The summary thing...
I had fun learning the different things covered in the program, and there were a lot of things I hadn't tried out before. As I am a member of the Virtual Services Team, I felt a little pressure to be sure and finish the 23 things, which was a nice motivator. It seems like a lot of people started but then didn't get very far. Also, since I was part of the "tracking team," I was often reading other people's blogs and commenting on them, which made me feel connected to the rest of the people working on the program. All in all I had fun working on Learning 2.0 and would definitely participate in the future if there was another program like this.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Thing 22 - ebooks and audio ebooks
The ebook/audio ebook thing...
I'm not crazy about ebooks in a general way, but have used them for research. The California missions ebooks are really useful when every 4th grader needs a mission book at the same time. I've also found that people like the learn-a-language audio ebooks. One of my neighbors gushed about them to me after Ken Yeager, our former city council rep, mentioned them in his email newsletter. I was bugged that she found out from him and not me, but how would I know she wanted them - she's a music teacher, for goodness sake.
I searched the Project Gutenberg site; the Top 100 lists were pretty interesting. The only thing I could think of to search for was Shakespeare and his works are certainly available.
I'm not crazy about ebooks in a general way, but have used them for research. The California missions ebooks are really useful when every 4th grader needs a mission book at the same time. I've also found that people like the learn-a-language audio ebooks. One of my neighbors gushed about them to me after Ken Yeager, our former city council rep, mentioned them in his email newsletter. I was bugged that she found out from him and not me, but how would I know she wanted them - she's a music teacher, for goodness sake.
I searched the Project Gutenberg site; the Top 100 lists were pretty interesting. The only thing I could think of to search for was Shakespeare and his works are certainly available.
Thing 21 - podcasts
The Podcast thing...
I have been listening to podcasts for a couple months, since they are part of the Learning 2.0 exercises. I explored lots of podcasts from the podcast directories listed. Some of the podcasts didn't work on my computer at work, but I was able to listen to many different ones. I must confess that some were not library related. So I did search for library related podcasts and listened to some from Library Geek. Some were boring (ie, geeky), some interesting. I liked the podcasts from the Sunnyvale Public Library - it was cool to hear about the history of the valley. The Thomas Ford Memorial Library has a "click-a-story" program of podcasts; it's really fun even with the Illinois accent ;).
I added the feed for NPR's Fresh Air to my Bloglines account. That's one of my favorite shows on KQED, but don't always get a chance to hear it.
I'd love to be able to have our storytimes available as podcasts. At least then the kids (and parents) who can't make it when we offer them would be able to hear them from home.
I have been listening to podcasts for a couple months, since they are part of the Learning 2.0 exercises. I explored lots of podcasts from the podcast directories listed. Some of the podcasts didn't work on my computer at work, but I was able to listen to many different ones. I must confess that some were not library related. So I did search for library related podcasts and listened to some from Library Geek. Some were boring (ie, geeky), some interesting. I liked the podcasts from the Sunnyvale Public Library - it was cool to hear about the history of the valley. The Thomas Ford Memorial Library has a "click-a-story" program of podcasts; it's really fun even with the Illinois accent ;).
I added the feed for NPR's Fresh Air to my Bloglines account. That's one of my favorite shows on KQED, but don't always get a chance to hear it.
I'd love to be able to have our storytimes available as podcasts. At least then the kids (and parents) who can't make it when we offer them would be able to hear them from home.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Thing 20 - YouTube
The YouTube thing...
I had posted a video a few days ago because I was testing it out - it is a very funny anti-emoticon piece. I hate it when people overuse lol - I can't imagine that they are actually laughing out loud. Liars. Actually what is funny is that I have an aunt named Laurel, only we always called her Lol, so it looks like she's saying lol but she's really just signing her email. It can be confusing when she's discussing my granmother's latest illness and then she says lol.
So YouTube is easy to use and pretty fun to play around with - there are so many crazy things out there! Here are a few of my new library related favorites that I've found on other people's Learning 2.0 blogs and some I've discovered on my own:
Web 2.0 Song
80s Library Workout
Library 2.0 Manifesto
Prangstrup Library Musical
Mercedes Commercial
I had posted a video a few days ago because I was testing it out - it is a very funny anti-emoticon piece. I hate it when people overuse lol - I can't imagine that they are actually laughing out loud. Liars. Actually what is funny is that I have an aunt named Laurel, only we always called her Lol, so it looks like she's saying lol but she's really just signing her email. It can be confusing when she's discussing my granmother's latest illness and then she says lol.
So YouTube is easy to use and pretty fun to play around with - there are so many crazy things out there! Here are a few of my new library related favorites that I've found on other people's Learning 2.0 blogs and some I've discovered on my own:
Web 2.0 Song
80s Library Workout
Library 2.0 Manifesto
Prangstrup Library Musical
Mercedes Commercial
Thing 19 - LibraryThing
The LibraryThing thing...
LibraryThing is super cool and I have had a lot of fun with it. I set up my account ages ago (ok, months), and have a widget on my blog for all to see random books from my library. LibraryThing is ridiculously easy to use and I love being able to see what other people say about the books I love. The unsuggester is pretty interesting - when I put in Geek Love by Katherine Dunn I got back a bunch of Christian titles. When I put in Crossing California by Adam Langer I got all of Terry Pratchett's works and lots of other sci-fi books.
LibraryThing is super cool and I have had a lot of fun with it. I set up my account ages ago (ok, months), and have a widget on my blog for all to see random books from my library. LibraryThing is ridiculously easy to use and I love being able to see what other people say about the books I love. The unsuggester is pretty interesting - when I put in Geek Love by Katherine Dunn I got back a bunch of Christian titles. When I put in Crossing California by Adam Langer I got all of Terry Pratchett's works and lots of other sci-fi books.
Thing 18 - Online productivity tools
The Zoho thing...
So I have a pretty good grasp of this already because I was the one who reviewed this exercise and created the "benefits of Zoho" document that is linked to on the exercise. It is pretty easy to use Zoho and Google Docs, and I have recommended them to librayr customers who need to save documents and don't have any other way to do it. I have found them to be very useful additions to my customer service toolbox.
So I have a pretty good grasp of this already because I was the one who reviewed this exercise and created the "benefits of Zoho" document that is linked to on the exercise. It is pretty easy to use Zoho and Google Docs, and I have recommended them to librayr customers who need to save documents and don't have any other way to do it. I have found them to be very useful additions to my customer service toolbox.
Thing 17 - SJLibrary sandbox
Thing 17 - the sandbox thing...
I added lots of things to the sandbox wiki. It is fun to see what other people have put up and to find interesting things to read and watch. I am all for wikis so it's cool to have people practice using this one.
I added lots of things to the sandbox wiki. It is fun to see what other people have put up and to find interesting things to read and watch. I am all for wikis so it's cool to have people practice using this one.
Thing 16 - wikis
The wiki thing...
Wikis are very super cool. The SJPL children's librarians have a wiki on pbwiki where we share story times, program ideas and more. Many librarians have added to it so far. We've had a few glitches here and there, but overall it has been a great way for us to share information. It sure beats getting all those emails with story time plans to download. So this is a very cool application of wikis to library service. It could also be used for procedures and other staff information. I liked the BookLoversWiki and think it would be cool to have a wiki-type feature on the library catalog, where customers can actually provide feedback about items in the collection.
Wikis are very super cool. The SJPL children's librarians have a wiki on pbwiki where we share story times, program ideas and more. Many librarians have added to it so far. We've had a few glitches here and there, but overall it has been a great way for us to share information. It sure beats getting all those emails with story time plans to download. So this is a very cool application of wikis to library service. It could also be used for procedures and other staff information. I liked the BookLoversWiki and think it would be cool to have a wiki-type feature on the library catalog, where customers can actually provide feedback about items in the collection.
Thing 15 - Library 2.0
The Library 2.0 thing...
I reviewed all the Library 2.0 discovery resources from the exercise. I think that Rick Anderson is right on track with his iceberg analogy. His "just in case" collection comments are right on track, I think. The public library would be much better served by relying on the digital versions of most research materials and saving the print budget for popular fiction, non-fiction and children's books. I think it is important to maintain print collections and for children to have access to books. Books have always been a huge part of my life and I think I will always be a book reader. That is an experience that should be preserved in our society and libraries should continue to be a part of that.
I must emphasize that it is important for a library to have sound collection development policies and guidelines for weeding. I was recently at the PLA Spring Symposium and one of the presenters at the customer service workshop was emphasizing the importance of weeding. She was searching a library catalog to see what they had on international adoption and found books from the 1980s!
But I digress...
Library 2.0 is, of course, a vital part of our future and will help guide us to further success. Public libraries need to continue to be information portals for all customers.
I reviewed all the Library 2.0 discovery resources from the exercise. I think that Rick Anderson is right on track with his iceberg analogy. His "just in case" collection comments are right on track, I think. The public library would be much better served by relying on the digital versions of most research materials and saving the print budget for popular fiction, non-fiction and children's books. I think it is important to maintain print collections and for children to have access to books. Books have always been a huge part of my life and I think I will always be a book reader. That is an experience that should be preserved in our society and libraries should continue to be a part of that.
I must emphasize that it is important for a library to have sound collection development policies and guidelines for weeding. I was recently at the PLA Spring Symposium and one of the presenters at the customer service workshop was emphasizing the importance of weeding. She was searching a library catalog to see what they had on international adoption and found books from the 1980s!
But I digress...
Library 2.0 is, of course, a vital part of our future and will help guide us to further success. Public libraries need to continue to be information portals for all customers.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Thing 14 - technorati
I claimed my blog and added the technorati widget to my blog. I tried out the Learning 2.0 search in the different fields, as described in the Discovery Exercise, and the number of results went down with each different field. I have also tried searching my own blog with the technorati search that I added to my blog, but it doesn't really seem to work.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Thing 13: del.icio.us
So I've taken a bit of a break from the 23 things, but am back now. There is so much to learn about del.icio.us - I think I've just hit the tip of the iceberg. I think it will be very useful for me for being able to access my bookmarks from any computer. I always find myself going to my favorites only to realize that the one I'm looking for is actually on my home/work computer.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
more on Rollyo...
So I went to look at my searchroll again to try to improve it but realized that there was a little helpful hint telling me to enter top-level domains only. So, I took out the one that was on geocities. Some of the others might not be so relevant any more either. Oh well. I can see the value in Rollyo and will try to continue using it.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Thing 12 - Rollyo
The public domain eBooks search was very cool. I searched for Romeo and Juliet and found the Oxford Shakespeare full text of the play. This type of resourse could be very helpful in those situations where a student needs to read something right now but all copies are checked out. Of course, it would have to be in the public domain. I also tried searching for Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales" because last year right before Christmas a customer came in looking for the audio version of the poem. We couldn't find it on the shelf, but then my esteemed supervisor said - "Isn't that in the public domain? You can find it online!" and we did, and you can too, at this site, but it doesn't come up in a search on the Rollyo search. Maybe if you knew the name of a book the poem appeared in? but maybe not?
I created a custom search in Rollyo to look for storytime ideas. Unfortunately, one of the sites I added is on geocities, and it appears that my search is searching the entire geocities site. hmmph. Anyway, I have added it to my blog sidebar thing. Over there ->
I created a custom search in Rollyo to look for storytime ideas. Unfortunately, one of the sites I added is on geocities, and it appears that my search is searching the entire geocities site. hmmph. Anyway, I have added it to my blog sidebar thing. Over there ->
Thing 11 - Web 2.0 awards
Web 2.0 awards thing...
I looked at several of the sites on the list of award winners. I think that YouSendIt could be really useful - it lets you send and receive large electronic files. There's a free version that allows you to send a file of up to 100 MB with up to 100 downloads. The file remains on the site for 7 days, so your recipients have a few days to get to it. The business versions range from $5 to $30 per month - not terribly expensive for file size up to 2 GB with 200-500 downloads. I can see a value in this type of service for photos, videos, slide shows, or anything else that takes up a lot of space but you want a lot of people to see. I could see that this would be a good way for library customers to share files on public access PCs - especially for customers that don't have a portable storage device (ie, flash drive) and for whom a floppy disk's capacity is too small.
Being a good American, I also liked the retail sites. Etsy is neat-o with cool handmade items to buy (and also sell). I like the colors page; you can click on any color and the site will find items for you that are that color. Instant shopping!
tags: Web 2.0 awards
etsy, YouSendIt
I looked at several of the sites on the list of award winners. I think that YouSendIt could be really useful - it lets you send and receive large electronic files. There's a free version that allows you to send a file of up to 100 MB with up to 100 downloads. The file remains on the site for 7 days, so your recipients have a few days to get to it. The business versions range from $5 to $30 per month - not terribly expensive for file size up to 2 GB with 200-500 downloads. I can see a value in this type of service for photos, videos, slide shows, or anything else that takes up a lot of space but you want a lot of people to see. I could see that this would be a good way for library customers to share files on public access PCs - especially for customers that don't have a portable storage device (ie, flash drive) and for whom a floppy disk's capacity is too small.
Being a good American, I also liked the retail sites. Etsy is neat-o with cool handmade items to buy (and also sell). I like the colors page; you can click on any color and the site will find items for you that are that color. Instant shopping!
tags: Web 2.0 awards
etsy, YouSendIt
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Thing 10 - Image Generators
The image generator thing...
I spent a lot of time playing on The Generator Blog and found all kinds of crazy things. I liked the Error Message Generator where I created this image:
tags: image generators
I spent a lot of time playing on The Generator Blog and found all kinds of crazy things. I liked the Error Message Generator where I created this image:
I couldn't really think of anything creative to say so I just did the know-it-all librarian kind of message.
I also like the "loading" icons like this one I created on ajaxload:
The glitterizer was cool too - they have like thousands of different glitter styles that you can use to jazz up your text. I chose the rainbow glitter, of course ;)
Blogthings has tons of cool things you can put on your blog. Here's my results for The Quick and Dirty Career Test.
Your Career Personality: Idealistic, Service-Oriented, and Future-Oriented |
 Your Ideal Careers: Alternative health practitioner Architect Environmental lawyer Librarian Magazine editor Museum curator Novelist Nutritionist Photo journalist Playwright |
It's nice to know I chose the right career, but it's also comforting to know that I may have a future as and "alternative health practitioner."
tags: image generators
Monday, February 5, 2007
Thing 9 - Library related blogs
The library RSS thing...
I've been looking at lots of blogs, websites and searches. It can be overwhelming to see all the stuff that's out there. One think that is very surprising to me is when you see the number of people subscribed to the feeds. I find it strange that there are only 18 subscribers to the feed for KQED's "forum with Michael Krasny" show. If you listen to the show, people call in from all over the bay area and beyond - wouldn't they want to see the feed too? Then again, I just subscribed to the feed today, though I've been listening to the show for a long time.
The search tools are good, but I couldn't really think of things to search on. I think that if there was a subject I was particularly interested in I would be able to find plenty of blogs to subscribe to, though. I really like that when I'm looking at a web site I can find the little RSS icon and just add it to my blog roll - I will probably be doing that more now.
tag: rss
I've been looking at lots of blogs, websites and searches. It can be overwhelming to see all the stuff that's out there. One think that is very surprising to me is when you see the number of people subscribed to the feeds. I find it strange that there are only 18 subscribers to the feed for KQED's "forum with Michael Krasny" show. If you listen to the show, people call in from all over the bay area and beyond - wouldn't they want to see the feed too? Then again, I just subscribed to the feed today, though I've been listening to the show for a long time.
The search tools are good, but I couldn't really think of things to search on. I think that if there was a subject I was particularly interested in I would be able to find plenty of blogs to subscribe to, though. I really like that when I'm looking at a web site I can find the little RSS icon and just add it to my blog roll - I will probably be doing that more now.
tag: rss
Thing 8 - Bloglines
The RSS thing...
I had a bloglines account already but was hardly ever using it - it's good to get back into it because it can make my life so much easier. I added a bunch of learning 2.0 blogs to my roll as well as a few other sites that I like. I'd like to spend more time exploring other blogs to find cool ones to add. Hopefully other learning 2.0 people will share their blog rolls and then I can steal their good ideas. Check out Gordola's Bloglines to see if you want to add any of mine to yours.
I am hoping that soon we will have RSS available on the SJLibrary website and catalog. We could use it for events postings, library news, new book alerts, account notices and other cool things. The library Elf site that Helene Blowers mentioned in the podcast makes a great case for libraries and RSS becasue it is already using available technology to keep library customers up to date on their checkouts and holds. One problem I have with this site is that they seem to have every library in the country on their List of Libraries but only a few of them don't say "beta" next to their name. So, has anyone out there tried this service yet? I would sign up with my Santa Clara County library card, but I almost never check out anything so it really wouldn't be worthwhile. Please comment if you have used library Elf.
tags: rss, blog roll, library elf
I had a bloglines account already but was hardly ever using it - it's good to get back into it because it can make my life so much easier. I added a bunch of learning 2.0 blogs to my roll as well as a few other sites that I like. I'd like to spend more time exploring other blogs to find cool ones to add. Hopefully other learning 2.0 people will share their blog rolls and then I can steal their good ideas. Check out Gordola's Bloglines to see if you want to add any of mine to yours.
I am hoping that soon we will have RSS available on the SJLibrary website and catalog. We could use it for events postings, library news, new book alerts, account notices and other cool things. The library Elf site that Helene Blowers mentioned in the podcast makes a great case for libraries and RSS becasue it is already using available technology to keep library customers up to date on their checkouts and holds. One problem I have with this site is that they seem to have every library in the country on their List of Libraries but only a few of them don't say "beta" next to their name. So, has anyone out there tried this service yet? I would sign up with my Santa Clara County library card, but I almost never check out anything so it really wouldn't be worthwhile. Please comment if you have used library Elf.
tags: rss, blog roll, library elf
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Thing 7 - iPod Nano
The technology post thing...
The thing I find cool at the moment is my new iPod Nano. It's red and (RED), so is supporting a good cause. I got it for Christmas and can use it with the iPod interface in the glove compartment in my new MINI Cooper that I bought last fall.
As for blog comments, I've been commenting on many people's blogs for the past week or so. I hope that people are reading them and I hope some people start commenting on my posts too - it's very exciting to get feedback.
tags: ipod nano, red
The thing I find cool at the moment is my new iPod Nano. It's red and (RED), so is supporting a good cause. I got it for Christmas and can use it with the iPod interface in the glove compartment in my new MINI Cooper that I bought last fall.
As for blog comments, I've been commenting on many people's blogs for the past week or so. I hope that people are reading them and I hope some people start commenting on my posts too - it's very exciting to get feedback.
tags: ipod nano, red
Thing 6 - Flickr mashups
The flickr mashup thing...
These sites are cool. The "color pickr" one is fun to play around with. I also like the montager mosaic-maker, but it seems like it's kind of slow to load and there's not a lot to do with the mosaic once you have it. Anyway, here's a trading card I made of one of my cats when she was just a tiny baby:
I was able to save it to my flash drive and my flickr account. I added it to my blog from my flash drive. All of this is much easier than I expected it to be.
tag: flickr
These sites are cool. The "color pickr" one is fun to play around with. I also like the montager mosaic-maker, but it seems like it's kind of slow to load and there's not a lot to do with the mosaic once you have it. Anyway, here's a trading card I made of one of my cats when she was just a tiny baby:
I was able to save it to my flash drive and my flickr account. I added it to my blog from my flash drive. All of this is much easier than I expected it to be.tag: flickr
Thing 5 - Explore Flickr
The flickr thing...
tags: puppy, mugsy, flickr
This is a photo of our new puppy that I uploaded to Flickr and then added to my blog with Flickr's blogging tool. It was super easy! I think Flickr is really cool - it makes it so easy to share your vacation photos without loading up someone's inbox. I also love seeing everyone else's shots; I could spend an afternoon surfing the "last 7 days" photos.
Mugsy and Mr. Squeaky Bird
tags: puppy, mugsy, flickr
Friday, January 5, 2007
Thing 4 - Register your blog
The register your blog thing...
Not much to say about this one. My blog is here, it's registered. Bring on the flash drive! Oh yeah...19 more things to go.
technorati tag: blog
Not much to say about this one. My blog is here, it's registered. Bring on the flash drive! Oh yeah...19 more things to go.
technorati tag: blog
Thing 3 - Set up your own blog
The set up the blog thing...
Well - here it is. It was pretty easy to set up the blog - the most challenging part was deciding which template to use. It also took me awhile to think up a username and a name for my blog. I don't mind if people know who I am, but thought it might be more interesting to be anonymous. However, if anyone knows my cats' names they probably know whose blog this is.
technorati tag: blog
Well - here it is. It was pretty easy to set up the blog - the most challenging part was deciding which template to use. It also took me awhile to think up a username and a name for my blog. I don't mind if people know who I am, but thought it might be more interesting to be anonymous. However, if anyone knows my cats' names they probably know whose blog this is.
technorati tag: blog
Thing 2 - 7.5 habits
Thing 1, Thing 2...
I like the idea of getting us thinking about lifelong learning - what a great way to start the 23 things. I would say that the habit I find most difficult is to view problems as challenges. I can be sort of a "throw in the towel" kind of person, so that is an area I will need to work on when trying to comlete my 23 things. The other habits are things I'm pretty comfortable doing. I'm glad that my job gives me the opportunity to continue learning, and I am also continuously learning in my personal life since I read a lot and am also trying to learn to play the piano. These days I am housetraining a puppy, which has definitely provided me with another learning opportunity.
technorati tag: puppy
I like the idea of getting us thinking about lifelong learning - what a great way to start the 23 things. I would say that the habit I find most difficult is to view problems as challenges. I can be sort of a "throw in the towel" kind of person, so that is an area I will need to work on when trying to comlete my 23 things. The other habits are things I'm pretty comfortable doing. I'm glad that my job gives me the opportunity to continue learning, and I am also continuously learning in my personal life since I read a lot and am also trying to learn to play the piano. These days I am housetraining a puppy, which has definitely provided me with another learning opportunity.
technorati tag: puppy
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