# 24 Thoughts

Among my favourite parts were the richness and ease of use of the image resources. In fact most sites were easy to use; it's no wonder they are so popular. The whole programme has made me consider our traditional processes with the eye of a user uninitiated into all our secret codes. How many times have we seen someone type their question in the opac, get nothing, and walk away? 25 things forced me to make the time to look more carefully at tools that I'd heard of but not used much. My road is paved with so many good intentions; this was a good mix of carrot & stick. My RSS feeds have helped with collections, and I'm sure my podcast subscriptions will too. I think we will be able to use wikis and delicious. The biggest challenge from here will be to not close this box and file it on the shelf marked done. I know this programme was based on CMCPL's, has been a while in the making, and that many of the discovery resources date from around the time that discussions of Library 2.0 began in a big way. However if this programme is repeated, some might be replaced with more current items, (articles on the future of libraries from 2009, rather than 2004. ) A box with a link to each thing, above or instead of the list of participants blogs could aid navigation when we get turned around. Although I agree that participants' identities shouldn't be mandatory on public spaces, I think internally, they should be, so that we all take ownership of our words, and work. That might also encourage a more collaborative discussion. This was a fabulous way for me to learn. Thank you for the opportunity and for the effort that went into making it so. Donna

And so, on to thing 25

#21 YouTube

The featured sites when I turned on the Tube: massage to relief stress headach... Concentration curl - Biceps Exer... , pingu, Quicksand - U.A.E.. Much like the TV, lots of flipping is required to find something to watch, but there is definitely good stuff in there. Like any media, it's up to the user to decide if they'd like to skip the letter to the editor or switch frequencies when the call-in portion of the show starts. For my guinea pig this time, I went local and national; I put in the name of our MP, and Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty. I got a range of results, from those posted by Rick Mercer, to Steve Paikin to theGritGirl. I was pleased to see that you could follow the author trail to a certain extent, and see who was posting the videos, and what their slant might be. We've all got a slant. I didn't see anywhere to search by author/poster--ie. does Mr. Flaherty have a channel, or is everyone else just talking about him? I also didn't see the tags applied to each video. I looked in the help but didn't find it all that helpful. I feel like I'm missing something; if so, please share! But maybe I'm displaying my own slant, and that kind of beyond keyword searching isn't necessary. Earlier this morning we used YT to find a song Emma has to practice for school. There are lots of examples of good applications for libraries, I can't think of anything newer or better to add. Beatrice, are you ready for your closeup?

#22 Podcasts

I took advice from last season's thingers and checked out Canada podcasts for some can-con. I've listened to podcasts before from CBC, usually for shows scheduled while I'm at work. Hey, allowing the content to fit my schedule, considering the needs of its listeners--kind of like what we're always trying to do. Podcasts can be used by institutions as easily as by slam poets trying to share their words, (again that democratizing power of 2.0) These sites are something I will continue to use, for my own listening, and to recommend to patrons needing sound files, or primary sources to complete their research. Before this wasn't clear on the difference between just a soundfile posted on the web and a podcast. Thank you Creative Craft videos. For both this thing and thing 21--does everyone realize we can search for these formats within many of our subscription databases? (see eLibrary, for example)

# 23 NetLibrary e-audiobooks

I have a jump start, this time round, as we regularly have to walk patrons new to the NetLibrary's e-audio process through the steps. I almost always recommend they view the demo included in this Thing, as well as giving them the excellent handout developed by LM/DN. I've only downloaded to computer, but am a big audio reader. The convenience of checking out titles from home, office, school, or on the road is a huge selling point. Yeah accessibility! Once I win the iPod next week, I'll download Jarhead, and go for a long run. I seem to have an interest in snipers these days. "Discuss." BTW, something to investigate, this e-audiobook is NOT listed in the catalogue. Perhaps we've missed some MARC record downloads as new titles have been added?

#20 PBWiki

Wikis are so easy to use--we can use a mouse and keyboard--we're set. I added Isabella's to the restaurant page for gelato to make these sunny days complete, and of course, Sam.

#19 Wikis

Jimmy Wales. Wikipedia, Wikimedia, Wikia
Originally uploaded by avg_milano

I'm glad I took the time to hear the TED speech by the outlaw Jimmy Wales. I had previously read the flip side in The Cult of the Amateur, by Andrew Keen aka the anti-Christ of silcon valley. I was interested in Wales' goals for democratization of information and in bridging the digital divide. Wales' key word is neutrality; I try to make mine (and I may have stolen this from someone whom I admire and respect, if so, you know who you are) is reasonableness. It's reasonable to check Wikipedia for a fast fact to get started, not so much, to use it as the sole source of research before a formal presentation to the Chamber. We just have to apply the same critical eye we always have to evaluating information: who is writing it? when was it written? can I verify this somewhere else? and so on.

Our WPL wiki is a good start, thank you Deanster. Would it work as a venue for 2 way communication regarding IT type goings on that would be more effective than email? (Obviously not the Internet is down, or as a substitute for a phone call when there is a patron standing in front of us with a problem) There could be categories for broader issues, such as "planning wireless for Rossland" as well as the little things, "floppy is stuck in INT 16". The big picture items could have status updates, the little niggly things, just deleted when fixed.

#17 Library 2.0

Despite those little hairs on the back of my neck instinctively rising whenever someone uses the term zeitgeist, I feel Anderson is spot on regarding several points. In particular..."We need to focus our efforts not on teaching research skills but on eliminating the barriers that exist between patrons and the information they need, .... if our services can’t be used without training, then it’s the services that need to be fixed—not our patrons." To quote a wise colleague-if you can't remember it, it's too long. (Doesn't bode well for my posts, does it?:) )

The fact that our circulation figures do not mirror those of his institution, suggests that our approach to collections is already steered by our users.

To me Library 2.0 means meeting users where they are, whether physically or virtually and at their level of need. Sounds much like Ranganathan's laws. We must be aware of the needs and impact of our savvy virtual users. Over 30,000 physical users visit our Central location alone each month; many of them are here for our welcoming community spaces, our collections, and our assistance. We need to keep in mind both the needs of those ready to dig into delicious, and those who don't know that a cursor is not just someone who uses bad words.

#16 Technorati & Tags

I found neither itaintthejeans nor whitby's25things through the big T. I searched for sporting life 10k on Google(47,900), Google Blogs(5,563) & Technorati(3). The latter's 3 were not at all related. I was somewhat underwhelmed with these results. Many runners are endless record keepers, information sharers, dare I say navel gazers or natural born bloggers so I was surprised with the low results. The google search, as one would hope, connected me to registration, location, all the informaTION. It did pick up blog results, but not until page 2. Google blogs, gave me what one would hope to find in a personal blog--can I really do this, what kind of snacks will there be, am I slower than that girl, faster than that guy?

However, ever endeavouring to be open minded...I foresee checking this when deciding if I should order the latest in the slew of American political memoirs to see if the title is generating much interest. p.s. only 45 days 'til race day.

#15 mmmn- DE-lish

This seems a very yummy site indeed. I can how people working on a joint project--whether it be planning a 50th wedding anniversary, or writing a paper on tadpole reproduction, or the planning department of Tiny Township could use it. It could certainly help with our shared workspaces, or students researching in dorms, in libraries, and in Mom & Dads den. The indicator for number of people who have bookmarked sites it is an interesting gauge. Just because something is popular doesn't mean its necessarily good, BUT it doesn't mean its necessarily bad either. That's all for now, grasshopper.

Thing #14 Online Image Generators

OK I see scrolling down, I'm getting long winded. So, to get to the point--much coolness here. Posters, invitations, graphics for jazzing up posts, etc., I used LetterJames to make this graphic. BTW, (I couldn't get away without at least one tangent) have you visited Project Gutenberg?

Thing #13 -- Library Thing

WOW, I can see all kinds of work uses for this, let alone as a personal tool for booklovers. I'm intrigued to see Library thing for libraries; since bibliocommons seems to be a no-go, have we considered this? Should we set up a library account, or department one, (as CAF, has a wealth of online RA tools that they effectively use)? It might help us with the shoulder shrugging "I have to read a non-fiction book" question. I'm not much of a booklistkeeper (I don't pore over the map before picking a chocolate from the box) but I can see people who love to have a list of 200 items on their to read list getting a kick out of this. The recommendations arising from the 5 titles I entered are worth a look; some I've already read, and would agree on the connections made. The popularity of this site, suggests that THE catalogue, though a wonderful tool, does not meet all the needs of readers. As an example, the tags for The perfect storm tell a fuller picture than the LCSH in our catalogue.

Tweeting about twitter, or should that be blogging about tweeting about twitter

After setting up a twitter account, http://twitter.com/boltonsteele (and discovering that yes, you can choose to tweet privately, (as a verb, it sounds like a rather intimate action, between consenting adults, doesn't it?)), I tracked down a few feeds to follow, including that lovable renaissance man Jian http://twitter.com/jianghomeshi. Wow, this is 6 degrees of separation to the nth degree. Amazing how the connections multiply.

I could see this being a great tool for people travelling, or with kids away at school, as a way to check in with loved ones. OLA has encouraged superconference attendees to "tweet the conference"; it would certainly get a buzz going about speakers, or allow the conversation to develop following a session, or, to arrange to meet up for lunch! We could use it at an event such as County Town carnival to announce, for example, 1 hour until the next Beatrice performance. We could even use our library account as an informal poll to measure patron interest in a new product or service.

Thing 11--Finding feeds

For my use, I will more likely add feeds as offshoots to something else I've read, watched or heard(back to that tangential thinking thing) rather than go out searching for a feed on a specific topic. I can see though, that if I had a specialized passion such as firetrucks, or miniatures these tools might be helpful. The geographical function of topix.net is useful to keep a finger on the local pulse.

I searched for graphic novels in both the IPL and Libdex sites, with success in the former. The latter's strength seems to be its geographical index, which, I guess, makes sense in practical terms, but isn't very 2.0, since one benefit of 2.0 technology is its ability to break down barriers of geography and facilitate global connections.

In looking at the more general feed finders, I did a comparison search (the ever organized Herring Choker would be proud of me). I searched both "sledge hockey" and "al shabaab" both of which I had heard about on, of course, CBC radio this morning. Sledge hockey only turned up in topix.net. Al-Shabba was in Topix and Technoratti. The topix results were more along the lines of traditional news sources, with a respectable amount of CanCon. Technoratti results, were more commentary in nature.

However the niggling question, "why these?" (over what I'm doing now) still niggled. This is probably the same thought that goes through patrons' minds when we preach the salvation of the databases, which also have RSS capabilities. Hallelujeah, sister! To relieve the niggling I also typed both terms in Google and our 360 search to compare. Google results picked up the government news release that the others didn't. Topix results were more international that the Google news results. 360 results were 2 days old, Topix were 2 hours. Hmmn.

Thing #10 RSS and Newsreaders

Since I have already have a gmail account, I went the google reader route--one less password to remember in my 40 plus brain. It was so easy! I actually said to myself--that's it? I think the hardest part will be exercising restraint, so that the list doesn't become unmanageable. As well as following the insights of 2 wise colleagues, I signed up for feeds from CBC books, to keep an eye on who's in the books news, the Empire Club, to see who's making newsworthy speeches, and Librarian in Black, because, well, with a name like that--combination Johnny Cash and Lady Heather--why wouldn't you want to see what she has to say?

Wouldn't it be cool, if RSS could be connected to the catalogue searching fields, such that a baking aficianado could be notified whenever we added a cookbook to the system, or a Jance fan, whenever a new title appeared?

about technology

Thing 8
Well, today, of course, my "about technology" post must address the much hyped and anticipated announcement of apple's newest device, the iPad. Watch and marvel. Schwing!! How long until this is mainstream?

Here's Beatrice

Thing 7 continued....
The description on Beatrice's trading card is hard to read, because the picture is small. Here's what it says...

A formidable combination of Ethel Merman, Bette Midler and Carol Pope, with just a sprinkling of JA for sweetness, Beatrice is an unstoppable freight train of fur in a boa.

Do you see what I see?

#7 More Flickr Fun

Wow! It blows me away --all that is available out there. How to choose, how to choose? I tried Dumpr, but kept getting an error message. Any suggestions? If so, please share.

I do like this spelling one. It would be good for making ransom notes, no? or less exciting applications: posts, signs, bookmarks, etc...

Uploading to flickr

Celebration square
Originally uploaded by it ain't the jeans...

Thing 6, exercise 2
Yes, I'm up for an easy challenge. Might as well go all out, (though I chose an existing picture, rather than taking a new one).

Blogging from flickr

Outside the Canadian Embassy
Originally uploaded by Inside Disaster

Thing 6, exercise 1
flickr and other social networking tools have been crucial to share information following the earthquake. I selected this photo, courtesy of insidedisaster.com because it reflects the world's perception of Canada as a receptive country.

Exploring flickr, it occurred to me that we can use it as a gauge for what's topical. Who would have thunk it-- canadiansagainstproroguingparliament as a hot tag? I see post ideas for the WPL site coming from the hot topics. I was please to see the range of options in the advanced search. The maps and places will be useful for country assignments. And of course... posters, and brochures, and signs, oh my!

What I've learned so far...

Thing 5. Well how to set up a blog, for one thing. Exploring the recommended articles provided an opportunity to think about learning in general, our changing information environment and my own inclinations. I enjoyed Kathryn Greenhill's matter of fact, let's get on with it approach; those Aussies know how to tell it like it is. In the spirit of this 2.0 exercise, I read the Wikipedia entry as a touchstone, to make sure my understanding of Library 2.0 was on the right track. But of course I didn't stop at just two! (see previous post)

Learning about learning

Reflecting on the 7 1/2 habits. Thing 4.
"Accept responsibility for your own learning" is already gospel for me. I've taken inspiration from a 2003 LJ article by Roy Tennant. In particular: "Learn as you breathe...We are born to learn, but somewhere along the way many of us pick up the idea that we must be taught in order to learn. We think that if someone doesn't stand up in front of us and talk to us with either a chalkboard or PowerPoint slides, we cannot learn. We must regain our sense of wonder and our desire to learn." Which brings me to the hardest habit: # 7 1/2 Play. Now I have noooo problem whatsoever playing. My problem is that I am a tangential thinker, and can easily be distracted. I even interrupt myself! So while I play, I have to follow the advice of habit 1, and keep the end in mind. Otherwise, I will have a beach full of partially built sandcastles.

Life is a highway...

Whew, made it! I got lost a couple of times during the set up. When driving, I tend balance "Let's just keep going, and we'll get there" with, "OK, I need to stop and get my bearings". Now that I've moved out of the collectors onto the express, let's go.