#20. Videos:
YouTube has a rather humorous video, the "Gorilla Librarian,"
URL: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ukJmF6f0JdQ
I like the ease of finding videos. It is rather time-consuming to look at them to find something worthwhile. I tend to think of this as something helpful to a youth librarian, but I know that having accessibility to many videos could be helpful in teaching and perhaps for a library website.
Yahoo, Google & others also have video sites.
#21. Podcasts:
Some require software downloads (like iTunes). Others do not require a download such as:
Podcast.net, Podcastalley.com; Yahoo podcasts -- Audio search (http://audio.search.yahoo.com/audio)
I looked at these and added a RSS feed to a music podcast to my Bloglines account. This could be interesting to have podcasts with music and other items on one page. I know that podcasts could be useful in teaching so this is something to explore further.
#22. ebook, audiobooks:
I've found ebooks and audiobooks to be very helpful. Lately, I especially encourage my students to use the table of contents and bibliographies of e-books when they cannot make it into the library.
Project Gutenberg is fascinating, but I still don't want to read a full book online. I have occasionally been able to find and cite a quotation I wanted by using online books from the library such as Walden by Thoreau.
#23. Summary
This Learning 2.0 has been an interesting challenge. I am a little more familiar now with some of the tech tools than I was before. However, I think that the most useful thing is to be aware of some of the technology that might be helpful in the library and then to try some of it. The tools change frequently, so much of the details will have to be learned with the particular tool that is used. For example, Meebo has been an interesting tool in the library, and it requires some skills that may not be transferable to other devices.
Overall, I think it is important to keep up-to-date with possible library technology tools and then to try some of them, especially as our patrons request those tools. I think it is important to continually question patrons about what they would like to see in the library and on our web site including technology tools.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Week 8: Online Applications & Tools
#18. Online applications & tools:
ZohoWriter - web-based word processing tool; write, share, collaborate
Google Docs - author & publish posts to blog
librarything - create a library-quality catalog of books and connect to people who share those books
I made an online account with ZohoWriter and saw that it was very easy to use with normal functions such as using bold, italics, and other common word processing functions. It could be very helpful to have a web-based word processing tool to use in document collaboration with others. For example, I recently, scanned in a document and then penciled in some changes before I sent to a professor, but if we both had a Zoho Writer account, we could have worked collaboratively online.
#19. I liked Library Thing. I will probably go back to find suggestions of what to read next. I created a Library Thing account, and I started with one author: Dick Francis. I posted at: http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php
My books had postings from several hundred others, and I found some ideas for what to read next!
ZohoWriter - web-based word processing tool; write, share, collaborate
Google Docs - author & publish posts to blog
librarything - create a library-quality catalog of books and connect to people who share those books
I made an online account with ZohoWriter and saw that it was very easy to use with normal functions such as using bold, italics, and other common word processing functions. It could be very helpful to have a web-based word processing tool to use in document collaboration with others. For example, I recently, scanned in a document and then penciled in some changes before I sent to a professor, but if we both had a Zoho Writer account, we could have worked collaboratively online.
#19. I liked Library Thing. I will probably go back to find suggestions of what to read next. I created a Library Thing account, and I started with one author: Dick Francis. I posted at: http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php
My books had postings from several hundred others, and I found some ideas for what to read next!
Week 7: Wikis
#16. It was interesting to look at some of the ways libraries are using wikis. I wonder if there is a lot of time spent keeping these up-to-date. It could be helpful to have wikis for discussions of books, among other things. I noticed on the "Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki," it says: "Because of vandalism problems, e-mail confirmation is now required." That must be frustrating to have to deal with vandalism. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to open access.
(Notes)
To make a Wiki:
1st step: choose software and configure Wiki.
Wiki farms: easy to set up; don't need server; less control
DIY wikis: need server; not too difficult; more control
2nd step: Protect wiki from spam
3rd step: add content; encourage use
#17.
I looked at the Learning 2.0 wiki and explored sites such as Favorite TV shows. Then, I added my blog to the Favorite Blogs page.
Since I spend time telling students that they should not cite "Wikipedia" in their scholarly papers, I've learned that the open accessibility of a wiki can be both a benefit and a detriment. I like the idea of using wikis in the library between groups such as our academic teams. Wikis are quite easy to use, and I like the collaborative options.
(Notes)
To make a Wiki:
1st step: choose software and configure Wiki.
Wiki farms: easy to set up; don't need server; less control
DIY wikis: need server; not too difficult; more control
2nd step: Protect wiki from spam
3rd step: add content; encourage use
#17.
I looked at the Learning 2.0 wiki and explored sites such as Favorite TV shows. Then, I added my blog to the Favorite Blogs page.
Since I spend time telling students that they should not cite "Wikipedia" in their scholarly papers, I've learned that the open accessibility of a wiki can be both a benefit and a detriment. I like the idea of using wikis in the library between groups such as our academic teams. Wikis are quite easy to use, and I like the collaborative options.
Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati
#13. I set up an account on del.icio.us. Then, I imported my bookmarks. That may be helpful as I move back and forth from work and home computers. This might be helpful for research assistance if there are outside web sites relating to specific topics. For example, the APA style web sites could be bookmarked. Social networking sites could be helpful to both our academic and public library patrons. For example, if we could advertize our library outpost on a social networking site that students use, we may have more people using our services.
Some terms:
Tagging: categorizing (unstructured, free-form)
Tag: a word you use to describe a bookmark.
Examples: Flickr uses tagging. Technorati & librarything also tag
del.icio.us: popular social bookmarking site. It categorizes bookmarks & I can use on any computer
I saw an interesting article about tagging and what works vs. what doesn't using the examples of Library Thing and Amazon at: http://www.librarything.com/thingology/2007/02/when-tags-works-and-when-they-dont.php
#14.Technorati: leading search tool & authority for blogs; about 3 years old; search blog posts, tags, or blog directories (headings). Over 175,000 new blogs a day!!!
Tagging can be a helpful tool in finding material on the Internet. With many people tagging items, there are a lot of choices out there if I want to find information and media/photos on a particular topic. I'm not as comfortable with tags yet, but I can see that they are an easy way to access and also to save materials for later retrieval. It's easy to add several descriptive words or tags to something that I post, and it's easy to find many items when I look for them. However, with so many things to look at, it is sometimes hard to find the quality materials for which I am hunting. It seems to be easy to find the "popular" but perhaps not always to find the "excellent" material.
I can see possible uses of blogging for a library such as on a teen web site where there may be the most interest. There could be other uses also, such as a "comment" section on a library site.
Some blogs I find to be less than helpful and others are more informative. I would not generally spend a lot of time blogging my thoughts for others, but blogging could be helpful in some work related groups where people just need to state their thoughts. For example, we have a lot of discussion via email on our listservs, and those could be on a blog or wiki. That way, those who are interested could read and discuss the issues while the rest of the library personnel would not have to wade through the discussion on their email.
#15. Tools are important, and technology tools in libraries have been developing rapidly. However, more important than tools are patrons and what they want and need. Sometimes, technology tools, such as those covered in Library 2.0, may be just the thing that our patrons want and need. Other times, they may not be. It's important not to let the focus on technology at all costs be the overriding driver in all of the library decisions. Right now, I'm especially interested in finding out what method of asking the patrons what they want would be most helpful. Could we use a blog or wiki to find this out, or would just asking the patrons at the reference desk be the most effective method? Most of the articles I read through this exercise are positive about new technology and using it in libraries. It's good to have new tools, so learning and participating in Library 2.0 is helpful.
Some terms:
Tagging: categorizing (unstructured, free-form)
Tag: a word you use to describe a bookmark.
Examples: Flickr uses tagging. Technorati & librarything also tag
del.icio.us: popular social bookmarking site. It categorizes bookmarks & I can use on any computer
I saw an interesting article about tagging and what works vs. what doesn't using the examples of Library Thing and Amazon at: http://www.librarything.com/thingology/2007/02/when-tags-works-and-when-they-dont.php
#14.Technorati: leading search tool & authority for blogs; about 3 years old; search blog posts, tags, or blog directories (headings). Over 175,000 new blogs a day!!!
Tagging can be a helpful tool in finding material on the Internet. With many people tagging items, there are a lot of choices out there if I want to find information and media/photos on a particular topic. I'm not as comfortable with tags yet, but I can see that they are an easy way to access and also to save materials for later retrieval. It's easy to add several descriptive words or tags to something that I post, and it's easy to find many items when I look for them. However, with so many things to look at, it is sometimes hard to find the quality materials for which I am hunting. It seems to be easy to find the "popular" but perhaps not always to find the "excellent" material.
I can see possible uses of blogging for a library such as on a teen web site where there may be the most interest. There could be other uses also, such as a "comment" section on a library site.
Some blogs I find to be less than helpful and others are more informative. I would not generally spend a lot of time blogging my thoughts for others, but blogging could be helpful in some work related groups where people just need to state their thoughts. For example, we have a lot of discussion via email on our listservs, and those could be on a blog or wiki. That way, those who are interested could read and discuss the issues while the rest of the library personnel would not have to wade through the discussion on their email.
#15. Tools are important, and technology tools in libraries have been developing rapidly. However, more important than tools are patrons and what they want and need. Sometimes, technology tools, such as those covered in Library 2.0, may be just the thing that our patrons want and need. Other times, they may not be. It's important not to let the focus on technology at all costs be the overriding driver in all of the library decisions. Right now, I'm especially interested in finding out what method of asking the patrons what they want would be most helpful. Could we use a blog or wiki to find this out, or would just asking the patrons at the reference desk be the most effective method? Most of the articles I read through this exercise are positive about new technology and using it in libraries. It's good to have new tools, so learning and participating in Library 2.0 is helpful.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Week 5: Image generators
#10. This week I looked at image generators such as wallpaper and calendar generating sites. I also learned how to pull an image onto a blog such as the following from Google images (see below).
#11. I explored sites from the Web 2.0 awards list such as Technorati and LuLu. Technorati seemed to be interesting with its "Rising blog posts" and "Rising news stories by attention" so those with the most interest are at the top, which can be helpful. Some of these news links could be helpful to library patrons if they were on a library's web site.
#12. I explored Rollyo which seemed helpful at grouping web sites on one topic or a group of favorite web sites. An example is: rollyo.com/sj_learning/. I found a reference area which had a lot of good sites such as: bartleby.com, askoxford.com, refdesk.com, timeanddate.com, and zip4.usps.com. Another area I liked was "Travel" with travelpost.com, tripadvisor, igougo, etc. I rolled my own tennis searchroll for tennis equipment with tags such as "tennins, rackets, racquets, balls. It's at: http://www.rollyo.com/missyminder/
#11. I explored sites from the Web 2.0 awards list such as Technorati and LuLu. Technorati seemed to be interesting with its "Rising blog posts" and "Rising news stories by attention" so those with the most interest are at the top, which can be helpful. Some of these news links could be helpful to library patrons if they were on a library's web site.
#12. I explored Rollyo which seemed helpful at grouping web sites on one topic or a group of favorite web sites. An example is: rollyo.com/sj_learning/. I found a reference area which had a lot of good sites such as: bartleby.com, askoxford.com, refdesk.com, timeanddate.com, and zip4.usps.com. Another area I liked was "Travel" with travelpost.com, tripadvisor, igougo, etc. I rolled my own tennis searchroll for tennis equipment with tags such as "tennins, rackets, racquets, balls. It's at: http://www.rollyo.com/missyminder/
Week 3: Photos & Images
#5. I explored Flickr and added this library action figure to my blog.
#6. I checked out the mashups such as Flickr Color Pickr for photos in a specific color.
#7. Flickr is an interesting tool. It uses tags or keywords to help identify and search for items, and they can be strings of words such as "catherine yosemite hiking mountain trail." Up to 75 tags can be assigned to each photo.
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