Thing 23: The end?

Wow, I can't believe how quickly that went once I started with it! I had heard a lot about some of these sites and tools and I am glad I took the opportunity and time to look a little deeper. Thanks Library 2.0 and O What a Geek crew for the challenge.
I think what I liked best was Thing 19, Discovering Web 2.0 tools. I plan on going through the list that Annette Lamb created in Recipes for Success. I want to find out some more tools or sites that could make my life and work easier or at least more interesting.

Thing 22: Media and book downloads

I have used or at least looked at all of the down loadable services offered through OPL. I haven't looked at MyLibraryDV lately so I took a look at it again. I like that patrons have the option to download movies or shows without having to leave home and that there is no problem about access (always available). I would like to see more popular or new movies but classics are already good. I think that the library could use some of the excercise videos in the helath section for a program. How about a weekly Yoga class during the lunch hour or in the evening? Using the projectors that all of the locations have the video could be shown on a wall or screen.

Thing 21: Podcasts

I looked at all 4 podcast directories and have good things and bad things to say about each. I found that I can't download the iTunes because my computer is too old but there was a great variety of music, audio and video available and the searching is easy. Using the PodcastDirectory.com was easy but not very pretty. I liked that I could click and easily add the new podcasts by an artist or subject to my Bloglines but the results were not as varied as the other directories. Podcast Alley had the greatest variety available but it was not as Blogline friendly as PodcastDirectory. My Yahoo audio had the greatest number of results for popular searches. The only problem is that there is a cost to download anything. I searched for "Adventures in Odyssey," a popular show for children that offers moral messages. The greatest number of episodes was avaialable from Yahoo but at a cost of $1.99 each. I added podcasts of "The adventures in Odyssey" to my Bloglines account through PodcastDirectory.com. While this does not offer the episodes that Yahoo does, it is free and the producers of the show regularly discuss what they are working on.
I could see using a podcast for weekly storytelling, book teases, young adult forums or the "Main Event" at the Washington Branch.

Thing 20: YouTube

I love YouTube. It gives me the opportunity to view programs that I missed. I anticipate Obama's inauguration to be available within minutes of the event. Under Communities and Contests and I think there is an opportunity for OPL. Maybe a contest for teens or kids to promote the library or a favorite book. I searched for OPL and found a fabulous video I just had to share. Hope the participants don't mind... :)

Thing 19: Discovering Web 2.0 tools

Oh my goodness! I never realized how many 2.0 tools there were! I looked at Annette Lamb's Recipes for Success. I have used some (Facebook, LibraryThing, Second Life, Skype, Lookybook, and my favorite citation took, Noodle Tools). I looked at KidderLit and was a little disappointed. I thought it would be great to see some discussion about books but all it really is, is a link to Amazon.com. The tagline on the page is "Twittering the first lines of kids' books so you don't have to!" The problem is that is all you see at first glance along with the targeted age. You don't get to see the title of the book unless you click on the date of the entry. How odd is that? I think it would be a good site to tell teachers and parents about for Readers' Advisory but I wouldn't recommend it until the titles were clearer.

Thing 18: web based apps

I love Google Docs! With so many versions of Word available sometimes I can't open up a document on my 5 year old computer.
My son, Caleb, is a budding author. He loves to write stories and has been invited to a Writing Expo in Albuquerque, NM. I don't have all of the details but I think he is given writing prompts and has to create a story in a limited amount of time. To prepare him my husband has been giving him prompts. I love to read Caleb's stories but sometimes it takes some work to convert what he has written to something my computer can open. If Caleb can write his story in Google Docs I would have no problems viewing them.
In terms of the library..I wonder how difficult it would be for job hunters to sent the link to employers so their resume could be viewed???? May save on some frustration when discs or memory sticks fail.

Thing 17: PBWiki

So many instructions, examples and manuals. This was probably the most time consuming and complicated "Thing" so far. I am a hands-on learner so it would probably make more sense if I actually used the PBWiki to create a resource site for a class. It would come in handy if I taught an extended computer class with assignments, examples and handouts.

Thing 16: Wiki

I like the idea that everyone with and inclination can contribute to an information site. Because of this open access if a library chooses to use a wiki for distributing information they have to be diligent about checking for spam, language, grudges...etc.. That being said, I think it would be great to have a site where the public can list things such as poems, events, gardening tips, etc like the Bull Run Library system.

It would be great for handouts, tutorials and PowerPoint presentations that the library could offer in connection with classes.

Thing 15: Library 2.0

I think that OPL is a little behind the Library 2.0 (and sometimes even Web 2.0) movement. The articles listed came out 2 or 3 years ago and we just recently had a MySpace page created! We have been very territorial when it comes to our catalog. I would love to have a catalog with tags and common terms so that patrons can easily find what they are looking for. Or how about allowing patrons to rate books and write book reviews to share? Personalized suggestion lists? Amazon.com and Netflix.com can recommend titles based on past check outs or purchases, why can't we?

Thing 14: Technorati

I am apparently a very boring person because I don't have a lot of interests that I would like to follow a blog about. I could use Technorati to find other people to talk about some of my favorite shows or actors. I could use it to discuss politics but that gets a little touchy.....
The list of popular searches was interesting. I am guessing Technorati is used by more men then women judging by the Top Searches (#4 jennifer garner, #8 paris hilton, #9 jennifer aniston, and #10 vanessa minnillo). Of course I could be stereoptyping (but just for the record, there are no names of men on the list).

Thing 13: Delicious

Where was this when I was in school? Bookmarking and tagging sites for a paper would have been useful instead of going all over the net. Looking at tags of sites that other people had found helpful would have been invaluable and a big time saver. I had created an account over the summer but have since changed computers so the Delicious bookmark was not on my toolbar. I need to put it onto my new computer and use it more often.

Thing 12: Rollyo

If I frequently dealt with specific topics like history, animals, quotations, etc.. I could see using Rollyo to set up some favorite sites. Because I frequently travel I did make a SearchRoll for Tickets. Using the SearchRoll I can just look at prices from my favorite sites and specific airlines. Maybe Orbitz or Travelocity would be easier but they often don't look at sites like http://www.kayak.com for options.

Thing 11: LibraryThing

This was an easy assignment. I have used LibraryThing since 2006. In fact, I have two accounts (you are allowed 201 entries before you have to become a member). My first account is http://www.librarything.com/home/lbrezina. I like it because it makes it easier to keep an account of what I have read, what it was about and if I liked it or not. I also like to option of looking at other reviews and discussing the book.

Thing 10: Generator

Wordle didn't work for me and I did not care for Letter James (I tend to shy away from things that have "Free" and a price on the same page). I did use The Generator Blog to create a Harry Potter Doll which I used for my picture on this blog (http://elouai.com/chibi/harrypotter/icons.php). I also looked at the FD Toys. It could be useful to make name tags with pictures for events.

Thing 9: Other RSS sources

There are so many sources and opinions that can be linked to. It can be overwhelming. I tried Topix.net and connected with a feed for updates in and about Plattsmouth, Nebraska. The most helpful tool was Syndic8.com. From this site I found a link to Teen booktalks (could come in handy when I am ordering titles for OPL). The most difficult tool to use was Technorati. It has so many blogs I could spend hours looking for something that would be helpful or interesting. I did find videos about OPL using Technorati, which was cool.

Thing 8 RSS Feeds

I'm not so sure about this RSS thing. I understand that it gathers sites that I am interested in into one spot but it is one more thing to feel bad about not checking every day. If I was a diligent blogger and checked other sites besides my email each day RSS and Blogline would probably be useful. I feel bad about not checking it every day but I know that if I do I will just get sidetracked from my work, clicking on updates and news.....

For libraries I think it would be useful, especially for users who are diligent about checking subscribed websites. It's a great way to get out info about upcoming events. I added the RSS for OPL onto my account. Even working there I miss some upcoming events. Maybe this will help me to keep up.