The last week - number 12

Well here we are at the end of the program. The social networking stuff this week was one of the easiest for me, as I already use this. Interesting to see how many library contacts there are on these types of networks.

I have really enjoyed this program, although have found it hard to keep up on a weekly basis, it's been great to be selfpaced and be able to catch up on other weeks.

Thanks all, look forward to more training like this in the future!

Week 11

Online applications and tools. This week was really interesting, and I think this would be one of the more useful tools to use within the library. It could be used for any brochures, newsletters, procedures etc that need to be created and collaborated on. Using Google docs could be really useful for part-time staff, or staff at various locations within the library service.

I am also involved in a community group, who recently published a directory that needed to have input and info from people from a wide geographical range. The amount of emails that were flying around, and the amount of editing needed for this directory was overwhelming. Using Google docs will definitely be the way to go next time!

Mashups part 2

Well I managed to get back to mashups straight away, and created a magazine cover. Was hard to get the the colours right (and obviously they aren't quite!) - but that was fun. Now this would be great to use for library newsletters!

Mashups

Running out of time with this program now. I learnt all about mashups and even created a Warholizer image of my photo, but alas I can't seem to upload it to this blog. perhaps another time when I am not trying to finish this on a deadline!!

I guess using the map for local studies or even branch locations could be useful within the library. Perhaps I might search around for other uses of mashups in the library at a later date....

stay tuned!

Podcasts

I have used podcasts before through a community group I am involved with. It's a great way for members of our wider Australian group to "attend" seminars and conferences with the same opportunity as other members.

This could be an effective way to present seminars (or even bookclubs!) within the library. I have seen in our library service with a wide geographic area that not all members are able to go to outlying branches for seminars, or they work/have other committments on the times we have seminars and talks on. So we could provide the seminar on podcast for members to access at any branch (or home) at a convenient time to them.

Week 8 - cyber-notice-boards

colored confusion
Originally uploaded by angora frog

AHH finally a week that I already know about the subject! I have used Yahoo Answers before, and find it a HUGE timewaster! People post the strangest questions (and answers), but if they feel comfortable to do anonymously, why not use it.

I think it's really important that the librarians are out there slamming the boards, ensuring that the craft and skill of librarianship is not lost in this age of access to all kinds in (mis)information. Could be good for the "shy" librarian to answer inquiries in this manner and not get embarrassed by the content!!

Rainbow Books

Rainbow Books
Originally uploaded by bluemarla

This week's topic was quite interesting. I can see that using social bookmarking would be something I would be much more likely to use this type of tool at work, than other tools we've been learning about, eg RSS feeds.

I like the idea of using Del.icio.us in our library service. Many staff circulate around the branches and using a tool like this would enable everyone to share websites they find useful in their work.
I didn't really like Technorati too much, very busy page, and I don't think I'd use it too much. Library Thing is really interesting. I would use this tool as a way of finding other authors I might like to read, perhaps to recommend new authors to patrons as well.

I really loved the line on Library Thing that said "If the buzz page doesn't convince you, you cannot be convinced. Go away" LOL Don't you just feel like saying something like that to difficult patrons occasionally??!!!

This picture I found on Flickr - I'm considering using this as a suggestion to carry out for my performance appraisal. Hey, we might not be able to find anything in the library, but it sure would look pretty!!!

Week 6

Well, after looking at YouTube this week - realised how many vouyeristic and exhibitionist people are out there on the big bad world wide web. Tried just to look for a simple video on the subject of monkeys, seeing that I am, after all, the monkey boys mum. But! What sort of sick people want to upload videos like this????

Too busy to even attempt embedding a video this week - may come back to it later and give it a go.

Using this in the library world? Perhaps this could be a useful tool for demonstrating safe work practices in branches. Just a thought!

Wikis rule

Wikis seem like a great collaborative tool. I really like the idea of using wikis to co-ordinate library projects - without the need for endless staff meetings!

From a local studies point of view, this could be great for people to add photos and information about family members, suburbs etc

Wookiepedia was great - shows how much time some people spend on this sort of stuff, and how valuable (I guess) it is to their lives.

Lee LeFever is my new hero - I wish he could train me in all aspects of my life. It just all makes so much sense after watching his YouTube videos. "The old way BOOOO, the new way YAAYY!"

Yesterdays news

Newspaper article
Originally uploaded by mezzoblue

When I first saw this week's topic title, I thought RSS what??? It sounded so technical and beyond me, but watching the YouTube video about it made it all make sense. I really like the guy on that, his videos are like watching an episode of "Library 2.0 for Dummies" (just what I need!)
Perhaps RSS feeds will be the way of the future, and printing thousands of newspapers will help save paper wastage. I like that idea...
I selected some newsy type blogs, as well as entertainment and a girls talk blog. Hopefully I will have the time to actually read the posts now. Using RSS readers could be helpful in the library situation for reference material that may get outdated quickly ie legal texts. Or even just looking at blogs like Dymocks bestseller lists.

Blue

Blue
Originally uploaded by davesmithau

This is South Curly beach in Sydney, where I learnt to swim as a child and spent a lot of time playing there. It was great to be able to look at photos of where I grew up, and where I live now. There are so many photos available on Flickr to look at - could spend hours and hours trawling through them, but not enough time in the day!

Was a bit frustrated trying to get the photo onto my blog, but once I set up a Flickr account, it all became much easier to do. I think the 15mins per day estimate for this program may have been a bit optimistic! So many of us that work part time are finding it hard to fit this training into our day. Having said that, it's so interesting and valuable to my life and work that I will definitely be continuing each week!

Here goes!

Well I didn't think I'd ever be a blogger, but now it's happened! The self paced learning and the YouTube videos have all made it so easy to understand and follow. Hopefully the rest will be just as easy.
I have concerns that many people believe the information they find on the internet is accurate. Do blog sites monitor what is being written, or is it up to other bloggers to comment on misinformation they see on a blogspot?

I'm looking forward to keeping up with my children as they grow up, using the internet as an everyday tool. They truly are children of the techno age, not believing that kids didn't always use computers in Kindergarten!

Looking forward to the rest of the program, and how far my horizons will expand.