Library 2.0 and counting

I read several of the perspectives, and must admit that the more I read the more dismayed I became. Away From Icebergs I discounted a bit due to the academic point of view -- we saw the same thing when I was last in a college position in the mid-1990s, but circulation at the public libraries I've been with since 1998 have continued to rise. That is in large part due to being responsive to patron "wants," not just "needs," which leads me to Librarian 2.0.

Libraries have been adapting for years, but with the advent of technology things are coming at us with lightning speed. I found the Librarian 2.0 perspective to be rather intimidating -- with all the good intentions in the world I just don't see myself being effective in the many "new" roles librarians need to play. My retirement being just around the corner may be a good things for my patrons!

I finished up with Temporary place in time -- I kind of like the idea of a 3D librarian in a cozy country manor. Maybe that will be my next job.

Presentations go social

Well, this is certainly a helpful tool. I don't really think I'll be adding a lot of my own presentations, probably the "aw shucks" side of my nature doesn't think I really have anything to add. I do plan to use it more to glean ideas from others, and I'm really pleased that so many of the NLC presentations are available here. Easy to use!

On the flip side, I see the source of lots of junk email I get from time to time -- some of it funny and some of it not so.....

Delicious

Okay -- this is just great. Easy to use, easy to maintain. A great alternative to those boring lists of web links that our patrons never seem to use (and my staff even forgets about). This "thing" definitely will be of use to me personally and professionally.

All a'twitter???

Did you like micro-blogging? -- I'm not even sure I like blogging yet. I definitely haven't gotten into the swing of things yet -- still using computers as work tools rather than a means of connecting. As I'm writing this blog, our 65 pound puppy Tess is sound asleep next to me, busy chasing the devil cat from next door in her sleep. That just seems like a twitter entry, doesn't it. But in the normal run of things, I wouldn't be at a computer when that happens.

But I do think it has possibilities in the library. In fact, whatever the "newest, coolest" thing is has a place in trying to communicate with our younger patrons. You know, it used to be that we had to purchase all kinds of materials to appeal to our differing public, but at least we could tell them about it basically the same way. Not any longer, so we need to take steps to keep ourselves a vibrant option for our patrons.

LibraryThing

Saw this demo'd by Michael Sauers in the past year. LibraryThing is quick and easy. There are many levels of involvement, so this appeals to me especially. I added four personal books I have in my office, and will add more at home when I have the chance. Is there a similar Thing for recordings?? That would be outstanding!!!

Image generators take 2

After some most excellent advice from a co-worker, here is my second attempt to get Albert to visit this blog.

Huzzah! it worked. I am definitely a monkey-see, monkey-do kind of person when it comes to technology. (Maybe I should have looked for Darwin, not Einstein).

Technoblog.....

I probably should have waited longer since trying to get my image generator to work before writing this entry. There are some really innovative and fun tools for us to use, but as I look at replacing a staff member I'm going to look for someone techno-savvy since (Nebraska Learns 2.0 not withstanding) I just don't see myself manging all of this very well.

Just like the old joke about how to get to Carnegie Hall, the key is practice, practice, practice. My work time is booked solid, and my personal time is precious -- when does that practice happen? We all have patrons who want to know about and use the newest gimmicks out there, but what exactly is our responsibility to them? Providing the resources in hardware and software? Providing trained staff to teach use of these tools? As technology advances at the speed of light, just where do we get the time and resources to keep up? And when we can't, how do we set priorities on what we will do?

Obviously these exercises have created more questions for me than answers. But at least now, with the guidance of NELearns 2.0 I know more about what I'm missing!

Image generators

I think I'm very lost on this one. Changing the image on the Einstein was very simple (and fun). Figuring out how to get it onto this blog is another matter. I'm going to try to post this and see what happens.


URL=http://img408.imageshack.us/my.php?image=einsteinql0.jpg][IMG]http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8156/einsteinql0.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL=ht

Too much flickr fun

I have to agree with those who didn't see much applicable for the library. I did see a lot of people who apparently have tons of time on their hands! One that did jump out at me was FD's flickr toys -- we have some photos we're thinking of turning into puzzles for family gifts. This might just be the place to get that process started.

Flickr for novices

And boy, am I a novice. This is my second go around playing with Flickr, and it did indeed make more sense this time. The Online in Plain English was very helpful, giving me some ideas of how this service could really be useful. I wasn't as excited about looking at photos posted by others, but can see how this would be a great resource if specific images are needed for something (with the poster's permission, of course).

Setting up the Flickr account was easy, and my first uploaded picture should be at: flickr.com/photos/lauran52/?saved=1

I want to try this more from home, uploading personal images. All in all, this has been a good "thing"

Finding new RSS feeds

This actually wasn't as easy as I thought it might be. There are tons of feeds out there, but finding those with actual substance is a little tricker. This will take some time to learn how to quickly separate the good from the bad.

RSSing?????

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this works day to day. There are a couple of sites I check regularly throughout each day, so I'm hoping this service will actually save me time. It certainly was simple to set up!

Instant messaging

Well, I started this one with lots of trepidation. It was easier than expected! and I can see where it would be great for family "chats." Not sure it will have much place in our library setting, where we are so short staffed no one can be readily available at a computer. We'll have to do some creative thinking about how IM can impact our services.

7 habits

This is my very first attempt at blogging. As an "old dog trying to learn new tricks" I'm hoping that Nebraska Learns 2.0 will lead me gently into this technology age. After listening to the message in Thing 2, I can tell you my biggest challenge will be Habit 7 1/2 -- playing. There always seems to be too much else to do. But I'm sitting here "playing," knowing that the end of the year piles of bills for city hall and the paperwork required for tomorrow night's board meeting will still be there when I finish this. All in all, a good first step!