Thing 22: Staying current

I have learned a lot since thing one. Still haven't mastered podcasting but someday I will. Today I did learn how to start a computer in safe mode; that was new for me.

Will I keep this blog up to date? I doubt it. It's been fun but I have a library blog to keep up to date and library webpage.

Of the sixteen ways suggested to keep up to date, I already subscribe to six of them. There are others I subscribe to that are not on this list. One that I like is Library Link of the Day. : one library related story per day.

I'm also a great fan of WebJunction and our own NEFLIN. I like the webinar desktop training.

Things 21: Student 2.0 Tools

These student and teacher tools are neat. I had no idea such a thing existed. Both seem like an excellent aid for students...and the rest of us. We all like to procrastinate. Wonder if I could use these to keep me on track for writing grant proposals. Worth a try.

I thinks we may be able to make up books marks or similar guide with these web sites to distribute to students and teachers.

Thing 20: Books 2.0, part five

I looked at the audio book sites...a much beloved format of mine. (I commute to work 40 minutes each way.)

Open Culture has many podcasts, but I'm not willing to give up books on tape (or CD.)Podiobooks or Librivox did not interest me much.

As to the book review sites. I looked at One Minute critic since it had an intriguing premise but found is a bit amateurish. BookBrowse seems much more comprehensive and professional.

I'm a Facebook user and use the visual bookshelf. I looked at the apps for books available in Facebook. If I join another book group online it will probably be one of these from Facebook.

I'm familiar with Worldcat.org but see they also have a Facebook page. Seems like everyone does!

I looked at a few children's sites. I remembered that I had seen Storyline Online before. Silly Stories was entertaining too. Both perhaps a good way to entertain a child for a time.

This thing was a long one. It reflects all the info that is out there on the web. Some good, some bad, some a time waster. But there is gold among the dross.

Thing 20: Books 2.0, part four

Wired for Books is an impressive site. Quite a collection of author interviews that can be downloaded by mp3 and listed to later. It is available for educational use too.

I really liked the BookVideos.tv site. I watched a few author and book videos and enjoyed them. This one's a keeper.

Reading Group Choices looks like an excellent resource for book groups. Many recommendations and discussion question starters. This one's a keeper too.

I next looked at LitLovers and liked this site even more than Reading Group Choices. Very comprehensive and a much longer list of books and book guides. Another keeper and even better resource for book groups. This is one I'll go back to for my own enjoyment and edification.

Thing 20: Books 2.0, part three

I looked at some online book communities. I'm impressed with BookGlutton's software and interaction among users for reading and discussion. This site seems to be for the really serious reader.

I also looked at Readerville. It had thoughtful comments on various books.

But the one I liked best was Overbooked. I had trouble with the page loading but what I could see impressed me and had a more popular literature feel to it. I'll go back to it later and perhaps I'll get the full page to load properly.

For me personally, I like to look for books to read, but really don't care to discuss them online. I think Library Thing and my Facebook book page give me enough interaction with reviews of books.

But these sites are good to keep in mind to recommend to those who do want the social interaction of discussing the books that they read.

Thing 20: Books 2.0, part two

I looked at TwitterLit and KiddieLit. Interesting concept, tho I doubt I would read a book based on just one line. And they link to Amazon. Can I get it to link to the library catalog?


Looked at some reader's advisory pages. Book Lamp intrigued me enough to sign up for an account after I watched the demo. But I didn't like it once I got into it. Heavy on science fiction, which I don't read, and just too much information about a book. Maybe literature teachers would find this interesting. And, the alphabetized many books by the first word: The. That's a library no-no and that bothered me.

I looked a Book Stumpers and What Should I Read Next. Wasn't overly impressed with either one. We should remember to use What Do I Read Next? from our own State Library provided Gale database.

I knew about KDL What's Next. In fact they give you permission to link to it and I've put a link on our library's staff pages for staff to use. It's the best of the bunch.

Thing 20: Books 2.0

I watched the video about Kindle2. It looks like a nifty little machine and many books and other types of reading are available for it. I love gadgets like this but doubt I will buy one. I don't want to spend money on purchasing books; I borrow them from the library.

As to Kindle's use in libraries, again a nifty gadget and lower cost to purchase books but I think the initial expense at this time is too high.

I read with interest the NYTimes article on the Future of the book and are you really reading when you read online. No doubt the internet does get some reluctant readers to read but on the other hand I worry about reading comprehension and the shared community we lose when all don't read many of the same books.

And no doubt an eager student will find more info on a subject when he/she can do it with their fingertips instead of going to a library..by the time you get there interest has waned. That's why I always liked encyclopedias in my house for my children (in the days before the internet.)

I've long enjoyed reading summaries of Pew Trusts' research and the presentation on the 'new media ecosystem' was good. I liked the part about all the new literacies that we need; I've long said we need to be smart information consumers: Pew's skepticism literacy.

I also noticed that Pew will post their presentation (on March 30) on Friending Libraries: Why libraries can become nodes in people's social networks. Should be good and I've sent myself an email to remember to watch it.

More later.

Thing 19: Other social networks

I read the WebJunction article on social networks. I've used WebJunction before and refer to it and watch webinars. Love WebJunction, lots of library info in one place.

I looked at Ning; a bit too alternative for me. I also looked at Gather and realized I had signed up for this before. I had high hopes for this since they are hoping to attract NPR listeners and I am a great fan of NPR. But in looking at it again I remembered why I didn't pursue it; I really did not find a group I was eager to join.

I also looked at Good Reads and remembered I had looked at that site too. No groups there either that I was eager to join.

I think the book section of Facebook and Library Thing is fulfilling my social networking desire for book groups.

Thing 18: Facebook

Facebook was easy for me. I already have a Facebook account. I started this as a way to keep up with a long distance child. But now I have grown-up friends too!

I looked at some of the suggested librarian Facebook groups. I searched for a Florida library group and found that Florida Library Association has a page. I missed that announcement, or it wasn't pertinent to me at the time. Now that I know about Facebook (and check it almost everyday), FLA Facebook page makes sense.

I joined FLA Facebook and posted a message.

As of this writing there are 157 members of FLA group on Facebook. I know there are more librarians out there!

Thing 17: Podcasts, part 2

I tried to make a podcast. I tried hard, but it did not work.

I read the about.com article about podcasting and downloaded the appropriate software applications. I was able to record a sample podcast and find out how to upload it to blogger.com. But I could not get the aup or wav file to translate to mp3. Either I am not using the correct software or my computer(it is older) won't do the work.

Or maybe it is me. Frustrating. On to something else for now. Maybe I'll try again later.

Thing 17: Podcasts

I viewed the video on podcasting. (Love those little videos.)

I checked out the podcasting resources and decided I liked Podcast.com the best. In searching one of the channels, Books, I found that Denver Public Library has a series of podcasts. I listened to one of those, expecting a review of a book, but found it was the reading of a children's book. Surprising, didn't think you could read the entire book over the air without permission. In the description of the podcast they do state that: Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Kidwick Books. Please note: this book comes with a dramatic audio CD read by the author and a cast of voice actors. You can see and hear a sample of the book on the Kidwick site.

It seems as tho Denver PL has obtained the permissions and even given Kidwick Books a bit of a advertising boost. Kidwick Books is linked to their website.

The podcast even links to the Denver PL online catalog. You can reserve the commercially produced audio there.

All the sharing tools such as Digg, Reddit and Delicious are included in the podcast info. Good use of podcasting and library 2.0.

Needless to say there are many, many podcasts out there. The problem is time. I have a large block of time for listening while commuting to work, but I refuse to give up NPR news and books on tape to listen to various podcasts.

More later.

Thing 16: You Tube

I looked at the suggested videos--I'd seen the monk/book before and it still a clever video.

I've placed videos on our website before. Here is one I used last year for National Library Week. Haven't found anything similar for library week 2009. Julie Andrews was originally of the ALA website, but don't see a video there for 2009. (The 2008 video has been uploaded to YouTube.) ALA does have audio PSAs. Hmm, wonder if I can get an audio on the library webpage.

I can see the value of using videos for the library. We'd have to embed the video since YouTube is blocked by our filter. Not hard to do assuming we have time to make a short video!

Thing 15: Rollyo

Rollyo is easy to work with to make your own search box. Wonder how much it gets used tho with Google dominating searching. You can pick which sites you want to search. Here's what I came up with for reference searches.

Select...ReferenceSearch The Web

I searched camellias (!) and selected reference and came up with a list of links from reputable reference sites. Same when I chose to search the web.

I wasn't too happy with how a limited type of search worked. It may be okay for personal use to search, say, travel sites, but I don't think I'd trust their default list of sites for use in the library. I'd want to list my own trusted sites.

And then after I made a custom search on their webpage, I could not find the code to paste it in my blog. That seems to be two different things. I'm not seeing Rollyo of much use for library sites.

Thing 14, part 2

I read through the "10 Top Productivity Web Sites." I already use eight of the ten so I read about the other two.

MyStickies wouldn't work with my version of Firefox. Since it's a bookmarking site, I figured I wouldn't worry about it and just 'stick' to my new favorite, Delicious.

Joe's Goals was interesting. I signed up for an account and thought I would keep track of some personal things. You can add a gadget for your goals to iGoogle. I did that and it is easy to click through and update your goals. For me it's sort of like a daily to do list.

Thing 14: Online productivy tools

Online productivity tools-- they can be productive!

I have a customized Yahoo page as well as and iGoogle page. I've added widgets and gadgets to each.

I looked at 30Boxes as a calendar page. I already have a calendar on MyYahoo page. I've also used Google calendar to post library programs.

I signed up for a to-do list. I've heard of Remember the Milk, so I signed up for an account. I tend to put deadlines on MyYahoo calendar so I'm not sure I'll use Remember the Milk too much. I also have a to-do list gadget on my iGoogle.

I liked Backpack. The idea of putting everything on one list and uploading things you need was nice. That one I might use.

I'm familiar with Lifehacker. Good tips there. I have that gadget on my iGoogle page.

I looked through the article "10 Top productivity web sites" I know about or use eight out of ten. I'll read up on the other two.

Thing 13, part 3

I made a Library Thing search widget. Here's how it looks.



You can search my Library Thing library. Kind of limited since I don't have many books in there yet. Try searching on 'detective fiction.'

Thing 13, part 2

I added some books to Library Thing and made a widget of the books. Here's how it looks. The text links back to my books on Library Thing. The book jacket links to Amazon which the developer says is a requirement for using covers from Amazon.

I wonder how this would work in making a widget for new books in our library. Wish I knew programming to get the widget to link back to our catalog. I like the book covers but don't really want to send people to Amazon. I want them to borrow books from the library not buy them from Amazon!

Thing 13: Library thing

I'm going to like Library Thing. I've heard about it but never really investigated it.

I added some books, easy to do. Love how the cataloging pops in there! I like the tags aspect, so I can find other books to read. I'm always looking for similar books to my favorites.

Interesting use of Library Thing with book reviews for teens. I also liked the use by one teacher and her reading class.

More on Library Thing later.

More Thing 12

I edited NEFLIN's 23 Things wiki. I added a page on other library wikis and edited the side bar.

I like the collaborative aspect of wikis and the vast amount of info available. As with all things on the Internet, we have to be smart information consumers and use reliable sources.

More Thing 12

I looked at St. Joseph County Public Library's Subject Guides. Very nice use of community and library information. Nicely organized and up to date.

Book Lovers Wiki has possibilities tho there are many sites that gather book reviews and favorites.

I've looked at Library Success wiki before. I've used it in researching different projects.

The Albany Co. staff wiki is similar to what I set up for our library staff. Good ideas of more items to add.

In the Blogging Libraries wiki I added to blog site for New River's blog. Easy to do. I also added this wiki to my Delicious tags. I'll read other blogs to see what other libraries are doing.

There is so much information on the Internet, both good and bad. I love how we have access to so much idea and information sharing.

I am now officially a Thing 10 fan

I went to Gale database (Infotrac) training yesterday. Our trainer, Julie, showed us how to bookmark searches so that we could find them again, say if this related to a school assignment. Since they are persistent (stable) URLs we can add them to Delicious.

I tested it and it works. Yeah! Also works with the Backpack feature in Kids Infobits. Julie said that the Galenet URLs are usually stable. You can use the bookmark or Backpack feature in Infotrac.

Great use for a Delicious reference set of bookmarks.

I'm liking Thing 10 more and more

I just added 23Things@NEFLIN to my Delicious list. I can never remember its exact address and I was going to NEFLIN's website to find the blog. Now I have it in Delicious and it is much easier to find. I noticed that 23 other people have added it to Delicious.

Thing 12: Wikis

I read over the info on wikis, and viewed the video. I'm familiar with wikis as I have created one for our staff. It is for internal use so you won't be able to see it. It replaced our intranet.

More on wikis later.

Back to Thing 11

I looked around at the sites Digg, Reddit, Newsvine, Mixx. I'm going to like Newsvine since I like to read all sorts of news topics. Got sidetracked on reading an article.

I submitted a link to Reddit since I already have an account there. My son told me about this long ago tho I have not used it much. I had to copy and paste the URL in. Delicious was much easier to use since it grabbed the URL automatically.

On the page I chose to submit, I counted 30 social networking sites (all with cute little logos) where you could submit the link. Too many,information overload!

I'm excited about Thing 10

I just found a real live use for Delicious.

In looking at the WebJunction web site for some info--love that site--I found something else that is interesting but I am not ready to use it right now.

How to remember it? Tag it by using Delicious! A teachable moment!

Thing 11: Social networking

I started on Thing 11. Watched the video--love those videos. I also looked at Mixx. I'm a bit familiar with Reddit and Mixx looks to be similar.

I've seen the share and article tools on various websites. Now I know better what they do.

As to use in libraries...there are many links we can make between these sharing tools, and with bookmarks such as Delicious. I can see some value in a library setting but wonder if these links would be used. I wonder if others feel like I do sometimes...too much information.

Thing 10, part 3

I'm suffering from information overload. I looked at NEFLIN's Delicious list of bookmarks and saw several I'd like to investigate...time permitting.

Delicious will be useful for libraries in creating booklists and bookmarks for patrons.

Thing 10, part 2

I looked at Delicious a bit more and imported all of my bookmarks. I spent some time deleting bookmarks for sites I no longer use.

This is something I've thought about before..using bookmarks. I no longer bookmark as many sites as I used to. Perhaps more familiarity with the web is one reason, but I think a bigger reason is the powerful Google search engine. It's easy to find a website and info inside a website. You don't have to remember the website exactly, just a good question to ask.

Thing 10

I began exploring Delicious. I've heard about it but never investigated what it was all about. I like the little video that goes with some of the Things, short and very good at explaining the Thing.

I've registered for Delicious and imported bookmarks. I know I'm going to like Delicious. Librarians like to organize and Delicious certainly does that. I'm looking forward to tagging new sites and organizing them.

I can see benefits for libraries. I've seen some libraries that do this and I can see how it would help in organizing websites that correlate with student assignments, or booklists for readers.

I'll investigate Delicious more later on today.

Catch up week

I'm caught up. I've been reading various blogs and leaving comments.

Thing 9, part 3

I looked at Lazybase but it does not seem to be working. Might be a good tool to put together some booklists.

I also looked at 50 Web 2.0 Tools...probably more than I'll ever use, but nice to know they are out there. I did not realize all the picture help that was available. Another new thing from 23Things@Neflin. Thanks NEFLIN.

Thing 9, part 2

Big Huge Labs has many neat tools to work with photos. I created a mosaic. Again I can see uses for photo tools on web pages and blogs. Maybe the load time isn't a big deterrent. Our libraries have speedy connections and more and more home connections are by DSL.

Here's my mosaic.

Thing 9

Well that was fun. I looked at Picture Trail and created a puzzle type slide show. The site made it easy to customize and gave me the code to embed on my blog.

Options make for a jazzier presentation than Power Point and it is easy to embed the code on your web page or blog. Many possibilities here. Do all the fancy graphics slow down the load time of a web page? We are notoriously impatient.

Thing 8

I've used IM at home to keep in touch with my children...my only two buddies at home.

We've used GoogleTalk IM in our libraries for quite a while. I find it has been a great time saver. We get answers to quick questions almost immediately...no longer waiting for an email reply. Saves on long distance phone charges too.

I am familiar with text messaging though I have not used it.

I've taking part in several web conferences and online training. I even went to a workshop at NEFLIN on the OPAL web conferencing software tho I have not used it yet.

And I Twitter too. I've heard about this communication method but finally learned about it over Christmas. My son and I were visiting my daughter in California. Nathan keep messaging and when I asked him what he was doing, he explained and showed Twitter to me. He was tweeting about the Pacific Ocean instead of looking at it!

I can see uses for all of these communication methods in our libraries. Interacting with students where they live and communicate would help them think of libraries when they need information.

Thing 7

I tried an image generator. Here is my first attempt. It's from ImageCchef and it is easy to use.

This one is from ImageChef also.

This one is fun. Another one from ImageChef .

I can see many uses for this in our libraries. There are many image generators to work with. I think I'll put the Florida license plate on my library blog right now.

Thing 6, part 2

Looked at some more mashups. Put a frame around a camellia photo.

Thing 6

I looked at the puzzle generator and made a puzzle. Not sure what to do with it or how I can use it but will think about it.

And I mashed up a word and images. Have to figure out if I can make them all camellia photos. Would be nice if you could spell library with books or something library related.

I find it hard to read the blue text on black background on this spelling mashup page.

Thing 5, part 2

I've realized I spelled camellia incorrectly in the name of my blog. Duh!

I fixed the header, but don't think I can change the link name without further complications.

Thing 5

I'm a bit familiar with photo sites. I've viewed NEFLIN's Flickr account before 23 Things.

I watched the Commoncraft video about online sharing took the online tour of Flickr.

Commoncraft pointed out that on line sharing is a way to back up your photos, something I had not considered. The Flickr tour was interesting and informative.

I searched for camellias (!) and found there were 23,842 photos of camellias, and I'd wager that they were all different. Lovely flowers. Here's one that I particularly liked. It's a photo of a Camellia Japonica (variety name not listed, Wikipedia says there are more than 2000 varieties of Japonica) taken by jam343 and posted in April 2006.

All of the photos on Flickr are taken by better picture takers than I am! Above one of my camellias.

I decided not to sign up for a Flickr account since I personally already use another photo sharing service: Snapfish.

I'm still not sure about a Flickr account for the library.

Thing 4, part 2

I've updated my blog with pictures of camellias. I have 75 different bushes in my yard. I've taken photos of some in bloom now and illustrated my blog with them.

23 different camellias by the end!

Also subscribed to a few more blogs and posted some blogs that I follow and links that I follow; some at home, some at work.

Thing 4

Thing 4 was easy. I'm already familiar with blogs and have been reading various ones for years.

I've subscribed to one 23 Things blog and am awaiting for another co-worker's to appear to subscribe to that.

On to Thing 5.

Thing 3

I'm having trouble with Technorati. Evidently Technorati and NEFLIN aren't talking via email. I can't get emails to verify the account.

I'll persevere and get it figured out. Perhaps for now I'll go on to Thing 4.

Thing 2

I've always enjoyed what Stephen Abram has to say.

I consider Michael Stephens a leader in Web 2.0 info.

I've read about Web 2.0 in other places too. It will be interesting to see how it can work in libraries.

Thing 1

I'm excited about NEFLIN's 23 Things. I'm looking forward to learning about the 2.0 things I really don't know about.

Thanks NEFLIN for this opportunity.