The “23 Things” program was an 8 week course which guided librarians through web-based technology. It took me only 16 days. Now, I admit that I sped through the course – not because I didn’t take it seriously but because I was trying to balance course loads for other MLIS classes.
The list of 23 Things was great because it contained both imperative and fun online applications. Many of these things were not new to me and others I had never experienced. For example, I had used YouTube, RSS feeds, Flikr, and other such applications before. However, I had never had my own blog nor participated with LibraryThing. The mix of seen and unseen helped round my understanding of how each tool can be used for library promotion and reference.
The highlight of the 23 Things was the Motivator at www.bighugelabs.com/motivator. I simply love those posters and was ecstatic to finally figure out where people had gone to make them.
The only concern with the 23 Things was that some of the links which provided additional material did not work. This was mildly annoying. I understand that websites change their URLs all the time but it seamed that the organization who created the 23 Things dropped the ball a bit here. Yet, despite this minor setback, the information contained within the working links were superlative. I learned so much by participating in this program.
Can I have my MP3 player now? Jk,
JonLib
Fin
Monday, October 5, 2009
Thing 22
E-Books are a very interesting entity. I have wanted to create an account for years but never did. Now I have.
Actually, I am not a fan of NetLibrary. It is a great resource for large public libraries. However, it is not cost efficient for smaller libraries such as the one where I work. Additionally, NetLibrary doest have sufficient statistical information of its usage. My library recently terminated their subscription with NetLibrary because it would have been some $900.00 for the two or three patrons we knew used the subscription. In short, the subscription just wasn’t worth the money during rough economic times.
However, like I said, e-books and NetLibrary is a great source for larger libraries in urban and semi-urban areas where a majority of patrons own and frequently use MP3 players and other like devices. Listening to an e-book while running or doing local errands sounds like a great idea.
Actually, I am not a fan of NetLibrary. It is a great resource for large public libraries. However, it is not cost efficient for smaller libraries such as the one where I work. Additionally, NetLibrary doest have sufficient statistical information of its usage. My library recently terminated their subscription with NetLibrary because it would have been some $900.00 for the two or three patrons we knew used the subscription. In short, the subscription just wasn’t worth the money during rough economic times.
However, like I said, e-books and NetLibrary is a great source for larger libraries in urban and semi-urban areas where a majority of patrons own and frequently use MP3 players and other like devices. Listening to an e-book while running or doing local errands sounds like a great idea.
Thing 21
Podcasts are just fun. They can be anything from an old fashioned murder mystery radio-styled show to lectures to library programs. These are two which caught my interest:
LibVive: Is a podcast about library world news. See what libraries across the world and outside of the US are doing. Listening to this little podcast puts a nice prospective on how libraries are viewed in other countries and the complications they face. Maybe you will find that we are not all that different afterall.
http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=33516
RPG Countdown: This little podcast is a simple review of gaming products and books. This one is perfect for anyone in collection development who wants to improve their library’s collection of gaming books and materials. They also have interviews with authors and publishers. The site is:
http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=71508
LibVive: Is a podcast about library world news. See what libraries across the world and outside of the US are doing. Listening to this little podcast puts a nice prospective on how libraries are viewed in other countries and the complications they face. Maybe you will find that we are not all that different afterall.
http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=33516
RPG Countdown: This little podcast is a simple review of gaming products and books. This one is perfect for anyone in collection development who wants to improve their library’s collection of gaming books and materials. They also have interviews with authors and publishers. The site is:
http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=71508
Thing 20
I am very familiar with YouTube.com. This site is wonderful and has everything one could ask for. I use it all the time to find free instructional videos and music videos about things I am interested in. Some good ones are:
-This is the best anime music video ever created according to www.animemusicvedios.org. It is called “Euphoria” and uses video from the anime RahXaphon and the song “Must be Dreaming” by Frou Frou. The vid is simply awesome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5zaFHmxBH4
-“Twitter in Plane English” is somewhat of a virtual representation of Twitter for Dummies. The “_____ in Plane English” series is great for all sorts of tutorials on real and funny/absurd topics.
“Twitter in Plain English” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o
“Zombies in Plain English” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVnfyradCPY
-This is the best anime music video ever created according to www.animemusicvedios.org. It is called “Euphoria” and uses video from the anime RahXaphon and the song “Must be Dreaming” by Frou Frou. The vid is simply awesome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5zaFHmxBH4
-“Twitter in Plane English” is somewhat of a virtual representation of Twitter for Dummies. The “_____ in Plane English” series is great for all sorts of tutorials on real and funny/absurd topics.
“Twitter in Plain English” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o
“Zombies in Plain English” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVnfyradCPY
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thing 19
For this Thing I took a look at www.careerbuilder.com, a job search website and looked for library jobs (because, hey, I want a new one ;) ).
Anyways, I really like this site. Not only do you search for jobs constrained by field/title and area/state but there are several other applications which I think are great. First, you can use the “similar jobs” link. Clicking on this will list all jobs which are “similar” within the same general area. However, the sites definition of “similar” is broad. When searching for “librarian” similar jobs ended up being accountants, shipping clerks, and store managers among others. I think the programmers of this site need a little lesson on what a librarian actually is…but, in any case, it’s a nice feature.
Another great application of this site is a graphical feature which tells you how many people have applied for a specific job. This way, you know the quantity of your competition and you can strategize which jobs to apply for.
Anyways, I really like this site. Not only do you search for jobs constrained by field/title and area/state but there are several other applications which I think are great. First, you can use the “similar jobs” link. Clicking on this will list all jobs which are “similar” within the same general area. However, the sites definition of “similar” is broad. When searching for “librarian” similar jobs ended up being accountants, shipping clerks, and store managers among others. I think the programmers of this site need a little lesson on what a librarian actually is…but, in any case, it’s a nice feature.
Another great application of this site is a graphical feature which tells you how many people have applied for a specific job. This way, you know the quantity of your competition and you can strategize which jobs to apply for.
Thing 18
Well I tried Zoho and liked it a lot. The below is what I wrote within the application:
This is a sample document made using Zoho Writer (beta version). And, I must say that I like it. The program is very similar to a simplified version of MS Word 2007 (without all the neat, yet very annoying, graphical interface). However, I am a very dyslexic writer and require an automatic spell check system (one which tells me that I made a mistake). This application does not have that option. Yet, as the article concerning #18 indicated - I also feel that Microsoft should be sweating a bit.
This is a sample document made using Zoho Writer (beta version). And, I must say that I like it. The program is very similar to a simplified version of MS Word 2007 (without all the neat, yet very annoying, graphical interface). However, I am a very dyslexic writer and require an automatic spell check system (one which tells me that I made a mistake). This application does not have that option. Yet, as the article concerning #18 indicated - I also feel that Microsoft should be sweating a bit.
Thing 17
Hmm…I am a bit skeptical of the Sandbox approach to using Wikis. I understand that it is primarily a teaching method of how to enter and edit data within a previously established Wiki. However, simply based on content, it seems that much more can be achieved via other interfaces – such as LibraryThing for book lists, or Rollyo for blog lists. Eh, maybe I am too partial for these interfaces. But, hey, that’s the great thing about technology and the internet – there are so many ways to achieve the same thing.
I still think that Wiki’s are an excellent way to promote library functions and resources.
I still think that Wiki’s are an excellent way to promote library functions and resources.
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