Thing #24: Refresh Your Blog

Ok, I am embarrassed that I haven't been keepin up with my blog since finishing"23 Things" last year. I am glad that we have "More Things", because it is an opportunity to continue learning about 2.0. The tricky thing for me is finding the time in my work day to focus on this.

I've been playing around with the gadgets and added one of my favorite games: Pac Man!

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.

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.

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.

Music Player

Find more music like this on 23 Things on a Stick

23 Things Badge

Visit 23 Things on a Stick

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!)