Hey, 10 Things Team! Please look over my blog and make sure I've successfully completed each step.
This has been a great experience, and I look forward to what's in store at Staff Day 2007. I'm also thinking of keeping this blog going. Don't worry, I'm still not planning on "wearing my heart on my computer screen." It just seems like a good forum for me to express my professional and technological growth as well as share resources with others.
Until my next post!
Mandy
A special "Heigh-Ho" from Kermit the Blog...oops...Kermit the Frog!
Friday, November 30, 2007
THING 5 -- Flickr and Photo Sharing
I knew this step would be quick, but convoluted. This has been the only one I have had to turn to someone for help...fortunately, I share a "suite" with the lovely Ruth in Youth. I got my picture up and all is well.
Believe it or not, I already had a Flickr account, but I've only used it for posting comments to friends' photos. I'm still undecided as to whether I will ever post pics of my own. I guess I could always set them as private...who knows!
The Library has been using this for some time, and I think it has been great way to publicize and showcase our great programs, collections, and facility. As a matter of fact, those could be some of the tags we use, as well as Adult Services and Youth Services.
Believe it or not, I already had a Flickr account, but I've only used it for posting comments to friends' photos. I'm still undecided as to whether I will ever post pics of my own. I guess I could always set them as private...who knows!
The Library has been using this for some time, and I think it has been great way to publicize and showcase our great programs, collections, and facility. As a matter of fact, those could be some of the tags we use, as well as Adult Services and Youth Services.
Mandy's Canine Soulmate
This is my lovely "little brother" Wilbur. I also have a cute new "brother" Django (whose picture I will have to post), but I wanted to give a shout-out to My Sweet Poochini first. Django has been getting too much attention lately!
THE LAST THING -- THING 5 -- Shudder and Shutter!!!
I shudder to think that I will be uploading a picture within the next 15 hours. I am no shutterbug and actually am morally opposed to the science of photography. OK, I'm not really that extreme, but I just hate having MY picture taken, so I feel obligated to pretend that it has a basis in my personal convictions, rather than the simple fact that I'm not photogenic. Now you know I wasn't just saving the best for last.
PHOTOS (but not of me) COMING VERY SOON!
PHOTOS (but not of me) COMING VERY SOON!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
THING 10 -- Virtual Library Branch
Skokie Public Library's Web site has been part of my life for more than 8.5 years. See, I feel as a Library employee, it is part of my job to be aware of the site and its many features. This isn't to say that I'm not surprised numerous times throughout the year at some of the great additions that just seem to magically appear on our site. Actually, I know "magic is just an illusion" and a lot of hard work goes into our wonderful site. The Skokie toolbar now gets just as much use as my Google toolbar.
I am kind of embarrassed to say that I have never downloaded an e-book before this experience. I spend a lot of time reading on computer screens for work and freelancing, so I prefer not to read for pleasure on the screen. Plus, I am one of those people who loves the actual experience of holding and feeling a book as well as reading it -- in other words, I am a kinesthetic learner. I do like the idea of e-books for textbooks or reference materials. Instead of buying a bulky textbook, students could merely subscribe to e-books for the length of class. I'm sure this would help med students, law students, or others who have to consult about 10 different books for a single class. I know they'd like to own some of the books, but they can make that determination after they've paid for a semester-long "subscription" to each of the books needed for that semester. I also am glad to see we have some Cliffs Notes in e-book format...COOL! This is the only way I'd really be able to read fiction e-books.
There are so many great databases on out Web site. I love Live Homework Help (Tutor.com). This is really helpful to the public as well as the librarians. It offers us an alternative to just saying, "No, we cannot help with homework." Some of my other favorites (for professional, personal, or both uses) are: Books in Print, the NewsBank archives, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, Corporate Affiliations, CQ Researcher, CultureGrams, Gale Virtual Reference Library, Kids Search, MEDLINE, NoveList, Public Records Electronic Database, Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries®, TeachingBooks.net, The TumbleBook Library for Kids, and World Book Online. PHEW!
I guess I am biased when I say we have a great Web site. I'm sure there are areas in which we could still grow, but none come to mind. I did explore some of the Web site's on Library Success' library web site hall of fame. I'm underwhelmed. With the recent addition of IM services, I think our Library is more than "Keeping up with the Joneses" technology-wise. And with this 1o Things initiative, I'm glad to see so many staff members are, too!!
Now, I just need to go back to Thing 5, upload a photo, and experience Flickr and I will be as on the ball as all the rest of those who've completed the journey!
I am kind of embarrassed to say that I have never downloaded an e-book before this experience. I spend a lot of time reading on computer screens for work and freelancing, so I prefer not to read for pleasure on the screen. Plus, I am one of those people who loves the actual experience of holding and feeling a book as well as reading it -- in other words, I am a kinesthetic learner. I do like the idea of e-books for textbooks or reference materials. Instead of buying a bulky textbook, students could merely subscribe to e-books for the length of class. I'm sure this would help med students, law students, or others who have to consult about 10 different books for a single class. I know they'd like to own some of the books, but they can make that determination after they've paid for a semester-long "subscription" to each of the books needed for that semester. I also am glad to see we have some Cliffs Notes in e-book format...COOL! This is the only way I'd really be able to read fiction e-books.
There are so many great databases on out Web site. I love Live Homework Help (Tutor.com). This is really helpful to the public as well as the librarians. It offers us an alternative to just saying, "No, we cannot help with homework." Some of my other favorites (for professional, personal, or both uses) are: Books in Print, the NewsBank archives, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, Corporate Affiliations, CQ Researcher, CultureGrams, Gale Virtual Reference Library, Kids Search, MEDLINE, NoveList, Public Records Electronic Database, Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries®, TeachingBooks.net, The TumbleBook Library for Kids, and World Book Online. PHEW!
I guess I am biased when I say we have a great Web site. I'm sure there are areas in which we could still grow, but none come to mind. I did explore some of the Web site's on Library Success' library web site hall of fame. I'm underwhelmed. With the recent addition of IM services, I think our Library is more than "Keeping up with the Joneses" technology-wise. And with this 1o Things initiative, I'm glad to see so many staff members are, too!!
Now, I just need to go back to Thing 5, upload a photo, and experience Flickr and I will be as on the ball as all the rest of those who've completed the journey!
THING 9 -- Google Tools - Online Productivity
I've played around with Google Docs before. It is nice for basic file transfering, especially when I don't have a flash drive handy. Mostly I've used it for basic documents, but today I also played around with the spreadsheet and presentation functions. I still prefer Microsoft Office products better, but since I don't have Excel or PowerPoint on my home computer, these are nice, simple options for me. Of course, part of the reason I do not own either of these software applications is because I rarely use them. This may change, now that I had fun with Google Docs online.
I also think the applications may be useful for our Library users. Many of them use our resources because they do not have certain capabilities at home. I've spoken with many kids who have Microsoft Office software, but not the Internet. Similarly, I've spoken to kids who have the Internet, but no word processing or other application software (for shame, yes, I know). This is a helpful tool for them to create and later retrieve documents.
Ah, yes, 1o Things Team, here you go once again...giving me still another exercise that helps me on two levels: personally AND professionally for myself and the patrons. If I wore a hat, I'd tip it to all four of you!
I also think the applications may be useful for our Library users. Many of them use our resources because they do not have certain capabilities at home. I've spoken with many kids who have Microsoft Office software, but not the Internet. Similarly, I've spoken to kids who have the Internet, but no word processing or other application software (for shame, yes, I know). This is a helpful tool for them to create and later retrieve documents.
Ah, yes, 1o Things Team, here you go once again...giving me still another exercise that helps me on two levels: personally AND professionally for myself and the patrons. If I wore a hat, I'd tip it to all four of you!
THING 8 -- Wikis
When someone says the word wiki, the first thing to come to mind, of course, is Wikipedia...or that Wiccan girl I knew in high school, but that's just me. I know there are many other wikis out there -- Ruth even found me my favorite, the Muppet Wiki, last year -- but Wikipedia is still the number one because it just about encompasses everything. I like the idea of specialized wikis and enjoyed reading and contributing to the 10Things wiki.
Still, I have kind of a love/hate relationship with Wikipedia and the ideas of wikis. I love them for random stuff, like learning about the origins of technology or the history of a soap opera character, but if I really want cut-and-dry facts, I'll consult a book (or Library database) first. The hate side really comes out when students come to the Library and tell me that their teachers recommend Wikipedia as a legitimate source for their research...URGH!! Don't get me wrong, Wikipedia has a lot of great factual information, but since it is more of a communal effort, I can't trust it as much. I think this distrust also has to do with the fact that I still work in the publishing world, something I will discuss further in a minute.
So, yeah, I can't trust Wikipedia as a source, does this mean I suffer from Radical Distrust? Maybe. I get the idea of Radical Trust and even sort of embrace it as a theory, but it is something I think we always have to be leery of. Yes there are safeguards, yes there are loopholes, but we always have to take everything bit by bit and piece by piece. Just because there are safeguards, we should never let our own guard down. We don't always know WHO is providing us with our information. Would you take a backdive trust fall into the arms of just anyone? I didn't think so.
Before I worked full-time in libraries, I worked full-time in the publishing world. I still work in the field quite actively as a freelance editor and writer for some educational publishers and healthcare organizations. Editors take facts and fact-checking VERY seriously. I know smart/talented people who have been let go from jobs for making just one factual error. Many journalists and writers also have valid fears that the concept of "Internet publishing" will diminish the hard work they do. I realize that each year, many books are published with factual errors. What you may not realize is how just about every nonfiction book is initially written with errors. It is the tedious collaborative effort between the author and the editorial staff that makes a book a worthy reference. There are multiple checks and balances. Sadly, sometimes so much time is spent on making sure a book is accurate that it becomes inaccurately out-of-date by the time it is printed (that is one draw of the Internet, being that its resources become "living" and "evolving" documents). Within the last few years, I have begun editing textbooks and I cannot begin to express the initial fear and paranoia I had. I still have nightmares that the multiple choice questions in the teacher's editions don't correlate with the text. Publishing is a precise and fastidious science. I sometimes feel that wikis diminish the value of a good hardbound reference.
Still, I have kind of a love/hate relationship with Wikipedia and the ideas of wikis. I love them for random stuff, like learning about the origins of technology or the history of a soap opera character, but if I really want cut-and-dry facts, I'll consult a book (or Library database) first. The hate side really comes out when students come to the Library and tell me that their teachers recommend Wikipedia as a legitimate source for their research...URGH!! Don't get me wrong, Wikipedia has a lot of great factual information, but since it is more of a communal effort, I can't trust it as much. I think this distrust also has to do with the fact that I still work in the publishing world, something I will discuss further in a minute.
So, yeah, I can't trust Wikipedia as a source, does this mean I suffer from Radical Distrust? Maybe. I get the idea of Radical Trust and even sort of embrace it as a theory, but it is something I think we always have to be leery of. Yes there are safeguards, yes there are loopholes, but we always have to take everything bit by bit and piece by piece. Just because there are safeguards, we should never let our own guard down. We don't always know WHO is providing us with our information. Would you take a backdive trust fall into the arms of just anyone? I didn't think so.
Before I worked full-time in libraries, I worked full-time in the publishing world. I still work in the field quite actively as a freelance editor and writer for some educational publishers and healthcare organizations. Editors take facts and fact-checking VERY seriously. I know smart/talented people who have been let go from jobs for making just one factual error. Many journalists and writers also have valid fears that the concept of "Internet publishing" will diminish the hard work they do. I realize that each year, many books are published with factual errors. What you may not realize is how just about every nonfiction book is initially written with errors. It is the tedious collaborative effort between the author and the editorial staff that makes a book a worthy reference. There are multiple checks and balances. Sadly, sometimes so much time is spent on making sure a book is accurate that it becomes inaccurately out-of-date by the time it is printed (that is one draw of the Internet, being that its resources become "living" and "evolving" documents). Within the last few years, I have begun editing textbooks and I cannot begin to express the initial fear and paranoia I had. I still have nightmares that the multiple choice questions in the teacher's editions don't correlate with the text. Publishing is a precise and fastidious science. I sometimes feel that wikis diminish the value of a good hardbound reference.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
THING 7 -- Podcasting
My first exposure to podcasting was a few years back when a local radio personality started podcasting his radio broadcasts. I'm not a huge fan of talk radio, but sometimes it is a nice diversion while you are doing something else (like putzing around doing crafts or housework). I listened occasionally and enjoyed the fact that I could listen on-demand, so to speak. I knew there were many other podcasts out there, but I guess I never really had the inclination to look further (I think I've said this of other "things" as well).
I decided to explore Learn Out Loud's podcast directory. The first podcasts I listened to were of Aesop's Fables. Yes, they were at the top of the alphabetical list and they are also relatively short, but that isn't why I chose them. I have always loved the witty morals of each fable and wanted to hear them performed. I must admit I was a little disappointed because they were read very quickly and with very little embellishment...boring! OK, well I got some more experience with podcasting, but I still needed more...and better.
I continued exploring Learn Out Loud and found some better podcasts. They have a lot of NPR podcasts, which I love. I also registered and will be exploring the site more in the future. I wanted and needed to search a few other directories before I got too involved with this site.
I then visited the Library Success Wiki and found many library-related podcasts. I know there have to be a lot more out there than they link to, but the ones on the wiki seem really professional and top notch. Booktalks Quick and Simple is an award-winning page that features almost 500 booktalks by children's librarian Nancy Keane. Her talks are less than 2 minutes per book, but very good (and helpful). I WILL DEFINITELY BE VISITING THIS SITE AGAIN!
Lastly, I visited Podcast Alley. This site was a little overwhelming, but I did download a few podcasts...this time more for personal interests. It has a "plethora" of podcasts and I know it's a great source if I'm looking for a very specific type of podcast, but I don't know if I'll be back anytime soon. I'd rather explore more libraries at the Library Success Wiki.
Podcasting could be a great tool for our Library (e.g. author talks, storytelling, interviews, etc.), I just don't know much about the technical aspects of creating one -- I know I could explore gabcast or other sites if I was so inclined. I would wholeheartedly support the Library in its podcasting efforts, I just wouldn't want my squeaky voice attached to any such projects!
I decided to explore Learn Out Loud's podcast directory. The first podcasts I listened to were of Aesop's Fables. Yes, they were at the top of the alphabetical list and they are also relatively short, but that isn't why I chose them. I have always loved the witty morals of each fable and wanted to hear them performed. I must admit I was a little disappointed because they were read very quickly and with very little embellishment...boring! OK, well I got some more experience with podcasting, but I still needed more...and better.
I continued exploring Learn Out Loud and found some better podcasts. They have a lot of NPR podcasts, which I love. I also registered and will be exploring the site more in the future. I wanted and needed to search a few other directories before I got too involved with this site.
I then visited the Library Success Wiki and found many library-related podcasts. I know there have to be a lot more out there than they link to, but the ones on the wiki seem really professional and top notch. Booktalks Quick and Simple is an award-winning page that features almost 500 booktalks by children's librarian Nancy Keane. Her talks are less than 2 minutes per book, but very good (and helpful). I WILL DEFINITELY BE VISITING THIS SITE AGAIN!
Lastly, I visited Podcast Alley. This site was a little overwhelming, but I did download a few podcasts...this time more for personal interests. It has a "plethora" of podcasts and I know it's a great source if I'm looking for a very specific type of podcast, but I don't know if I'll be back anytime soon. I'd rather explore more libraries at the Library Success Wiki.
Podcasting could be a great tool for our Library (e.g. author talks, storytelling, interviews, etc.), I just don't know much about the technical aspects of creating one -- I know I could explore gabcast or other sites if I was so inclined. I would wholeheartedly support the Library in its podcasting efforts, I just wouldn't want my squeaky voice attached to any such projects!
THING 6 -- Social Bookmarking
I have some familiarity with the concept of Social Bookmarking, as Ruth introduced me to furl a few years ago. I played around with the site for a little while, but I never got around to transitioning all of my bookmarks to it. Likewise, with del.icio.us, I find it very useful/helpful/time-saving, I just don't know if I will be organized enough to use it. Then again, I wasn't sure I would get into RSS feeds (rather than visiting the sites individually), and now I use them quite regularly.
Overall, the del.icio.us experience has been quite interesting. I spent a lot of time exploring other staff picks...FUN!
I also added my own staff pick, kidsinmind.com. This site is great for parents who would like to "monitor" the appropriateness of popular films before they watch them...because, no, not every parent has the time or inclination to pre-view every film their children want to see. Granted, whenever I recommend this site to parents, I always warn them that the play-by-play of each movie is so detailed that it may ruin parts of the movie for them, but it is great if they want a heads-up for questionable behavior (before they head out to the theater or check out the DVD). I also use it to help me when ordering DVDs. While I really do watch many of the films in our department, there are some I have no desire to see (e.g. "The Game Plan") and sometimes there is a fine line whether a movie would be better served in the Adult or Youth collections. This site breaks down any questionable content into three categories: sex & nudity; violence & gore; and profanity. It really dissects things at a basic level, even an innocent peck on a cheek or use of the word "dummy" would be listed.
Here is an example of some of the more innocent occurences for each category (from the listing for "The Game Plan"):
Sex & Nudity -- A girl pushes a "romance" button on a remote control and the lights dim and romantic music plays.
Violence & Gore -- A man is blasted with super soakers and water balloons (he is not harmed).
Profanity -- 1 mild anatomical term (butt), Name-calling (stupid, mean, idiot).
The site also lists discussion topics and sums up what they believe each movie's "message" is. Whether or not you have children in your life, I urge you all to take a look at this helpful Web site.
Going back to the premise of Social Bookmarking, I think some useful tags for the Library would include Library departments that sites may be relevant to, collection areas, user interest areas, etc. I also like many of the tags that other staff members came up with. I am constanly surprised at how on each Thing I have accomplished, I have learned so much from the other perspectives of the staff participating. I am learning just by doing, but then I am also learning by reading what others have done...ADDED BONUS!
Overall, the del.icio.us experience has been quite interesting. I spent a lot of time exploring other staff picks...FUN!
I also added my own staff pick, kidsinmind.com. This site is great for parents who would like to "monitor" the appropriateness of popular films before they watch them...because, no, not every parent has the time or inclination to pre-view every film their children want to see. Granted, whenever I recommend this site to parents, I always warn them that the play-by-play of each movie is so detailed that it may ruin parts of the movie for them, but it is great if they want a heads-up for questionable behavior (before they head out to the theater or check out the DVD). I also use it to help me when ordering DVDs. While I really do watch many of the films in our department, there are some I have no desire to see (e.g. "The Game Plan") and sometimes there is a fine line whether a movie would be better served in the Adult or Youth collections. This site breaks down any questionable content into three categories: sex & nudity; violence & gore; and profanity. It really dissects things at a basic level, even an innocent peck on a cheek or use of the word "dummy" would be listed.
Here is an example of some of the more innocent occurences for each category (from the listing for "The Game Plan"):
Sex & Nudity -- A girl pushes a "romance" button on a remote control and the lights dim and romantic music plays.
Violence & Gore -- A man is blasted with super soakers and water balloons (he is not harmed).
Profanity -- 1 mild anatomical term (butt), Name-calling (stupid, mean, idiot).
The site also lists discussion topics and sums up what they believe each movie's "message" is. Whether or not you have children in your life, I urge you all to take a look at this helpful Web site.
Going back to the premise of Social Bookmarking, I think some useful tags for the Library would include Library departments that sites may be relevant to, collection areas, user interest areas, etc. I also like many of the tags that other staff members came up with. I am constanly surprised at how on each Thing I have accomplished, I have learned so much from the other perspectives of the staff participating. I am learning just by doing, but then I am also learning by reading what others have done...ADDED BONUS!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
THINGS
I've done a few more "things" and will try to blog about them later this week. Everything is going well...this is still a lot of fun. I just have to gather my thoughts so that I can write something mildly coherent. See you soon!
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