Thing #24 One Final Post

I can hardly believe that this is the last official post to write. I hope to be able to return to several of the exercises again as review and for further exploration. I really enjoyed the whole adventure and found it well laid out with the Discovery Resources first followed by the Discovery Exercises. Thanks for setting this up for us and "encouraging" us to get on with it. I always found someone willing to answer questions and offer help which was very was much appreciated.

Thing # 23 Netlibrary

This was quite easy to navigate and interesting to try. I had not used it before and don't know how often I would use it. I think the time to download a title could be an obstacle to using this tool. I chose a title which had a short download time just so I could see how it works. The audio was clear and interesting but for me nothing replaces the feel of a book in hand.

Podcasts (Thing #22)

When I checked out the podcast sites which were highlighted, I was impressed with the videos which were listed in the SirsiDynix Institute. I think that there could be some archived videos which would be relavent to my job. There was even a video about "roving" presented by Joan G. who did our workshops on this concept. It was also interesting to note that there were recent additions to the site. Some of the other sites had not had new entries for a year or more.

On the library podcasts which I looked at, I was impressed with the storytelling and acting by some library staffs for their podcasts. If we added podcast to our web site, new skills would be required of staff- acting, singing, dancing, producing, directing- and as it states in our job descriptions "other tasks as assigned". Yikes!!!

YouTube Video (Thing #21)

I had not used You Tube very often and was surprised to see how easy it was to search for topcis of interest. The suggestion to check a favorite music artist led me to try Yanni and I selected "The Storm" entry. It is an amazing piece of music with violins, trumpet, harp and more. Check it out and see if you find it as stirring as I did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSrH_oqnrl0

I can see this site being useful as a way of educating the public about library services and programmes. I looked at the video describing the Library of Congress method of cataloguing and found it clear and easy to follow. I guess the important consideration would be how to make it an easy site for patrons find and use.

PBWiki (Thing # 20)

I like the WPL Fun Wiki and enjoyed reading the entries of the other staff. When doing the Discovery Exercises I found there was too much detail for me in the PB Wiki Tips. It would be helpful information to have if setting up a Wiki but otherwise I found it rather overwhelmimg.

Wikis (Thing # 19)

I found the video "Wikii in Plain English" very simple in its explanation of what a Wiki is. Simple is just what I need to grasp a beginning understand-
ing of such things. I hate to admit that I hadn't seen the Reference Department's Wiki and was interested to see how it was set up. I particularily like the lists- the autobiographies and staff picks. How great is it to be able to add to the list without numerous e-mails as was the case previously with the autobiography list! I wouldn't use all Wiki information without checking it accuracy but can see it as a staring point for research. The reference lists at the end would be most helpful.

Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 (Thing # 17)

Of the articles I read, the one which spoke most clearly to me was written by Rick Anderson. It was titled "Away from the Icebergs" and seemed to be the most staight-forward.He questions building large collections when many resources are available digitally and thus there is less need to purchase items in anticipation of user requests. He also wonders if we can meet the needs of our patrons if the services provided require so much training that we are not staffed to provide it. Finally he says the libraries must find ways of providing what patrons need, in ways that suit their lives and in their places as well as ours.
As always these new ideas will develop with consideration given to emerging trends, our patrons, the library staff, library administration, the board and of course financial restrictions which bring reality to bear on all things.

Technorati (#16)

I did not find this a very user-friendly site. I found it difficult to navigate and did not find the information readily. On the Google site, I found results quickly and ironically on Technorati, the 1 site I got to in my search was actually a Google site. I don't think I would be a frequent user but might try it if unable to get results elsewhere.

Delicious -Did It! (#15 Tagging and Delicious)

When I think of the name of this site of course I have an image of something yummy- hence this photo.
I think this will be a great way to have my favourite sites readily available but was disappointed to have to create a new Yahoo account (I am reluctant to use my personal one as I am ever-cautious or should I say paranoid about the security angle of all this). I seem to have new "user names" and "passwords" coming out my ears these days. I guess I should look on this as a mental exercise for my brain to improve my memory : How many "user names" and "logins" can I remember???

Image Generator Fun

Taking photos is an interest of mine but I often find that the pictures are not as nice as I had imagined when I took the shot. This picture of a maple leaf taken in Algonquin Park, however, is one I was pleased with and when I played around with it on this image generator I liked the result.
http://www.tuxpi.com/photo-effects/brushstroke-photo-frame



Next I tried adding a caption to a photo. This was a chuckle but I couldn't add the finished image to my blog. I would try it again sometime when I have time to devote to playing around with it.
http://bighugelabs.com/captioner.php

My Own Little Library (#13 Library Thing)

When adding books to my list I was surprised to see the variety of books I have been reading. Of course I love to read, but the varied titles are a reflection of belonging to a book club and reading things I might never have chosen myself. Libray Thing is a great way to keep track of these titles and help select others to read. Once again this is a tool which could take over your life if you chose to explore more of its potential.

http//www.librarything.com/catalog/lhslbd.

Twit Twit Twoo!

The title reflects my past and my days as a Brownie leader! Anyone who has been there will recogize the little chant. Anyways, I am now in another realm and a member of Twitter. One of my "friends" is my daughter and I can just imagine her surprise when she sees that I have a Twitter account. Will wonders never cease?



https://twitter.com/lhslbd

#11 Finding Feeds

I get the concept of these sites but found the amount of information overwhelming. I like Topix.net because it provided local information at a glance. Technorati seemed a bit easier to use than some others and I was intrigued to see in Syndic8.com that the Canadian flag was labelled as "flag of Que." In the end I added the CTV feed to my reader from its website because it is the news I use most often.

#10 RSS and Newsfeeders

This was very easy to set up and I will be anxious to see how much new information comes in daily from the sites I chose. Again, I could see myself becoming hooked on this and spending way too much time checking it. I guess, in theory, it should take less time to read these than to search for sites every time. It will be nice to have new ideas pop up unexpectedly. I like the idea of checking for new recipes and following a favorite blog this way. I'm sure I'll subscribe to more over time.

Technology Blog Thing #8

I like to think that even with all the technology, people will use their common sense and think for themselves. I remember planning a trip to New Brunswick last summer and using our GPS device to set out a route. We have travelled to N.B. several times but were merely intersted to see if the was a different way which might be shorter. Imagine our surprise when we were being directed to go via BOSTON. We chose to go the tried and true way we knew. I love to hear stories of people who try defy the plotted route and have the GPS speaking at them in an insistent manner. Don't you just hate it when a machine yells at you?

Too Much Fun

How many hours can a person spend checking out Flickr? I'm here to report that the answer is : endless. I have become engrossed with this site. This world is filled with so many creative people ... who would think to make a tool that allows you to make a Chia pet from one of your photos?? This is hilarious! Take a look if you'd like to have a chuckle . http//www.krazydad.com/defacement/

Knitting at the Library

These are the 83 Comfort Dolls that our library knitters and some knitters from St. Mark's KnitWits have made. They have been donated to ICROSS Canada and will be used as packing for medical supplies being sent overseas. When the supplies arrive and have been unpacked, the dolls will be distributed as toys for local children. We have become so attached to these dear dolls and they have such personalities that many have acquired such imaginative names as Hairy and Fluffy. It is good to know they will be a comfort to a small person so far away and they have been such fun to create!

This is it

What do you know? Here I am writing a blog? Who would ever have guessed that I would be doing this? I am excited about learning these new technologies.

Having read the "7 and 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits" I can see that the habit which would be easiest for me to have would be #2- being responsible for my own learning. Once on a path, I feel that I will get on with it and tackle the job. And as to the habit which would be most difficult for me, I see that I might not see the challenges in problems that arise(habit #3). I will need to remind myself that it is a process .