Flight of the Bumblebee (ALA 2007 Book Cart Drill Team)

Thing 17:ELM Productivity Tools

Our libraries web page offers the ELM databases. Because I work with primarily fiction I don’t have a great need for these services however they are good for me to know about.
In fact this was my first time venturing into the databases. I could see them being a good research resource for both patrons and students. I liked the way that you could keep track of a topic over a period of time. Handy that you can set the RSS feed for specific searches. I used both ProQuest and EBSCO to search a subject finding them easy to use and was pleased with the results. Gale was not easy for me but I did like the translate option. What a good resource for our diverse clientele.

Thing 18: YouTube & Other Online Video

I enjoyed this segment of the program. I watched several videos. I really enjoyed the library cart drill teams. I can see a library using YouTube for intro videos, How to get a card, place reserves etc or even tours of the library. However one would want to take care not to make them long and boring. I did come across several confusing, long and boring videos. All and all I enjoyed YouTube more than Google Video. I posted one of my favorite drill team videos.

I did some basic searches, using library and was surprised but maybe not as much as I pretend how many porn type sites were available. I don’t know how people with kids sleep.

Thing 16: Student 2.0 Tools

As I have already stated in this Blog, I wish these tools were available when I was in school. I do have nieces and nephews in college that could benefit from this I think I will clue them in. We should hand out flyer's promoting these tools for our patrons and possibly add a study tip link to our website. The school system could if they don’t already promote RPC. I can see it helping to keep students on track and organized. I myself could see using this tool when I had a long term project.

Thing 15: Online Games and Libraries

I do occasionally enjoy playing games at home but I was not comfortable playing them at work. Even the simple step of downloading it made me uncomfortable. I played Puzzle pirates I was to busy trying to figure the game out to interact with the other sailors. Although I tried I think they ignored me. AArgh

I can see games being a big draw for our younger patrons. Deep down I think I should be more positive about libraries and games. I know that many games are educational but I just can’t help thinking that we would open ourselves up to unwanted junk /loud groups hovering around computers. Perhaps I will warm to the idea.

Thing 14: Library Thing

I had fun with Library Thing. It was interesting to see how many others share my interest in the titles that I put in my library. I thought it was a great to be able to contact other members. I can see it being useful when used as intended.

Presently the library uses it’s webpage were there are several different avenues that our patrons can take to access specific lists. In the library a patron can pick up booklist/ read-alike bookmarks. I could see Library Thing being an alternative.

Thing 13: Online Productivity Tools

Through 23 things I have become familiar with iGoogle so that is my start page. I arranged it with news, weather, calendar, to do list etc. At work it will not be my permanent homepage, but possibly on my home computer. As I explore Ta da list and remember milk my mind races I think these pages are busy with lots of clutter.
At work if I didn’t already have access a calendar program I would consider adding a Google calendar. These online calendars are a great way to keep patrons informed about the library and what’s happening. Backpack gave too many hands the opportunity to edit. As far as a to do list I like jotting down a list while I have coffee. I don’t think I would bother to log on to create a list and I know I would not periodically check it. Besides I do like the satisfaction of crossing things off. Countdown although I am getting frustrated getting it to link on my blog would be fun. I will try again later and use it if I have some exciting event coming up just to psych myself up.

Thing 12: Do You Digg?

I worked with all four sites. Newsvine was my favorite followed by Mixx and Digg. I liked that Newsvine had Associated Press articles. The Digg layout with the first paragraph under the heading was nice. I found Reddit hard to read and very busy.
I don’t know how much I personally would use them but still good tools. As I work on this program I am constantly reminded of how many wonderful sites are out there and how few of them I know about. Wake up!

Thing 11: Tagging and Del.icio.us

Del.icio.us is very cool! I visited the suggested libraries that del.icio.us and hats off to them. Yes I can see a big potential for this tool for research assistance. I wish I had access to these when I was a student. Del.icio.us is an easy way to create bookmarks and to organize my favorite sites. Having the ability to access your bookmarks from any computer is a plus. It was strange seeing who also had marked the sites but I can see where there are times that could be helpful. Still you would want to be careful there could be issues. I do find the pastel print/colors difficult to read

Thing 10: Wiki's

Wiki's are a great way to share /edit information. I was on a team where several of my co-workers and I set up our libraries staffnet on a wiki. Once I caught on it was addicting and fun. I think wiki's will be a round for a while.

I looked at several of the wiki examples. I liked Book Lovers from Princeton it is a great way for readers advisory. I added my name to the Library Success wiki under library Camp, wishing that I could attend. Of course I ventured into Wiki sandbox being a kid at heart but I didn't play to long. I use wikipedia fairly often as a quick fix to understanding something. I like the way they put it in easy English.

I don't like the idea of banning anything. Although I can understand if the teachers/faculty are trying to get the students to use other tools.

Think 9:Online Collaboration Tools

Both Zoho and Google doc would be an efficient way to have more that one person working on a document. I signed up for an account in both Zoho and Google but found it easiest to use Zoho. I think this would be a great tool for people all over the state/nation/world to collaborate a workshop. I moved a word document over and shared it with a co-worker and made it public. I did have difficulties posting it to my Blog.

Thing 8: Share Your Creations

I played with several of the items mentioned in #8 with mixed success. I do think SlideShare was impressive. I can see the benefits of having access to a presentation on line. Zoho I must have been lost because I spent a good part of my time getting error messages. I decided to use Big Huge Lab mosaic maker because I found it the easiest.

Although I have been enjoying all the steps I can’t help but wonder if it is wise to put so much information in strangers hands.
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