23 Things Wrap-Up

This has been a highly educational tour of technology and its many uses in general, but specifically for libraries. I would hope that as new applications are created, there will be a new version of 23 Things to help people include them.

One of the epiphanies is that I just didn't realize that the average person could do certain things such as create podcasts and audiofeeds. I guess I thought companies did that. Also, many of these steps were quite easy to implement as long as the instructions are clear. If there is one piece of advice for 23 Things, it is to ensure that their links work. Perhaps they did not always because URLs change, etc.

I really enjoyed learning how to manipulate images and believe the most useful tools that I will continue to use often include the RSS feeds and Rollyo. Fortunately I was already familiar with LibraryThing/GoodReads and use this tool constantly. Just since starting this master's program 14 months ago, I have read 101 books. Using one of these programs keeps the information fresh.

Lifelong learning is an attitude. As I quickly approach my 50th birthday, I am very proud to say I've got lots of attitude! Just think how much I'll know by age 100!!

eLibrary Books

I am very frustrated with Learning 2.0's 23 Things site as too many of their links simply do not work no matter how many times I try. Fortunately, I could access NetLibrary's site and can see categories of content and can see how useful and desirable this would be for many patrons.

Last year, my own public library offered this service though it is discontinued now. I was a patron only then, so my memory may be a bit incorrect. This service, I believe, was offered through the state of Illinois library system. Patrons would go to their site to pick their title which would then be downloaded to the local library. I then went there to check out an MP3 player with the book already on it.

The system was not perfect. You could not always get the title you wanted any time soon, and the library only had a few MP3 players. It was my impression that the library was not exactly fond of these devices; just more to keep track of perhaps. The portability of the MP3 player has great appeal, perhaps especially for commuters and exercisers. This is an area of technology that I believe will continue to grow.

Podcasts

This was easier than expected. On Learning 2.0's 23 Things site, two of the three links for podcasting services did not work and I was beginning to think this would be difficult, but PodcastAlley came through. Sorting through the myriad podcasts makes you realize just how many are available for review. My first choice, LibVibes, was outdated. At least it was easy to put in search words, so I could choose from other book and library sites. I posted a couple of URLs to my bloglines.com account easily and the podcasts became easy to access.

Podcasts can be used multiple ways in a library. On an intranet, a library director could deliver messages to staff. On the library's website, podcasts could be a tool used to feature feature book tools, discussions, and the like. Just having podcasts available would send a strong message that the library is current with technology and current thinking.

YouTube is Ubiquitous

Ubiquitous essentially means "everywhere" and that about sums it up for YouTube. People of all ages have sent me links to particularly hilarious videos. Politicians used them for the first time in this recent election. Parts of it are unabashedly commercial, but I have also seen family videos posted.

A library could appear to be really with the times by incorporating clips into their web site or include clips with book discussions. Many authors are featured as are libraries themselves. Videos are considered to be far more commanding than audio feeds alone. Visual messages have always been known to dominate the human learning experience and are considered to be essential when making presentations. Basically, they are one tool among many, but this is one that particularly engages the viewer.

"Twilight" Author Featured

Web 2.0 Awards

I chose to explore widgets partly because I just like that word and because I am also trying to understand what widgets are a bit better. "YourMinis" promises streaming online radio and it mostly works. It does not work while you are writing a post, but it does for someone reading your blog. Sometimes selecting a station resulted in music, and sometimes it didn't so I suspect future versions of this will be even better. There are just so many interesting ways to customize our world.

Zoho Add-On

Now I am sold even more on web-based software. It was supremely easy to post Zoho to my blog, but even better, I was able to edit the text once I was in the blog. The colors and fonts all carried over into the blog perfectly.

Zoho T(z)est

Today I am writing my blog post using Zoho Writer, an online software tool similar to Microsoft Word. I can instantly see that this is a tool for the new world of work. We are now a global workforce with many employees working from home offices. What a great collaboration tool and time saver. I am reminded of the story of the startup of Federal Express where a college student was told that his idea of delivering documents overnight would never be feasible and would not catch on. The rest is indeed history. This idea could follow that same path and put a serious dent in Federal Express' business.

In a library setting, typical hours of employment are 9am to 9pm and it is common for employees to work all kinds of shifts. Having this tool would facilitate input on documents where multiple opinions are encouraged, such as setting policy, or even working on school group projects. One example could be the weekly work schedule, posted for review:

	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI
John	9-5	12-9	12-9	9-5	9-5
Mary	12-9	9-5	9-5	12-9	12-9

So far, I have tested out Zoho's fonts, colors, and a table. Haven't figured out how to resize the table, and I suspect there will be other features that are simply better on Microsoft's products, but in general, I am pretty impressed. We have seen the future.

Sandbox Wiki

I could find the sandbox. I could view the various pages within the sandbox. Alas, it would not let me play in the sandbox. Couldn't get past the log-in requirement and wasn't prepared to pay for PBWiki in order to gain access. That said...

There are many ways something similar to this could be used. Just keeping track of the many events at any library would be most useful. In my own, there is a sheet to dig out to find out about the next event and the sheet does not contain information for other departments. Would much rather see it be a click away. For fun, a wiki could also become a way for employees to get to know one another better. Will have to mull this new tool a bit more.

Whatsa Wiki?

It's finally happened. I get it. Really. Finally. Now I fully understand what a Wiki is and even better, how a Wiki can be used. For readers, especially those of us always with an eye to the next great find, the idea I like a lot and think would be received well, is the idea of allowing patrons to annotate the library catalog ala Amazon.

Who "owns" the library? The taxpayers, of course. But do they feel like they own the library, i.e., that it is really theirs? A great way to create this sense of ownership is to encourage their participation with a Wiki that invites opinions and reviews. I also liked the subject Wikis, but these I suspect take a lot of time to set up in the beginning and require ongoing maintenance as new materials join the library, whereas the annotated catalog seems more likely to run itself once launched. Online communities of readers are appearing in myriad ways and while LibraryThing and GoodReads are great examples of this trend, a local library would add value onto itself by allowing its users to personalize it.

Patrons will catch on. They will get it. Really. One day. And they'll love it!

Libraries are Communities

In reading about Learning 2.0 and Web 2.0, I confess that some of it went beyond my personal library experience. What is absolutely clear, however, is that the core role of libraries hasn't changed. A library embodies community. Just as culture changes over times, though, so does the nature of library services.

A positive initiative is that libraries are working hard to remove barriers to learning and continually finding new ways to provide access to information. Instant messaging, online library catalogs, online databases, and so much more bring the library to the user, without the user potentially ever needing to set foot on the premises. Libraries need better staffing for training users. I have seen this in my own short tenure. Users are easily overwhelmed and the gap is poised to widen.

The diamond in the 'mine' of information overload is that I believe users will learn to recognize the library as a place of solutions and assistance. I treasure our library as a community, information, and culture hub and believe we can be successful in meeting people's information and recreational needs.

Technorati

Today I signed up with Technorati, the blog connection. This seems like a great tool and site for people who like to connect with others with similar interests and for those who track cultural trends. It is also great to see how other blogs are designed. I like the way a simple click can take you to a particular blog post or the entire blog, and the ability to create a Favorites list is time saving. Inserted the Technorati Fave logo on my own blog. This is an important tool among many which attempt to organize, and allow access, to aspects of The Web.

Not Just Tasty, it's Del.icio.us

This is my second experience with exploring Del.icio.us and I have yet to be sold on this tool. I definitely can see how it could be useful for a group project, or for an extended project that one individual is gathering information for. While collecting bookmarks makes sense, I already use "My Favorites" as a tool for this though I can see how a person who works on several computers would benefit from Del.icio.us. It's like a traveling "My Favorites." Over time, I have clicked on lots of links, but the truth is that I usually fall back on the sites that I know I can trust. It really does not matter to me how other people tag sites on a personal level and I guess I need a few more practical examples of how it would benefit me professionally. I will continue to explore it, but at this moment, the verdict is still out.

On a Roll with Rollyo

As a church musician in a "blended" congregation. I have a great deal of freedom to create music I enjoy playing. One of the challenges, however, is keeping the music sounding fresh and new while honoring traditional tunes. I decided to create a search roll using Rollyo that is comprised of music publishers whose sites I check regularly. The search roll is easy to create and I quickly added eight sites. Using several old standbys such as Amazing Grace and It is Well With My Soul, I quickly could see the value of using this tool. A user can easily navigate between sites AND not only does one arrive at the site, but actually goes right to the item containing the song you have listed. This is a significant time saver. A search does result in items you would not care about such as a music CD or links to Target. There are also distracting ads. Overall, however, this idea of grouping sites is valuable in the same way the BlogLines allows people to group their RSS feeds.

Poster "Chic"

One could quickly and easily lose control having fun with image generating. This is my glamour girl daughter, Deanna. Bet she will be inspired to update her own blog now that her tech savvy mom can show her all these fun tools. This image is used with a poster tool.

Generating a New Image

Now isn't this fun. At http://bighugelabs.com/ I discovered how to take a digital photo and modify it using the many tools Big Huge Labs offers. This was easier than expected. Of course, they are hoping you will purchase an actual jigsaw puzzle in this case. This is my flower child son, Elliot, standing in front of the 10 foot sunflowers he grew this summer. I'm thinking about attempting a mosaic made from family pictures, creating a puzzle, and presenting it to Grandpa for Christmas. Just might be a winner.

Infinite Information

If I was not a library science student, I would identify myself as a reasonably ordinary individual. Ordinary individuals, I am convinced, do not have a clue as to the vast number of resources they can tap into to support their interests and their work. I vacillate between being in awe and being overwhelmed. At the least, I have new respect for libraries and their services.

This week, I compared search engines and explored the "invisible web." If I am impressed with one principle, it is that if the answer exists, it is on the web. The trick, of course, is finding it.

Finally, I never used to understand how some people could spend untold hours on the Internet. If one is inclined, however, to play with the many options in customizing blogs, home pages, screen savers, etc., there is plenty to attract your attention. Once it is all in place, though, you can have even more fun changing it again. Ahh, who needs sleep?

Coordinated Connections are Cool

RSS Feeds. One more advancement using technology to bring together your interests and most recent news at a simple click. This week I explored Bloglines.com and added RSS feeds (Really Simple Syndication). The idea is to gather together all of the sites and blogs you regularly check into a list. When you click on a site, you will see the most recent post instantly.

I had trouble getting Bloglines.com to set me up at first and later Blogger.com was down and wouldn't let me post, so technology still is not perfect. In eagerly setting up the sites I wanted to include, I discovered many of them do not have RSS feeds. However, I did start the process of including several sites that would be useful to a librarian engaged in collection development and reader's advisory along with one or two blogs from personal friends. A few I added are Amazon's Top 100 bestselling books, Entertainment Weekly's Books, and an RA site called EarlyWord. Recently I read, Samurai Shortstop. A father is hard on his son for taking the train when he could easily walk many miles to his destination. The son balks and praises the train for its speed. The father remarks coldly that we are foolish if we think modern conveniences free up time. Is it really better to fast forward in the interest of efficiency, or is there still a place for a deep breath and a dose of old fashioned pondering. Hmmm.

Flickr Creativity

I've been clicking and "linking" all over Flickr, and I confess that while it is fascinating and eye appealing on one hand, I am just not sure what to do with it all. Do I really need my own library trading card? What would someone actually DO with a mashup? I almost get the feeling that those who are extremely computer literate are just having the best fun with this. For the rest of us, it would behoove Flickr to spell out what you can do and how you can accomplish the task in the plainest language possible. Some sample projects would be most welcome. Remember, Microsoft placed Solitaire on the early computers just so users would learn how to use a mouse. That concept is simple. Eliminate the hesitation and fear of the product and users will take off!

The endless combinations of pictures and colors is clearly paving the way for some awesome creativity. A friend of mine creates custom quilts and often uses personal items such as ties and t-shirts in her designs. She has also used photographs. Using a collage of pictures in a quilt project would be so personal and lasting. Hmm, maybe I'll see if she knows how to do a mashup.

Technology Connects Readers with Authors

In our exploration of 23 Things, it is possible and perhaps desirable to focus on the latest web sites, links, macros, etc. This week I learned of an intriguing trend: authors allowing readers unprecedented easy access to them via web sites.

If a person knows how to type in a web site address and click on links, that is all they need to know. Once in the site or blog of the author, the user can find the author's biography, a list of their works, find out what is coming out next and when, and access the author's social network page on MySpace or Facebook. Best of all, the readers can ask questions directly.

This last week, the movie Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, based on the book of the same title, came out to an enthusiastic teen audience. The two authors, David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, each have their own site that incorporates fun information and a conversational tone. This is a stunningly successful way to promote books, reading, writing, and sales. What if Shakespeare, Hemingway, Hawthorne, and Proust had their own sites in their day? It was "to be" now and "not to be" then.

Lifelong Learning

Elaine1
Originally uploaded by gloriadrake66

I had a small epiphany today. Have always perceived myself as a lifelong learner (Habit #2), but did not fully realize that my mom sees herself that way as well. She is just shy of 80 and neither of us can believe it. She informed me today that she had to quit her Spanish class because it was just too hard ... so after a friendly chat with a Hispanic waitress, she decided a personal tutor is a better idea. They begin Tuesday night.

It simply does not occur to her that it is too late to learn Spanish or that she is too old to learn Spanish. She is interested; therefore, she runs with the idea. She is also really good at my worst habit, i.e, play. Learning is fun. At least she makes it fun, anyway. She loves people and craves excitement. I am generally shyer and crave quiet time. No matter. We have this in common ... we love to learn.

Study Buddy

BIG BLACK LAB
Originally uploaded by Larners

I have a confession to make. This is not my dog. He sure looks like him, however. Like any good canine study buddy, Boo (named for Boo Radley of "To Kill a Mockingbird" fame) keeps me company, only occasionally demanding a belly rub for his services. Today he is helping me with my homework which involves becoming familiar with Flickr.com. I have discovered how to link my blog to Flickr to create easy access to importing photos. It has also been fun searching for useful photos based on their tags. Soon I will import some of my own so I can claim a few photography skills as well. I hope you have a great study buddy, too.

The Path to Meaningful Work

The day has finally arrived that I have been steering towards. Employment! Talk about beginning "with the end in mind" as posted below. On Monday, September 15th, I begin working as a paraprofessional at the Adult Reference Desk of the Oswego (Illinois) Public Library. This is precisely where I wanted to land, i.e., a busy, modern, and well-funded library that is close to home.

Oswego is located in Kendall County which is one of the top five growth areas in the nation. Our new census figures were just published and they state that we have 29,000 citizens. In 2000, there were a mere 13,000 residents, so you can see this is true. My hope is that this part-time position will turn into a full-time position when they open a major branch in July, 2009. I am looking forward to gently incorporating the many ideas shared in the course of pursuing the MLS degree. Promise to keep you "posted!"

New Ventures

Doesn't everyone have a blog these days? Actually, probably not. To be sure, however, it is increasingly common for someone to hint that you ought to check out their blog, and so here is mine.

I've been learning about the 7.5 Habits of Lifelong Learners, which include:

Habit 1: Begin with the end in mind
Habit 2: Accept responsibility for your own learning
Habit 3: View problems as challenges
Habit 4: Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner
Habit 5: Create your own learning toolbox
Habit 6: Use technology to your advantage
Habit 7: Teach/mentor others
Habit 7 ½: Play

Which one is easiest? For me, it's right up front with "Begin with the end in mind." I have been a 15-year fan of Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. It is this habit that allowed me to begin the Master's in Library Science Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007. With the end drawing closer (May 2009), it is a good habit to embrace.

As for the hardest habit? I bet a lot of people think #6 (technology) is hard to master, but believe it or not, it is hardest for me to play. Yes, play. I have an over-developed sense of responsibility towards those closest to me and that is probably the biggest obstacle to experiencing unrestricted playfulness. I look forward to working on this!