Thing 23

Now this is bizarre. I entered my post for Thing 22 yesterday, November 29, 2010. I see today that it is dated June 30, 2010. Clearly I have a past life. Anyway, I only noticed because I wanted to note how long it has been since I was working on this. The last post was 6/29/10, just prior to the major shake-up of the library staff. I have not had a chance to get back to this before now. Since we are about to lose the staff we got from Gaithersburg's closing, I am guessing that this is my last chance to finish.

I just re-read my posts and wish they didn't sound so negative. The overall experience has been a good one, overwhelming but good. I think that I will probably explore Google.docs more because I think it has the most potential to help our customers who don't have flash drives. I would like to get back to Flicker and see what I can do there.

Actually, I would like to review most of 23 Things again. Practice is the key, I know. For the time being, I intend to spend time exploring the library's webpage which has changed dramatically in the last year, taking advantage of many of the 23 Things.

One of the questions that Thing 23 wanted addressed was how the experience could be improved. I found it very difficult to get started. I think the design assumed a level of "exploration" experience, if you will. Once I realized how to navigate the instructions, I was much more comfortable with the whole process. Also, it was easier when I realized that there wasn't a "right" way to do something. Guess that's why it's called learning.

Thing 22

I chose to explore Overdrive. The tutorial was helpful. When I explored titles, I found that most of the new fiction titles were checked out. It was helpful to have the choice to click on "always available" content. I like the automatic function of return and the explanation of the "Overdrive Media Console". Patrons are always asking "How does it disappeare?" Now, I have a sense of it even though I am sure I couldn't expain it in detail.

Thing 21

OK. I found a podcast that I thought would be interesting and I tried to add the RSS feed to my BlogLines account but was unsuccessful. This doesn't seem to be a medium that speaks to my brain.




http://podcasts.odiogo.com/toddler-craft/podcasts-xml.php

Thing 20

When I was exploring YouTube I decided to see if there was anything available about Germantown. The video that I added to my blog is a 360 degree video near the library and Blackrock. It's a little grainy but it does give you a sense of the place.

I haven't explored YouTube in the past so I enjoyed finding the variety that is there. I liked the presentation in Yahoo better, though.

I have often thought that the Library doesn't promote our databases enough. It occurs to me that we could use videos on our home page to show people the wealth of information that is theirs: show them how to search the databases and catalog and/or give tours of the libraries. Truly the possibilities are endless.

Thing 20

Thing 17

Well, I tried to go to Maryland Libraries Sandbox. Not found. I signed in with PB Works but still no Maryland Libraries Sandbox. Once again I am confused.

Still confused I googled Maryland Libraries Sandbox and came up with the following: http://notatech.wordpress.com/2009/05/18/maryland-libraries-sandbox-wiki-email-issues/

I am definitely in over my head.

thing 19

From the Web 2.0 Awards List, I chose Yelp.com which was rated 1st in "Guides & Reviews". It was set up as a "word of mouth" site where a person can "find, review and talk about what's great - and not so great in your area." I, of course, searched Germantown and found reviews of most of the restaurants I frequent and also reviews of the Germantown and the Rockville Libraries. I was irritated by one of the reviews of GT Lib. I'm not sure how useful a site it is at present but if more people posted to it it could serve as a sounding board and discussion site that might be helpful to businesses and consumers alike.

Thing 18

I am signed in to Google.docs. I am going to see if I can get to my document from here: http://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1KNBmduTPCLohedqZVlR3wWe47hOqjnYqm0qA-WV55Gg&hl=en#
Apparently what I can do is get to here from there when I put my blog post in the document in Google docs. Boy, now I am confused but really entertained.

Right in front of my eyes.

O.K. Here is what I have discovered about myself: I don't even see what is right in front of my eyes. I have, off and on, since I started this adventure, tried to figure out how to add pictures to my posts. DUH! Today, for some reason, I see the little icon-type tabs above. Once I get through this, I am going to have to start all over AND we know that the Web will have changed incredibly by then. Anyway, I'm going to try to add a picture now.

More about Thing 16

I've tried to explore more wikis and absolutely love Princeton Public Library's booklovers wiki. (http://booklovers.pbworks.com/Princeton%20Public%20Library) It is well organized, easy to get around, and purposeful. Some of the ones I looked at seem to be trying to accomplish way too much, wikis within wikis or something like that.

Thing 16

After exploring some of the wikis, I landed on/in? Merlin and was fascinated to learn that the ISBN is being replaced by EAN. Who knew? I think I will continue to explore Merlin. It seemed to offer a great deal for librarians in Maryland. I should have been exploring it long before now. The Children's Librarians are planning to have a wiki for programming but it really isn't going to allow everyone to post so I'm not sure what it really will be in the end. I may have to go back to Merlin and explore their definitions again. There is way to much confusion in my brain at this point.

Thing 15

When I was in Library School, early 90's, I had many assignments to predict what was going to become of libraries in the future. All of us predicted great changes would come with computers. At the time ability to search DIALOG was limited because the University had to pay for the minutes we were searching. You had to plan each search in great detail and follow set formulas to search. There were computerized catalogs in the libraries but not accessible from home. I certainly didn't anticipate the changes that would come with the internet, with wireless, with social networking, the addition of wikis, etc. etc. I am sure that someone anticipated ebooks but it was not I. When I think of Web 2.0, I am more than overwhelmed. This whole 23 Things experience has been an adventure for me. What encourages me is that change really has made access to information easier for all of us: librarians and customers alike. And more change apparently is coming: change that will welcome input from users, change that is delivering information to users instead of making users come to the information. In these lean times, we will have to use our money and resources wisely just as the school in the "ripple effect" article did if we are to keep up with the "times".

Thing 14

I seem to have arrived at Technorati at a time of change. They are moving, have almost completed their move, and are growing in popularity. The videocast is not available. The Popular Section is not available at present but there is a New Tech. Video Section which I will explore if I get the chance.

I did try searching with keywork "Learning 2.0" in Blog Post and got one hit. I did not find it in Tags that list the tags for the past month. And I got zero hits in Blog Directory.

This site seems particularly useful to people promoting a business or their own journalism. I am also going to explore BlogCritics.org which apparently is one of the "happening" sites for Citizen Journalism, a term I had not heard before but which makes sense given the current pace of information sharing.

Also the tags PLCMCL2 and mdlearn2 don't seem to be there any more. I think it has to do with their move and update.

More on Thing 13

Well, I set up an account with delicious.com. http://delicious.com/peggywntr At present I am just keeping track of 23 things there. I have always been impressed by this tool as we use it at the Information Desk. I haven't added to it yet but hope to in the future. It can be really useful to remember sites that help us with things like lexile scores, guided reading, etc. without having to "google."

Thing 13

Well I have moved on the Thing 13 because I am completely baffled by Thing 12. I think I just flunked Rollyo 101. Anyway, I tried to view the 12 minute video about Del.icio.us and got a message that it was no longer available. So, I will try exploring it without the video. http://delicious.com/peggywntr

Thing #12

O.K. I am back after a long break in connecting and, I am once again confused. I am trying to understand Rollyo. It is going to take a while. http://www.rollyo.com/profile.html

Thing 12 still

Tried again. Rollyo still down. Maybe later.

Thing 12

Well, I tried to start Thing 12but Rollyo is undergoing maintenance so I guess I'll move on the Thing 13 and come back later. http://rollyo.com/

Some Things

While exploring our own website today I came across http://ipl.ci.fsu.edu/community/wiki/index.php/IPL_15_Things. Look familiar?

Thing 11

I'm just starting to use Library Thing. I have taken the tour and I have added 5 books to my catalog. The setup is not intuitive for me. It will take more work. I can see that it has great potential, though, or would if I had my own library instead of using the public library all the time. I do think it would be a good way to keep track of books one has read and would like to remember to recommend or to re-read. I am continually amazed at what vast information is "out there." http://www.librarything.com/catalog/peggywntr

Thing 10 still

Today I explored image generators some more. Made a logo for the Discovery Center. Made an ecard but didn't send it. Seems to me you could spend an entire day doing nothing but exploring possiblities.

Thing 10

I am so excited. I actually added an Avatar to my blog!

http://lookup.avatars.yahoo.com/ewimages?enc=y.mZ7d9FScHHyWWcGnDKshm03wCqKA--&size=large&type=jpg

Thing 9

OK, so I am working on adding blogs and newsfeeds. It's getting a little out of hand. How do I narrow it down. There is no way I can possibly follow all the info about books and technology that is covered in these updates.

More about Thing 8

Well now it is almost another month since my last post. Life is full. Anyway, I finally got back to my blog and News Reader. Have been wandering around looking for feeds and podcasts and the like. I especially like one or two I discovered through CCBC at University of Wisconsin, Madison. I keep going back to the Discovery Exercises and rediscovering. Soon, I know I will get the hang of it. At least I hope so. I am anxious to move on to Thing 9 but I know I will return to Thing 8 off and on.