# 22 What Did I Learn Today?

#22 Thing: The main thing I plan to keep up with is the archived Minitex webinars. I actually was able to help a patron with something I learned from the Ebsco webinar. The webinar style of teaching is extremely helpful to me. Since I work half-time, I have to careful about the tools I use because of my schedule.

The "thing" has to have some relevance in the librarian's life or it won't be an activity that an employee will keep up with.

Many of the "things" are activities that are controlled in our library system and there would be no point in my continuing to learn more about them. Library announcements is an example of a controlled activity.

# 5 More Flickr Fun

#5 Thing: I played with Clokr, Flickr Color Pickr, Big Huge Labs (used this for the trading card), Spell with Flickr, Splashr and the Puzzles sites. I particularly liked how Splashr created a slideshow for me. Again, my problem is trying to upload to my blog.

Our system is careful about who can advertise library programs. Not just any person is allowed to create announcements about upcoming events. I assume the library's publicist might enjoy using the mash-up tools.

#1 Setting Up a Blog

#1 Thing: I ended up setting up two accounts which I am not supposed to do. I realized that I did not understand how I was supposed to access my first account. With the help of a colleague, I finally figured out how to get to my second account. Well, I tried following the "how to export an avatar" but I failed. I spent a lot of on-the-desk time trying to paste an avatar.

P.S. This is actually the second time I tried to complete the avatar assignment. I feel like such a failure!!!

#8 Share Your Creations

#8 Thing: I have to confess that this is a Thing that I read/viewed. One of the tools that I thought was a good one was Lazybase. I thought it could be used for a database of book recommendations. Lazybase was very easy to use!

I was also impressed with the eFolio Minnesota. During this time of economic uncertainty, any way to promote yourself to prospective employers is important. I asked my daughter if they were doing anything like that at her school in California and she said, "No."

I was wondering if the Slideshare site could be used as a teaching tool for our library system's computer classes. The preparatory time could be significant, but maybe it could be cost effective.

#6 Online Image Generator

#6 Thing Online Image Generator:

This is an example of me not understanding what I am doing. I managed (?) to get a trading card on my blog. I like what the image generator is supposed to do but I need help with the process. My feeble attempt took a lot of work time, but I am not sure what I accomplished.

I did look at the Carleton College link. It was a very creative. I'm sure the students found it a fun but an informative way of locating library staff.

#7 Web 2.0 Communication Tools

#7 Thing: RCPL has been using email for quite awhile. Sometimes I feel like I am deleting a lot of spam & internal emails that do not seem relevant to me, but mostly it saves time. Since staff is scattered over seven buildings, it would be impossible to know everyone's schedules. Work email can be read from non-work related sites too. Not only is email used for internal communication, but it is also used to answer reference questions.

Our system implemented instant messaging last year to help eliminate negative issues (such as noise) regarding phoning. Mostly, it is worked well.

The Webinar I "attended" was an archived training session for the new EBSCO masterfile interface. Since I was not able to attend the session, it was wonderful to watch the webinar. Obviously, being able to train people at remote sites saves travel time and can be done at a more convenient location.

#15 Online Games and Libraries

#15 Thing: I looked at Second Life. It was fun to look at the Info Island video. I could see how Second Life would be a creative way to introduce the public, in particular teens, to the library. If a library was willing to use the help of teenagers, the teens could provide help with the scripting. What a good way to use their creativity! Teens might see libraries as a happenin' place if Second Life was available.

Now...for myself. Because Second Life (I did not register with SL) appears so time/labor intensive, I cannot imagine that I would have the time to deliver library services through this vehicle. If RCPL ever explored Second Life, I believe that selected librarians should work on this project. It would not be cost effective to have everyone doing this.

#4 Flickr

#4 Thing: Flickr



I do not use any other photo sharing websites. Since my husband and I just purchased a digital camera, we do not have a lot of experience with it. I can see the value of posting vacation pictures so that friends and family can view the images via Flickr or a similar service. My personal goal is to have my husband and I practice uploading our family photos to Flickr. I am not particularly concerned that the pictures are public. I could see how an amateur photographer might object though.

P.S.
It said I had successfully uploaded a picture from Flickr but I do not see it. Frankly, I do not have anymore time to deal with this. When my husband and I start to experiment with our family photos, maybe I will be able to figure out how to do this. Since my branch has no 23 Things help, I really am frustrated about the time spent with no results. I read and printed off instructions but have nothing to show for all my efforts!!!

# 19 Podcasts

#19: As I mentioned in a previous blog, I am really into my Welsh heritage. I listened to podcasts featuring how to learn Welsh. It was easier to listen to the podcast than my audiocassettes.

The Podcast.net directory did not open. Since I did not want to complete multiple registrations, I stuck with Podcast.com. Their website was easy to use.

Since I do not have internet access at home, I really do not plan to spend time listening to podcasts. But if I did have internet access, I would spend time listening to the Welsh podcasts.

# 18 YouTube

#18: Here are my YouTube videos:

I am particularly interested in my Welsh heritage. There were several videos that I enjoyed on the topic. Getting them off of YouTube was very easy.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of YouTube: I could see someone regretting putting a video of questionable content on YouTube. I have heard of police catching members of the public doing illegal actions as a result of viewing YouTube videos. Also, videos could be posted that are critical of someone else. What are the controls?

# 17 ELM Productivity Tools

#17. Well, research is not just about printed articles anymore. Frankly, I had not noticed until we had to do 23 Things that we had a multimedia option. This development is something students will need/want to see.

Another feature that's available through Proquest was the ability to email several articles all at the same time to an email account. Again, I had not had to use the "my research" tab before so it was helpful to see how this worked. Students will want to see this feature because it will save them time.

I enjoyed seeing how the collaborative features work on NetLibrary and Ebsco, but I doubt I would be using them in my workplace. I hope to point out the eContent feature to users who "check out" ebooks.

#16 Student 2.0 Tools

#16 Thing: Frankly, at this stage of my life/career, I do not think I would use the timeline for a library project. I feel I already know the basics anyway.

One thing I found of particular interest was the Recommended Standards for Information & Technology Literacy. The standards were broken down by grade level. When I skimmed the info, I realized that elementary students know more than I do about various computer applications. I wish I could sit in on some computer lab sessions in my local public school in order to upgrade my skills.

At least I am now aware that these helping aids exist and can recommend them to students or teachers.

#14 Librarythingtour

#14 Thing: http://www.librarything.com/home/dotmashley. I thoroughly enjoyed this website!! This tool will help me keep my reading lists organized. I am going to recommend this site to the ladies who catalog my church's library.

Except for the children's librarians, it seems our library system has gotten away from the printed booklist. Librarything is another avenue for generating lists. Librarians always need additional readers advisory paths. I did like the recommended reading feature.

# 13 Productivity Tools

#13 Online Productivity Tools: I chose yahoo for my "start page." Since I already had a yahoo account, yahoo was easier to use. It will be my permanent home page.

I tried looking at Kiko but it would not open. I did not want to sign up for MSN.com to look at their calendar. I did take a brief look at Backpack. If I had a life that was busier, I could see the need for a tool that would help keep me organized.

The tool that I did like was the Ta-da list. Because I am a "list" person, this kind of website is good for someone who is super organized like I am.

#12 Social Media Tools

#12 Do you Digg? (Social Media Tools): Of the four that I looked at, only Newsvine appealed to me. I did register with Newsvine.

I would never use these websites at the library--too few controls. Since there are so many other options out there, I would never use these sites. It is most definitely a productivity detractor for library staff.

Isn't there more to life than spending one's day going to these websites? (End of sermon!)

#11 Delicious

#11 Delicious: I set up an account with Delicious. I hate to repeat the obvious, but the ability to get to your bookmarks from any computer is extremely convenient. Particularly in our library system where staff can work in more than one building, it is helpful to get to a bookmark easily.

When I looked at examples of how other library systems are using Delicious, it looks like popular research topics have been bookmarked. Obviously, staff does not have to reinvent the wheel for popular topics.

The directions for tagging were not helpful. It took two of us to figure out how to do the tagging.

#21 There Are Other Networks

#21 There Are Other Networks: I joined the 23 Ning and posted a comment. I also uploaded a picture to my profile. Again, I can see the benefit of social networking. Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of free time to be on the computer.

#20 Libraries and Social Networks

#20 Thing Libraries and Social Networks: I had already signed up for Facebook; wanted to see a picture of my daughter holding one of our pets. My daughter and son are two of my "friends." I could not find an easy way to browse the group selections, so I picked the first one on the list.

#10 Wikis

#10 Thing Wikis: I did make a small change to the 23onastick wiki. I also made a change to the sandbox. Until I did this assignment, I was unaware that anyone could change a wiki. I am ambivalent about how easy it is to make the changes. Not only should students be wary of a wiki entry, but so should librarians. I have relied on Wikipedia too often.

#9 Online Collaboration Tools

#9 Thing Online Collaboration Tools: I signed up for a Google Accounts. Visually it was more appealing to me than Zoho. So far, I have not had to collaborate with anyone, but I can see how this tool could be helpful for individuals who need to work with others.

It was fun seeing the changes to the Declaration of Independence.

#3 Bloglines

#3 THING Bloglines: I registered with blogline. I finally figured out how to get a news (cnn) feed. I could see how the rss feed can save time for members of the public who would like to get an automatic update. This way they don't always have to go to specific websites to seek out the latest info. Libraries could provide updated info using this vehicle. I signed up for some library feeds (Minitex).

#2 Perspectives on 2.0

#2 THING Perspectives on 2.0: In my opinion, if 2.0 is so important, why are library staff expected to train ourselves (23 things)? Many library employees are visual learners and are not able to teach themselves.

Also, if libraries will need to hire more computer people rather than reference librarians, the IT employees cannot expect to be unavailable to the public. In our library system, computer staff do not want to have direct contact with the public. They somehow think that the frontline staff will always be able to meet the IT needs of the public. If libraries reduce the frontline staff (reference librarians) to reflect the change in how services are delivered, computer departments cannot expect to keep the status quo (no direct contact with the public).