You Tube

Enjoyed the CCLS YouTube page, as well as browsing other entries. I attended a play last night which was set in the Roaring Twenties and the program referred us to a YouTube video about "Dancing the Charleston" to learn about the 1920's. That video and related ones about the 1920's gave a real feel for that era. I've included one here about the Flappers. YouTube, with its authentic videos, could be a valuable historical reference and supplement to print resources!

Social networking tools

Explored some Library MySpace pages and some microblogs. Social networking in libraries seems to foster a sense of belonging/community for the local library patrons, old and young. WCPL's photos on Flickr are a good example of enabling the whole community to view library activities. Since MySpace and Facebook are so familiar to teens they are probably an especially effective way of getting them involved. Microblogging's "short and sweet" format provides a time-saving way to obtain information about library activities and resources.

Discovering Web 2.0 tools

Selected Health category and the Revolution Health site, whose mission is to provide "the most current and reliable health information online." The site included finding and rating doctors, hospitals, drugs and treatment, keeping health records online and sharing personal issues. There are many health databases available both online (such as Medline Plus, healthfinder.gov., etc.) and through the Chester County webpage that I would refer patrons to first, because of their authority. This site might be useful for online discussions, but I would be cautious about putting personal health info. online.

Web-based Apps

Looked at Zoho Writer. The word processing application seemed easy to use--the toolbar actually makes functions more apparent than the new version of Word. I typed up one document, then downloaded 2 - 3 templates and made up a sample time sheet as a try-out. The templates included many commonly used forms and were also fairly simple to use. It seems this program would be handy when I need to work on documents at home and also at work .

Playing around w/PBWiki

Created account, accessed the CCLS 23 Things wiki and added my blog to the Favorite blogs page. Also added a favorite. Fairly easy to do with instructions.

Wikis

Really liked Library Success Wiki--great ideas and a variety of practical recommendations, plus links to other info. Saw wikis being used to review books, read others' reviews, and post lists of most popular books. Libraries could possibly set up wikis for online book or current events discussions, post and discuss library activities and programs, perhaps offer a page on technical topics, or a site to discuss pertinent websites and library-provided reference databases. Definitely a way to enable patrons to input information--i.e., a valuable Library 2.0 tool!

Library 2.0

Read the Wikipedia article and "Library 2.0", by Casey and Savatinuk, Library Journal, 9/1/06. Tend to agree with the viewpoint that the philosophy of service and inclusion of technology have always been important parts of the library program; however, what seems to me a very new concept is patron input of information. I also agree that this participation by patrons means that consideration must be given to protecting patron privacy.

Technorati

Keyword search for "Library 2.0" in posts resulted in over 2,000 hits, in tags 966. Did not find "Library 2.0" listed in the Blog Directory. I discovered the Huffington Post listed in the Top 100 by authority and browsed it--then saw the publisher on one of the tv commentary shows tonite. Interesting the variety of types of blogs, that bloggers receive revenue from advertising, and that they are becoming close to the mainstream media sites.

Delicious

Looked at the video and the CCLS23 Delicious account. Skimmed heavily bookmarked Wikipedia article on Web 2.0 (very helpful). Found comments under "discussion" tab at top. This does seem like a very useful site for info. gathering and sharing research. I like the concept of tags, vs formal subj. headings which often give patrons trouble searching the library catalog.

LibraryThing vs. goodreads

Looked at both sites. For a long time I've wanted somehow to just list books I want to read--I have scraps of paper with titles, newspaper clippings and reviews everywhere at home and at work. I've looked at LT before, felt it did more than I needed and, if I understood it correctly, you would have to tag books "to read" to separate them from books read. Goodreads actually gives you a "shelf" for "to reads". Overall instructions seemed simpler and fit my needs.
Here is a link to the start of my "to read" shelf:

Image generators

Looked at resources listed, liked ALA for library posters, and Letter James best for image options provided. Used Letter James e-card for this image. Number of blogs and options listed at The Generator Blog were mind boggling! Link to Letter James is:

http://www.letterjames.com/start.php?mod=image-personalization

Finding Feeds

I found Syndic8.com and Bloglines more difficult to search and view feeds . Topix.net seemed easiest to use--advance search options were clear and simple, and descriptions of feeds retrieved were self explanatory. Technorati was fun--enjoyed the Front page's "what's percolating in blogs now"--everything from equities to movies star gossip.

RSS and newsreaders

Set up Bloglines account and subscribed to ten newsfeeds. Think it will be a great time saver for keeping up with both personal and library related info.

Comments

Left comments on two co-workers' blogs today--looking forward to getting comments on my own blog now!

Blog about technology

I remember when online searching was used mainly for academic research and required special training in search terms and techniques (revealing my age here, aren't I?) Now I'm constantly amazed by how quickly the Internet has become a part of everyday life--from shopping sites that search for best online prices and send "deal alerts", to handheld devices that can identify a tune and download it almost instantaneously or locate a restaurant and make reservations. I'd also like to give credit to senior citizens I see in the library who are truly "life-long learners" and have the courage and curiosity to teach themselves or take classes to learn to use the new technologies--and a pat on our collective staff backs and kudos to the libraries for enabling them!

More Flickr Fun

Looked at Flickr mashups and 3rd party tools. Used FD Toys' "Motivator" to create this poster, with photo I took in FL last winter.

Flickr

Found this on Flickr (searched for "libraries" of course). Great idea for a holiday decoration!

Library christmas tree 2006 by donaldist

7 1/2 habits of highly successful learners

I feel the library is one of the most important facilitators of lifelong learning. For myself, I find it easiest to set a goal, and hardest to "accept responsibility" for my own learning.

Testing 1-2-3

Test run--will this really appear on "my blog"?