Summary thoughts

This was a great opportunity for us to explore and discover and think about all that's possible. It was well constructed, with good explanations and tutorials. I had read about some of the concepts, but often felt overwhelmed by it all, and I never took the time to delve further. I would hear unfamiliar terms like "tag cloud" and "app" and "widget" and feel like an idiot. Now I want to take time to introduce my husband to some of the cool things I think he could use, and get my own computer at home to explore personal interests (don't want to share a computer with my husband anymore--it's too slow and full of his stuff, and it's so screwed up with viruses and who knows what else that it's currently at the computer hospital). I am now regularly using RSS feeds and a podcast for work related info.

I loved getting together with other staff across the library to share and explore certain things. I appreciate the fact that staff like Heather and Christie who knew all the things still kept their learning blogs and were so patient and willing to share their expertise and experiences with all of us. It's fascinating to see how others are employing the various things.

MyMediaMall

Yes, it will all be easier when all titles can be played on all devices and we have a greater selection of titles to choose from. I see some eaudiobks that I might listen to, especially the language learning titles, and some classic titles I have never read. I have used MMM successfully from home for travel books. We have flyers out at all library locations with the new url that Lesley and Dave came up with (ebook.epl.org) that takes patrons directly to the epl page on how to download, with the handy chart and video tutorial.

Podcast.com and Podcastalley.com

I thought I had to register in Podcast.com and Podcastalley.com to subscribe to the podcast I was interested in. As usual, I was making it more difficult than it needed to be. Frustrated, I called Heather. She explained how all I had to do was simply copy the link and paste it into my google reader.

I also found a podcast in Podcastalley.com and transferred that. So simple.

Thanks, Heather.

Explanation of the mortgage crisis

Subprime Primer

From: guesta9d12e, 7 months ago

Subprime Primer

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: subprime mortgages)

A simple and humorous guide to understanding the subprime mess


SlideShare Link

Podcast thoughts

Podcasts are wonderful. I recall there were many Bookexpo podcasts to subscribe to by iTunes, email or RSS feed, or you could check back at the official Bookexpo podcast site for the latest episode.

Discovering Web Tools

I looked at a lot of sites, some more carefully than others--hard to pick just one. Laura Antolin recommended Etsy--tres cool. Tweet Scan, Stylehive, Yelp, Farecast, and more. I will have to remember these for future use. Something like Mango languages seems like it could be useful to libraries as language learning tool for patrons. I liked it.

Google Doc

MyMediaMall publicity info:

 

Now iPod compatible,  the Library’s free digital collection, MyMediaMall, is available anytime from your home computer.  Just click on ebook.epl.org to browse, checkout and download free digital audiobooks, ebooks and video.  MyMediaMall is now live with the new MP3 format and new enhancements that increase the speed and ease of searching.  MP3 audiobooks can be transferred to a wide range of devices including iPod, iPhone, and the iPod Touch. 

 

I created this on Google Docs and transferred it here--hurray!

Wikis and Wikispaces

"I don't want anyone changing my writing" was my first reaction to the idea of a wiki, but now I see how useful they can be in libraries to brainstorm, share ideas on best practices, collect and organize info over time, build instruction or procedure manuals. It's a quick and easy collaborative tool. Library Success: A best practices wiki is great. An adult summer reading program wiki like Book Lovers Wiki also interesting possibility.

I added to the ELL Favorite Places to Eat in Evanston. So much fun for a gourmand like me. I had no idea that Campagnola has an outdoor deck and Lucky Platter serves a delicious Caribbean pumpkin soup. I will be there.

Thoughts on Tagging, Delicious, Twitter, and Web.2.0

Tags are everywhere so we'd better understand this. I think it's impressive how we're tagging in Reference. I wonder how much feedback we've rec'd re: its usefulness and ease of navigability, and how much staff time it takes to tag. Interesting how those doing research are using Delicious to discover new sites. Useful for those with multiple computers and those who have so many sites to manage.

Thanks to Kathleen for pointing out the fascinating article in NYT on Twitter. I can't imagine myself communicating with family or friends this way. The older and busier I get, the more I crave time for peace and quiet. In the library, Twitter is a useful tool to track comments on EPL.

Seems to me that we're on the right track with Web 2.0 in our library, with blogs and wikis and Delicious in Reference, using Twitter to track EPL, looking into the possibility of Library Thing in CCS, riding the ELL so that we can understand cultural trends and the underlying technology that makes cool applications possible. It's especially appropriate in the Loft to reach teens. We run the risk of becoming obsolete if we can't connect with potential patrons.

Another Wordl

Wordl

We already have a great cover for the new Book Buzz for Fall 2008 bibliography that will be available shortly, but here is something I created on Wordl that would also be cool. I cannot turn it upright, so you'll have to twist your head to view it.

Phrase of the day

Ganbarimasho Kudasai!! (Japanese for "let's all try our best")--from Heather.

Libraries Using Social Tools

On Bookspace, I think receiving email alerts on new books by your favorite authors could be popular. Ann Arbor's site is impressive. I wonder how much tech support is needed and if this is possible for us as part of CCS.

Social Networking and Library Thing

I'm not sure about creating a Myspace or Facebook account, but I do think it's cool that people are making connections this way. I think Library Thing is great for those who want to keep track of their personal book collections and want to share with others. As another way to explore our catalog, could be popular tool in the library. I created a mini list, but not sure how to rate these titles.

YouTube discovery

My son, Harry is featured in this climbing video, about midway. This was pretty easy, compared to Flickr.

YouTube

Flickr

I don't think I'll be using Flickr for my job, but maybe at some point in my personal life. I wish I could get excited about the mashups, etc. I had a hard time trying to figure it out on my own.
Thanks to Laura Antolin to helping me with Flickr! and I found out from Barb how to create spaces between words, but I'm too lazy to go back and fix this.

Corgi Family Portrait

Corgi Family Portrait
Originally uploaded by Krispy Krumb

Love these dogs. I miss my corgi! It took forever to figure out how to transfer this from Flickr. Thank you, Christie, for helping me. You are immensely patient.

I've been hunting around for interesting blogs and feeds. I didn't find Technorati that helpful, but did scan the Technorati Top 100 most viewed sites--amazing. NYT list of blogs is great source. I've been adding more feeds to my Google Reader. RSS=great time saver.

RSS exercise

I set up some RSS feeds and understand the concept. At work, I only look at a few websites regularly for work related news and book info. I'll probably add more sites as I find out about them.

I learned how to post another picture with Heather's help. This is fun. Thanks, Heather!! Practice makes perfect, I hope.

7/29/08 Play is the easiest habit for me. I want to learn more about technology so I can use it to my advantage. Silly to be left behind. I'm jumping on the ELL today!!