Monday, August 31, 2009

Thing 23-Reflection

My favorite things were Facebook, some of the graphics sites and Delicious. I was most excited about Google Reader, Delicious and Google Docs. I am actually using it right now to type my thoughts to later post. Delicious is a great way to consolidate bookmarks from several computers. However, I am having trouble getting it to import bookmarks at work. Digg was challenging and I had trouble with Google Reader, at first. In retrospect, I believe the city email account was blocking an email to validate my account. Once I changed email address, it was fine. I learned a lot; I hope the 23 blog will be up for a while, just so I can go back and spend more time on those Things that I feel I needed more time to learn. If it will be taken down, perhaps a page of links used could be sent to the participants. I will explore using podcasts for baby and toddler storytime activities and possibly information and application of Every Child Ready to Read. I learned a great deal; my only regret is that I didn't have more time: trying to complete this in the midst of Summer Reading Club was difficult. If it is offered again, I would suggest early Winter when there isn't at much going on. Thanks for the opportunity to participate. You guys rock!

Thing 22-Developing your own 23 Things for your library

My thoughts thus far: this would be great to have the staff do this. However, I don't know how to make this happen logistically. For example, would you provide the templates or would I have to create everything from scratch. That would take time I don't have. Is this something that would be easy for an IT department to manage. These are the questions. Also, if we were to do as a staff, winter would be the best time; when there is little programming and things are a little slower. My first stop would be our director who is very much into technology. Ultimately, it would be his decision if this is something he wants us to do. As more and more patrons become familiar with the web tools, we need to be up to date so we can help them.

http://nancykeane.com/rss.html

http://nancykeane.com/rss.html

Thing 21-Podcasts

I listened to several podcasts and the quality and content varied: The Boulder Teen blog page were of good audio quality and gave introductions. I wouldn't subscribe because it wouldn't be something I would follow but I can see where teens in that area would. I like the Booktalks podcast and I actually did subscribe to it. I can see a great application to add these to highlighted books on our children's page or when patrons search for books a link to podcasts with a booktalk for that book.

Thing 20

For some reason, Thing 20 post is not showing on my dashboard. Just in case, I am re-posting here:
I have used You Tube a lot in the past: from instructables, current events, entertainment, etc. I have not uploading anything before. I can now see there are many applications for promotion and communication for libraries. I watched several videos as I searched for: libraries, public libraries, book cart drill team. The book cart competitions were quote entertaining; they were for entertaining and definitely hit their mark. Some videos used reverse psychology to emphasis proper behavior, such as "How to Steal a Library Book." But many were too long or took too long to load. I think many would tune out because of those reasons. I think you need to preview whatever you upload to identify these issues and correct them. A particularly wonderful video was "Discover the New World at the Columbus Public Library." I liked it so much, I posted a comment and then click on the creator's site and sent a message. It was intended to showcase the services available for children and it used multi-media, professional quality with a child giving the info. It definitely accomplished the goal.

Thing 20-You Tube

I have used You Tube a lot in the past: from instructables, current events, entertainment, etc. I have not uploading anything before. I can now see there are many applications for promotion and communication for libraries. I watched several videos as I searched for: libraries, public libraries, book cart drill team. The book cart competitions were quote entertaining; they were for entertaining and definitely hit their mark. Some videos used reverse psychology to emphasis proper behavior, such as "How to Steal a Library Book." But many were too long or took too long to load. I think many would tune out because of those reasons. I think you need to preview whatever you upload to identify these issues and correct them. A particularly wonderful video was "Discover the New World at the Columbus Public Library." I liked it so much, I posted a comment and then click on the creator's site and sent a message. It was intended to showcase the services available for children and it used multi-media, professional quality with a child giving the info. It definitely accomplished the goal.
I have been wanting a PSA and have recently added a budget for this in the last grant request. I definitely will post any video I have on You Tube and other social networking sites.

Thing 19-Google Docs

I plan on using this for our business. We have info that we need to collect from several customers. I plan on using the spreadsheet feature to do this. It will make my second job much easier.
I created a form that I sent to myself and to my husband so he could see how we can collect information from our customers without a separate visit for that purpose. I also created a presentation file, imported a frequently used spreadsheet from work that many times I need at home. Specifically, my mileage and reimbursement form. Now I can enter the information as soon as I get home into GoogleDocs, open it at work and save and print.
One thing I definitely will try is the translation feature; I also like the Countdown feature. This is definitely a cool Thing!

Thing 18-Wikis part2

I created my own Wiki page and 3 subpages: actually 4 because I thought 1 had not been created. The first time I tried to add a page name with one that was already used, it showed the info from someone else's page. So I chose another name. That seemed to work.

Thing 18-Wikis part1

I searched for Early Literacy and the result was Children’s Literature. So the results weren’t what I wanted.
So I tried another subject: Bilingual Story times and there were some on the results that I could use, but not discussion tab. So I clicked on a specific link and when I went to discussion tab, I got this message: This article is part of WikiProject Alabama, an attempt to build a comprehensive and detailed guide to Alabama on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, you can edit this article, or visit the project page to join the project and/or contribute to the discussion.My third attempt: health care reform in the United States. Finally, I was able to see discussions. What I found here were two that doubted the reliability of the source. Also, most of the changes, as indicated in the History, had been added in the last 2 days.

Thing 17-LibWorm

I searched for “Early Literacy” which is something I am very passionate about. I found several links and posted it to my Google Reader to follow. I created my own LibWorm account. I used the keyword and phrase options, which I preferred. The categories, subjects and tags did not yield the results I was seeking. With the search, I was able to find what I needed and additionally was able to find an interesting link for Bilingual storytime, which I am also interested. When I searched for my library, I got the message “No Results Found.”

Thing 16-LibraryThing

Addition: found the places to read the assigned reading. Honestly, in my job, I am in charge of programming only and don't do any cataloging so I wasn't very clear on what these were about. However, a coworker came in who does cataloging all the time and when I showed her these applications, she was very excited and explained them to me. I was able to share these with her and she is estactic! I printed out the url for the language search and ISBN lookup. She says they will make her life so much easier.

Thing 16-LibraryThing

I created an account, added books in my personal library, and tagged them. However, I have searched and cannot find the items you suggested we read:

"ThingLang, ISBN Check, and MARCThing to see how they intersect with the tools used by regular libraries."

Would like inpu on how to find these sections.

Thing 15-Digg

I explored Digg. Mostly, what I saw was off-the-wall stuff. I was able to go to a link of Amazon to see 2 video on demand movies. Of course, I don't have time to watch them now, but I will most likely go to this later. I also followed the story about Jaycee Lee Dugard. I then did a search for her name and came up with several options. One thing I think is lacking is when you click on a story, it takes you to that site, but you have to hit back to return. I would like to see that it would operate within the site.

Thing 6-Blog Readers

This is one I had difficulty with. I finally got my account and was able to add some blogs to it. I tried to add several websites I frequent, but they would not work. So, I added some of the sites my husband follows. He regularly checks for news from home (Pakistan), financial news or his business, and general news agencies. So, I added them to my page. Then when I got home, I showed him how he could follow these sites without having to open each individually. I was impressed with the service, however for me personally, I tend to visit more webpages rather than blogs. It seems that it will follow websites but I wasn't very successful in adding them. Perhaps, when I have more time, I can explore this more so that I can use it to its full compability.

Thing 11-Instant Messaging

I have Messenger on my laptop. I hate that it always pops up. I have exited, logged out, everything short of uninstalling and it always loads. The bad thing is, the last time was daughter was in, she logged in so now it always pops up with HER messages. So, even though I have used IM a lot, I am not a big fan. However, my new desktop at home has a built-in webcam and microphone, so I am looking forward to a day when I have time to figure that aspect out; it would be nice to instantly talk to my daughter in Denver via webcam. With live video, I would use it; otherwise I prefer using the IM service on my facebook.

Thing 14-Delicious

I was able today to see the benefit of this feature. I couldn't remember a site I had bookmarked this weekend at home. I am at work, so I got to Delicious and oila! there is the information. This is definitely one service I will use. Now I can import all my bookmarks from work, my laptop and my home computer and instantly have access no matter where I am. This is great!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Thing 14: Delicious

I can see where this would be very useful. I can't wait till I can add all my bookmarks at work and then be able to access them at home.

Thing 13-Tagging

I wasn't able to totally figure out tagging. I have tagged photos before in facebook and have been tagged. However, this seems to be different. I didn't get much help from the information provided. When I completed Thing 14, I was able to tag bookmarks and I can see where that would be a tremendous help in organizing data. As far as library use, it seems that it could get cumbersome and overdone if anyone can add to anything. Maybe as I use it more, I will have a better feel for practical use in library setting.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Thing 12-Twitter

Honestly, I believe if I had Twitter on my mobile phone, it would drive me crazy! I know many who tweet everywhere. It bothers me a bit that when in a group, a person has the attention on an electronic conversation at the expense of those that are physically there. Anyway, just an opinion. However, I did create an account and plan to do this online only. My username is joyceullah. The last time I heard about Twitter was at CYC 2009.

Thing 11-Instant Messaging

Preferred IM: Windows Live
Username: jullah@cityofdenison.com
I am part of North Texas 23

Thing 11-Instant Messaging

I have Messenger on my laptop. I hate that it always pops up. I have exited, logged out, everything short of uninstalling and it always loads. The bad thing is, the last time was daughter was in, she logged in so now it always pops up with HER messages.
August 27, 2009 1:17 PM

Thing 7 RSS Feeds

Although I had trouble getting the Reader to function properly in all the areas, I saw what a great tool it could be. I added some feeds to my reader so that I could show my husband how it works. He is the one that consistently checks the same sites every day so I was excited to show him how he could save some time.

Thing 9

I joined TLA, PLA and since my husband is from Pakistan, I joined the Pakistani Library Assn.

Thing 8

I just recently created a facebook account and I have enjoyed it very much. It can be very time consuming until you figure out how to tune out the quizzes. Sometimes, they are fun, too. But I usually only have time to quickly peruse what is going on with friends and family who live close by and far away. I have used facebook to obtain information, share information, prayer requests and more.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Thing 10-Ning

I searched for library and found ALA. Also, searched for Twilight and found several interesting sites, including those in a foreign language. Two sites I found helpful were when I searched for Preschool. I have a 3 year old stepson in Montessori. I found a Montessori online community with lots of video and a site that had Lapbook Lessons.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Thing 6

Had to wait until SRC was over to get back to 23 things and it has been an adventure. I forgot the email account that I used, finally figured it out and had my password emailed only I never received. I finally was able to remember the password, but it isn't activated until I respond to an email! Apparently I can access part of the reader but not all. I can't add my websites; I have tried everything. So far, I am just frustrated. Perhaps, tomorrow I can get it straight and learn more.