(image generated through bighugelabs.com)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Podcasts
I explored podcasts and some of the podcast directories. I like podcastalley.com a little more than podcast.com, mainly because you can search on podcastalley without needing a user ID. (At this stage I just don't want another user ID). In Google Reader I've subscribed to my favorite radio program - Michael Feldman's show Whad'ya Know? I've been listening for years, so getting a podcast just makes it easier to catch up if I miss it on Saturday. I may try other programs, but I'll need a good 'hook' to stay with them.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
EPL 18/19 - Online productivity tools and Web 2.0 awards tools
online productivity tools
These seem very cool in the right setting. I have a friend that planned her daughter’s wedding guest list through this. Both set of parents involved were able to collaborate on a spreadsheet to make a guest list – no need to e-mail back and forth and track versions!
web 2.0 tools
The seomoz site is great – I’ve bookmarked it. I have already used many of these tools, including craigslist, careerbuilder, pbwiki, wikispaces, GoogleEarth, iGoogle, Farecast, and of course others from ELL. Craiglist helped me quickly find a used bike when I wanted one (was able to narrow to specific parts of Chicago) and also helped me sell a pre-purchased hotel room in Manhattan to someone from Washington state! The new tool I explored is SpanishPod – I’ll check this out more once I own that iPod…
These seem very cool in the right setting. I have a friend that planned her daughter’s wedding guest list through this. Both set of parents involved were able to collaborate on a spreadsheet to make a guest list – no need to e-mail back and forth and track versions!
web 2.0 tools
The seomoz site is great – I’ve bookmarked it. I have already used many of these tools, including craigslist, careerbuilder, pbwiki, wikispaces, GoogleEarth, iGoogle, Farecast, and of course others from ELL. Craiglist helped me quickly find a used bike when I wanted one (was able to narrow to specific parts of Chicago) and also helped me sell a pre-purchased hotel room in Manhattan to someone from Washington state! The new tool I explored is SpanishPod – I’ll check this out more once I own that iPod…
EPL # 15 – Library 2.0 and the future of libraries
I read the Wiki article on Library 2.0 and some of the OCLC articles. These things caught my attention:
OPAC 2.0: I like the idea of the library catalog being more interactive, such as user book reviews, persistent links, and social bookmarking. This should generate interest from users.
An idea from the OCLC Newsletter:
“This librarian [Michael Stephens] does not buy technology for the sake of technology. “Techno-worship” does not exist here. Without a firm foundation in the mission and goals of the institution, new technologies are not implemented for the sake of coolness and status.” I agree with this completely – you need to understand your audience. Many people of the older generation will not embrace these tools, but younger audiences do. Since the public library serves all age groups, we need to embrace and understand the tools to serve and communicate with them. But if a particular technology does not help or is not embraced by a particular demographic, we have to be sensitive to that.
OPAC 2.0: I like the idea of the library catalog being more interactive, such as user book reviews, persistent links, and social bookmarking. This should generate interest from users.
An idea from the OCLC Newsletter:
“This librarian [Michael Stephens] does not buy technology for the sake of technology. “Techno-worship” does not exist here. Without a firm foundation in the mission and goals of the institution, new technologies are not implemented for the sake of coolness and status.” I agree with this completely – you need to understand your audience. Many people of the older generation will not embrace these tools, but younger audiences do. Since the public library serves all age groups, we need to embrace and understand the tools to serve and communicate with them. But if a particular technology does not help or is not embraced by a particular demographic, we have to be sensitive to that.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
EPL "23 things" updates
Evanston Public is doing the Web 2.0 "23 things" program, similar to Oakton's 2.Oakton program, but over a longer period and a few more tools. I'm going to blog here a bit about LibraryThing (#11), Web 2.0 within other libraries (#12), and Twitter (#14).
I initially signed up for LibraryThing over the summer, but also became aware of Shelfari through a colleague of mine. I don't know all the differences between these book tools, but I was told that there is a limit of books in LibraryThings (vs. no limit in Shelfari), and I also liked the look and feel of Shelfari with its nice wooden bookshelves. I've placed several books in there: http://www.shelfari.com/tedlibrarian. (am currently reading "My Bloody Life", by the way).
Regarding Web 2.0 in other libraries, I've seen some nice things. I think EPL's presence on Facebook is very cool, although in the 'new' Facebook I have to dig a little harder to find it - go to Profile, and then Info... I think the ability to write book reviews by patrons is very cool also. I should be able to do this in my school library at some point. We use Follett library software. Their new web-based version is called Destiny. Within Destiny kids can write book reviews - I've read listservs that state this is a very popular feature - can't wait to try it! (I used to do have the kids write paper reviews on note cards at my old school, but I think the electronic version would be more popular).
Regarding Twitter - sometimes way too much information. Some people seem to update every little thing. I think occasional updates are good; you get to know someone better. Other people don't do updates at all. I'm sure this is a mirror of our personalities!
I initially signed up for LibraryThing over the summer, but also became aware of Shelfari through a colleague of mine. I don't know all the differences between these book tools, but I was told that there is a limit of books in LibraryThings (vs. no limit in Shelfari), and I also liked the look and feel of Shelfari with its nice wooden bookshelves. I've placed several books in there: http://www.shelfari.com/tedlibrarian. (am currently reading "My Bloody Life", by the way).
Regarding Web 2.0 in other libraries, I've seen some nice things. I think EPL's presence on Facebook is very cool, although in the 'new' Facebook I have to dig a little harder to find it - go to Profile, and then Info... I think the ability to write book reviews by patrons is very cool also. I should be able to do this in my school library at some point. We use Follett library software. Their new web-based version is called Destiny. Within Destiny kids can write book reviews - I've read listservs that state this is a very popular feature - can't wait to try it! (I used to do have the kids write paper reviews on note cards at my old school, but I think the electronic version would be more popular).
Regarding Twitter - sometimes way too much information. Some people seem to update every little thing. I think occasional updates are good; you get to know someone better. Other people don't do updates at all. I'm sure this is a mirror of our personalities!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Flickr fun toy
OK, another fun image above. This time one of those "inspirational" messages created through Motivator.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
a useful RSS news feed
If you live in Evanston, I think the Evanston Review news feed is useful: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/rss/news/index.xml
For many years I got the print version and saw many issues pile up (too much info). Then I would start checking it online, but would forget to check (too little info). I think the feed I set up in Google Reader is just right - I can easily scan the headlines, and read those stories that I want to read. Yes, Goldilocks, there is a "just right" baby bear porridge...
For many years I got the print version and saw many issues pile up (too much info). Then I would start checking it online, but would forget to check (too little info). I think the feed I set up in Google Reader is just right - I can easily scan the headlines, and read those stories that I want to read. Yes, Goldilocks, there is a "just right" baby bear porridge...
I'm baaaackkk....
OK, I haven't posted here in a while - not since finishing up the program at Oakton this summer. Maybe I'm just not the blogging type, maybe I'm shy (well not at my age any more..), maybe I lost interest, or probably I just assumed no one else would be interested in reading my ramblings unless they are witty or something.
In any case I have to start blogging again so I can get a new flash drive and maybe an ipod from EPL!... It's interesting, of the tools I learned over the summer at Oakton the one I have kept using is Facebook - mainly to stay in touch with friends and see what they're up to, etc. I do love taking digital photos, but I won't upload to Flickr until I have something new to post - probably will post some photos from my new school library in time...
Oh, and I removed that Meebo widget. Meebo is cool, but I don't really monitor it when I'm logged in.
In any case I have to start blogging again so I can get a new flash drive and maybe an ipod from EPL!... It's interesting, of the tools I learned over the summer at Oakton the one I have kept using is Facebook - mainly to stay in touch with friends and see what they're up to, etc. I do love taking digital photos, but I won't upload to Flickr until I have something new to post - probably will post some photos from my new school library in time...
Oh, and I removed that Meebo widget. Meebo is cool, but I don't really monitor it when I'm logged in.
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