YouTube offers a wonderful way to promote items and share with others your videos. I searched for “school library” to see what I’d find. The first few were videos produced by Animoto. While I like that web 2.0 application, I prefer a more traditional approach to promos—but I’m over 50. So, I’m sure the younger generation prefers that jazzy style.
That search term brought up some questionable videos. School Library Porn prank for instance. Such a shame… I also saw a university’s promo video for an online course fo school administrators to better understand how to utilize the library more as a learning tool. The other suggestions off to the right aren’t always related to your original search term. While that leads you in interesting directions, it also sidetracks you from your purpose.
I watched a couple a high school promotional videos. Having the students produce a video about their own library would be a great idea. The Troy High School one started off good but got a little corny. The Niles High School video contest sure would be a neat event to repeat. What a great way to involve students with the library through a medium that really take to.
Found a video “WoodHome Elementary/Middle School Library Renovation”—what a great way to chronicle and share a library remodeling project. Well, the idea is great. The video they made was a bit too long. Seven minutes is too much, but shortened to no more than 3 or 4 minutes would be great. I’d like to see this tried out at one of our elementary schools which will undergo a remodel job next year. Posting this video would be such a great public relations tool.
So, can I think of some other uses….have students do book talks or book discussions, sharing how to do something like access a new database or using ebooks, promoting a new collections of resources like MP3 books, having patrons talk about why they like the library or what they’re favorite books are…Doing these videos does take a bit of time, but librarians need to do this kind of promos to advocate for their institution and/or profession.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thing 19 Google Docs
Google.docs rocks!!! I've been using it for over a year. It's a great way to collaborate with a group of people. My librarians have used it to create a PowerPoint about Thanksgiving books, share ideas for a city wide trivia contest, and collect data about circulation. I didn't realize you could download in those other formats.
You can upload documents or tables or download them as well. The creating a spreadsheet as a form is fantastic. The link it created is a form with just the questions. The responses automatically populate the spreadsheet. You download the spreadsheet or do whatever. I've gathered data on how lost book money is handled by librarians. Since I opened that link to anyone who had the link, they were able to answer without supplying their name.
Great to know about the blog from google.docs. I read a few entries and see that users and developers are working away at improving this shared web tool.
I see lots of potential for this tool. My biggest problem using it has been remembering to shift gears and use it. I often fall back on the "old way" emailing out attachements.
You can upload documents or tables or download them as well. The creating a spreadsheet as a form is fantastic. The link it created is a form with just the questions. The responses automatically populate the spreadsheet. You download the spreadsheet or do whatever. I've gathered data on how lost book money is handled by librarians. Since I opened that link to anyone who had the link, they were able to answer without supplying their name.
Great to know about the blog from google.docs. I read a few entries and see that users and developers are working away at improving this shared web tool.
I see lots of potential for this tool. My biggest problem using it has been remembering to shift gears and use it. I often fall back on the "old way" emailing out attachements.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Thing 18 Wikis
I went into Wikipedia and read the intro type page. I like the what's in the news and in the past feature. Quick way to know what's going on. I looked up shoarma--a new meat dish I was introduced to The Netherlands on my vacation. At first the article seemed a bit off, but under the country variations, the description finally matched what I'd sampled. The main entry (shawrma) was also not spelled like I'd seen it, but the article listed that there are numerous ways that you'll see it spelled. There was no quality warning though I've seen that on some other articles I've looked at before. Under the discussion tab I found LOTS of comments agreeing and disagreeing with the information. It seems there are quite a few opinions about all the variations of shoarma being grouped into one heading. The page has been around a little over two years with several changes along the way.
I really have found that Wikipedia is a good source for current information and a source to consult on book study guides for adult books and gives fairly good information on geographical places. I was especially pleased to find a list of places to visit in Amerstdam before I went over there for a week.
I added my page and three subpages to the 23 Wiki. I really think that someone has a subpage with my name on it. I wasn't in the right place when I clicked add a page. So, look under Lea Bailey to see my work. Ignore Lea under Lisa. Sorry, Lisa... I added pages on my hobbies, my grandchildren, and my summer vacation. I forgot my naming format on the third page so it's not consistent. Couldn't figure out how to change that either. No, it's not hard. It's just a different way to create a website or resource.
I really have found that Wikipedia is a good source for current information and a source to consult on book study guides for adult books and gives fairly good information on geographical places. I was especially pleased to find a list of places to visit in Amerstdam before I went over there for a week.
I added my page and three subpages to the 23 Wiki. I really think that someone has a subpage with my name on it. I wasn't in the right place when I clicked add a page. So, look under Lea Bailey to see my work. Ignore Lea under Lisa. Sorry, Lisa... I added pages on my hobbies, my grandchildren, and my summer vacation. I forgot my naming format on the third page so it's not consistent. Couldn't figure out how to change that either. No, it's not hard. It's just a different way to create a website or resource.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Thing 17 LibWorm
I like LibWorm so much better than Digg. I guess they aren't the same but a bit similar. I tried searching for cataloging and had lots of postings to read. Then I tried searching for "personal narrative" a subheading that my cataloguing clerk has some usage questions on. Well, it talked about that topic but didn't lead me to anything insightful. Then I tried the titles of a couple of book recently in the news--graveyard (lots of hits announcing all the awards the book has won) and TTYL (lots of chronicling of the challenges on this title). I think this search engine with its library focus is one to consider checking out when we are looking for our professional related topics. I'm sure google and others would return most of these along with a couple of million other hits. This narrowing down focus should save us valuable time.
I did decide to create a MyLibWorm account. Not exactly sure why, but it will allow me to post or submit information. I also liked the recent postings listings--looks like a good way to glance at what's going on in our profession.
I did decide to create a MyLibWorm account. Not exactly sure why, but it will allow me to post or submit information. I also liked the recent postings listings--looks like a good way to glance at what's going on in our profession.
Thing 16 Library Thing
I sampled Library Thing a couple of years ago as a way to keep track of the titles of books I'd read. But someone suggested Shelfari which I like better for that purpose. So, I visited Library Thing again. I do like that I can catalog my home collection. I've been trying to decide how to make a list of all the versions of The Night Before Christmas that I have. I think I've found that way--easy to add, covers, I can add notes, and I can export out if desired. So, I add 5 versions that I could think of off the top of my head. I like the side feature of On This Day relating to authors. I also see that they have a upgrade version with that paid option. The groups looked interesting. I read a view posts from the Librarians Who Use LibraryThing group.
As I was looking around after I'd added my book titles, I came upon a link to creating a cover mosaic. While easy to load on my computer, I still haven't figured out how to do the mosaic. I tried uploading the thumbnail pictures of all the librarians in our system so that I could create a fun mosaic of them. I'm still fiddling and haven't exactly worked that out. But that's bird walking from the project at hand.
I had the dickens of a time finding the suggested topics to explore!!! They are topics within the Thinkology blog which I couldn't figure out how to search. I searched through google.com and finally found the information on the blog. These posts about developments from 2006, 2007, and 2008 don't seem to have created a continued interest. I think they sound nifty but I have no idea how to access those tools. I sure didn't find them listed on the tools section.
I guess overall I see potential use for Library Thing but I also find my self floundering around with it. Perhaps I am missing the obvious....
As I was looking around after I'd added my book titles, I came upon a link to creating a cover mosaic. While easy to load on my computer, I still haven't figured out how to do the mosaic. I tried uploading the thumbnail pictures of all the librarians in our system so that I could create a fun mosaic of them. I'm still fiddling and haven't exactly worked that out. But that's bird walking from the project at hand.
I had the dickens of a time finding the suggested topics to explore!!! They are topics within the Thinkology blog which I couldn't figure out how to search. I searched through google.com and finally found the information on the blog. These posts about developments from 2006, 2007, and 2008 don't seem to have created a continued interest. I think they sound nifty but I have no idea how to access those tools. I sure didn't find them listed on the tools section.
I guess overall I see potential use for Library Thing but I also find my self floundering around with it. Perhaps I am missing the obvious....
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Thing 15 Digg
Digg is a brand new thing to me. I'd heard of it but never looked at it. At first I couldn't figure out what to do or what to make of it. I'm not a news follower though once in awhile I'll follow a story headline on aol.com. So, most of the stories on the first page just didn't turn me on. And a few I clicked into looked like they weren't the most credible sources.
I then decided to search for a subject like Children's Literature. That list was a bit more interesting, but still not a lot of useful sites popped up. Perhaps more would surface if more of us belonged and gave a thumbs up to the better sites. I then decided to look for cataloging sites. Boy, that's a term that didn't yield library cataloging. I got catalogs and other sites down that road. I did unearth one MARC cataloging when I added the term MARC.
I also don't like the fact that there are sponsored links, but that's the way of life on the free web. Those advertisements are so misleading--try this for free for 14 days.... I did not join Digg. This is one of those tools that I'll keep a watch on. Perhaps my mind just hasn't been expanded enough to understand how this would be of use to us in the library profession.
I then decided to search for a subject like Children's Literature. That list was a bit more interesting, but still not a lot of useful sites popped up. Perhaps more would surface if more of us belonged and gave a thumbs up to the better sites. I then decided to look for cataloging sites. Boy, that's a term that didn't yield library cataloging. I got catalogs and other sites down that road. I did unearth one MARC cataloging when I added the term MARC.
I also don't like the fact that there are sponsored links, but that's the way of life on the free web. Those advertisements are so misleading--try this for free for 14 days.... I did not join Digg. This is one of those tools that I'll keep a watch on. Perhaps my mind just hasn't been expanded enough to understand how this would be of use to us in the library profession.
Thing 14 Delicious
My Delicious account is http://delicious.com/lbailey695 . I've been using this off and on for about a year. I downloaded the toolbar for easy access on my laptop or work computer. I kept trying to remember to add my bookmarks to this website, but I often slip back into the old habit of just bookmarking. I do like how you can stay logged in for several days on Delicious.com
I did finally figure out tonight how to import my bookmarks from Internet Explorer into Delicious. The instructions taking a bit of digging to find, but it's something you don't do often either. So, now I need to go in and tag a bunch of bookmarks.
I don't particularly like the Popular Bookmarks feature. Why should I care what's popular? I'm more interested in my interests. I do like seeing the bookmarks of people in my network. Of course, you have to create your network.
One thing bugs me though. All my bookmarks are in one account. That means personal and professional bookmarks are all in one set. Well, as I was writing that, I decided to go back and search a bit more on Delicious. I found it--you can make your bookmarks private or public. So, now I can go back in a hide personal interests. Then professionals that I share my Delicious account with won't have to filter through all that stuff. Don't look tomorrow--it will still reflect lots of personal interest. Not that I have anything to hide, but it's something about the privacy of my life....
I did finally figure out tonight how to import my bookmarks from Internet Explorer into Delicious. The instructions taking a bit of digging to find, but it's something you don't do often either. So, now I need to go in and tag a bunch of bookmarks.
I don't particularly like the Popular Bookmarks feature. Why should I care what's popular? I'm more interested in my interests. I do like seeing the bookmarks of people in my network. Of course, you have to create your network.
One thing bugs me though. All my bookmarks are in one account. That means personal and professional bookmarks are all in one set. Well, as I was writing that, I decided to go back and search a bit more on Delicious. I found it--you can make your bookmarks private or public. So, now I can go back in a hide personal interests. Then professionals that I share my Delicious account with won't have to filter through all that stuff. Don't look tomorrow--it will still reflect lots of personal interest. Not that I have anything to hide, but it's something about the privacy of my life....
Thing 13 Tagging
I think tagging is a fantastic way to group things or find things!! Controlled vocabulary has its pluses, but it always frustrated me to be looking for a subject and not be able to find it because I was using the wrong word. The only example I can think of is an old one--elementary student is looking for books on "cars". That's wasn't the term at the time--it was "automobile." So, the students often didn't find what they needed through the old card catalog unless the system was well crossreferenced. So, I definitely feel that tagging has its place.
I don't advocate for doing away with controlled vocabularies or subject authorities. These methods of indexing or organizing definitely work. These approaches are hindered if the subject headings are applied liberally though. I chuckle when I think back a million years ago when I took cataloging and 3 subject headings was considered plenty. Now I believe I've heard it recommended that 6 or more is fine. The more the better access points into the material.
But all this is through that controlled way. I see tagging as another way to access materials. A teacher comes to you and wants books on "change." She wants to show the various ways change affects humans. There is no subject heading that will bring all these together. Or, what about all the books that might be used to teach cause and effect? You just wouldn't put that as a subject heading. Tags allow interpretation by user. I can tag the books that I find that use famous paintings in the illustrations. Or, ones that I find useful to teach Texas history. Or group all the parodies and modern versions of Cinderella. Or,...
Tagging also allows you to put a label on something to remind you of what event it is associated with or who requested it or who might want it. One librarian tagged books in her Shelfari to be read bookshelf as those she read talked about at a leadership conference. Tagging pictures of the event allows others to access these or even be a subset of a large group of pictures from that event such as the TLA09 tag in flickr.
Some online automation system are allowing tagging. I think this is a feature that will empower users to share with each other or remember for themselves in a bit different way. I do agree that some internal vocabulary controls will have to be in place. Most automation systems do have that filter on tagging so that the offensive words are just ignored. With that safeguard, I think librarians can feel good about opening this feature to their patrons. It sure works well in flickr.com, shelfari,com, amazon.com, and other places which have implemented tagging. I'm advocating to add tagging to my library's system--just have to fund that feature.
I don't advocate for doing away with controlled vocabularies or subject authorities. These methods of indexing or organizing definitely work. These approaches are hindered if the subject headings are applied liberally though. I chuckle when I think back a million years ago when I took cataloging and 3 subject headings was considered plenty. Now I believe I've heard it recommended that 6 or more is fine. The more the better access points into the material.
But all this is through that controlled way. I see tagging as another way to access materials. A teacher comes to you and wants books on "change." She wants to show the various ways change affects humans. There is no subject heading that will bring all these together. Or, what about all the books that might be used to teach cause and effect? You just wouldn't put that as a subject heading. Tags allow interpretation by user. I can tag the books that I find that use famous paintings in the illustrations. Or, ones that I find useful to teach Texas history. Or group all the parodies and modern versions of Cinderella. Or,...
Tagging also allows you to put a label on something to remind you of what event it is associated with or who requested it or who might want it. One librarian tagged books in her Shelfari to be read bookshelf as those she read talked about at a leadership conference. Tagging pictures of the event allows others to access these or even be a subset of a large group of pictures from that event such as the TLA09 tag in flickr.
Some online automation system are allowing tagging. I think this is a feature that will empower users to share with each other or remember for themselves in a bit different way. I do agree that some internal vocabulary controls will have to be in place. Most automation systems do have that filter on tagging so that the offensive words are just ignored. With that safeguard, I think librarians can feel good about opening this feature to their patrons. It sure works well in flickr.com, shelfari,com, amazon.com, and other places which have implemented tagging. I'm advocating to add tagging to my library's system--just have to fund that feature.
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