This was an excellent program. My only complaint is the lack of time to accomplish these tasks. Either ease up on the quantity of browsing and searching you want us to do, or lengthen the time frame.
I learned I'm not a fan of Twitter, but I'm so excited to know how to embed a YouTube video into a blog! The Common Craft videos were exceptionally helpful.
Essentially everything we do in keeping up-to-date is keeping us Lifelong Learners. The trick is to get management to recognize that hitting some of these websites or learning how to utilize a website really is working, and not playing on company time.
I would definitely participate in another program such as this.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thing 22 - Podcasts
I found Nancy Pearl's podcasts using Podcast.com and subscribed using my Bloglines. Her book reviews would be excellent additions to a library's website. At Podcast just search for Nancy Pearl or even Book Reviews.
As usual there is a ton of stuff out there to look through. I was hoping BookTV would have something, but alas...
As usual there is a ton of stuff out there to look through. I was hoping BookTV would have something, but alas...
Thing 21 - YouTube
This was a very easy site to move through. Everyone talks about YouTube but I've never visited the site and gone browsing.
This would be a great way to broadcast Book Talks, Library Programs, and training sessions!
Since I'm a cat lover I picked out this video - Herding Cats.
This would be a great way to broadcast Book Talks, Library Programs, and training sessions!
Since I'm a cat lover I picked out this video - Herding Cats.
Thing 20 - Web 2.0 Tools
I browsed through all of the categories and gave Pandora a shot (not to be confused with shooting Pandora). A co-worker had recommended this site to me several months ago but I'd never gotten around to testing it out.
Pandora provides music. Very handy if you're in a location that doesn't get radio reception, and as long as your pc has speakers. Signing-up was easy. It also offered an opportunity to share my music choices with friends.
I requested Andy Williams, Henry Mancini (not available), Alison Krause, and Mozart. You may only chose an artist or song, but not a music type such as marching band, drum corps, light jazz, or patriotic. You are given the info on each piece such as composer, title, performer. Pandora will continue to play when minimized, so you may do your pc work while humming along.
Excellent way to test out various artists and styles. This would be handy for helping patrons identify music pieces - and in these budget-crunching times, all for free!
My library lists websites that we hope are helpful or of interest to the public and listing seomoz.org site could be something fun they could browse through. So often we're listing wonderful research resources, but we should also add fun things as well.
Pandora provides music. Very handy if you're in a location that doesn't get radio reception, and as long as your pc has speakers. Signing-up was easy. It also offered an opportunity to share my music choices with friends.
I requested Andy Williams, Henry Mancini (not available), Alison Krause, and Mozart. You may only chose an artist or song, but not a music type such as marching band, drum corps, light jazz, or patriotic. You are given the info on each piece such as composer, title, performer. Pandora will continue to play when minimized, so you may do your pc work while humming along.
Excellent way to test out various artists and styles. This would be handy for helping patrons identify music pieces - and in these budget-crunching times, all for free!
My library lists websites that we hope are helpful or of interest to the public and listing seomoz.org site could be something fun they could browse through. So often we're listing wonderful research resources, but we should also add fun things as well.
Thing 19 - Apps
I tested Google Docs so I wouldn't have to deal with creating yet another account. Using my Blogger account I got right in. I uploaded a document (Packing List), and also created a new one (Favorite Movies) in Google Docs.
I began a third doc called Xmas Gifts. My plan was to be able to access this list anytime, anywhere I thought of a good gift idea for someone. Then come next Xmas when all the gift-buying was done I could save the list to my pc to keep with my lists from other years. But it wouldn't work, so this is one drawback. Or, at least I couldn't get it to do what I wanted. After much dinking around I gave up.
Overall, I do like this format. We use this at my library for sharing work schedules and it is so nice to log-in from home and know what's ahead of me that day.
I began a third doc called Xmas Gifts. My plan was to be able to access this list anytime, anywhere I thought of a good gift idea for someone. Then come next Xmas when all the gift-buying was done I could save the list to my pc to keep with my lists from other years. But it wouldn't work, so this is one drawback. Or, at least I couldn't get it to do what I wanted. After much dinking around I gave up.
Overall, I do like this format. We use this at my library for sharing work schedules and it is so nice to log-in from home and know what's ahead of me that day.
Thing 18 - PBWiki
This was easier than expected! The hardest part was locating the Insert/Edit Link (we needed to be told it's the globe icon). I was having too much fun listing my favorite food, my favorite movie, and my favorite blog.
Delusions of importance are urging me to create my own wiki and inflict information upon the world.
As an aside, I'm still trying to put a "c" in wiki (and spell it "wicki").
Delusions of importance are urging me to create my own wiki and inflict information upon the world.
As an aside, I'm still trying to put a "c" in wiki (and spell it "wicki").
Thing 17 - Wikis
Always wondered how a wiki got it's name. That's assuming the information is correct. While it's great that we don't need to know programming to create a wiki, I'm very concerned about the integrity of the information.
I rely on wikis for pop culture info, but hesitate to use them for research. When I know nothing about a topic I will grab a wiki for initial info, but then move on to documented websites.
The ALA-Chicago Conference wiki was a great idea and I enjoyed browsing through that.
I rely on wikis for pop culture info, but hesitate to use them for research. When I know nothing about a topic I will grab a wiki for initial info, but then move on to documented websites.
The ALA-Chicago Conference wiki was a great idea and I enjoyed browsing through that.
Thing 16 - Technology 2.0
Rick Anderson stated, "But if our services can’t be used without training, then it’s the services that need to be fixed—not our patrons."
Sounds like my argument against jumping so fast into all this whizbang technology. Lots of great stuff out there, but the majority of people are still figuring out how to attach a photo to their email, and have difficulty downloading the annual version of their antivirus software.
We still have patrons who won't use the online catalog, and others who enroll again and again in the basic computer courses and are still confused by it all.
Look how much trouble all of us had in learning to use these new technologies for "Nebraska Learns 2.0." Did any newbies really sail right through all these exercises without trying, re-trying, and trying again to make something work? Without hunting around for the proper link?
We do need to embrace technology, and we will have to train our patrons (regardless of what Anderson thinks). Yet we need to make things as intuitive as possible so that after some basic training they are able to build on the basics and try the next level without fear.
When I hit a new website, the first thing I do is look around and see where they put things and how to perform some tasks. For example, at the Barnes & Noble website I learned how to run their search, save to a WishList, and where they put reviews. When I walk into a mall I must learn where the stores, restrooms, lockers, and food court are located. When I get a new cell phone I must learn the new functions. Same with a new software program. Same with the new clock-radio or dvd player we buy. That's basic training.
We need to assist the patron in learning to use our catalogs, our databases, the self-check machine, the photocopier, the microfilm machine. But once we teach them the basics, if the service is provided properly it will be intuitive enough for them to try other technologies on their own.
Technology is a tool of the future - and the now. But let's not jump so far so quickly that we leave people behind.
Sounds like my argument against jumping so fast into all this whizbang technology. Lots of great stuff out there, but the majority of people are still figuring out how to attach a photo to their email, and have difficulty downloading the annual version of their antivirus software.
We still have patrons who won't use the online catalog, and others who enroll again and again in the basic computer courses and are still confused by it all.
Look how much trouble all of us had in learning to use these new technologies for "Nebraska Learns 2.0." Did any newbies really sail right through all these exercises without trying, re-trying, and trying again to make something work? Without hunting around for the proper link?
We do need to embrace technology, and we will have to train our patrons (regardless of what Anderson thinks). Yet we need to make things as intuitive as possible so that after some basic training they are able to build on the basics and try the next level without fear.
When I hit a new website, the first thing I do is look around and see where they put things and how to perform some tasks. For example, at the Barnes & Noble website I learned how to run their search, save to a WishList, and where they put reviews. When I walk into a mall I must learn where the stores, restrooms, lockers, and food court are located. When I get a new cell phone I must learn the new functions. Same with a new software program. Same with the new clock-radio or dvd player we buy. That's basic training.
We need to assist the patron in learning to use our catalogs, our databases, the self-check machine, the photocopier, the microfilm machine. But once we teach them the basics, if the service is provided properly it will be intuitive enough for them to try other technologies on their own.
Technology is a tool of the future - and the now. But let's not jump so far so quickly that we leave people behind.
Thing 15 - SlideShare
What a neat idea. This would allow a group of presenters to collaborate even if they are located across the country. No need to arrive early at the conference (additional $$$) to edit and finalize their presentation.
Not as intuitive as I'd have liked. I managed to get myself a link to Nebraskaccess, but they seem to be Following Me instead of the other way around. I spent more time trying to sort that out than I did with anything else, and I never did get it resolved. But overall this isn't a bad site.
I especially like that a company (or library) can post training materials!
My slideshare website is bare bones since I don't have my own PowerPoint created. But found a couple of good presentations for those interested in quilting or who like cats.
Not as intuitive as I'd have liked. I managed to get myself a link to Nebraskaccess, but they seem to be Following Me instead of the other way around. I spent more time trying to sort that out than I did with anything else, and I never did get it resolved. But overall this isn't a bad site.
I especially like that a company (or library) can post training materials!
My slideshare website is bare bones since I don't have my own PowerPoint created. But found a couple of good presentations for those interested in quilting or who like cats.
Thing #14
Thank goodness they got rid of all those pesky periods in Delicious!
This has potential. I have a ton of websites that I have arranged in my personal Favorites within subfolders. Sometimes a site could be classified as two items - I have a "local" folder and another folder for "government." So where to put the website address for City of Lincoln? The ability to use multiple tags would solve this.
Lincoln City Libraries has created a listing of websites that we feel would be of use to the public. Again, this would prevent a lot of guesswork on the part of the public to figure out under what topic we might have classified a particular website.
The tagroll at Holdrege Library could be greatly expanded to become their catalog. I hesitate to drop the Dewey Decimal System. Perhaps Dewey and Delicious could work in tandem, with Dewey in the background just to ensure categories aren't lost.
This has potential. I have a ton of websites that I have arranged in my personal Favorites within subfolders. Sometimes a site could be classified as two items - I have a "local" folder and another folder for "government." So where to put the website address for City of Lincoln? The ability to use multiple tags would solve this.
Lincoln City Libraries has created a listing of websites that we feel would be of use to the public. Again, this would prevent a lot of guesswork on the part of the public to figure out under what topic we might have classified a particular website.
The tagroll at Holdrege Library could be greatly expanded to become their catalog. I hesitate to drop the Dewey Decimal System. Perhaps Dewey and Delicious could work in tandem, with Dewey in the background just to ensure categories aren't lost.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thing #13 - All A-Twitter About Nothing
Well I've enrolled in Twitter. ZZZZZ. This is definitely for people who have no life, or who only define themselves when online.
I was at the local mall before Christmas and noticed a group of teens at the Food Court. Eight of them were seated at tables together, but instead of talking to each other, every single one of them was texting or talking on their phone.
Pay attention to the one you're with!
We don't need to know what's going on every second of your day. Plain ol' basic blogging will cover it. Just cuz you can Tweet, doesn't mean you should.
The only application I agree with is using Twitter as an Alert. UNL provides a campus-wide alert system that will phone faculty, staff, and students when a situation arrives - gunman on campus, closed due to snow, etc. This can be setup as a text to your cellphone.
I was at the local mall before Christmas and noticed a group of teens at the Food Court. Eight of them were seated at tables together, but instead of talking to each other, every single one of them was texting or talking on their phone.
Pay attention to the one you're with!
We don't need to know what's going on every second of your day. Plain ol' basic blogging will cover it. Just cuz you can Tweet, doesn't mean you should.
The only application I agree with is using Twitter as an Alert. UNL provides a campus-wide alert system that will phone faculty, staff, and students when a situation arrives - gunman on campus, closed due to snow, etc. This can be setup as a text to your cellphone.
Thing 12 - Library Thing
I've gotta get me one of these!
Something else to take up my precious time in the evenings and on weekends, but this is so neat! I've been wondering how I could make a listing of my books, and here it is presented for me. As I went along, I kept thinking of Tags and had to keep going back to update (forgot to include fiction/nonfiction, hardcover/paperback first time around). Am not totally pleased with the author's tag - should I have author's name in full, such as John A. Doe, or should I use only the last name, or should I use perhaps Doe, John A? Decisions, decisions.
Heartily approve of this. I read all the tutorials before beginning and it was pretty well intuitive. Though it took me a while to figure out how to change a book cover to the one I really have.
Excellent tool for personal use. Not sure how this would apply for libraries that have cataloging software.
Something else to take up my precious time in the evenings and on weekends, but this is so neat! I've been wondering how I could make a listing of my books, and here it is presented for me. As I went along, I kept thinking of Tags and had to keep going back to update (forgot to include fiction/nonfiction, hardcover/paperback first time around). Am not totally pleased with the author's tag - should I have author's name in full, such as John A. Doe, or should I use only the last name, or should I use perhaps Doe, John A? Decisions, decisions.
Heartily approve of this. I read all the tutorials before beginning and it was pretty well intuitive. Though it took me a while to figure out how to change a book cover to the one I really have.
Excellent tool for personal use. Not sure how this would apply for libraries that have cataloging software.
Thing #11
Technology. Frequently a four-letter word.
I remember when only boys in higher level math classes were allowed to use the only computer in high school.
Everyone took typing classes in 9th grade and had to learn how to center a line, figure out room for footnotes, and make room for a page number. Let me tell you, a wordprocessor is a life saver! Especially for simple corrections or for editing.
I love going to http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, placing an order, placing something in my Wish List.
I love that we can access a library's catalog online. WorldCat is one of my favorite websites.
I like that companies have a website so I can find their address, or phone number.
I like being able to do an online search to learn who still sells Totes Socks with the strips on the bottom, then find the UK company that sells them, place an order online, and in two weeks receive socks that are not offered locally or domstically.
So much communication is available now: email, texting, webpages. Grandparents can email far-away families and receive photos. But online photo sharing sites are still not all that user-friendly, regardless of how they think they are.
There's a lot of good out there with technology.
But we must remember to NOT go too far to the extreme. Keep our eyes open for what's out there but don't jump on the band wagon simply because it's the latest gadget. It's nice that my library offers downloadable books, but I own a cassette player - so do many, many of our older or lower income patrons. When I did get an MP3 player it wasn't the expensive model that allows bookmarking, etc. so using my player became an exercise in frustration. So often the technology we offer requires people to have The Latest, The Most Expensive and we must guard against that.
It was painful to shift from the card catalog to an online catalog and my library maintained both systems for a few years to help people adjust. We must remember to bring everyone along with us when we use technology.
I remember when only boys in higher level math classes were allowed to use the only computer in high school.
Everyone took typing classes in 9th grade and had to learn how to center a line, figure out room for footnotes, and make room for a page number. Let me tell you, a wordprocessor is a life saver! Especially for simple corrections or for editing.
I love going to http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, placing an order, placing something in my Wish List.
I love that we can access a library's catalog online. WorldCat is one of my favorite websites.
I like that companies have a website so I can find their address, or phone number.
I like being able to do an online search to learn who still sells Totes Socks with the strips on the bottom, then find the UK company that sells them, place an order online, and in two weeks receive socks that are not offered locally or domstically.
So much communication is available now: email, texting, webpages. Grandparents can email far-away families and receive photos. But online photo sharing sites are still not all that user-friendly, regardless of how they think they are.
There's a lot of good out there with technology.
But we must remember to NOT go too far to the extreme. Keep our eyes open for what's out there but don't jump on the band wagon simply because it's the latest gadget. It's nice that my library offers downloadable books, but I own a cassette player - so do many, many of our older or lower income patrons. When I did get an MP3 player it wasn't the expensive model that allows bookmarking, etc. so using my player became an exercise in frustration. So often the technology we offer requires people to have The Latest, The Most Expensive and we must guard against that.
It was painful to shift from the card catalog to an online catalog and my library maintained both systems for a few years to help people adjust. We must remember to bring everyone along with us when we use technology.
Thing #10
Tried out several websites. Many were not intuitive and required I spend too much time figuring them out. Pocket photo album was particularly disappointing. Several of us tried to figure out how to fold the thing and the instructions just weren't workable.
I enjoyed Magazine Cover and used my cat as the model.
Also the Custom Eye Chart has possiblities with planning Teen activities.
And I enjoyed Bubblr, another good idea for Teens.
I'm a big fan of using (CONSENTING) staff and customers for Read posters and was pleased to see the Read Mini-Poster website. Excellent for any library promotion. Take along a laptop and printer when you set up your booth at whatever activity you're part of. Fascinate and amaze the customers. This one's a keeper.
I enjoyed Magazine Cover and used my cat as the model.Also the Custom Eye Chart has possiblities with planning Teen activities.
And I enjoyed Bubblr, another good idea for Teens.
I'm a big fan of using (CONSENTING) staff and customers for Read posters and was pleased to see the Read Mini-Poster website. Excellent for any library promotion. Take along a laptop and printer when you set up your booth at whatever activity you're part of. Fascinate and amaze the customers. This one's a keeper.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thing #9
Wa-a-a-a-ay too many toys to look at. Looks like some of these people need a life.
I did enjoy Spell with Flickr and Bubblr. Spell with Flickr could spice up the library website for the teens or youth. Bubblr would be great for promotions. As with everything, don't overdo it.
Of course it's going to take some time to sit down and become a pro at using these. I'm still learning cool things with my cell phone (this new one I've had for a year), my pda (had this upgrade for two years), and my blog (proud owner for one year).
We just become adept at utilizing a tool and everything changes.
I did enjoy Spell with Flickr and Bubblr. Spell with Flickr could spice up the library website for the teens or youth. Bubblr would be great for promotions. As with everything, don't overdo it.
Of course it's going to take some time to sit down and become a pro at using these. I'm still learning cool things with my cell phone (this new one I've had for a year), my pda (had this upgrade for two years), and my blog (proud owner for one year).
We just become adept at utilizing a tool and everything changes.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thing #8 - Revisited
Awright! A co-worker showed me how to upload a photo to my blog from my Flickr account. As always, once someone shows you how it's very simple.
Thing #8 - Flickr
I never did figure out how to upload a pic from Flickr to this blog. I managed to link this blog to my Flickr account but that's as far as I have time for.I stumbled around and got myself added to the Pets of Nebraska Librarians group but not sure even how I got that done.
So, using only Blogger's uploading tool, here's a pic of my cat, Eli.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Thing #7
It's always been hit-and-miss for me to find blogs or news feeds. It was nice to get a listing of some tool that might help. But without more time to mess with them, I found them confusing and not finding for me what I wanted.
I didn't add more feeds to my reader. I'm behind on what I've subscribed to now.
At this point, I still find it easier to go to my favorite websites and subscribe from there.
I didn't add more feeds to my reader. I'm behind on what I've subscribed to now.
At this point, I still find it easier to go to my favorite websites and subscribe from there.
Thing #6 - RSS & A Newsreader
The idea behind a newsreader is great. I love the idea of not having to check several websites myself several times a day. On the other hand, I don't have the time to keep up with a newsreader so I'm usually behind my reading by thousands of posts. So this is a great way to create guilt!
I guess I just need to train myself to hit the newsreader each day. Of course bosses think you're wasting time if they see you sitting at a computer reading.
I guess I just need to train myself to hit the newsreader each day. Of course bosses think you're wasting time if they see you sitting at a computer reading.
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