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Final Thoughts

to better organize this entry, I just copied the questions suggested on the 23 Things site:

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?

The best part was discovering how easy it is to blog and add things to it, such as photos and video. I am thinking it would be fun to start doing blog posts on the growth and development of my daughter once she is born.

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

It encouraged me to explore the Web 2.0 tools that are out there. Even though I am tech-savvy, I have not had much time or interest to explore them. I don't know how many of them I will return to use, but it good to learn more about them.

Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

It was great to see how creative many of the library staff became with this project. It was fun to see people get over their tech fears and learn more about these important tools.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
Because there are so many different sites and accounts created, it was hard to remember them all from week to week. It would have been good to find a way to build on them from week to week. For example, because we had to blog every week, it became second hand by the end of the program. Other tools when used for one week, just get forgotten afterward unless you found them truly interesting.

If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?

Yes!

Overdrive

I had not looked at Overdrive since we had the training session on it last year. However, I was happy to discover that there were a lot of great titles to select. I ended up downloading the Overdrive software onto my computer and downloading a Web 2.0 subject book called Wikinomics.

I think this is the path that libraries will be taking in the future with their collection. The more that can be electronically accessible, the better. The biggest obstacle is educating library users and promoting access to the service. As well, it would be good to find a way to return the electronic books early, rather than be stuck with a title for two weeks that someone else might be wanting to enjoy.

Finding Podcasts

The tool that I found myself settling into was the Library of Congress podcast page. They were highlighting an interview with one of my favorite authors, Terry Pratchett. It can be found here:

http://www.loc.gov/rss/podcasts/bookfest/podcast_NBF2007.xml
It is certainly good to have online tools to help track down podcasts that are of interest. Of course, with so much else to do, it may be hard to keep track of all the podcasts out there. It's much like trying to catch up on all the TV shows that are recorded and sitting patiently on the my DVR.

YouTube in the Library

YouTube is a site I am already familar with, as I have used it quite a bit. I even presented it in the Hot Technology computer class which I created for the public over a year and a half ago.

YouTube definately has its uses for the library system. For one thing, it would allow us to better advertise library programming, such as story times. Also, we can use it to demonstrate library services, such as Express Check or how to sign-up for a PC.

I also know that the site can be a two-edged sword, as the videos it provides eat away at bandwidth very fast. Also, there are so many videos that are not suitable for a public enviornment, that allowing full access to it in the library would be tricky.

Overall, I believe it is important for libraries to find uses for this service.

Anyhow, here is a short, but fun, video that I found. It gives us something to do with unused Reference books:

Galaxiki

I found an unusual online tool called Galaxiki. It is a wiki-based scenario when you can help build a galaxy. You sign up to create a star system with planets. Then you can share you solar system with everyone else online. It seems to be designed as a collaborate tool for SF fans and writers. I could see them sharing their planets as a way to connect people to their fiction. The only downside to this tool is that it costs money to buy a star. However, they do have community areas where anyone with a free membership can name and edit certain systems.

blog post

Zoho Writer

 

This is a pretty neat tool.  However, it seems to lack an obvious help section. 

 

I can see a lot of potential with this, as so long as you have an internet connection, you documents are always available.  And you don't have to worry about misplacing them.  Of course, there is a security issue as the document is saved in a space beyond your control.  I would think carefully about putting a confidential document online with this service.

PB Wiki

As the Staples commercial goes "That was easy!"

I think it would be a good idea to have a local wiki for the branch. We could use it to collaborate on projects and to communicate on different work items.

Wikipedia is a site that I view fairly regularly to get a quick and dirty bit of information on a particular topic.

Wiki's in Libraries

I believe the wiki would be a great tool for libraries to use. It would allow staff across the library system the ability to get in and update and change web site information without the need to channel it through a webmaster. This would be great for program information, building information, and more.

Another great use would be for reader's advisory from librarians to the public. There could also be wikis to highlight search and research strategies that can be updated and expanded on by staff across the library system. Overall, it would be a great tool to use.

Cookie Monster in the Library

Here's an amusing video of a challenging library patron:

Away from Icebergs

I am going to comment on the article called "Away from Icebergs" from the Web 2.0 discussion pages.

The points raised in this article are valid. There is a really need to study and understand the effect of having a huge amount of information readily available online versus the physical need to have books on shelves. Even as we build larger libraries, it is hard to fill all the gaps, especially as new and unique ideas pop up on line constantly (such as Extreme Ironing and other such endevours).


Regarding the users, the public library does have a problem in that our patrons are a wide range of personalities. There are many library users who have little or no interest in technology, so books will remain their primary focus. However, the younger crowd are more and more comfortable with the technology, so we should work harder to accomidate them. Finding the balance is important.


Now with higher fuel prices, visits to the physical library may go down for most people. This will place a greater emphasis on electronic access. It would be great to see a Second Life style site for the library system. However, it is highly doubtful that the physical library would ever go away, since many people need to have the face-to-face interaction that does not exist in the virtual world.

Anyhow, please enjoy the amusing comic below (click on it for a larger view):

Technorati

I found Technorati easy to use and straightforward. The way to search for tags or links to a particular web site is unique. It would seem like the tool is a good alternate to using Google all the time, especially for blog or video searches.

Del.icio.us

Del.icio.us definately has some appeal to it. I have found over time that I stopped bookmarking sites. I would only do it when I was actively involved in project and needed to get back to certain sites quickly. This could definately have a use.

During this exercise, I found some kooky sites. Perhaps the weirdest is "Garfield without Garfield." Basically, some genius takes the daily Garfield cartoon strips and removes Garfield and Odie, leaving only Jon alone in his madness. Below is an example:

I lost interest in Garfield years ago once he stopped acting like a cat and starting walking on hind legs like a furry human. This version of the comic strip really makes Jon seem insane and is much more entertaining!

BTW - for a better comic strip with a animal character always acting like the animal he is (or fish in this case) is Sherman's Lagoon. Although Sherman will act like a human at times, he is always ready to devour one other fish along the way. Like this one (click for larger view):

WebFeat

It okay. I found some information, but nothing exciting.

Library Things

Just tackled Library Thing very quickly. It is simple to use. The hardest part was picking some books to add in, as I have read so many and it gets hard to remember them all! My picks are available at: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/craned23things

Since many people know I am a student of yoga, I thought it would be good so show one of the books I recommended. Here's my short review:

"A classic collection of the great Swami's work. It could also be called his 'Great Hits' collection. It offers a deep insight into the ancient teachings of yoga. Definately recommended for students who want to take yoga beyond the mat."

Clippy on Blogs

Attached is an online image generated through http://www.imagegenerator.net/. I still don't know anyone who finds that paperclip useful ...

RSS - Rocking Syndicated Services

The RSS portion took a little time to move through, but it was not very hard to figure out. Now that I understand it better, I can see the use of a site like Bloglines. It is very straightforward to use and much easier than downloading software to do the same thing. Not sure if I am going to keep using it. I like to see more than just a narrow range of topics, which it seems like Bloglines could narrow people into.

jigsaw7324451

jigsaw7324451
Originally uploaded by craned23things

Just one of the fun Flickr mash-ups that are available. This one is the puzzle mash-up. Now if I can only find those missing pieces ...

Web 2.0 - Flickring Away at It

Even though I am perceived as a techie, I am not someone who salivates over new technology. If anything, I am a bit stuck in my ways, becoming comfortable and very proficient with the technology that I know and reluctant to try something new. So I had been holding off looking at Flickr, even though I had heard good things about it. However, once I get over the stumbling block of getting started, I usually find that the technology is simpler than first assumed. And after awhile, it can be fun finding the different tools and gadgets to add in. So let's see what the next couple of "things" have in store.

The All Encompassing allCIRC

Palm Beach County Library allCIRC
Originally uploaded by latcorp

Attached is a photo of the Wellington allCirc machine. It works most of the time. It occassionally offers its own version of Readers Advisory (you don't want High School Musical, you want The Exorcist). And it has kept us on our toes with its needy nature. However, it does seem to have reduced the number of stolen videos ...

Wellington Staff Blogs

Below are a list of all the Wellington Branch Staff Blogs that have been brought to my attention so far. They are in no particular order. If you want your blog added to the list, just email me the link.

Steve
http://23thingsaboutsteve.blogspot.com/

Matthew
http://asinglefabric.blogspot.com/

Amanda
http://amandawel.blogspot.com/

Ken
http://ken-bookie.blogspot.com/

Carol
http://wizard123-wizard123-rennersblog.blogspot.com/

Geri
http://zobe66.blogspot.com/

Cindi
http://crazyforsudoku.blogspot.com/

Barb
http://23cosas.blogspot.com/

Sharon
http://chocolatespaniel.blogspot.com/

Susan
http://bookszandthingsz.blogspot.com/

Rebeca
http://ticathoughts.blogspot.com/

Tona
http://sexysolidgold.blogspot.com/

Margaret
http://librarycake.blogspot.com/

Hanna
http://auntiehannasbooks.blogspot.com/

Annmarie
http://mimiatwel.blogspot.com/

Andrea
http://yellowbrickroad1.blogspot.com/

Catherine
http://blueraincoat-blueraincoat.blogspot.com/

Haibi
http://buddha-skateboad.blogspot.com/

Karen
http://kbwwel.blogspot.com/

Chandra
http://circgoddess.blogspot.com/

Belinda
http://belilou.blogspot.com/

Alex
http://isosceles-isosceles.blogspot.com/

Srijana
http://nepalblog-srijana.blogspot.com/

You can add these names into a list on your blog as links. Go into the layout and choose it as a new element. However, you have to add them one at a time.

Bloggerful Libraries

Blogs are a potentially powerful tool for libraries. One of the things it can do is allow library staff to interact with the public much more easily than before. So staff can post reviews of books, hints on searching, and adverstise programs very easily without any need for techinical skills. Also, it can serve as a way for the public to interact with the library on a new level through commenting on the blogs. Although this adds a new level in terms of moderating the comments. I think blogs will play more and more of a role in the library world.

Comments on the 7 1/2 Habits

The 7 1/2 habits are very similar to the 7 Habits of Highly Successful People. I have found in my life that learning is important. It can be very exciting to learn new things. But it also takes some effort, especially in self-learning. I find that I learn better when I have a reason and a deadline attached to it. So I am interested in going through the 23 Things program. The most difficult part will be making these postings as creative and fun as possible so that others would be interested in reading them.