Thing 23

Yahoo!! I am almost done. (OK, OK, I know I'm not really done learning.)

I had a really hard time deciding my most favorite and least favorite "things". If I had to pick one favorite, it would probably be "Library Thing". I am having so much fun keeping my reading list on it.

It was interesting to see that many people got stuck in the same areas that I did as well.

Seeing all that is out there emphasized that we need to work to continuously grow our bandwidth. BANDWIDTH, BANDWIDTH, BANDWIDTH.

Overall, this was a great experience. I learned a lot. I really appreciated that you offered it twice, so those of who got overwhelmed with our daily work had time to finish.

The format worked well too. I could do it from home or the office, and I could do it in small chunks of time as well. I would do it again.

It made me get onto web sites that I had been meaning to explore for ages. I was coasting a little, and it moved me (and the library) forward.

What a great way to move all Minnesota libraries forward!

Thing 22

Since I took a long break in the middle of my 23 Things, I can really relate to how well I've integrated what I've learned into my daily life. Some of the new tools, I am using often (though none daily).

As an administrator, I believe it has made me more open to changes. I know we need to be where are patrons are -- and that is certainly online. We need to integrate some of these new tools into our website -- not just because they are fun, but because it's the best way to reach out.

We have a culture of continuous learning here at RPL. Library 2.0 technologies are part of that mix.

I resolve to continue with webinars, Webjunction, professional reading (print & online), conferences, etc. to keep up with web 2.0.

Thing 21

Social networking is interesting. I like the idea of anyone creating a social network on any topic. But with all these different web sites, how do you really pull people together? Seems to me you still need something to pull it all together.

I really struggled with adding the badge until I read the help screens. duh!

I guess I lean toward using social networks to build stronger ties with known friends. Unless I have a driving need on a special topic, I don't see myself needing to be on lots of social networks.



View my page on 23 Things on a Stick

Thing 20

I had fun with this one. I joined Facebook and became friends with my nieces and nephews. I've even expanded a little beyond that through people we mutually know. One of my nieces even gave me a lesson.

I wrote on their walls and I joined a group.

I didn't create an account my MySpace, but I did go out and look at the library pages suggested.

Thing 19

I had listened to a few podcasts -- one usually directed to me via email or where I knew the website and wanted to listen to an archived piece.

I went to a few of the directories listed. I found some using Google as well. I listened to an HGTV design show and a technology show.

We've just bought some podcasting equipment for the library, so we will be using it for programming. We've got a legal release ready to go, so that we can add it to the website. A work in progress....

Thing 18

YouTube is one of the resources that I am somewhat familiar with. The library has loaded some video to it -- information about our AMH system as well as some video contest winners.

I enjoyed playing around with it and watching some music videos, commercials, and library videos.

Here's one of my favorite MN Twins commericals:

Thing 17

The ELM databases are a fabulous resource. I direct patrons to them all the time. Even with some marketing dollars spent around databases, most people don't know they exist.

It had been awhile since I'd created an alert, so it was good to have the refresher. I had no trouble creating the RSS feed for a search.

I was able to create the web page as instructed on item 2. I can see how saving search results and other information when doing a project would be very helpful.

I thought the Proquest interface was a little easier to use than Ebsco's in terms of creating web sites and RSS feeds.

I like having the NetLibrary books available 24/7.

Thing 16

I tried out this tool earlier this year with my daughter. It didn't totally mesh with her science fair project, but I can see how this would be very helpful. Many people work well to deadlines (me included), so to have milestones along the way is a great idea for making sure the assignment is complete.

I really like the teacher's guide and some of the resources included there. I appreciated that it encouraged the teachers to work with their librarians.

Thing 15

It has been ages since I worked on 23 Things. Life just got busy. I am determined to get back into this and learn more.

It has been interesting to see which of the previous "Things" I have kept going. I am keeping my LibraryThing list going of books I've been reading. I use iGoogle daily, and I occasionally am using the Google calendar. I like the RSS reader, but I get too far behind.

I was reluctant to download gaming software on my work computer so I went to both sites and read help screens and watched movies.

It is interesting. Certainly we need to be there if our patrons are there, but I am more "wait and see" what the demand will truly be.

Thing 14

I used to keep a spreadsheet of all the books I've read, but I am going to be moving to Library Thing. Whenever I have to pull books for our "Staff Recommends" shelves, it will be much easier to call up Library Thing.

Thing 13

I tried iGoogle and I thought it was very easy to create. I put some favorite things on there like news, RSS feeds, MLB scores, and the weather. I thought it was easy to create and easy to move around.

I LOVED the calendaring!!!!! I have been trying to figure out a way to have a better family calendar. I think this may be it. Since I use Groupwise at work and my husband uses Outlook, I was trying to figure out how to more easily share calendars.

I created a calendar on Google calendar and sent appointments in GW to my gmailin ICal format and GW account at the same time. It was so easy to add them to the Google calendar from gmail. I think this has serious potential!!!!

Thing 12

I'd remembered seeing "Digg It" and "Share It" links when I was reading articles after creating my RSS aggregator, so I went back and pulled up some recent articles and sure enough, they were there.

I went to the different sites and I did start to read articles -- though I ended up thinking they were more of a time-wasting nature than really getting me to stories that were important.

I'm not sure I see how the library might use the tool, but it is interesting.

Thing 11

I watched the video and then created an account. I can definetly see the value of having my bookmarks available from any computer. (I use way too many different computers.)

I've started playing with it, so I am sure I will use it more in the future.

I need to use it more before I see the library jumping in and creating its own account.

Thing 10

I use wikis often. I created one in pbwiki last year to do some collaboration with my sister. We use on internally to replace our staff intranet. I update policy/procedures on that when needed. Easy to use! A great tool.

Thing 9

I can see how useful these tools are. I hadn't ever used them before, but I am on many committees that work on documents and can see how beneficial it will be.

I uploaded a policy to both Zoho and Google Docs and invited a collaborator. Both were very easy. I'm not sure why, but I found Zoho a little easier. I liked that documentation came right up in Zoho.

Thing 8

I looked at all three slide show websites and spent the most time on Zoho. I put together a short presentation with a few bulleted notes from PLA. Since I do make presentations in the community and at conferences, I can see the use of these services.



I'm not sure why, but when I imported a PowerPoint presentation, it said that it was successful and that I had a presentation in my presentations, but I couldn't get to it. I didn't have any trouble getting back to the presentation that I created.

I played around with PictureTrail, but wasn't too crazy about it. I also tried the badge from Flickr which I found very easy to use.

www.flickr.com

Thing 7

We use email extensively here. With people working so many different schedules, we use email to make sure we reach all staff in our communications.

I use IM a little for personal use. Anyone remember VAX PHONE? It was very much like IM, and we used it on the SELCO system in the 80's. We are using IM at the reference desk as well.

I use text messaging some, but I can't compare in speed to my younger relatives. Since so many of us have our phones at the hip, it is a good tool.

It is on my radar for notices and reference. We'll need to do more talking.

I use web conferencing for many training and meeting opportunities. I think the Minitex Gateway Operations committee meetings are particularly well run with this technology. I appreciate not having to drive to another meeting.

Thing 6

I enjoyed playing with the image generators. I could easily see library appliations for PR, newsletters, etc. Here are some examples:

Thing 5 continued

Some of the mashups were interesting, some seemed silly, and some were fun. I could see some applications for graphic arts. In particular I liked the calendar (though I have software at home that I use for creating calendars from digital photos), the name badges, the captioner, and the uploader. I know SELCO has done mashups based on geographic locations. I'm not sure if that was a tool developed in house or from the web.

Things 5

Thing 4 Continued

Johan Santana
Originally uploaded by tunelover

Just for fun I pulled this photo from tunelover. I am sad to see Johan get traded.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Thing 4

Timing was perfect on this one. My husband needed to share some photos from a conference he was at, so I created the free account and uploaded the photos to share. I decided not to add any pictures that I uploaded to my blog since I didn't go to the conference!

It was easy and fun.

Thing 3

I did enjoy creating my RSS Reader. Mostly I've subscribed to local and national news from my favorite sources.

Thing 2

I do believe that Library 2.0 is all about customer service and finding ways to connect users with the resources they need.

I don't want to add work and/or services in the library because they are cool but because they further our mission.

I was intrigued by the comment that we may not need to collect for "just in case", but that we acquire material as users need it. Until everything is really available on demand, I don't know how we balance that with the user need for instant gratification. I think it may come, but we aren't there yet.

Thing 1

I haven't done much on blogs on the past, though I have had good intentions. Now is the time to just figure it out!