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.