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!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
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.
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.
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:
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:
Saturday, June 21, 2008
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.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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):
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.
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!
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):
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