Friday, September 12, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Web 2 Readers Advisory tools
In the Feb. 15, 2008 edition of Library Journal (p.32-33) an on-line readers advisory service is highlighted.
I took a look at the site ; http://www.wrl.org/bookweb/RA/index.html
and the web form looks very similar to a paper form for a readers recommend service that we provided a few years ago.
When we started readers advisory at RPL, staff had limited experience and training (this was many years ago), so this form that gave staff time to research recommendations and build skill was a good idea. However, as the staff improved their stills, they were better able to provide "point-of-need" service. Our public seemed to prefer getting an immediate recommendation rather than waiting for a recommended list. In addition, we have compiled over time a number of recommended reading lists around a variety of authors and reading interest.
However, in reviewing this article and looking at the on-line form, there may be reason to revisit this enhanced service. There is value in providing an in depth investigation based on a number of factors selected by the reader. It does encourage staff to dig a little deeper in developing recommendations -- skills that are also needed in other RA settings.
For now, I am adding the idea to this blog, to ponder further development of this idea. There are other web 2 readers advisory tools that I am eager to implement -- and want to accomplish those first!
I took a look at the site ; http://www.wrl.org/bookweb/RA/index.html
and the web form looks very similar to a paper form for a readers recommend service that we provided a few years ago.
When we started readers advisory at RPL, staff had limited experience and training (this was many years ago), so this form that gave staff time to research recommendations and build skill was a good idea. However, as the staff improved their stills, they were better able to provide "point-of-need" service. Our public seemed to prefer getting an immediate recommendation rather than waiting for a recommended list. In addition, we have compiled over time a number of recommended reading lists around a variety of authors and reading interest.
However, in reviewing this article and looking at the on-line form, there may be reason to revisit this enhanced service. There is value in providing an in depth investigation based on a number of factors selected by the reader. It does encourage staff to dig a little deeper in developing recommendations -- skills that are also needed in other RA settings.
For now, I am adding the idea to this blog, to ponder further development of this idea. There are other web 2 readers advisory tools that I am eager to implement -- and want to accomplish those first!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thing 23. Final Thoughts
I can't believe I finished on time. Thank you for the carrot of the "stick".
I am grateful that this was not my first introduction to a significant portion of these tools. This tells me at least I am partially keeping up. However, without this push, I don't think I would have ever given so much thought as to how these tools can be incorporated into how we deliver services.
There are tools that I learned about that I wish I knew about earlier. Del.icio.us is one of them! It even helped to speed me along in completing this project! I knew about tiny URL but now use it more frequently simply because this exercise gave me the practice to make it part of my work.
I use tabbed browsing and now have my blog as one of my 3 home pages on both my work and home computer. RSS feeds with the blog and the addition of them to other tools I use make them so much more useful than the way I was initial taught. One of my responsibilities as a supervisor is was to follow the progress of the staff in my division who were participating. The RSS feeds not only made it easy, but encouraged me to explore their ideas. It was nice to have a different way to communicate with staff. One that was more reflective and less responsive. I have learned a lot from them.
FaceBook, YouTube, and LibraryThing were my favorite "things". I have accounts for all 3 and use them daily and my poor family has been subjected to them as well. At least some of them have embraced these social networking sites and it allows me to connect with them in a new way.
Not overly fond of some of the communication and collaboration tools -- mainly because they were not as robust as the tools I already use. However, they have alerted me to new possibilities when working on committees where we do not share the same tools. How nice to have free and easy access to them.
I see the 23 Things as part of my journey. Completing the program is in no way the end of my learning process. Thank you though for giving me a needed kick in the butt to further expand my knowledge and see some potential where I didn't before.
I am grateful that this was not my first introduction to a significant portion of these tools. This tells me at least I am partially keeping up. However, without this push, I don't think I would have ever given so much thought as to how these tools can be incorporated into how we deliver services.
There are tools that I learned about that I wish I knew about earlier. Del.icio.us is one of them! It even helped to speed me along in completing this project! I knew about tiny URL but now use it more frequently simply because this exercise gave me the practice to make it part of my work.
I use tabbed browsing and now have my blog as one of my 3 home pages on both my work and home computer. RSS feeds with the blog and the addition of them to other tools I use make them so much more useful than the way I was initial taught. One of my responsibilities as a supervisor is was to follow the progress of the staff in my division who were participating. The RSS feeds not only made it easy, but encouraged me to explore their ideas. It was nice to have a different way to communicate with staff. One that was more reflective and less responsive. I have learned a lot from them.
FaceBook, YouTube, and LibraryThing were my favorite "things". I have accounts for all 3 and use them daily and my poor family has been subjected to them as well. At least some of them have embraced these social networking sites and it allows me to connect with them in a new way.
Not overly fond of some of the communication and collaboration tools -- mainly because they were not as robust as the tools I already use. However, they have alerted me to new possibilities when working on committees where we do not share the same tools. How nice to have free and easy access to them.
I see the 23 Things as part of my journey. Completing the program is in no way the end of my learning process. Thank you though for giving me a needed kick in the butt to further expand my knowledge and see some potential where I didn't before.
Thing 22. What Did I Learn Today?
Staying current is definitely key. Yesterday I was thinking that in another year, we will need to have "another 23 things" project. Then it occurred to me, by then it is too late. We need to keep building upon and learning new tools.
I am not a bandwagon jumper and I distrust following flavor of the day type initiatives. New tools, and processes, etc. need to make sense to me before I can make sense of them to others. I do however, commit to investigating new ideas, tools, technology. To try them out. To effectively evaluate their usefulness for our services and in my life.
It took far more than 15 min. a day to complete this 23 thing project; however, 15 min a day is doable. I love the Tame the Web site and I think it gives a pretty comprehensive look as applying some of these technologies. I will keep up with this site and/or switch to another one if it resonates more, but will definitely have 2-3 resources that I check regularly.
Certainly it isn't enough to learn about the new 2.0 tools. We have to use them, to understand them, to then apply them as appropriate in our services.
I think we need to pay attention to all of the library's customers -- from the Luddites who still lament about the loss of the card catalog to the techno-savvy who demand the latest formats for the newest gadgets. I think as an administrator it is a continuous struggle to prioritize tasks to address the diverse needs of all of our users.
I have encouraged staff to spend a fair amount of work time to learn these tools and it has been interesting for me to read their blogs -- their perceptions and their progress. I now expect some application of those tools in how we deliver services. I have some idea, but more importantly, I want to receive ideas from staff and have us work together as a team to incorporate them. I plan on making this a regular agenda item for our monthly staff meetings.
I am going to revisit many of these tools frequently. Some are already fully integrated into my work life, some are getting there, some I may discard and move on.
As for staying current, I will be using RSS feeds more frequently and in the tools that are already part of my daily routine -- i.e. My Yahoo home page . Almost all of the tech tools I have learned, I have learned from other library staff -- both at my local library, at conference, and in networking with my colleagues across the country. I love that ours is a sharing profession and I appreciate that I can rely on that. I too need to contribute my sharing of what I have learned and I plan to do so.
As for blogging, I'm not very confident of my writing skills -- I would much rather talk. I have a web cam on new computer, perhaps I will give that a try. We'll see. However, it is totally unacceptable to NOT stay attuned to the technology and other trends affecting our profession.
I am not a bandwagon jumper and I distrust following flavor of the day type initiatives. New tools, and processes, etc. need to make sense to me before I can make sense of them to others. I do however, commit to investigating new ideas, tools, technology. To try them out. To effectively evaluate their usefulness for our services and in my life.
It took far more than 15 min. a day to complete this 23 thing project; however, 15 min a day is doable. I love the Tame the Web site and I think it gives a pretty comprehensive look as applying some of these technologies. I will keep up with this site and/or switch to another one if it resonates more, but will definitely have 2-3 resources that I check regularly.
Certainly it isn't enough to learn about the new 2.0 tools. We have to use them, to understand them, to then apply them as appropriate in our services.
I think we need to pay attention to all of the library's customers -- from the Luddites who still lament about the loss of the card catalog to the techno-savvy who demand the latest formats for the newest gadgets. I think as an administrator it is a continuous struggle to prioritize tasks to address the diverse needs of all of our users.
I have encouraged staff to spend a fair amount of work time to learn these tools and it has been interesting for me to read their blogs -- their perceptions and their progress. I now expect some application of those tools in how we deliver services. I have some idea, but more importantly, I want to receive ideas from staff and have us work together as a team to incorporate them. I plan on making this a regular agenda item for our monthly staff meetings.
I am going to revisit many of these tools frequently. Some are already fully integrated into my work life, some are getting there, some I may discard and move on.
As for staying current, I will be using RSS feeds more frequently and in the tools that are already part of my daily routine -- i.e. My Yahoo home page . Almost all of the tech tools I have learned, I have learned from other library staff -- both at my local library, at conference, and in networking with my colleagues across the country. I love that ours is a sharing profession and I appreciate that I can rely on that. I too need to contribute my sharing of what I have learned and I plan to do so.
As for blogging, I'm not very confident of my writing skills -- I would much rather talk. I have a web cam on new computer, perhaps I will give that a try. We'll see. However, it is totally unacceptable to NOT stay attuned to the technology and other trends affecting our profession.
Thing 21. Beyond MySpace: Other Social Networks
View my page on 23 Things on a Stick
It wasn't too long after I joined FaceBook that I was introduced to another social networking site -- www.wearevikingsfans.com. One of the things I enjoy the most about going to football games is the camaraderie among the fans. Now, I can enjoy that year round on-line. A sub-group on this social network is creating all kinds of events to go along with the big draft party at Winter Park at the end of the month. I digress, this is supposed to be about library work....
Anyway, it is obvious from my Viking fan experience of the value of a hobby or interest social network in addition to a general one. I have used it with enthusiasm. I enjoyed being introduced to other such interest sites. I am also going to see that the gather site gets added to our Library's home page as a resource for book lovers. I am also going to further investigate the use of the video sites and evaluate their usefulness for collection development purposes.
In addition to Library Thing, I have experimented with a variety of book based applications on social networking sites. They all have value -- it just depends upon what you are most comfortable with and what the people that you want to interact with are using.
After unsuccessfully trying to maintain about 3 different types of book applications, I abandoned all but Library Thing and now add RSS feeds for my Library Thing account on my FaceBook.]
As librarians, we have to use these tools. There is so much potential her for marketing, sharing the rich resources and continued relevance of the library and to maintain technical credibility with our users.
P.S. I enjoyed Ning and liked how easy it was to create your one social networking site. I see opportunities for this in other areas of my life.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Thing 20. Libraries and Social Networks
At MLA last fall, I attended a great session on library 2.0 for Readers Advisory and it introduced me to social networking. The line that hooked me was "old people email, young people social network". Well I didn't want to be left in the dust so I started trying it out and am not totally addicted (to FaceBook). After that conference, we took a look at several of the library pages and one staff member volunteered to create a MySpace Page for our library. Below is the result of those efforts. Our next step it to integrate the maintenance of this page in our services and evaluate its effectiveness.
Rochester Public Library MySpace Page *
http://tinyurl.com/6orkmt
The reason for creating the page, again is to be where our patrons are. To make it truly effective, I think we are going to need to make sure it is up to our standards, and incorporate more tool into it. I am most interested in focusing on some of the readers advisory applications -- especially for teens.
I do think that MySpace can be a bit "trashy", but not all of it is. I find the sites for various bands/artists to be very informative. I understand why youth are drawn to this network. I am saddened by attempts to block access to social networking sites for youth. This is the way they now communicate. Rather than block access, we need to more effectively train our children on how to navigate the dangers as they reap the benefits of this new virtual environment. To do that, we need to become a member of this community (even if just visiting) to understand it.
My FaceBook Profile*
http://tinyurl.com/5k8za3
Rochester Public Library MySpace Page *
http://tinyurl.com/6orkmt
The reason for creating the page, again is to be where our patrons are. To make it truly effective, I think we are going to need to make sure it is up to our standards, and incorporate more tool into it. I am most interested in focusing on some of the readers advisory applications -- especially for teens.
I do think that MySpace can be a bit "trashy", but not all of it is. I find the sites for various bands/artists to be very informative. I understand why youth are drawn to this network. I am saddened by attempts to block access to social networking sites for youth. This is the way they now communicate. Rather than block access, we need to more effectively train our children on how to navigate the dangers as they reap the benefits of this new virtual environment. To do that, we need to become a member of this community (even if just visiting) to understand it.
My FaceBook Profile*
http://tinyurl.com/5k8za3
When starting the whole social networking thing, I was drawn more to FaceBook than to MySpace. Essentially, more of my Friends are on FaceBook so it made sense for me to be there. Also, I think it better addresses my privacy concerns. What I really love about FaceBook is the way it helps me stay connected to people I don't see very often. Ironically, most of my friends are professional contacts (but the list is growing).
I like the ease of sharing photos, videos etc. on this page. I think my profile reflects both my professional and personal personality. One of the most delightful things resulting from FaceBook was a lunch date that would not have happened without this communication tool. I appreciated how it facilitated connecting with an old friend :-).
(*Note: using productivity tools from previous thing.)
Thing 19. Podcasts
I listen to a lot of different types of audio materials -- music, books, interviews etc. I also have several audio gadgets to make my audio portable. I find podcasts to be ubiquitous. There is so much out there that I find interesting -- political commentary, music, etc.
I have highlighted on my Blog the Minnesota Public Radio Current post casts.
Our library is experimenting with podcasts and I am interested in expanding our offerings. Currently we have podcasts of some of our Rochester Reads programs. Because we do not have an RSS feed for this page, I did not add it to my blog. However you get to them at: http://www.rochesterreads.org/RR2008pages/audio.html
I would like to have more podcasts of our various programs. We do need to work on the legal aspects of getting releases and permissions to create and post podcasts from our author visit and other lecture programs. We are moving in that direction albeit slowly.
I have highlighted on my Blog the Minnesota Public Radio Current post casts.
Our library is experimenting with podcasts and I am interested in expanding our offerings. Currently we have podcasts of some of our Rochester Reads programs. Because we do not have an RSS feed for this page, I did not add it to my blog. However you get to them at: http://www.rochesterreads.org/RR2008pages/audio.html
I would like to have more podcasts of our various programs. We do need to work on the legal aspects of getting releases and permissions to create and post podcasts from our author visit and other lecture programs. We are moving in that direction albeit slowly.
Thing 18. YouTube & Other Online Video
The above is a video of my dog sledding adventure at the Lutsen Nordic Center in Jan. 2008. It was 30 below zero the day this was filmed. The ride was very fast as the dogs were fresh (we were the first ride of the day) and the snow was very hard and compact because of the cold. I was very proud of myself for editing the video and adding it to YouTube (it is actually 4 different videos added together using an Adobe video editor).
I am totally addicted to YouTube. When I go to that site, hours can go by without me noticing. One of the things that I really appreciate is the ability to see vintage footage of interviews with my favorite band and just about any music video I am interested in.
I also like the ability to share videos with my family and friends. It is so much easier to invite them to YouTube than to try to email or mail a DVD. There is an option to make your videos private and only allow those you choose to have access to them. Our new digital camera has video and we are using it a lot more than we anticipated.
As for library applications, there are several. Our library has a YouTube account for videos relevant to our library. For example, the short film contest winners are posted on our site. One of the most creative uses I have seen is the library YouTube video contest done by the Eden Prairie Library.
Thing 17. ELM Productivity Tools
I am pleased to use the RSS features of the powerful databases of ELM. I rather like saving my search results and having them fed to me over the "Dig" popular media sites. This way the news that is pushed to me is exactly what I am interested in.
On the right hand side of my blog is my RSS feed for the search that I saved. As someone interested in Intellectual Freedom, I appreciate keeping up to date on how the USA Patriot Act affects libraries. Now I can keep up with recent news in the academic press -- an area that I don't typically mine unless I have a specific research need.
Although I have been faithfully using ELM since what seems like forever, I had never used the folder and web page options. I did create a very rudimentary web page and downloaded it. It is not my finest web work so I am not posting it here, but I appreciated learning about this quick and easy web tool.
P.S. I do hope that the legislation passes that insures all Minnesotans access to this important resource. The Legislative intent for this appropriation is to provide the best possible access to information resources across the educational spectrum (including K-12, higher education, state government and public libraries) on a statewide basis.
On the right hand side of my blog is my RSS feed for the search that I saved. As someone interested in Intellectual Freedom, I appreciate keeping up to date on how the USA Patriot Act affects libraries. Now I can keep up with recent news in the academic press -- an area that I don't typically mine unless I have a specific research need.
Although I have been faithfully using ELM since what seems like forever, I had never used the folder and web page options. I did create a very rudimentary web page and downloaded it. It is not my finest web work so I am not posting it here, but I appreciated learning about this quick and easy web tool.
P.S. I do hope that the legislation passes that insures all Minnesotans access to this important resource. The Legislative intent for this appropriation is to provide the best possible access to information resources across the educational spectrum (including K-12, higher education, state government and public libraries) on a statewide basis.
Thing 16. Student 2.0 Tools
I would have appreciated these tools when I was a student! I think the U of M Assignment calculator would be useful if one is a student at that school. I like how it helps the student to clarify their tasks and includes resources to help with specific steps.
I think these tools in general, and the Research Project Calculator specifically, are beneficial to students who are new to the research process and/or have difficulty managing their time and staying on track. As you can see, I am rushing to get my posts done by the 16th. Perhaps if I had friendly email reminders to work on my 23 things research and blog, I would be further along in my process!
I asked that the Research Project Calculator be added to our homework section of the teen page. I think we owe it to our students to at least share the existence of this tool. (I used the post comments portion of the23 things blog of the staff member who is responsible for maintaining the teen site.)
I think these tools in general, and the Research Project Calculator specifically, are beneficial to students who are new to the research process and/or have difficulty managing their time and staying on track. As you can see, I am rushing to get my posts done by the 16th. Perhaps if I had friendly email reminders to work on my 23 things research and blog, I would be further along in my process!
I asked that the Research Project Calculator be added to our homework section of the teen page. I think we owe it to our students to at least share the existence of this tool. (I used the post comments portion of the23 things blog of the staff member who is responsible for maintaining the teen site.)
Thing 15: Libraries and Games
Unlike IBM libraries don't have to make money -- not even virtual money. However, they do have to justify to their stakeholders how they spend and invest money and library resources. I do appreciate the commercial in terms of putting into perspective our priorities and how we use limited resources as we develop programs and services. However, unlike the IBM lackey, Ohio State and Alliance Library System have adequately demonstrated the value of investing in the virtual world.
How wonderful to be able to offer services in this new virtual world where many of our patrons dwell. Also, we need some of our staff to be here as well to meet and serve our virtual patrons, but more importantly for the creativity that it fuels.
I personally am not interested in investing in a second life, my first one if more than full enough thank you very much, but I appreciated the opportunity to visit. I see value here. Still trying to figure out where it fits in our institution's priorities. I hope this experience has sparked the interest in staff though to keep in touch with it.
Thing 14: Library Thing
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/kdedson
(I also have a RSS Feed for my recent entries on my blog page).
I love library thing!!! I see extreme value for readers advisory. I would very much like to create a Readers Services Library thing and have staff input what they are reading. This would then be posted to our public web page.
For now, I have my own and enter everything I read (since I started). Here I can tag, and add notes re: appeal factors for the book and a review if I am feeling confident about it.
I have used Library Thing to set up our church youth library (see my profile and my interesting libraries section.) It is so easy to add titles, we had all the youth who had laptops bring them in one evening and we cataloged all of the titles so far. I am going back on Wed. to finish up the project. The youth talked about what tags they wanted to use and how to use the tags to correspond to shelf location. We also talked about how anyone can go to our library and see what we have. We can keep the collection current by using library thing to do an annual inventory.
We have been waiting for the option to add to our on-line catalog the option of tracking circulation history. Right now we have the option of either turning it on for everyone or keeping it off. Due to privacy issues, we want patrons to make the decision. One day a patron was asking for a way to track her reading. I showed her LibraryThing and she was so thrilled about it. She loved that her "book-lists" would follow her to what ever computer she had access to. Many of our avid readers have shown significant interest in this tool. I love it so it is easy to promote it.
I also use the links to Friend's and friends libraries. We have used this tool to share or love of reading and what we are reading.
Can't say enough about this fabulous tool!
(I also have a RSS Feed for my recent entries on my blog page).
I love library thing!!! I see extreme value for readers advisory. I would very much like to create a Readers Services Library thing and have staff input what they are reading. This would then be posted to our public web page.
For now, I have my own and enter everything I read (since I started). Here I can tag, and add notes re: appeal factors for the book and a review if I am feeling confident about it.
I have used Library Thing to set up our church youth library (see my profile and my interesting libraries section.) It is so easy to add titles, we had all the youth who had laptops bring them in one evening and we cataloged all of the titles so far. I am going back on Wed. to finish up the project. The youth talked about what tags they wanted to use and how to use the tags to correspond to shelf location. We also talked about how anyone can go to our library and see what we have. We can keep the collection current by using library thing to do an annual inventory.
We have been waiting for the option to add to our on-line catalog the option of tracking circulation history. Right now we have the option of either turning it on for everyone or keeping it off. Due to privacy issues, we want patrons to make the decision. One day a patron was asking for a way to track her reading. I showed her LibraryThing and she was so thrilled about it. She loved that her "book-lists" would follow her to what ever computer she had access to. Many of our avid readers have shown significant interest in this tool. I love it so it is easy to promote it.
I also use the links to Friend's and friends libraries. We have used this tool to share or love of reading and what we are reading.
Can't say enough about this fabulous tool!
Thing 13. Online Productivity Tools
Now were talking... I'm always seeking new productivity tools and already use several that are highlighted in this section (and have even blogged about them previously). My Yahoo has been my homepage for a very long time and I love it. Not only that, they frequently update it and add new features as technology advances. One of my favorite things, as previously mentioned, is the selecting of headlines from my favorite news sources and on-line magazines.
Also, my GroupWise calendar at work is my primary calendar. However, I use my yahoo calender to be reminded of all the Birthdays and other special events I need to remember. Several volunteer organizations that I belong to use he Yahoo Group function (and I just proposed it for a an organization whose board I was just appointed to). We can put our organizations events on this calendar and then have all of the members sent a reminder note. In addition, I can easily inappropriate the groups events to my own personal events.
As mentioned in my previous blog post, I use the Google toolbar on my desk-top. This toolbar is customizable and I can choose the tools I want to use and organize them to my own specifications.
I have been involved in groups where the members don't all have the same software. I plan on trying Google spread-sheets etc. for these organizations and see if the other members will use them.
I have used tiny URL but don't use this as often as I should. I will revisit this as well.
Also, my GroupWise calendar at work is my primary calendar. However, I use my yahoo calender to be reminded of all the Birthdays and other special events I need to remember. Several volunteer organizations that I belong to use he Yahoo Group function (and I just proposed it for a an organization whose board I was just appointed to). We can put our organizations events on this calendar and then have all of the members sent a reminder note. In addition, I can easily inappropriate the groups events to my own personal events.
As mentioned in my previous blog post, I use the Google toolbar on my desk-top. This toolbar is customizable and I can choose the tools I want to use and organize them to my own specifications.
I have been involved in groups where the members don't all have the same software. I plan on trying Google spread-sheets etc. for these organizations and see if the other members will use them.
I have used tiny URL but don't use this as often as I should. I will revisit this as well.
Thing 12: Do you Digg?
Again, I was pleased to learn about these popular media news resources. As I was exploring them, yes, I did get sucked in to reading many of the articles. There is something very democratic about this process.
On the other hand, it wouldn't take much for someone with a specific story to encourage a lot of people to "digg it" and move it to the top. I think of the Rah Rah Rochester branding phrase. The creator of this phrase logged into the web set and gave it a lot of favorable comments/reviews. I'm sure we all have heard of something like this in our lives.
As far as how it applies to library service etc... Well I'm not yet convinced of its usefulness. I personally found it a bit of a time waster. The public will continue to astound us with their wide range of questions -- I doubt this will give us much of an edge. But it is a great resource for people who are inspired by a story and want to share their interest with others. I see these resources as much more value in other areas of my life.
Now that I have a Digg account (I Dug the article about hacking) will I use it? Doubtful. I'm kind of lazy when it come to my news. I have a number of headlines pushed at me -- from the sources I chose for my "My Yahoo" home page, to my Google news banner that sits on my desk-top and my frequent forays into the local news sources, cnn, and msnbc.
That being said, I firmly support any tool that helps to promote democracy and a way for the average person to find their voice. These tools do an excellent job of that.
Every year there is a publication that I enjoy that highlights the stories that were essentially censored because they were not picked up by the major news media. I wonder if these social media sites will have an influence on this and/or if editors are paying attention to what the public is interested in. We certainly live in interesting times.
On the other hand, it wouldn't take much for someone with a specific story to encourage a lot of people to "digg it" and move it to the top. I think of the Rah Rah Rochester branding phrase. The creator of this phrase logged into the web set and gave it a lot of favorable comments/reviews. I'm sure we all have heard of something like this in our lives.
As far as how it applies to library service etc... Well I'm not yet convinced of its usefulness. I personally found it a bit of a time waster. The public will continue to astound us with their wide range of questions -- I doubt this will give us much of an edge. But it is a great resource for people who are inspired by a story and want to share their interest with others. I see these resources as much more value in other areas of my life.
Now that I have a Digg account (I Dug the article about hacking) will I use it? Doubtful. I'm kind of lazy when it come to my news. I have a number of headlines pushed at me -- from the sources I chose for my "My Yahoo" home page, to my Google news banner that sits on my desk-top and my frequent forays into the local news sources, cnn, and msnbc.
That being said, I firmly support any tool that helps to promote democracy and a way for the average person to find their voice. These tools do an excellent job of that.
Every year there is a publication that I enjoy that highlights the stories that were essentially censored because they were not picked up by the major news media. I wonder if these social media sites will have an influence on this and/or if editors are paying attention to what the public is interested in. We certainly live in interesting times.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Thing 11. Tagging and Del.icio.us
I'm most excited about del.iciou.us so I will start with that. There are multiple computers in my life that I use. For the past few years, I have been exporting and importing my favorites since I can't live without them -- at lest on my work computer.
However, when my home computer crashed a couple weeks ago, I realized how truly frustrated I was as I moved from computer to computer to quickly get to the pages I wanted. Andy when I finally got my replacement and uploaded my favorites, I realized how old some of them were and how poor a job I have done in keeping them organized.
Yes, Google, makes it easy to find sites... but I am delighted to have now discovered delicious! As a selector for my library, I do collection work from a variety of computers -- my personal work computer, our shared public service desk computer, my home computer, my partner's computer, and occasionally other. With delicious, I now have my own personal portable bookmarks list. No time to file them? well the tagging helps me to bring them all together with no additional step.
I just got started with it, but I anticipate this will be a new addiction until I get it put together to my precise specifications.
Yes, I want descriptive terms for content that match the way people think of concepts. So the idea of people entering their own terms is very valuable. However, there is nothing better than having a controlled vocabulary for bring all things on the same subject together. So this is one thing this old geezer will try to accomplish in her own tagging projects. I can't help but to want to tag items on the same subject in a consistent manner. At the same time I will try to open to anything that improves access to content.
However, when my home computer crashed a couple weeks ago, I realized how truly frustrated I was as I moved from computer to computer to quickly get to the pages I wanted. Andy when I finally got my replacement and uploaded my favorites, I realized how old some of them were and how poor a job I have done in keeping them organized.
Yes, Google, makes it easy to find sites... but I am delighted to have now discovered delicious! As a selector for my library, I do collection work from a variety of computers -- my personal work computer, our shared public service desk computer, my home computer, my partner's computer, and occasionally other. With delicious, I now have my own personal portable bookmarks list. No time to file them? well the tagging helps me to bring them all together with no additional step.
I just got started with it, but I anticipate this will be a new addiction until I get it put together to my precise specifications.
Tagging. Subject classification anarchy is one of those things that is taking me a while to warm to. Perhaps it is the library school indoctrination of the need for controlled vocabulary. In the practical world, words do evolve and new terms come into common usage and (as my friend Sandy Berman frequently points out) Library of Congress if often very s - l - o - w to respond.
Yes, I want descriptive terms for content that match the way people think of concepts. So the idea of people entering their own terms is very valuable. However, there is nothing better than having a controlled vocabulary for bring all things on the same subject together. So this is one thing this old geezer will try to accomplish in her own tagging projects. I can't help but to want to tag items on the same subject in a consistent manner. At the same time I will try to open to anything that improves access to content.
Thing 10: Wikis
I have come to really appreciate Wikis. My first experience with a wiki is when we were in the process of evaluating and selecting a potential automated materials handling system vendor. I was skeptical at first, However, it was a great way for committee members to share their specific thoughts on the process, pros and cons of each vendor and process, and to respond to comments of other committee members. It allowed for a very organized and systematic documentation of our evaluation process. This will be my preferred method for committee participation for future projects of this type.
We also use a Wiki for our library internal StaffNet. It is so much easier now for all staff to participate in contributing content and to keep the pages up to date. (I added a note to this effect on the 23onastick Wiki. (http://23onastick.pbwiki.com/?full_access=Pc2BbORfc5&l=S) I initially forgot to initial my entry. So easy to just add it.
We also use a Wiki for our library internal StaffNet. It is so much easier now for all staff to participate in contributing content and to keep the pages up to date. (I added a note to this effect on the 23onastick Wiki. (http://23onastick.pbwiki.com/?full_access=Pc2BbORfc5&l=S) I initially forgot to initial my entry. So easy to just add it.
Thing 9: Online Collaboration Tools
I am glad to have learned about these tools. In my work-life, we frequently write by committee. We use file sharing on our network and set the documents to show edits and comments. I prefer this method for collaborative writing when working with staff within the same network.
The tools offered by ZoHo and Google Docs are intriguing. I can see potential usefulness when creating documents by committee when the participants are spread out and on different computer networks. It saves constantly emailing documents back and forth and never being quite sure which version is the latest. However, I find I am not as comfortable using these tools as the ones I use everyday. However, this experience will help me to be more open to using them in the future.
The tools offered by ZoHo and Google Docs are intriguing. I can see potential usefulness when creating documents by committee when the participants are spread out and on different computer networks. It saves constantly emailing documents back and forth and never being quite sure which version is the latest. However, I find I am not as comfortable using these tools as the ones I use everyday. However, this experience will help me to be more open to using them in the future.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Thing 8: Share your Creations
Slide Shows
Yahoo -- Zoho! Or so I thought. I was really excited about this tool. I frequently give presentations and love the idea of an easy way to share some of these Power Point presentations. I'm actually planning to repeat a presentation I gave at MLA in December and thought, gee, let's try. This could be an easy way to share my slide show with my audience.
Well, there are some significant size limitations. I tried to upload my ppp and it was too big. It took a long time to make the attempt and after erroring out two times, then I read the fine print. So alas, I have created an abbreviated one below. I was also disappointed about the limitations of the picture size that were allowed to be imported. I frequently use power point to visually demonstrate something. If it is just bullet point outlines of my speech, I don't bother with pp.
http://show.zoho.com/public/kdedson/Make%20me%20Over
P.S. The instructions for imbedding my show in my blog did not work. I couldn't figure out how to do any more than to insert the link. Sorry ;-(
As a presenter, one needs to be flexible. I doubt I would create a web version of my presentation and just use that. You never know what kind of access you will have at any given place. Not many of the places where I regularly present have Internet access.
There is potential here but at this time this resource is not recommended.
Yahoo -- Zoho! Or so I thought. I was really excited about this tool. I frequently give presentations and love the idea of an easy way to share some of these Power Point presentations. I'm actually planning to repeat a presentation I gave at MLA in December and thought, gee, let's try. This could be an easy way to share my slide show with my audience.
Well, there are some significant size limitations. I tried to upload my ppp and it was too big. It took a long time to make the attempt and after erroring out two times, then I read the fine print. So alas, I have created an abbreviated one below. I was also disappointed about the limitations of the picture size that were allowed to be imported. I frequently use power point to visually demonstrate something. If it is just bullet point outlines of my speech, I don't bother with pp.
http://show.zoho.com/public/kdedson/Make%20me%20Over
P.S. The instructions for imbedding my show in my blog did not work. I couldn't figure out how to do any more than to insert the link. Sorry ;-(
As a presenter, one needs to be flexible. I doubt I would create a web version of my presentation and just use that. You never know what kind of access you will have at any given place. Not many of the places where I regularly present have Internet access.
There is potential here but at this time this resource is not recommended.
Thing 7: Communication Tools
Email
When I started my work life it was in the age of memos. When I started using email in 1989, I was impressed at how easily and quickly it was to communicate -- especially in a work setting where everyone had access to email. Now, I can't image life without it and have appreciated how it has developed over the years. I currently maintain 3 email accounts - my work account, my personal Yahoo account (I love how I can keep my same email address no matter how often I move, and can keep my contact information no matter how many times my computer crashes), and my charter account which I use primarily for my volunteer activities.
We use GroupWise for our email program at work. In addition to email, it also includes calendar, tasks, and notes functions. All of the staff in my division have given proxy access to each other for calendar items. I can't imaging completing the desk staffing schedule without it. It allows me to see at a glance staff's commitments on a given day and can schedule accordingly. Also, when someone is interested in meeting with me and I am unavailable, staff have access to my calendar and can schedule an appointment for me.
When we need to communicate something quickly and comprehensively, email is a great tool. We also use it very effectively to communicate between selectors, acquisitions and reserve staff to manage collection development activities. The administrative team also uses it to make decisions for simple time sensitive issues that need an answer before our next meeting.
There are a couple of downsides to email. It is very easy to hit the send button before proofing one's message adequately, and one needs to use caution when communicating by email on emotional or sensitive issues. Email lacks the non-verbal cues that are an essential part of face to face communication. Also, if there is a need for dialog, email is inferior to a phone call or a face to face conversation. The key is knowing when to use the various communication tools available to us and to not rely to heavily on any one.
Text Messaging and IM
I lack confidence in much of my written communication and text messaging and IM are so fast that I am not exactly comfortable with it. I also struggle with LEET (the little abbreviations). However, there are times when I really appreciate the ability to text. For example, when at the Metrodome, it is too loud to use the cell phone. A text message quickly and easily communicates where to meet up and/or provide a brief commentary on the last play!
We do use IM at our reference desk at the library, but not yet at the Fiction, Movies and Music desk. I believe IM is great for quick answers to discrete questions. It is not, however, my preferred method for conducting a reference interview. I thought the example in the 23 things video was lacking. When the patron texts what database to use for research, typically the librarian should ask multiple follow-up questions such as what is your subject, what have you searched already, etc. before providing the best suggestion. However, if someone texts and asks who won the world series in 1987, well then there is no reason not to use this quick and easy communication tools.
I have experimented with IM on a personal level. I guess I prefer the phone for the types of conversations I've had in this format and/or have found email to be more than adequate for my needs.
Webinars
Because of webinars, we now have so much more access to quality staff development training. Last summer I took several that were offered by OverDrive. I appreciated the format, the ability to IM questions to the presenter and the ability to attend the webinar at my own desk. We also book our meeting room for several staff to attend the WebJunction and other webinars. Here we use the mobile lab and project the webinar on a screen so that multiple staff may view.
Groups
I love Yahoo groups for committee and volunteer work. The group allows the organization to quickly and easily create a free listsrv. But it is so much more than that. It includes a calendar function which allow the automated sending of reminders for organizational events/meetings. When I was president of my Lion's club, I found this function indispensable. One can also integrate the calendar items of your group(s) to your personal yahoo calendar.
It also allows for the posting of organizational documents, photos, etc. I have used the poll function to have members weigh in on optimal meeting dates etc.
The downside to the Yahoo groups is that every club member needs to establish an account (you can use your home email) and remember their login and password. If they are not regular yahoo users, this can be an issue. I couldn't convince enough Lion's members to use the full function of the group to have the document posting be effective. It worked for the listsrv function and Key officers where the only ones who used the other parts.
When I started my work life it was in the age of memos. When I started using email in 1989, I was impressed at how easily and quickly it was to communicate -- especially in a work setting where everyone had access to email. Now, I can't image life without it and have appreciated how it has developed over the years. I currently maintain 3 email accounts - my work account, my personal Yahoo account (I love how I can keep my same email address no matter how often I move, and can keep my contact information no matter how many times my computer crashes), and my charter account which I use primarily for my volunteer activities.
We use GroupWise for our email program at work. In addition to email, it also includes calendar, tasks, and notes functions. All of the staff in my division have given proxy access to each other for calendar items. I can't imaging completing the desk staffing schedule without it. It allows me to see at a glance staff's commitments on a given day and can schedule accordingly. Also, when someone is interested in meeting with me and I am unavailable, staff have access to my calendar and can schedule an appointment for me.
When we need to communicate something quickly and comprehensively, email is a great tool. We also use it very effectively to communicate between selectors, acquisitions and reserve staff to manage collection development activities. The administrative team also uses it to make decisions for simple time sensitive issues that need an answer before our next meeting.
There are a couple of downsides to email. It is very easy to hit the send button before proofing one's message adequately, and one needs to use caution when communicating by email on emotional or sensitive issues. Email lacks the non-verbal cues that are an essential part of face to face communication. Also, if there is a need for dialog, email is inferior to a phone call or a face to face conversation. The key is knowing when to use the various communication tools available to us and to not rely to heavily on any one.
Text Messaging and IM
I lack confidence in much of my written communication and text messaging and IM are so fast that I am not exactly comfortable with it. I also struggle with LEET (the little abbreviations). However, there are times when I really appreciate the ability to text. For example, when at the Metrodome, it is too loud to use the cell phone. A text message quickly and easily communicates where to meet up and/or provide a brief commentary on the last play!
We do use IM at our reference desk at the library, but not yet at the Fiction, Movies and Music desk. I believe IM is great for quick answers to discrete questions. It is not, however, my preferred method for conducting a reference interview. I thought the example in the 23 things video was lacking. When the patron texts what database to use for research, typically the librarian should ask multiple follow-up questions such as what is your subject, what have you searched already, etc. before providing the best suggestion. However, if someone texts and asks who won the world series in 1987, well then there is no reason not to use this quick and easy communication tools.
I have experimented with IM on a personal level. I guess I prefer the phone for the types of conversations I've had in this format and/or have found email to be more than adequate for my needs.
Webinars
Because of webinars, we now have so much more access to quality staff development training. Last summer I took several that were offered by OverDrive. I appreciated the format, the ability to IM questions to the presenter and the ability to attend the webinar at my own desk. We also book our meeting room for several staff to attend the WebJunction and other webinars. Here we use the mobile lab and project the webinar on a screen so that multiple staff may view.
Groups
I love Yahoo groups for committee and volunteer work. The group allows the organization to quickly and easily create a free listsrv. But it is so much more than that. It includes a calendar function which allow the automated sending of reminders for organizational events/meetings. When I was president of my Lion's club, I found this function indispensable. One can also integrate the calendar items of your group(s) to your personal yahoo calendar.
It also allows for the posting of organizational documents, photos, etc. I have used the poll function to have members weigh in on optimal meeting dates etc.
The downside to the Yahoo groups is that every club member needs to establish an account (you can use your home email) and remember their login and password. If they are not regular yahoo users, this can be an issue. I couldn't convince enough Lion's members to use the full function of the group to have the document posting be effective. It worked for the listsrv function and Key officers where the only ones who used the other parts.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Thing 6 - On-line Image Generators
Corny, I know, but it does demonstrate my passion for all things library and football! I see how this could be used to promote our library programs. I think it would be fun to use some Reader's Advisory badges for National Library Week.
Who doesn't Love the Bookmobile!!!
Thing 5 - fun with Flickr
Well, I spent a lot of time exploring but with limited final product. At the bottom of this post is my link to my splashr project. It is fun to know what is out there for photo tools. I think it could be fun to have a teen photo mash up contest. Perhaps we could have a set of criteria -- i.e. it needs focus on a theme and include one mashup of RPL image. I would love to see what more creative people than me could come up with.
http://splashr.com/show/reflect1/9494197@N05/25/
http://splashr.com/show/reflect1/9494197@N05/25/
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Thing 4 Flickr
One of my favorite web 2. features is that of photo sharing. In addition to the Flickr account, I have been using Photoworks for a while. I love how easy it is to share photos with family and friends and to order prints etc. There are so many photo sites to choose from. Because photos are often large files, it is nice to point others to these sites rather than attach to email and eat up bandwidth etc.
The library does have a Flickr account that we created this year. We have used it to highlight library events, etc. I like having an external source to host the photos and we don't have to keep them on our server.
Also, in dealing with family pictures etc. we are mindful of privacy issues. This is true for library pictures too. When we ask those being photographed to sign a release form, it is important for them to know that it may be on the web.
The library does have a Flickr account that we created this year. We have used it to highlight library events, etc. I like having an external source to host the photos and we don't have to keep them on our server.
Also, in dealing with family pictures etc. we are mindful of privacy issues. This is true for library pictures too. When we ask those being photographed to sign a release form, it is important for them to know that it may be on the web.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Thing 3 RSS feeds
When I first learned about RSS feeds a couple years ago, I went to a short class, when gee whiz created and aggregator added some interesting sites and then never went back. (kind of like what I think my happen with the bloglines account I set up for this exercise). However, I love that some of my favorite web resources -- including my trusty My Yahoo home page and this Blog have functionality to include feeds. Now I think I am starting to better see the benefit and am using them more effectively.
Now that I know better what I am looking for in using RSS, I think it gives me a better idea what our public might be interested in from us. We need to look at our web design and see where RSS feeds can effectively provide the public what they may want to learn from us.
One of my jobs as a supervisor is to track the progress of division staff as they work their way through the 23 things. I have now add RSS feeds for division staff. Not only is it eaier to track , I see they are all exceeding my progress! . I love reading the division staff comments on these "things" and am looking forward to incorporating some of these tools in our work with patrons.
Now that I know better what I am looking for in using RSS, I think it gives me a better idea what our public might be interested in from us. We need to look at our web design and see where RSS feeds can effectively provide the public what they may want to learn from us.
One of my jobs as a supervisor is to track the progress of division staff as they work their way through the 23 things. I have now add RSS feeds for division staff. Not only is it eaier to track , I see they are all exceeding my progress! . I love reading the division staff comments on these "things" and am looking forward to incorporating some of these tools in our work with patrons.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thing 2 - Library 2.0 and Web 2.0
Ever since attending the MLA session on 2.0 tools for Readers Advisory, I have been experimenting with some of these tools and appreciate the sequential linear approach of the 23 Things to continue my individual learning and "immersion" in some of these tools and technology.
I very much embrace the concept of staying relevant to our users and believe that this has been one of my core professional values since the beginning of my library career -- long before the Internet even became a player in how we deliver information services.
I very much agree that our best way to learn Web 2 and other emerging technologies is to immerse ourselves in them. However, I chuckle at the the concept of taking 15 min. a day to do this. My observation on this is a bit of a rant -- BANDWIDTH, BANDWIDTH, BANDWIDTH.
I started at 11:00 am to watch the video. It finally downloaded to my computer to where the video would start to play at 11:25. Then I needed to pause the video and get to lunch so I could be back in time for a meeting. By 2:09, I had finally finished the video that I started at 11 - with a break for lunch and the other immediate demands of my job. This is at a library were we have two T1 lines but the demands on the bandwidth continue to grow -- games, video, graphics etc. Despite our technology that keeps any one user from hogging the bandwidth by equalizing the access, we still struggle. Not just for this exercise but for using many of the library 1.0 and the 2.0 technologies.
For example, I loved when we were able to add supplemental content with Syndetics to our library catalog. As Abrams mentioned, now patrons can see the book covers and have a new on-line browsing experience. However, we have found this feature also slows down how long it takes search results to load which often makes it less efficient in accomplishing its original function. It seem we are always needing to balance competing demands.
The more bells and whistles and enhanced content our tools and resources provide, the more time it takes for them to load and this often make them unusable. There are some communities where dial-up is the only option for Internet access. We have to make sure that our products are not exceeding the infrastructure of our users. We also have to be aware of the inequity of technology access and include this in our equation as we evaluate the services we deliver.
Yes, there are some marvelous opportunities with more participation in content development. Enhancing authority work or re-examining it is very necessary. So often what we do is in archaic and hard to understand language. On the other hand, I am firmly rooted in the idea that we need to maintain information that is accurate and authoritative. I would not want fashion and expediency to compromise the confidence of the public in our resources.
In addition, I really appreciate Diane Fichter's definition:
Library 2.0 = (books 'n stuff + people + radical trust) x participation.
I personally embrace the books n' stuff, the people and even the participation. However, I struggle with the concept of radical trust. I have continually seen where bad manners, people with axes to grind and even over communication has brought to a halt useful on-line communities and conversations.
And finally, I reiterate that we need to be where our patrons are. Some of them are in them are in the virtual world and demanding of electronic resources, tools, etc. On the flip side, we also have a population that doesn't want to touch it with a 10 foot pole and refuses to learn/use many of the library's technological products. We need to continually find the balance in reaching all our our users and walk the fine line of allocating the funds for services and products with that balance in mind.
ke
I very much embrace the concept of staying relevant to our users and believe that this has been one of my core professional values since the beginning of my library career -- long before the Internet even became a player in how we deliver information services.
I very much agree that our best way to learn Web 2 and other emerging technologies is to immerse ourselves in them. However, I chuckle at the the concept of taking 15 min. a day to do this. My observation on this is a bit of a rant -- BANDWIDTH, BANDWIDTH, BANDWIDTH.
I started at 11:00 am to watch the video. It finally downloaded to my computer to where the video would start to play at 11:25. Then I needed to pause the video and get to lunch so I could be back in time for a meeting. By 2:09, I had finally finished the video that I started at 11 - with a break for lunch and the other immediate demands of my job. This is at a library were we have two T1 lines but the demands on the bandwidth continue to grow -- games, video, graphics etc. Despite our technology that keeps any one user from hogging the bandwidth by equalizing the access, we still struggle. Not just for this exercise but for using many of the library 1.0 and the 2.0 technologies.
For example, I loved when we were able to add supplemental content with Syndetics to our library catalog. As Abrams mentioned, now patrons can see the book covers and have a new on-line browsing experience. However, we have found this feature also slows down how long it takes search results to load which often makes it less efficient in accomplishing its original function. It seem we are always needing to balance competing demands.
The more bells and whistles and enhanced content our tools and resources provide, the more time it takes for them to load and this often make them unusable. There are some communities where dial-up is the only option for Internet access. We have to make sure that our products are not exceeding the infrastructure of our users. We also have to be aware of the inequity of technology access and include this in our equation as we evaluate the services we deliver.
Yes, there are some marvelous opportunities with more participation in content development. Enhancing authority work or re-examining it is very necessary. So often what we do is in archaic and hard to understand language. On the other hand, I am firmly rooted in the idea that we need to maintain information that is accurate and authoritative. I would not want fashion and expediency to compromise the confidence of the public in our resources.
In addition, I really appreciate Diane Fichter's definition:
Library 2.0 = (books 'n stuff + people + radical trust) x participation.
I personally embrace the books n' stuff, the people and even the participation. However, I struggle with the concept of radical trust. I have continually seen where bad manners, people with axes to grind and even over communication has brought to a halt useful on-line communities and conversations.
And finally, I reiterate that we need to be where our patrons are. Some of them are in them are in the virtual world and demanding of electronic resources, tools, etc. On the flip side, we also have a population that doesn't want to touch it with a 10 foot pole and refuses to learn/use many of the library's technological products. We need to continually find the balance in reaching all our our users and walk the fine line of allocating the funds for services and products with that balance in mind.
ke
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
23 Things on a stick
Thing 1) Creating a blog. I have created this 23 Things on a stick blog.
So many people have asked me "why on a stick"? Well it could be our MN origins and a reference to the state fair, it could be the use of a "stick" or flash drive to transfer files from one computer to another, or it could be something else entirely. I suppose when I am further along, I may have more ideas to contribute to this discussion.
One of the things I learned in creating a blog, is that I had already signed up for a different blog, but forgot. I need to figure out how to move between the two blogs I participate in. The blog also has features I look forward to expanding upon.
It was almost impossible to create my avatar within the library, due to security and bandwidth issues, there are is a lot of the web that is locked down. This is an important consideration when we are creating pages for our patrons -- both to use within the library and from their work sites. Not everything we do may be accessible. In addition, we may inadvertently be restricting access to some of the tools our staff may need to do their jobs.
I see this tool could be a useful way to communicate with other staff and with our patrons.
So many people have asked me "why on a stick"? Well it could be our MN origins and a reference to the state fair, it could be the use of a "stick" or flash drive to transfer files from one computer to another, or it could be something else entirely. I suppose when I am further along, I may have more ideas to contribute to this discussion.
One of the things I learned in creating a blog, is that I had already signed up for a different blog, but forgot. I need to figure out how to move between the two blogs I participate in. The blog also has features I look forward to expanding upon.
It was almost impossible to create my avatar within the library, due to security and bandwidth issues, there are is a lot of the web that is locked down. This is an important consideration when we are creating pages for our patrons -- both to use within the library and from their work sites. Not everything we do may be accessible. In addition, we may inadvertently be restricting access to some of the tools our staff may need to do their jobs.
I see this tool could be a useful way to communicate with other staff and with our patrons.
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