ACRL Preconference Unconference
15 years ago
Monday, September 22, 2008
23 Things Withdrawal
It's been a week since my last post. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss it! I keep thinking of web 2.0 tools that I can use to may life (personal and work) easier. My mom is moving. And I think my siblings and I need a wiki to "be on the same page" about the details surrounding the move. I think about projects here at the library- like instant book club title selection. There were 3 of us working on the project and it would've been so much easier when compiling/editing the final list to have a wiki, rather than e-mailing and making sure we copied the other person, etc.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Thing 23! Final Thoughts
I'm done!!! My final thoughts? This was A LOT more work than I thought it was going to be, but I learned SO MUCH. This was totally worth it!
I now have a basic understanding of many all the web 2.0 "tools" available. I will know what patrons, colleagues, and yes, even my own children are talking about when they discuss RSS feeds, Facebook, Digg, and instant messaging.
What I found really fascinating, was how libraries are using these tools. I used to ask the question why? Why would my library system even WANT to create their own Facebook and MySpace, for example? Now I understand. Why would we librarians be interested in things like Digg and creating wikis? Now I see how these tools could be really helpful and save a lot of time.
Most of all, working through these 23 things has launched me into this "2.0 world" and made me more comfortable with it. Although I have by no means mastered many of these tools, at least I know what's available out there. I know that now I will continue to use some of these tools in both my personal life and definitely at work.
I now have a basic understanding of many all the web 2.0 "tools" available. I will know what patrons, colleagues, and yes, even my own children are talking about when they discuss RSS feeds, Facebook, Digg, and instant messaging.
What I found really fascinating, was how libraries are using these tools. I used to ask the question why? Why would my library system even WANT to create their own Facebook and MySpace, for example? Now I understand. Why would we librarians be interested in things like Digg and creating wikis? Now I see how these tools could be really helpful and save a lot of time.
Most of all, working through these 23 things has launched me into this "2.0 world" and made me more comfortable with it. Although I have by no means mastered many of these tools, at least I know what's available out there. I know that now I will continue to use some of these tools in both my personal life and definitely at work.
Thing #22: Staying Current
I think the only way that I will be able to keep up with my blog- is to dedicate 15 minutes of my work day toward the blog and/or staying abreast of whats new in the 2.0 world. This is a challenge when I work at one of the busiest public libraries in the metro area! But that is how I got through the 23 things: dedicating at least 15 minutes a day to reading, understanding and blogging about library 2.0.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Thing #21: Beyond MySpace: Other Social Networks
Of the other social network sites listed on this "thing", Web Junction for Minnesota is the most intriguing to me, as a librarian. I think this would be a great way to connect with/ share ideas with other librarians.
Webjunction's article "Building a Social Networking Environment at the Library" reinforces the issue that I brought up in my thing #20 blog: first and foremost, the library needs to educate people on social networking- because so many people are still not aware of what they actually can do for them and they are suspicious: the challenge lies in "convincing the doubters."
I joined Ning and added the 23 Things Badge and also the music player widget. (I'm still working on actually getting the music to play!)
Webjunction's article "Building a Social Networking Environment at the Library" reinforces the issue that I brought up in my thing #20 blog: first and foremost, the library needs to educate people on social networking- because so many people are still not aware of what they actually can do for them and they are suspicious: the challenge lies in "convincing the doubters."
I joined Ning and added the 23 Things Badge and also the music player widget. (I'm still working on actually getting the music to play!)
Thing #20: Social Networking Sites
I set up a Facebook account a few months ago- in order to access our library system's teen Facebook page. Today, I added a few friends! My two nieces and a co-worker were kind enough to be my friends! (I feel so popular!) I also joined the Library 2.0 Interest Group.
Why is Facebook the fastest growing social network? It seems to know exactly what it's users need in a social network site: very easy to use- easy to request friends, easy to add posts. Very user friendly. All of the teens in our neck of the woods have a Facebook account. You have the security of knowing that you have to approve who gets to be your friend (this puts me at ease as a parent of a Facebooker as well).
As a parent of teens, these social networking sites used to FREAK me out! It took me a long time to get past these feelings of fear when talking about these sites. Now I realize that they aren't bad. In fact, it is the way many people communicate/relate now. And it's OK. In fact, our library system now has a Facebook and Myspace account for teens to use.
I do think that there is a need for educating parents on what these social networking sites do and that, if used safely, is a safe things for kids to use. I guess the telephone was "suspicious" to many folks when it first became available to people a century ago. Anyway, the question is: is it the library's role to educate parents on these new social networking sites: how they work and the advantages as well as the dangers?
Why is Facebook the fastest growing social network? It seems to know exactly what it's users need in a social network site: very easy to use- easy to request friends, easy to add posts. Very user friendly. All of the teens in our neck of the woods have a Facebook account. You have the security of knowing that you have to approve who gets to be your friend (this puts me at ease as a parent of a Facebooker as well).
As a parent of teens, these social networking sites used to FREAK me out! It took me a long time to get past these feelings of fear when talking about these sites. Now I realize that they aren't bad. In fact, it is the way many people communicate/relate now. And it's OK. In fact, our library system now has a Facebook and Myspace account for teens to use.
I do think that there is a need for educating parents on what these social networking sites do and that, if used safely, is a safe things for kids to use. I guess the telephone was "suspicious" to many folks when it first became available to people a century ago. Anyway, the question is: is it the library's role to educate parents on these new social networking sites: how they work and the advantages as well as the dangers?
Thing #19: Podcasting
I created an account with Podcast.com. I was especially interested in listening to book reviews, so I "browsed" New York Times amd National Public Radio podcasts for book reviews. The NYT has an interesting weekly podcast where they feature a new book and also summarize each week's bestsellers. Cool.
I also stumbled into the podcast for the trailer for the HBO John Adams series- and I added this to my Google Reader RSS page. The challenge now is to get the link on my blog.
I also stumbled into the podcast for the trailer for the HBO John Adams series- and I added this to my Google Reader RSS page. The challenge now is to get the link on my blog.
Thing #18: Youtube
Hey! I successfully imported/embedded a youtube video (see below)! I could waste a LOT of time looking at youtube! I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to embed a video into my blog. (A lot of these 23 things activities are easier than I expect them to be!)
As far as Youtube's usefulness to librarians and library users: this is a GREAT tool: for kids doing research on events in history (such as looking at a clip of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech). A few years ago, when youtube was a relatively new phenomenon, a patron needed a clip of "I Love Lucy" show chocolate factory episode for her film class. A co-worker of mine showed me youtube and the patron was THRILLED.
My niece made a mini film for her Spanish class and she posted in on youtube for everyone to enjoy!
As far as Youtube's usefulness to librarians and library users: this is a GREAT tool: for kids doing research on events in history (such as looking at a clip of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech). A few years ago, when youtube was a relatively new phenomenon, a patron needed a clip of "I Love Lucy" show chocolate factory episode for her film class. A co-worker of mine showed me youtube and the patron was THRILLED.
My niece made a mini film for her Spanish class and she posted in on youtube for everyone to enjoy!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Thing #17: ELM Productivity Tools
I work with many of these ELM tools everyday. But I didn't realize all the things we can do with them.
I found the create a folder and/or website tool helpful- especially if you wanted to share a list with a colleague or patron. (I can see this tool being particularly useful in a college library setting where reference librarians may be helping students find sources for a topic).
Net Library is something that I use both personally (downloadable audio) and in helping patrons find e-books when they can't find a hard copy in the library. Before, the "Favorites and Notes" feature was something I never even noticed.
I found the create a folder and/or website tool helpful- especially if you wanted to share a list with a colleague or patron. (I can see this tool being particularly useful in a college library setting where reference librarians may be helping students find sources for a topic).
Net Library is something that I use both personally (downloadable audio) and in helping patrons find e-books when they can't find a hard copy in the library. Before, the "Favorites and Notes" feature was something I never even noticed.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Thing #16: Student 2.0 Tools
One way that I can see these time management tools being used in the public library- is to help people (students and parents) who request books on this topic of how to approach doing a research paper. It's another source that they might be interested in.
These tools might be something to mention to teachers and classes when we do school visits or library tours for classes.
These tools might be something to mention to teachers and classes when we do school visits or library tours for classes.
Thing #15: Online Games in Libraries
I have to admit, this is NEW territory for me!! I looked at the Second Life Video tour. The concept is similar to the SIMS games that my kids play. But the virtual classroom idea is interesting to me.
We have started offering gaming nights for teens here at the library. A couple of our fun, techno-savvy librarians have organized and hosted two very successful Guitar Hero nights here at the library. This is a great way to bring teens into the library.
We have started offering gaming nights for teens here at the library. A couple of our fun, techno-savvy librarians have organized and hosted two very successful Guitar Hero nights here at the library. This is a great way to bring teens into the library.
Thing #14: Library Thing
I actually have worked with Library Thing before. I actually created an account months ago (pre-23 things) to access a co-worker's Library Thing storytime books page. This is a tool that can be VERY useful to librarians, as we are constantly creating and looking for booklists to help our patrons.
One of the features I love about Library Thing is that you can actually have a picture of the book cover on the screen- very helpful when you are trying to remember a storytime title (I often remember the cover and/or illustrations more than I remember the actual titles!) And a helpful tool for getting storytime theme ideas and/or remebering titles you've read before.
One of the features I love about Library Thing is that you can actually have a picture of the book cover on the screen- very helpful when you are trying to remember a storytime title (I often remember the cover and/or illustrations more than I remember the actual titles!) And a helpful tool for getting storytime theme ideas and/or remebering titles you've read before.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thing #13: Online Productivity Tools
I set up an IGoogle start page. This could be very useful to have everything in one place- news headlines, weather, sports updates on my favorite baseball team, and gadgets such as the countdown clock could be helpful too (as I'm scrambling to get through my 23 things!)
I also set up an account with "Remember the Milk." This seems useful to me as well! The thing is, there are SO MANY of these tools out there! It's a bit overwhelming! I guess it's just a matter of finding out which ones work best for you and which ones are easiest for you to work with and actually make your life/work better.
I also set up an account with "Remember the Milk." This seems useful to me as well! The thing is, there are SO MANY of these tools out there! It's a bit overwhelming! I guess it's just a matter of finding out which ones work best for you and which ones are easiest for you to work with and actually make your life/work better.
Thing #12: Do You Digg?
As I look over the various social media sites, I'm starting to understand how these might be useful to librarians- it's a way to find out, quickly, what the "buzz" is on various topics- so that we might be better prepared to know the latest issues/news stories that our patrons are interested in. This is helpful because the amount of news and info available online is overwhelming. I often want to know what people are talking about/ interested in NOW- and these social media sites are a way to see what people are interested in NOW.
I set up a Digg account and shared a New York Times article about Federer winning the U.S. Open. It was very easy to do.
I set up a Digg account and shared a New York Times article about Federer winning the U.S. Open. It was very easy to do.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thing #11: Tagging and Del.icio.us
After setting up an account with Del.icio.us, I can see the potential usefulness of using tools like this- instead of the bookmarking on my browser. The use of tags makes this VERY useful- especially for us librarians!So far, I have added a few sites with book discussion guides (for when we do book club kit selection each year). But I though of another way to use Del.icio.us that would be useful: the other day, I was helping a patron find consumer information on central air conditioners. I remember doing this same search for other patrons, and then for myself also when I was faced with selecting an air conditioner and furnace for my home. I remember NOT finding much consumer info/ ratings in magazine articles. But I did find several websites were helpful- and I wish now that I had written these down! Now I can simply tag these sites and refer to del.icio.us when this comes up again. One of many potential applications.
Thing #10: Collaboration: Wikis
I recently did a bit of research on wikis and presented a brief introduction to wikis at one of our monthly reference workshops, so I've been learning about and exploring wikis over the summer.
At first, I had NO idea what a wiki was! I viewed the Common Craft video "Wikis in Plain English" on Youtube and found that very helpful in getting a grasp of what wikis are. I explored several wikis, such as ALA's Every Child Ready to Read wiki, Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki, and Megalibrarian (I found several good storytime and craft ideas in this wiki).
Finally, I actually CREATED my own simple wiki on Wikispaces.com, so that I could actually show the other librarians I was presenting to- how to create, edit or add to a wiki. I thought it might be useful to make a wiki where the librarians doing storytime at our branch could collaborate on/ get ideas about various themes and titles to read. I thought a wiki would be more practical than all of us e-mailing and copying eachother on e-mail, etc. I created a simple wiki using a table format with theme at the top and then title ideas for that theme in the lines below.
At first, I had NO idea what a wiki was! I viewed the Common Craft video "Wikis in Plain English" on Youtube and found that very helpful in getting a grasp of what wikis are. I explored several wikis, such as ALA's Every Child Ready to Read wiki, Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki, and Megalibrarian (I found several good storytime and craft ideas in this wiki).
Finally, I actually CREATED my own simple wiki on Wikispaces.com, so that I could actually show the other librarians I was presenting to- how to create, edit or add to a wiki. I thought it might be useful to make a wiki where the librarians doing storytime at our branch could collaborate on/ get ideas about various themes and titles to read. I thought a wiki would be more practical than all of us e-mailing and copying eachother on e-mail, etc. I created a simple wiki using a table format with theme at the top and then title ideas for that theme in the lines below.
Thing #9: Collaboration: Zoho vs. Google Docs
I tried Zoho out- editing the Declaration of Independence document. (I haven't been able to successfully get into Google Docs). I honestly don't really know how we would ever use this here at the library. To me, it just seems easier to send e-mail attachments. But then, it may just be the nature of our work- in other professions, such as book editing or advertising, these collaboration tools might be very useful.
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