* 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.
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