My favorite thing has been Flickr and the image generating. I got lost time wise in those activities. And, I do love working with pictures like in scrapbooking. (Guess you know there’s all sorts of web 2.0 tools dealing with storing images and creating scrapbooks online and to print out). I can see lots of in house promotional fun with signs created with images of the students at your school (all within the school’s publication guidelines of course). I also like Twitter. I’ve been seriously following with Denton ISD Libraries is doing. I think that has lots of value—getting out the word on your libraries and how they impact students. I just can’t quite decide if that has value. But, then again, I put the line of what I was reading currently on my email signature once. I was very surprised by the positive reaction to that. I took it off because I kept spending the day corresponding about what I was reading rather than taking care of organizational business.
Ning and LibWorm didn’t really appeal to me. However, I think it’s more the I’m not as familiar with those tools as others. And I just haven’t had the spark to really see how they could be useful. (I’m still holding out on Second Life, but recently read an article about how a hospital in Chicago I believe was going to use Second Life to explain to mentally challenged patient their treatment options so they would be more informed as they gave their consent to treatment—just might be of strong value in their respect.)
I found Instant Messaging the most challenging because of restrictions with my work environment. I still think picking up the phone or f2f will work for me in most work situations. Texting is becoming more useful as time goes on. It sure works well to communicate in a quick, efficient, almost nonevasive way with friends and family. I’m also a bit perturbed that schools block Facebook though it’s one of the biggest social networks out there ever increasing with the older generation.
The blog reader—though not new and certainly someone tried to get me into these before—was the most useful new thing I learned. I even heard myself recommending a blog reader to someone the other day who expressed his frustration in keeping current with the economic news of the world. That personalized focus of just what I want to know about makes so much sense.
Overall, I learned lots during these sessions. I’m surprised at varying opinions and uses others have for the same tools when you read other participants postings. I know that I’ve met with frustrations and it’s taken lots of time. But, it’s time that has helped me to learn these new tools and thus put me more in sync with the 21st Century users out there. Thanks for sponsoring this session. It is worth repeating, or having an advanced session!!!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Thing 22
Twenty three things or something like can easily be adapted to use with my library staff. As said, this is the way patrons are functioning. We need to know of and about these things. Librarians have to be able to stay up with the Jones so to speak or at least our patrons. If they are wanting MP3 audio tapes and we’re pushing cassettes, how many times do you think they’ll be back to use our resources? If our librarians or libraries don’t have a presence where the users are—the internet—then other information resources will take our place. All of these tools really offer us exciting opportunities to produce media easily and to make connections. Yes, we have to stretch and the marketplace of tools is constantly changing. So, we become learners and aren’t always the experts. Is that really so bad? I think not. Librarians need to be open to learning and then also supportive of others as they learn especially when we throw out those new databases or new interfaces that seem so intuitive to us. The possibilities this course offers is worth the frustration.
Last fall our school librarians were offered the option of 10 Things. I lead the group learning about 2 second ahead of the others. I was really surprised at how many dropped out during the period of time. Some of the learning does make you uncomfortable and is very time consuming. But, I know that those of us who went to the end (I guess the leader always has to go to be end.) really did benefit. Several have commented since then about the value of it. Several also participated again in this particular 23 things. And I think they enhanced their skills in so doing. I know they learned more and gained confidence in their web 2.0 skills. They will be out there using these tools to advocate for their particular library and make a connection with their patrons. Offering mini sessions like these to faculty or other librarians or other staff or even parents would be worthwhile time spent.
The format we’ve used for this course can easily be adapted and repeated in our own libraries. I think the time spent doing these sessions has been well worth it. I might focus the example more school related if doing it just for my school librarians. Expanding to give examples from both primary and secondary libraries would make the experience more relevant. Both levels tend to think narrowly in scope and need to be shown that it will work at my level. Adapting this course would be worthwhile. Of course, I can already think of 4 or 5 other tools I’d add.
I also have to comment that the reflection part has been worth it. I’m not much of a blogger and I’d prefer not to discuss my thoughts. I’m just not a touchy, feely person. But, I must admit that the writing process really has clarified my thought process. As I write I think of other solutions or other ways to solve a technical problem I encountered. Though a pain, I really do value the writing part which causes you to crystallize your thinking about a certain tool and what’s its value might be.
Last fall our school librarians were offered the option of 10 Things. I lead the group learning about 2 second ahead of the others. I was really surprised at how many dropped out during the period of time. Some of the learning does make you uncomfortable and is very time consuming. But, I know that those of us who went to the end (I guess the leader always has to go to be end.) really did benefit. Several have commented since then about the value of it. Several also participated again in this particular 23 things. And I think they enhanced their skills in so doing. I know they learned more and gained confidence in their web 2.0 skills. They will be out there using these tools to advocate for their particular library and make a connection with their patrons. Offering mini sessions like these to faculty or other librarians or other staff or even parents would be worthwhile time spent.
The format we’ve used for this course can easily be adapted and repeated in our own libraries. I think the time spent doing these sessions has been well worth it. I might focus the example more school related if doing it just for my school librarians. Expanding to give examples from both primary and secondary libraries would make the experience more relevant. Both levels tend to think narrowly in scope and need to be shown that it will work at my level. Adapting this course would be worthwhile. Of course, I can already think of 4 or 5 other tools I’d add.
I also have to comment that the reflection part has been worth it. I’m not much of a blogger and I’d prefer not to discuss my thoughts. I’m just not a touchy, feely person. But, I must admit that the writing process really has clarified my thought process. As I write I think of other solutions or other ways to solve a technical problem I encountered. Though a pain, I really do value the writing part which causes you to crystallize your thinking about a certain tool and what’s its value might be.
Things 21 Podcasts
From Library Success Listing (icon doesn’t go with podcasting though)--Chesire Public Library—tried listening to a couple of podcasts from the teen project. I had some trouble with the volume on the sound. I could barely hear it with the volume turned all the way up.
Sampled another one from the DeKalb Library. They have links to podcasts from the Georgia Center for the Book. The one of Laura Halse Anderson was well done though a bit of variance in voice level between speakers. The reference to visuals is a bit annoying when those same visuals aren’t on the screen for you to look at as well. However, it is a way to hear talks like author ones without being there either during or afterwards. I’d prefer the posted the length of pod cast before you start listening to it.
From Podcast Alley—I have no use or see little appeal to tie into library realm from these online radio podcasts talking about outlandish behavior and drunk this or sexy that. My age is showing I guess.
I think podcasts have a place in promoting libraries. They can be used to announce upcoming events for those who which to listen rather than read. They can be recorded in other language spoken within your library community to connect with those non English speakers. Podcasts can also be used to share book reviews, share highlights from programs at the library (with permission sought and gained before posting), and subscriptions to author discussions or book readings will appeal to many readers of all ages. The downloadable audio book companies are positioned to offer libraries a fantastic service is they don’t overprice themselves. The reduced loss of materials while maintain availability for patrons is tremendous.
I personally don’t want to produce podcasts, but there are many out there who can read your message or would enjoy this medium. What about having city leaders read the announcements or do book reviews? I won’t discount the possibilities, but I would definitely look for a voice that isn’t quite so regional sounding and ones that can broadcast in Spanish. One does have to wonder whether just posting a notice or hearing a podcast works better. Or, should you do both?
Sampled another one from the DeKalb Library. They have links to podcasts from the Georgia Center for the Book. The one of Laura Halse Anderson was well done though a bit of variance in voice level between speakers. The reference to visuals is a bit annoying when those same visuals aren’t on the screen for you to look at as well. However, it is a way to hear talks like author ones without being there either during or afterwards. I’d prefer the posted the length of pod cast before you start listening to it.
From Podcast Alley—I have no use or see little appeal to tie into library realm from these online radio podcasts talking about outlandish behavior and drunk this or sexy that. My age is showing I guess.
I think podcasts have a place in promoting libraries. They can be used to announce upcoming events for those who which to listen rather than read. They can be recorded in other language spoken within your library community to connect with those non English speakers. Podcasts can also be used to share book reviews, share highlights from programs at the library (with permission sought and gained before posting), and subscriptions to author discussions or book readings will appeal to many readers of all ages. The downloadable audio book companies are positioned to offer libraries a fantastic service is they don’t overprice themselves. The reduced loss of materials while maintain availability for patrons is tremendous.
I personally don’t want to produce podcasts, but there are many out there who can read your message or would enjoy this medium. What about having city leaders read the announcements or do book reviews? I won’t discount the possibilities, but I would definitely look for a voice that isn’t quite so regional sounding and ones that can broadcast in Spanish. One does have to wonder whether just posting a notice or hearing a podcast works better. Or, should you do both?
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