view my GoodReads list here. I haven't updated it in a while - who has time to read while working and going to grad school?
Task 13 - Personal productivitiy tools
Now these are some products I can get behind! I remember reading about Backpack when it was first coming out. I think services like that; things that handle many different kinds of calendars, tasks, to do lists, budgets, etc. are incredible. Many of these sites 23 things has us look at (My Yahoo, iGoogle) make use of widgets. Widgets are part of why a website I recently designed uses Wordpress. I can find a Wordpress widget for pretty much anything I want to do. And I don't have to speak code. And widgets look neat. And do cool stuff. :)
I remember when some people who shall remain nameless weren't supposed to go to gmail and check their email while at work. However, they all just set up iGoogle pages and set their email up as one of the little widgets and presto - they'd worked around the block. (p.s. this is what every high school kid in the world does with school - and probably library - internet filters. They work around. They aren't dumb.)
Again, I seem stuck in rut of believeing these sites would mostly be helpful for staff, but not so much for the public at large. However, you could set up a really library centric customized iGoogle page or the like and have it be the homepage for each public computer (maybe?). It would be a neat way to organize important stuff and send people in whatever direction they need to go on the web.
The 23 Things blog mentions PDF creation software. I use this ALL OF THE TIME to turn MS Publisher files into something everone else can read. I also posted up some library policies in PDF form because, believe it or not, not everyone has Word so posting them up in an exclusively Microsoft Word accessible format seemed icky. ANYWAY, I was really thrilled to find that the new MS Office 2007 products have a built in PDF creator. Now if only my workplace was operating Office 2007...instead of Office 2000. Ouch.
p.s. I run Windows Vista on my home computer. It has the cutest little desktop sidebar ever and it includes a tiny little yellow sticky note right there on the desktop that I can type on. It makes me extraordinarily happy. The only downside? I never close my Firefox and Word windows, so I rarely to never see my desktop...oops!
I remember when some people who shall remain nameless weren't supposed to go to gmail and check their email while at work. However, they all just set up iGoogle pages and set their email up as one of the little widgets and presto - they'd worked around the block. (p.s. this is what every high school kid in the world does with school - and probably library - internet filters. They work around. They aren't dumb.)
Again, I seem stuck in rut of believeing these sites would mostly be helpful for staff, but not so much for the public at large. However, you could set up a really library centric customized iGoogle page or the like and have it be the homepage for each public computer (maybe?). It would be a neat way to organize important stuff and send people in whatever direction they need to go on the web.
The 23 Things blog mentions PDF creation software. I use this ALL OF THE TIME to turn MS Publisher files into something everone else can read. I also posted up some library policies in PDF form because, believe it or not, not everyone has Word so posting them up in an exclusively Microsoft Word accessible format seemed icky. ANYWAY, I was really thrilled to find that the new MS Office 2007 products have a built in PDF creator. Now if only my workplace was operating Office 2007...instead of Office 2000. Ouch.
p.s. I run Windows Vista on my home computer. It has the cutest little desktop sidebar ever and it includes a tiny little yellow sticky note right there on the desktop that I can type on. It makes me extraordinarily happy. The only downside? I never close my Firefox and Word windows, so I rarely to never see my desktop...oops!
Task 12 - Digg, etc.
Digg is really just a giant water cooler discussion. People who surf the internet for news and entertainment can use Digg to make sure they are knowledgable about the same information that the other web surfers are chatting about. It's like a popularity contest for news/info.
Why should the library care? Because if masses of people are talking about a subject, someone's bound to come into the library with a request for more info about it or to look up something related to it. It's a librarian's job to know what's happening day to day and to be prepared to field questions/requests related to the news of the day (week, etc.)
Digg and things like it make it really easy to see what the internet world is interested in. However, it's important to remember that a large segment of your library population probably is not busy surfing the web for water-cooler conversation; Digg and the like are not necessarily entirely representative of your actual library population.
Why should the library care? Because if masses of people are talking about a subject, someone's bound to come into the library with a request for more info about it or to look up something related to it. It's a librarian's job to know what's happening day to day and to be prepared to field questions/requests related to the news of the day (week, etc.)
Digg and things like it make it really easy to see what the internet world is interested in. However, it's important to remember that a large segment of your library population probably is not busy surfing the web for water-cooler conversation; Digg and the like are not necessarily entirely representative of your actual library population.
Task 11 - Tagging & Del.icio.us
Maybe I'm just a grumpy-grump, but I actually don't think Del.icio.us is really THAT helpful when libraries are trying to serve their populations. I do think it's super handy for staff to use to keep track of their links on their own computers.
It is a great thing to tell your patrons about (because, let's face it, most of the folks using a public library computer don't have the luxury of a computer at home). You could show them Del.icio.us and they could log in every time and have their "bookmarks" there for them. They don't usually get to use a "bookmarks" type set up on a public computer.
I used del.icio.us for about a second and a half. Then I just went back to my RSS feeds and browser favorites.
p.s. Tags are strange. I think because I've used libraries for so long, the lack of standards is hard for me. Should tags be singular? Plural? broad? specific? I think the concept is good, but it actually stresses me out to pick tags for pictures/blog posts/etc.
It is a great thing to tell your patrons about (because, let's face it, most of the folks using a public library computer don't have the luxury of a computer at home). You could show them Del.icio.us and they could log in every time and have their "bookmarks" there for them. They don't usually get to use a "bookmarks" type set up on a public computer.
I used del.icio.us for about a second and a half. Then I just went back to my RSS feeds and browser favorites.
p.s. Tags are strange. I think because I've used libraries for so long, the lack of standards is hard for me. Should tags be singular? Plural? broad? specific? I think the concept is good, but it actually stresses me out to pick tags for pictures/blog posts/etc.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Task 10 - Wikis
Wikis are cool. Shhhhh...don't tell anyone...but one of the first places I go to learn about something new is Wikipedia. I go there, learn some of the lingo about any given topic, and then can go out and find "good" resources for "real" research.
I am proud to say I'm a small, infrequent contributor to the Library Success wiki (find it at www.libsuccess.org) It's fun stuff. I love practical, real world advice about libraries. For the purpose of 23 Things, I logged in and edited one small piece of info on the "Weeding Library collections" page.
One of the things I wish existed (either at libsuccess.org or somewhere else) is a giant clearinghouse of library policies. I have a project coming up this semester where I have to contribute to a library wiki....maybe that's a starting point!
I don't think every single library in the world needs a wiki. However, they are VERY powerful tools. Another project idea: (and some places have things that approximate this) is a town history wiki that includes historical information about buildings in town organized by address. (the Davis, CA wiki has something like I'm imagining at http://daviswiki.org/Historic_Places) It would be useful for homeowners, homebuyers, historians, real estate agents, city officials, etc. Right now you have to dig through dusty old city directories in the archives to find out who lived at your address before you. If (you or) someone entered info into the homes wiki, it would be there for the world to see! People could post up information about the address at which they grew up, or the address they live in now. It would be a sort of big knowledge managment project regarding home history.
So that's my dream. BIG project - but harnessing the power of an entire townspeople could certainly make it (or some version of it) a reality!
I am proud to say I'm a small, infrequent contributor to the Library Success wiki (find it at www.libsuccess.org) It's fun stuff. I love practical, real world advice about libraries. For the purpose of 23 Things, I logged in and edited one small piece of info on the "Weeding Library collections" page.
One of the things I wish existed (either at libsuccess.org or somewhere else) is a giant clearinghouse of library policies. I have a project coming up this semester where I have to contribute to a library wiki....maybe that's a starting point!
I don't think every single library in the world needs a wiki. However, they are VERY powerful tools. Another project idea: (and some places have things that approximate this) is a town history wiki that includes historical information about buildings in town organized by address. (the Davis, CA wiki has something like I'm imagining at http://daviswiki.org/Historic_Places) It would be useful for homeowners, homebuyers, historians, real estate agents, city officials, etc. Right now you have to dig through dusty old city directories in the archives to find out who lived at your address before you. If (you or) someone entered info into the homes wiki, it would be there for the world to see! People could post up information about the address at which they grew up, or the address they live in now. It would be a sort of big knowledge managment project regarding home history.
So that's my dream. BIG project - but harnessing the power of an entire townspeople could certainly make it (or some version of it) a reality!
Task 9 - Collaboration!
I've used Google docs to help make group papers and assignments work in school. However, the most use I got out of collaborative or shared documents was when I was trying to put together a guest list for my wedding; I was able to share the spreadsheet with names and addresses with various family members and collect all kinds of contact information. It was great.
In honor of that, you can click here to see a really horrid list of music we considered using at our wedding. (What's funny is we ended up playing no music at all at our wedding...but I enjoyed making the list of terrible lovey songs anyway!) Click here for the Google Doc published as a webpage.
Google Docs vs. Zoho - Zoho seems more like Office 2007 with it's tabbed menu setup. It just looks smoother. I know from experience that trying to use Google Docs for the editing and then switching the document to MS Word can be challenging. It appears that Zoho's exporting process is much easier and user friendly. It was pretty intuitive.
I think Google Docs and the like are FANTASTIC for the workplace. I think about the tiresome task of emailing different versions of documents back and forth. It's crazy! I can't think of an application right off the bat that would apply to patrons, but I'm sure there are some. It would be great if you were doing a newsletter or something that community members regularly contributed to. They could log right into a shared document and post up this month's contribution, etc.
I guess the negative side to all of this collaborative-ness is that you could end up working with a sour apple who wreaks havoc on your work (intentionally or otherwise). That would be bad.
In honor of that, you can click here to see a really horrid list of music we considered using at our wedding. (What's funny is we ended up playing no music at all at our wedding...but I enjoyed making the list of terrible lovey songs anyway!) Click here for the Google Doc published as a webpage.
Google Docs vs. Zoho - Zoho seems more like Office 2007 with it's tabbed menu setup. It just looks smoother. I know from experience that trying to use Google Docs for the editing and then switching the document to MS Word can be challenging. It appears that Zoho's exporting process is much easier and user friendly. It was pretty intuitive.
I think Google Docs and the like are FANTASTIC for the workplace. I think about the tiresome task of emailing different versions of documents back and forth. It's crazy! I can't think of an application right off the bat that would apply to patrons, but I'm sure there are some. It would be great if you were doing a newsletter or something that community members regularly contributed to. They could log right into a shared document and post up this month's contribution, etc.
I guess the negative side to all of this collaborative-ness is that you could end up working with a sour apple who wreaks havoc on your work (intentionally or otherwise). That would be bad.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Task 8 - Sharing photos
Here I am trying out a slide show! These pics are from my trip to TX/NM over Memorial Day weekend.
The library website implications are huge. Think how this could jazz up your site. It could even profile new things/events/areas in your library.
The library website implications are huge. Think how this could jazz up your site. It could even profile new things/events/areas in your library.
Task 7 - IM
I became an IM addict in college. I'd IM people I knew were downstairs in my dorm lobby. I'd IM my roommate. I'd IM people across the country. It was, I must say, the coolest thing ever.
Then I just decided I didn't care anymore (this was probably around the end of college) and I don't think I've IM'd in years. I think text-messaging is the new IM, but I have yet to embrace texting. More on that later...
I had to practice a virtual reference chat in my Reference class last year. Whew! It was way harder than I thought it would be, even though I used to IM. In person, I'm happy to conduct a reference interview and try to find out what exactly a person is looking for. However, when it's time to type it all out, I felt like I was bombarding the other person with questions. It was kinda awkward. I think IM reference is a great resource to offer IF you have the staff to dedicate to it. It really ties someone to a computer.
As for texting - I think it's a great way to communicate, it's really wonderful for people who might otherwise have trouble communicating with the reference staff (say, a Deaf person) but again, you have to have staff who understand it and can dedicate real reference time to it. It's not as great as IM for reference because you can only provide the shortest of answers on text AND it is infinately more difficult to point someone to a resource via text. (With IM, you can send them a link to almost any online resource and BAM they have it!)
As for webinars, my most recent experiment with that is in a library science class. The class is an online class, but we meet via Adobe Connect sometimes to make sure everyone's in sync. We'll have final presentations to do via the internet at the end of the semester. If people have web cams they can use them. We've been encouraged to buy microphones. If all of that fails, you can chat alongside everyone else. It's actually really cool to be part of an online, collaborative effort like that. I've also enjoyed using Google Documents which allow many people to edit a document at once. It's really handy for online courses with group projects.
I think webinars hold lots of promise as learning devices for librarians. It's making time to sit down and watch one. When you GO to a workshop, none of your co-workers are interrupting. However, it may be more difficult to build a small fortress made of file folders around your computer monitor and have uninterrupted time at a webinar while you are in the midst of your normal workday.
Then I just decided I didn't care anymore (this was probably around the end of college) and I don't think I've IM'd in years. I think text-messaging is the new IM, but I have yet to embrace texting. More on that later...
I had to practice a virtual reference chat in my Reference class last year. Whew! It was way harder than I thought it would be, even though I used to IM. In person, I'm happy to conduct a reference interview and try to find out what exactly a person is looking for. However, when it's time to type it all out, I felt like I was bombarding the other person with questions. It was kinda awkward. I think IM reference is a great resource to offer IF you have the staff to dedicate to it. It really ties someone to a computer.
As for texting - I think it's a great way to communicate, it's really wonderful for people who might otherwise have trouble communicating with the reference staff (say, a Deaf person) but again, you have to have staff who understand it and can dedicate real reference time to it. It's not as great as IM for reference because you can only provide the shortest of answers on text AND it is infinately more difficult to point someone to a resource via text. (With IM, you can send them a link to almost any online resource and BAM they have it!)
As for webinars, my most recent experiment with that is in a library science class. The class is an online class, but we meet via Adobe Connect sometimes to make sure everyone's in sync. We'll have final presentations to do via the internet at the end of the semester. If people have web cams they can use them. We've been encouraged to buy microphones. If all of that fails, you can chat alongside everyone else. It's actually really cool to be part of an online, collaborative effort like that. I've also enjoyed using Google Documents which allow many people to edit a document at once. It's really handy for online courses with group projects.
I think webinars hold lots of promise as learning devices for librarians. It's making time to sit down and watch one. When you GO to a workshop, none of your co-workers are interrupting. However, it may be more difficult to build a small fortress made of file folders around your computer monitor and have uninterrupted time at a webinar while you are in the midst of your normal workday.
Task 6 - Online Image generators
Oooh, I'm having way too much fun!
My trading card
My bead mosaic
My personal favorite
These image creators/manipulators are awesome! Now if only my library had a color printer...
Library implications: You could certainly use some of these tools to help spice up promotional materials. Again it's pretty cool to be able to get creative with photographs without any design training or without expensive software. I'd say this is less useful, though, than knowing how to manipulate photos for good, not silliness. I'm much more likely to need to crop a photo than I am to turn it into a weird shape or color.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Task 5 - Flickr Mashups
What a neat tool! This mashup spells words using clips of pics from Flickr. What a great way to use the power of many photographers for fun!
And since we know that marriage is a giant puzzle, here's my wedding photo all puzzled-up. These (not my wedding picture, but a picture of your choice) are actually available at this site for purchase. How cool is that?
What are the implications for libraries? You can have Flickr pictures of your library scrolling along on your website. You can do neat photo-manipulation classes for patrons. You could have kids take pictures and then order puzzles for them of their own photography. You could use the images from the "Spell with Flickr" to make posters, promotional materials, etc. All of these tools are available for relatively little cost - just the cost of some time and some fussing around to learn to use them!
Task 4 - Explore Flickr
I keep a small Flickr account going for a small library. I don't use it personally though. This will hurt the heart and soul of many a photographer out there, but I'm not really a picture person. I don't like to be in them, I only moderately enjoy taking them, and I certainly don't display thousands of them. I do like pretty, artsy photos more than those with people in them.
So, I checked out what kinds of things personal people are putting up on Flickr. I found lots of pretty things. I was inspired to search for my old sorta-hometown. Here's what I found:
It's a lovely picture of an abandoned home near Kremlin, Oklahoma. (Photo Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtneer_man/)
Libraries using Flickr post all kinds of neat stuff. However, I can only look at so many pictures of crowds attending some program. Here's something that gets at the crux of what libraries do every day:
Photo attribution: Pioneer Library System
Flickr is a powerful tool. It's also one that some people use REALLY heavily and the rest of us dabble in. Some libraries start Flickr accounts with the idea that it will publicize what's happening at their libraries. It will show the excitement that surrounds children's programming. It will draw all kinds of attention! I'm not entirely sure that's true. However, it can act as a great archive of library events. If someone's new in town and they Google your library, you'd want them to hit on a Flickr page that's full of colorful awesomeness about your library. Verdict: can be cool for libraries but not absolutely necessary.
So, I checked out what kinds of things personal people are putting up on Flickr. I found lots of pretty things. I was inspired to search for my old sorta-hometown. Here's what I found:
It's a lovely picture of an abandoned home near Kremlin, Oklahoma. (Photo Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtneer_man/)
Libraries using Flickr post all kinds of neat stuff. However, I can only look at so many pictures of crowds attending some program. Here's something that gets at the crux of what libraries do every day:
Flickr is a powerful tool. It's also one that some people use REALLY heavily and the rest of us dabble in. Some libraries start Flickr accounts with the idea that it will publicize what's happening at their libraries. It will show the excitement that surrounds children's programming. It will draw all kinds of attention! I'm not entirely sure that's true. However, it can act as a great archive of library events. If someone's new in town and they Google your library, you'd want them to hit on a Flickr page that's full of colorful awesomeness about your library. Verdict: can be cool for libraries but not absolutely necessary.
Task 3 - RSS Feeds
At first I wasn't so sure about this whole RSS thing. I had two major stumbling blocks. First, I'd heard some description that RSS ((Really Simple Syndication) feeds were "really simple" and that made me feel like I'd be missing out on huge amounts of content if I viewed something in RSS. I imagined a ticker-tape of meaningless words instead of the flashy websites we all love to visit.
Secondly, I also thought, "Hey, I only really follow a few websites. I don't really need this level of organization to do that."
Now, I'm an RSS convert.
I <3 my Google Reader. I keep a "professional" RSS feed account. It's really cut down on the amount of email (because I used to follow some sites by getting an email when things updated.) I'm included a link to the website as well as a link to the feed which you can put in your own RSS reader!
What's in a young librarian's RSS work feed? Let me show you a few samples:
Secondly, I also thought, "Hey, I only really follow a few websites. I don't really need this level of organization to do that."
Now, I'm an RSS convert.
I <3 my Google Reader. I keep a "professional" RSS feed account. It's really cut down on the amount of email (because I used to follow some sites by getting an email when things updated.) I'm included a link to the website as well as a link to the feed which you can put in your own RSS reader!
What's in a young librarian's RSS work feed? Let me show you a few samples:
http://libetiquette.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://darkfaerielibrarian.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://feeds.feedburner.com/LibraryGrants
http://www.tk421.net/librarylink/rss.xml?days=1
http://www.marketingyourlibrary.com/feeds/posts/default
Real Task 1 - Setting up my blog
I realized I've already messed up my "23 Things." Task 1 was setting up my blog. I did so using blogger because I already had a Google ID I could use. I didn't try to doll it up, I just chose one of the templates. I think pre-made templates for blogs and web pages are a fantastic way for those of us with no programming skills to create something slick looking.
Blogging software is actually a great content management system. You input data (could be pictures, writing, etc.) and it's all archived, dated, and search-able. That's pretty powerful stuff - and it's all free.
Personal blogs abound. However, professional blogs are a horse of another color. Blogs can have a strangely personal feel; it can lead to a real bond between blog writers and readers. However, it's an extremely important for blogs being used in an organization (lets say a library!) keep a tone and level of writing that is appropriate for the setting. As librarians explore blogging, they should keep in mind their library's policies about public relations and communication with the public. (Can you tell I'm also enrolled in a promotions and communications class as well this semester?) Whomever is contributing to a library blog should make sure that the info going up matches the mission and guidelines for communications from the library.
Blogging software is actually a great content management system. You input data (could be pictures, writing, etc.) and it's all archived, dated, and search-able. That's pretty powerful stuff - and it's all free.
Personal blogs abound. However, professional blogs are a horse of another color. Blogs can have a strangely personal feel; it can lead to a real bond between blog writers and readers. However, it's an extremely important for blogs being used in an organization (lets say a library!) keep a tone and level of writing that is appropriate for the setting. As librarians explore blogging, they should keep in mind their library's policies about public relations and communication with the public. (Can you tell I'm also enrolled in a promotions and communications class as well this semester?) Whomever is contributing to a library blog should make sure that the info going up matches the mission and guidelines for communications from the library.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
*Edit* Actually Task 2 - read up
One argument against 23 Things? That it takes time.
I don’t think finding the time to do this is really the hard part. For many librarians, finding the drive or initiative to do this is the hard part. Perhaps fear that everything is going to change all at once is what keeps some people from exploring new “2.0” stuff. However, you don’t even have to implement any of these products or services to have gained from knowing about them. So your library doesn’t rush out and set up a flickr. It might still help to know about it when a patron wanders in asking questions about it.
I’m more or less a digital native. I’m perhaps not the target audience for 23 Things. However, I’m looking forward to thinking about these 2.0 tools from a fresh perspective. I want to remember what it’s like not to understand RSS feeds. That’s where lots of my patrons are. That’s where my co-workers with 100 bookmarks in their browser are. I’m certain I’ll learn some new tricks along the way!
I don’t think finding the time to do this is really the hard part. For many librarians, finding the drive or initiative to do this is the hard part. Perhaps fear that everything is going to change all at once is what keeps some people from exploring new “2.0” stuff. However, you don’t even have to implement any of these products or services to have gained from knowing about them. So your library doesn’t rush out and set up a flickr. It might still help to know about it when a patron wanders in asking questions about it.
I’m more or less a digital native. I’m perhaps not the target audience for 23 Things. However, I’m looking forward to thinking about these 2.0 tools from a fresh perspective. I want to remember what it’s like not to understand RSS feeds. That’s where lots of my patrons are. That’s where my co-workers with 100 bookmarks in their browser are. I’m certain I’ll learn some new tricks along the way!
Monday, August 31, 2009
The Beginning
I'm trying out "23 Things on a Stick" for a library science class. Good times! I'll post here about each of the "23 Things."
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