Library 2.0 Reflections

Okay, so this may be the most difficult activity. How to summarize my thoughts on something that will likely continue for years to come?

Or, at least, I hope it does. Not necessarily in a formalized project such as we are just finishing, but informally in our day-to-day relationship with the Internet which, like it or not, seems to be here to stay; not being intimidated to try out the new things that are popping up every day; not avoiding a new and possibly useful application just because it means yet another username and password.

I think my favourite discovery has been Google docs and spreadsheets. But close second and third are definitely finding out how easy it is to create blogs and wikis. I plan to continue to make use of most of the tools we have learned about. Many I had scratched the surface of but I am grateful to the Library 2.0 project for encouraging me to learn more about them and really think about how I can put them to use to make my online life easier.

I would really like to see this project continue. Maybe we can have a "2.0 Activity of the Month" and give everyone a month to discover each activity. We would have discovered 12 new things in a year. Not as wonderful as 23 things in 9 weeks but still significant and we would have room left in our lives to discover the dozens of other lifelong learning opportunities that await that don't require a keyboard ; )

NetLibrary

I'm really glad that the Library's collection on NetLibrary now includes eAudiobooks in addition to the eBooks that made up the collection previously. The eBook format works well for reference resources but as for reading a book in this format from cover to cover - I just can't see myself doing it. And judging from the lack of enthusiasm from our patrons, I'm guessing I'm not the only one.

Audiobooks are a different story. I can definitely see myself embracing this format. It would be great to download one of the dozens of books I have on my list of "Books to Read" and listen to it while I am out for a walk, driving, or even doing housework.

Our library offers this audiobook collection through SOLS (Southern Ontario Library Service), as a member of the Consortium of Ontario Libraries (COOL). The initial collection is 751 titles and has tried to offer a bit of everything. I am definitely looking forward to seeing this collection grow.

Podcasts

Podcasts are another great tool for busy people. It's not always possible to listen to something that is being broadcast at a specific time. With podcasts popular radio shows can be made available for people to listen to when it is convenient for them. Training presentations can also be recorded and made available in this format. This would work well for international organizations where people are in different timezones.

Another bonus is being able to refer back to something days, weeks or even months later. We've all taken notes at a conference or workshop and then a few weeks later when you go back to review them you find that they don't always make sense. A podcast would let you review the remarks over and over again directly from the speaker.

I tried a couple of the podcast directory tools but I ended up going back to using the podcast search that is available right in Netvibes. You can enter a search, listen to the podcast and even enter the search onto your Netvibes page. Then, every time you log in to Netvibes the search runs and provides updated results for that search. For someone who needs to keep up to date on a specific topic, this would be a great benefit.

Most of the topics I thought I might search for podcasts on would probably lend themselves better to a video format as visual aids would make the topic easier to understand so I'm not sure podcasts will become a regular part of my online experience.

I Tube, You Tube, We Tube...

I have known about YouTube for quite awhile, (thanks to everyone who has sent an email link), but have avoided going to it. As many people have indicated, it can be a real time waster. After having checked it out for the Library 2.0 project however, I can see how many ways it can be used for purposes other than jokes and people trying to claim their 15 minutes of fame.

The videos ranged from very professional, like to Web 2.0 one, to very basic such as the one I included below. For training purposes these video files are a great way to reach a large, varied audience. Providing instructions for anything is only going to help your audience if they actually take the time to read them. For visual learners a short, well-thought-out video can make a much stronger impact. I also like the way that it suggests similar clips that might be of interest based on the clip you are watching.

Now that I have finally taken the time to discover YouTube I will likely continue to search for useful videos and I'm sure some of the funny ones will find their way onto my computer screen.

Overdue Books and YouTube

Joan W. - this one's for you. Dig out the Little Tykes people and a video camera and we'll make our own public service announcements for the library! Where do people get the ideas for some of this stuff!

Web 2.0 Award Winner?

As has been commented by many other OSNGUPL Library2.0 bloggers, it was encouraging to see so many of the sites we've discovered listed among the Web 2.0 award winners. I decided to investigate a new mapping site as I really like Mapquest and Google Maps and thought I would check out Wayfarer as it was the second place winner (after Google Maps) in the mapping category.

I could see it would be useful to be able to create and save your own maps. You can add your own personal points of interest with notes and, depending on your settings, you can share maps that you have created with other Wayfarer users. For example if you are planning a wedding and need to show the church, the site for pictures, the reception and the post-wedding brunch you could do it with Wayfarer. You could also add a note indicating where the happy couple got engaged or shared their first kiss. OK, maybe going a little overboard here but you get the idea.

Well, they have a long way to go if they want to get to first place.

The first time I tried was 2 weeks ago and I found the site to be very awkward. It was not intuitive and did not offer much in the way of help. So I let it simmer for a bit.

I tried again yesterday and wasn't any more impressed. I forced myself to keep at it and finally found a way to get a couple of things to work but it shouldn't be that hard. If you are persistent and willing to work at it then go for it. Otherwise you may want to avoid this site.

Google Docs - Now here is an application that would be useful to just about everyone and not crammed full of annoying advertising. I was expecting minimal level word processing and was greatly surprised to find all the standard tools set up in an easy to use format.

The most useful application that I can see from my experience is for students. I don't know how many times the students in my household have needed to print an assignment (that was due the next day, of course) only to have the printer fail for one reason or another. Okay, you say, just put it on a disk and take it to another printer. Only to get there and find that the disk was corrupt, or the other computer doesn't have the same version of whatever, or various other scenarios. Google Docs would certainly help to prevent at least some of this stress. All it needs is an application to encourage students not to leave their assignments to the last minute!
Hmmm - Google Parent? - no, that would be too creepy ; )

This blog post was easy to create in Google Docs and just as easy to post to my Blogger account especially since both are Google applications. And the ability to share documents with other people would be a great benefit to volunteer organizations where expensive word processing packages are out of reach or family members who live apart from each other and may not share the same word processing software.

The Wonders of Wikis

Having been shown by Tim how to do some of the basics in our wiki for the Library 2.0 project, this week was easy. I did listen to all the tours on the Wikispaces site - it takes a bit of time but it's worth it in the long run. Actually I would suggest this for any new site you go to - view the demos, consult the Help, and read the FAQs. Often the only difference between an expert and a neophyte is the time the expert has invested in the the above activities.

I was excited to see all the different uses for Wikis and I've been trying to figure out how I could put one to use. If I was more trusting of Internet security I was thinking that a wiki with family contact information would be great. I have a large family and it keeps us busy staying up to date with addresses and phone numbers especially now that the 24 nieces and nephews are heading out into the world. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all could enter our own changes and have just one place to look?

Well, I'll keep thinking on it, but for now I want you to remember your New Website Mantra:

"View the Demos, Consult the Help and Read the FAQs"

Thoughts on Library 2.0

Before I read the assigned reading for this activity I jotted down some of my own thoughts about Library 2.0. Was I ever surprised when I read the second article by Michael Stephens which discussed "buying technology for the sake of technology" - which was one of the first thoughts I had written down.

It is extremely important for libraries to keep pace with what is happening in the world but before incorporating a new technology there needs to be proof that true efficiency or benefit will be gained. While an argument could be made that automation can create work rather than save it, (I'm thinking Unicorn here), we need to remember when (not so long ago) we couldn't even tell a patron what they had signed out on their card!

I do wonder what is being gained with all this social networking via Web 2.0 when many people are holding back using false names and fictitious personal information. We have just come through a time of developing stringent privacy and confidentiality laws and now we are being encouraged to let it all go and post our lives on the Internet. It takes some getting used to.

Being aware of what our patrons are involved in is important in order for us to provide good service at the Reference Desk, the Circulation Desk and through the materials we offer in the collection. It also affects how we deliver those services. We may personally choose not to read certain authors (I won't name the one we usually pick on) but it is important for us to keep up on what is available since she publishes at least 3 bestsellers a year. Similarily, whether we agree with certain computer applications or not, we need to be aware of what is out there and find a way to make it work for us and our patrons.

Week 6 - Del.icio.us and Technorati

This week was the toughest so far, for me. Could be all the other stuff going on that has prevented me from getting to a total understanding of Del.icio.us and Technorati. Could be I just don't see the benefit to me personally of tagging.

I like the thought of carrying my Favourites with me. Since I take care what I add to my Favourites, I like to know all my work can be more efficient by setting them up and organizing them once. As for the tagging aspect I'm not sure it's as helpful to me. Most searches bring way too many results to effectively wade through. If I was seeking out infomation it could be helpful but right now I'm already on overload with all the data I receive on a daily basis - newspapers, feeds, listservs, email...

Technorati was another so-so activity for me. I'm not a blog reader so I don't find a need to go looking for more. I prefer those found through referrals from blogs I'm already reading rather than seeking out the random opinions found through a blog search.

While many of the tools we've discovered allow me to organize and make better use of the information I currently receive, these tools that help to seek out more information are useful to know about but will not be put to immediate use and blog type info. isn't generally what I'm looking for. I generally look for a more established information source such as a manufacturer's or organisation's website where the information is more likely to be credible.

Rollyo

At first glance I wasn't sure that Rollyo would be something I would use but as I got working with it I started to think of some possible applications for it. For example, our library website does not have a search capability. I created a Searchroll that includes our website, the City website and theowen.com (I'll add more Owen Sound specific sites later). Now I can search across all these sites at once (and ONLY these sites) to find city related information that I know I can trust.

I also find myself checking other libraries' websites to see how they are doing things especially things related to Unicorn and public access computers. I have all the Ontario Library Consortium libraries in my favourites but I have to look at each one individually. With the OLC Libraries Searchroll that I created, I can now search across 20+ libraries (once I get them all entered) for something like 'wireless' and see what the other libraries are doing all in one searchlist. Pretty cool. Thanks to Rollyo and Library 2.0!

LibraryThing - You Make My Heart Sing!

Wow - I know what I'll be doing with my spare time for the next while. LibraryThing is wonderful. I've tried various methods of keeping track of my books (owned, want to own, read, want to read, etc.) but I haven't found the perfect way to do it. I think LibraryThing is my answer.

I've only just scratched the surface of all it can do but I'm excited to continue to discover this great tool. I was impressed to find that the settings can be changed to search various sources. When I entered Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and only came up with the American edition, I knew I wasn't the only person who wouldn't settle for that. So I did some poking around and found how to search the Canadian National Catalogue and several others Canadian options were available. That did it for me.

It was also very easy to add a widget to this blog to share my library with others. I opted for just a small link (see top right of this page) rather than have the book covers taking up too much space on my blog.

And since I find myself with some spare time today I'm heading back to LibraryThing to research further.

Generation Fun

Ever wondered what you would look like as a Simpsons character? Probably not. But there is a generator that will help. Just find a picture of yourself, follow the directions and Voila! you're in Springfield. Who knew?

I was also able to find out which Hogwarts House I should be in (Ravenclaw - I guess we all can't be Gryffindors)

Generate your own Simpsons alter ego
Try on the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

This a great generator that Beth found. Create your own.

Searching for feeds

If I ever felt the need to find more websites to check on each day it's great to know about these tools for searching for newsfeeds. Generally I prefer to rely on word of mouth or referrals from other sites I visit.

Topix.com was interesting in that you could narrow your search geographically. They are all quite easy to use but your search terms must be chosen carefully or you end up with either way too many hits to wade through or so few that you know you must be missing something.

I will likely stay with my very untechnical method of finding feeds which is to look for the orange square on a well-liked site. I find I generally wait a few weeks with a new site to see how often I find myself referring to it. If I keep going back then I will add it to my feeds. Although it is so easy to add a feed I may just add them and then delete the ones I don't like based on lack of use.

Netvibes vs. Bloglines - It's all what you get used to

Really, REALLY BIG RSS feed button
Originally uploaded by photopia / HiMY SYeD

Ryan from theOwen.com got me started with RSS and newsfeeders when I attended his session at HICKTech at the end of April. The newsfeeder he was using is available at netvibes.com and I really like it. I did try the Bloglines suggested in this week's activities but I'm so used to Netvibes that I don't think I will switch.

Both do pretty much the same thing but I like the final look of Netvibes. I like the way you can set up tabs so you can group similar types of feeds together. I have a tab for General stuff like the weather, as well as tabs for Library stuff, and of course one for Harry Potter stuff. I did this using folders in Bloglines but it's not as clean of a look. You can also move things around very easily so your favourite feeds appear just where you want them.

What I really prefer about Netvibes is that once you have viewed a news item or blog post it behaves very much like email. It still shows in your list but is no longer shown as an 'unread' item. In Bloglines I'm sure there are settings that would let it do the same but as I will likely stay with Netvibes I probably won't investigate.

Both are very easy to use and I was impressed at how easy it is to set up a feed. When I first heard about RSS I was sure it must be for the real technogeeks. But with a bit of trial and error I have found it to be quite easy to set up.

Ryan's real push at HICKTech was for podcasts. I have looked into them in the past on my favourite Harry Potter site, The Leaky Cauldron. Netvibes lets you load the feeds for the podcasts and with a simple click of the play button you can begin the podcast right within the Netvibes site and listen while you check out all your other newsfeeds.

My biggest disappointment with RSS? That the Environment Canada weather site hasn't set one up yet. Again, the Weather Network site does the same thing but I prefer the format of the Environment Canada site - cleaner, less cluttered and not all the advertisements.

It's all what you get used to.

From flowers to shoeboxes...

Here are some shots from my garden. What a great way to share them with everyone and for me to enjoy when I can't be there.

The Flickr exercises this week are certainly fun. I can't believe how many images are stored on the Flickr site. While I was working on my pictures I noticed a message that said "2,970 images have been loaded in the last minute" In one minute! That's insane!

The many applications are neat and I'm sure people are finding some very interesting ways to apply them. Being someone who likes to organize and sort things I have created 'sets' for my pictures but found out tonight that unless you sign up (i.e. pay) for the Pro account you can only have 3 sets. I'll have to think about it as I already have a very good program for organizing my digital photos - Memory Manager by Creative Memories.


One of the features I like is the Flickr badge that enables a random assortment of your pictures to display on a blog, website or other web location. Have a look. It's at the bottom of this page and was very easy to create.

One of my real problems with digital images is that people are not printing their photos anymore. As a scrapbooker the concern used to be getting pictures out of shoeboxes in closets and into scrapbooks. Our computers have become the new shoeboxes but unlike the box in the closet, your images might not be available when you need them - unless, of course, you have them backed up. And I know we all do that on a regular basis ; )

Flickr

View my Flickr photos!

Not embarrassed (Okay, maybe a little)

Well, I've done it. I bought my advance tickets for the upcoming Harry Potter movie.

I know. It's kind of geeky but we all need our stress relief and well, Harry's one of mine.

Wine works for some people, but even that has it's own built in stress; everyone trying to show off their wine expertise. For me - as long as it's not too dry or too sweet, I'm happy.

And then there is golf. I have golfed 4 times in my life and half of them have been in the last 2 months. I don't mind it - it's mostly social for me but it's always there... Am I dressed right?, Do my clubs measure up? - I won't even go into skill. I do plan to golf more and I'll try to ignore all the baggage that goes with it.

I remember my mother was never one to play card games. Too many memories of having played the wrong card and being criticized for it. It took all the fun out it and made what is stress relief to many, stress-filled for her.

But with Harry, it's just pure fun. So, no apologies - this month is a definite highlight for me - movie #5 and book #7! Golfing may have to wait until August.

Strange title?

Choosing a title for your personal blog is a big decision. It should be unique, and yes, Emily, maybe even a little hokey. Anyone who knows me knows that I light up when I talk about anything to do with Harry and they also know how upset I would be if my mug at work got broken - it's covered with etched Mickey Mouse symbols.

I've come to the conclusion that the Lifelong Learning habit that I need to focus on the most is Play! And hence the name of my blog which is meant to reflect my playful side. There will always be more housework to do, more books to catalogue, more paperwork to file but you have to make time for play. So Harry, Mickey and Me it is (I could add Peanuts too, but I'll save that for another day).