Looks as though this journey has ended but I do plan to continue to explore many of the resources presented in this program. So - in many ways I am thinking of this project as a beginning. I am interested and do deeply wish to pursue lifelong learning in all things. All the better if these things can benefit me professionally. I think this project has motivated me to do something new or work at learning something new each week. If we break things down into small pieces then they become manageable.
No comments to improve the program because I found the presentation to be great. I liked that the focus was on a few items each week and there were many resources to support the discovery exercises. I would be very interested in participating in any future programs of this type. Overall - I enjoyed all of the "things" and would not have a particular favorite. Each one was something of an exploration for me and gave me the support to pursue them in more detail in the future. The strongest benefit of the project for me was the measured presentation of the tasks and the support to make them achievable for all staff - regardless of our level of tech experience.
Thanks - I had a great time and enjoyed the experience.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable Audio
I have become very familiar with YouTube over the last 6 months or so and just love it. I have learned small things as I used this site and one (for me at least) is to ignore the comments posted below the video content. A majority, not all but many, of them are incoherent rambles and I really use this resource for video content. Wonderful for music performances and to find things thought lost. Can be a lot of fun and even informational. I choose to post a video that was made to honor one of my favorite artists - William Ackerman - really liked the collection of images and the nice cover version of his song. One final comment about YouTube is that it has opened up a venue for people to express creativity which can be a wonderful thing.
Podcasts - Worked with Thing 21 and found the links posted on the Discovery Exercises to be helpful. I did subscribe to several podcasts to my Bloglines account and have enjoyed that feature. Some of the podcasts were radio-based and some TV-based but I would miss them or forget the times they ran. So this is nice to have them sent to me to listen to at anytime or to search the archives. I really am interested to see how these applications can utilized professionally by libraries especially from a training perspective. We could train with librarians throughout the country at our own desk and also share so many resources to better our profession.
Familiar with the resources of NetLibrary and Project Gutenburg because we use them frequently assisting patrons at work. A solid resource and nice to have access to these remotely for our patrons.
Podcasts - Worked with Thing 21 and found the links posted on the Discovery Exercises to be helpful. I did subscribe to several podcasts to my Bloglines account and have enjoyed that feature. Some of the podcasts were radio-based and some TV-based but I would miss them or forget the times they ran. So this is nice to have them sent to me to listen to at anytime or to search the archives. I really am interested to see how these applications can utilized professionally by libraries especially from a training perspective. We could train with librarians throughout the country at our own desk and also share so many resources to better our profession.
Familiar with the resources of NetLibrary and Project Gutenburg because we use them frequently assisting patrons at work. A solid resource and nice to have access to these remotely for our patrons.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Week 8: Online Application & Tools
I created my Zoho account today and have begun to explore all of the services offered on the site. It looks really cool and I love that it is all free and offers the chance to break Microsoft's stranglehold on applications. I think the online planning tools will be something I will find useful. Anyone who knows me then knows that I simply love to make lists. So the idea of having an online resource that I can post ideas & lists that I can access anywhere is wonderful news to me.
The thing I really like too is that the documents are stored online so you do not have to carry portable storage devices or notes. Seems like a neat approach to working out ideas and having them being made accessible.
To work on Thing #19 - I selected the music site called "Pandora". It is interesting in that you can essentially create your own radio station to play music selections or genres of music that you like. Seems to be another example of how things are being increasingly more personalized and it is good too that the selections can be shared with others. To consider within a library environment - I guess we could refer patrons to the resource to look for music of their preference. So it would be beneficial from a recreational aspect. I have not explored the site deeply but if it offers very diverse selections then this could be helpful for students in a music course or with supporting library programming.
The thing I really like too is that the documents are stored online so you do not have to carry portable storage devices or notes. Seems like a neat approach to working out ideas and having them being made accessible.
To work on Thing #19 - I selected the music site called "Pandora". It is interesting in that you can essentially create your own radio station to play music selections or genres of music that you like. Seems to be another example of how things are being increasingly more personalized and it is good too that the selections can be shared with others. To consider within a library environment - I guess we could refer patrons to the resource to look for music of their preference. So it would be beneficial from a recreational aspect. I have not explored the site deeply but if it offers very diverse selections then this could be helpful for students in a music course or with supporting library programming.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Michael Hedges
I had listed Michael Hedges as one of my favorite artists so here is a sampling of his work. He sadly passed away in late 1997 in a car accident - really a loss of a great artist and a great man. There is a fund set up for his children through his webpage Nomad Land
He was such a treasure and shared so much - I posted this too because of the wonders of YouTube which allows performances to be shared - very hard to locate them otherwise.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Week 7: Wikis
I completed Thing #16 by reviewing the various Wiki links provided and found some interesting and some a little boring. The layout seems to be more basic and less flashy - so I guess I compare them to web pages even though they are different in how they gain content. I like the idea of patrons/people being able to add content but would have some concerns about deletions or malicious usage. But - to be focus on the positive - it can be a wonderful way to allow patrons (thinking of library land here) to create content and comment on things of interest.
I really liked the Charlotte and Mecklenburg Counties Library Wiki on "core Competencies". They do so much there that is just cool. The page was clearly created and organized. The content was helpful and of interest. The WIKI on Library Success was also of interest to me personally. I really enjoy the idea of this running dialogue between staff and their library - where they can comment and have an arena to share ideas as well as successes. Princeton's Public Library was also nice with the Book Lovers Wiki - I thought of HCPL's Blog-A-Book where we have this concept in place now.
I found the ALA Wiki with New Orleans to be loaded with content but it was too much for me to scan. Almost information overload and I did not like the presentation of the Wiki. The information was helpful and would be of use to conference attendees but it just did not click for me.
As for library applications - I think libraries could use Wiki's in many diverse and interesting ways. Providing updates on programs, comments from patrons on library programs we offer or they would like to see, computer DIY courses for patrons, tips on doing library research, book comments and reviews, guides for teachers to databases and information for students. It seems like there could be many avenues to explore.
To complete Thing #17 - I went and played in the Sandbox Wiki and posted my blog to the list. Here is a link to the small posting I did to just get a feel for the process - not very exciting but it will be fun to go back and improve upon it. I thought it was really easy to create the content and post it - very friendly to use.
Novel Ideas Wiki
I really liked the Charlotte and Mecklenburg Counties Library Wiki on "core Competencies". They do so much there that is just cool. The page was clearly created and organized. The content was helpful and of interest. The WIKI on Library Success was also of interest to me personally. I really enjoy the idea of this running dialogue between staff and their library - where they can comment and have an arena to share ideas as well as successes. Princeton's Public Library was also nice with the Book Lovers Wiki - I thought of HCPL's Blog-A-Book where we have this concept in place now.
I found the ALA Wiki with New Orleans to be loaded with content but it was too much for me to scan. Almost information overload and I did not like the presentation of the Wiki. The information was helpful and would be of use to conference attendees but it just did not click for me.
As for library applications - I think libraries could use Wiki's in many diverse and interesting ways. Providing updates on programs, comments from patrons on library programs we offer or they would like to see, computer DIY courses for patrons, tips on doing library research, book comments and reviews, guides for teachers to databases and information for students. It seems like there could be many avenues to explore.
To complete Thing #17 - I went and played in the Sandbox Wiki and posted my blog to the list. Here is a link to the small posting I did to just get a feel for the process - not very exciting but it will be fun to go back and improve upon it. I thought it was really easy to create the content and post it - very friendly to use.
Novel Ideas Wiki
Week 6: Technorati & 2.0 thoughts
Worked with Technorati and things went well.
Technorati Profile
In looking at the top searches I recognized some - (eg) YouTube - but there were some I have never seen before. So it could be interesting to see what people are looking at. Often though, I find my interests do not match the most popular searches - which is preferable to me because I honestly do not care about Fergie or Paris Hilton. I thought the list of top blogs was curious. The tags made sense in browsing.
I would agree that the Library 2.0 concept would involve a mindset change in how we approach library services for our patrons. Libraries and their staff, in my opinion, are a diverse group of people to begin with so this is very beneficial in that their varied experiences as well as approaches to challenges would be very broad. This is wonderful for us because we become fluid and adaptive to change. By adding the technology element then we have another means of increasing the quality and level of service we provide. I loved the video clip for "The Machine is Us/ing Us" - a lot to think about and such a great presentation technique. How we are shaping and being shaped in turn.
Dr. Schultz's To a temporary place in time...was interesting to see how she projects things may move with libraries. The idea of collecting librarians and their thoughts as opposed to books themselves. Who knows how we will evolve? Mr. Stephens post is also interesting to me - the user-centered library practice. A little more down-to-earth touch with tech and its applications. I find it all very exciting to think about the future of libraries.
Technorati Profile
In looking at the top searches I recognized some - (eg) YouTube - but there were some I have never seen before. So it could be interesting to see what people are looking at. Often though, I find my interests do not match the most popular searches - which is preferable to me because I honestly do not care about Fergie or Paris Hilton. I thought the list of top blogs was curious. The tags made sense in browsing.
I would agree that the Library 2.0 concept would involve a mindset change in how we approach library services for our patrons. Libraries and their staff, in my opinion, are a diverse group of people to begin with so this is very beneficial in that their varied experiences as well as approaches to challenges would be very broad. This is wonderful for us because we become fluid and adaptive to change. By adding the technology element then we have another means of increasing the quality and level of service we provide. I loved the video clip for "The Machine is Us/ing Us" - a lot to think about and such a great presentation technique. How we are shaping and being shaped in turn.
Dr. Schultz's To a temporary place in time...was interesting to see how she projects things may move with libraries. The idea of collecting librarians and their thoughts as opposed to books themselves. Who knows how we will evolve? Mr. Stephens post is also interesting to me - the user-centered library practice. A little more down-to-earth touch with tech and its applications. I find it all very exciting to think about the future of libraries.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Week 6: Tagging
I began this week with task #13 and used Del.icio.us. The tutorials were helpful and gave a nice introduction - this is all new to me with this week's work. Most of the terms I have heard in passing but never explored or used their services. It is always good to learn some new things.
I worked around in Del.icio.us with the topic of customer service - which has always been of great interest to me. I think this is because so often I find that customer service is marginal at best and it makes an impression on me when it is exceptional. I found some interesting blogs and web pages - I did create an account - very easy to do. It was interesting to see how many people had saved this as reference points. I can appreciate how Del.icio.us can be beneficial as a way to retrieve "favorites" from anywhere but I can see applications in research that are useful too. Good ideas and resources for direct usage applications and also for presentations.
I worked around in Del.icio.us with the topic of customer service - which has always been of great interest to me. I think this is because so often I find that customer service is marginal at best and it makes an impression on me when it is exceptional. I found some interesting blogs and web pages - I did create an account - very easy to do. It was interesting to see how many people had saved this as reference points. I can appreciate how Del.icio.us can be beneficial as a way to retrieve "favorites" from anywhere but I can see applications in research that are useful too. Good ideas and resources for direct usage applications and also for presentations.
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