23 Things

#24

2009-01-22T10:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the MP3 player, unfortunately I am still unable to download anything from Overdrive due to the same problems.

#23

2009-01-15T20:30:00.000-08:00

Thoughts on 23 Things:

I really enjoyed this exercise and I think it will be very resourceful not only for use at the library but also for personal use. The "thing" I enjoyed the most and will probably find to be the most useful was discovering the rss feeds. The biggest surprise for me was probably that I use most of these things everyday like social networking sites, wikis, blogs, podcasts, youtube and more.

I think all these "things" will continue to help me be a life long learner, and hopefully in the near future there will be more to come.

#22

2009-01-15T20:15:00.000-08:00

E-Audiobooks:

I have to admit I had some trouble with Overdrive. When I contacted the Helpdesk I was told that Macs were not compatible with Overdrive, and the only PCs I could use were the ones at the library and because of Digital Rights Management I was unable to download anything because the computers were multi-user computers.

I tried.

#21

2009-01-15T19:55:00.000-08:00

Podcasts:

Again this "thing" is not new to me. When I was in school for my undergraduate degree I was living in Philadelphia and did not have cable or TV, so instead of watching the news every night I could download a podcast of every broadcast and listen to it anytime I wanted to (for the most part I would listen to it when I was biking to school).

My favorite podcasts right now are NPR, The Onion, and Oprah's Best Life Series with Suze Orman.

#20

2009-01-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

YouTube:

Once again this is not a new "thing" for me, I have been exploring YouTube for the past few years. It is a great tool and one that I always promote to patrons.

The posting I chose is of the speech Barack Obama made the night he was elected. I am not trying to mix politics and work, but I find it amazing that historic moments like this one are available at our fingertips in a matter of seconds at any time of the day.

#19

2009-01-15T19:16:00.000-08:00

Social Networking:

This is really nothing new for me, I have been on social networking sites like facebook and myspace for the past few years. I really don't understand the argument that people don't want libraries on these sites. Not only is it free advertising for the library, but aren't we trying to encourge kids and teens to read and learn? It might just be me but I would encourage my kids (if I had them) to go to the library page on myspace rather than the Paris Hilton page.

#18

2009-01-15T15:50:00.000-08:00

Discovering Web 2.0 Tools:

colorblender.com - I actually came across this site a few years ago when I was making my website and I was looking for complementary colors for my art work. I was amazed at the range of color and how they can make any 5 colors you can think of blend into an aesthetically pleasing color scheme.

google earth - This is one of those sites that you can go to when you are really bored and amuse yourself for hours. You can type in any address in the world and it will show you that place in real time(if you have the premium version).

#17

2009-01-15T15:08:00.000-08:00

Zoho Writer & Google Docs:

I find these both to be very interesting concepts, however I don't believe that these will take the place of the traditional word processor any time soon. I think there are too many technical glitches/problems to overcome before it becomes more mainstream. I am sure that is probably the same argument made going from the typewriter to a computerized word processor, but it took a while for Microsoft Word and and Macintosh Pages to evolve into what they are today. I also look at the patrons that come into the JTC today, most of whom still use floppy discs, and don't believe that a change from Word to Google Docs will be embraced very well.

#15 & #16

2009-01-15T14:30:00.000-08:00

Wikis:

In my department (Jacobs Technology Center) we have set up wiki to record an and all problems that we encounter from day to day. We have our staff schedules posted as well as schedules for the 1on1 tutoring program and the computer classes. It is our one stop place to go for everything related to the Center, and as we all know it is not always the easiest thing to catch up and navigate through new and old emails. The wiki (for our department) seems to be a more effective form of communication than email.

#14

2009-01-15T14:13:00.000-08:00

Library 2.0 & Web 2.0:

It is interesting how far things have come in a few years. There can be an argument for the people that say personal interaction has been replaced by a computer screen, but personally I think this evolution is a necessity just for the mere fact that more patrons from the community we serve are able to be involved. It is more user centered, and you can go as far as saying it is convenient. And doesn't everyone want more convince in their lives. I can't wait to see what we can expect in the next few years.

#13

2009-01-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

Technorati:

To say I am overwhelmed is an understatement. I can not believe how many blogs are created a day let alone how many are out there already! I searched under library 2.0 and had about 25,000 hits. I tried to narrow it down without much luck; I still had a few hundred hits. I looked through some interesting blog and some not so interesting blogs. I found it to be a little overwhelming, I will probably go back at a future time to revisit this.

#12

2009-01-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

Delicious:

I can see how this tool can be very resourceful at times; however I found I spent a lot of time jumping from tag to tag to blog to tag to article without really feeling like I accomplished something. I find it to be a little overwhelming, especially if you don't have an extended amount of time allotted for it.

I did set up an account, however, I find myself trying to stay away from it.

#11

2009-01-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

Library Thing:

This website is great I think I could spend hours on here. I find it really interesting to see others libraries that are similar to mine. My "to read" book list has just increased.

I think the best part that I have found so far is the reviews. I find them to be much more intelligent and well written compared to sites like Amazon or Barns & Noble. This website is a great website to recommend to patrons.

#10

2009-01-15T12:45:00.000-08:00

Image Generator:

I used the ALA READ image generator with an image from Flickr.

#8 & #9

2009-01-15T10:09:00.000-08:00

RSS Feeds:

I have to admit I have heard about rss feeds and have seen them all over the Internet for a while now, but I have been really confused on how they work. I just watched the common craft video on rss feeds and now I feel I did myself a disservice by not learning about them sooner.

I just set up an account with Bloglines, and I have to say it is already changing my life. I am not sure what to do with all the free time that Bloglines has spared me from not having to go to every individual website. One of my feeds that I really enjoy is librarian.net. It has a lot of interesting articles and information about the profession.

#7

2009-01-15T09:42:00.000-08:00

Interesting Technology:

Lately I have been intrigued by the Amazon Kindle. The Kindle is a wireless reading device that is simple to use, never has to be connected or synced to the computer. It is thinner than a paper back weighing only about 10oz. and will hold over 200 titles. It has an amazingly sharp screen and long battery life. Bestseller titles are $9.99 and you can download and read first chapters before you buy it. There are so many amazing features to this device it is hard to name them all.

For me, I think this device is great. I am always indecisive when choosing what to read and often finding myself reading more than one book at a time. The only drawback is it's expensive. I am hoping the Kindle will be like the iPod and other technology, after a period of time the price will drop.

#5 & #6

2009-01-15T09:28:00.001-08:00

[Midnight sun, Bell Sound, Norway] (LOC)
Originally uploaded by The Library of Congress

Flickr:

I think Flickr is a great tool. I currently teach the digital photography class at the library and the past 2 times I have taught it I have incorporated Flickr into the class. The students really seemed to enjoy it and its user friendly accessibility.

Title: [Midnight sun, Bell Sound, Norway] (LOC)

This photo is the perfect example of why I enjoy Flickr so much. It is a gorgeous photograph from around 1890 (real date unknown) created using an alternative process. I used to work at a vintage photography gallery and I would archive and sort through old photographs that there was no certain date or author; however the photographs are beautiful and interesting and deserved to be seen. And thanks to this wonderful website you can view these images from your home (rather than at the Library of Congress) and then jump over to your family photos.

#3 & #4

2009-01-15T08:41:00.001-08:00

Create and Register Blog:

I have now created a blog an registered it. I have also been looking at a bunch of the common craft videos on YouTube and I have to say they are amazing. They are so easy to understand and in plain english yet so simple!

#1 & #2

2009-01-15T07:06:00.000-08:00

Begin with the end in mind - These habits are very appropriate for me right now as I have just decided to take a new career path. I have just started MLS program at Clarion University this month. My goal is to have my degree within 2 years.

Accept responsibility for your own learning - The great thing about the MLS program I am in is that it is all online. There are no set times or classrooms for learning to actually take place, and the discussion board is always open to bounce ideas and thought around.

View problems as challenges - Working in computer center at the library we encounter challenges all the time, and probably always will with technology.

Have confidence in yourself as a competent effective learner - Everyone has to start from somewhere.

Create your own learning toolbox - I find technology to be the most resourceful tool in my learning toolbox.

Use technology to your advantage - Working at the computer center definitely makes you realize this habit on a daily basis

Teach/Mentor others - Currently I teach a class (Photography for Illustrators) at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and it may seem a bit selfish but one of the reasons I teach is actually to learn. I learn so much from my students and find myself to be most creative when I am teaching. Getting new ideas and finding out new ways of doing things. My only hope is that they get as much out of the class as I do.

Play! - This is my favorite habit.