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!)

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?

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.

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!

Thing #18: Youtube

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.

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.