Explored flickr today as part of SLJ2.0. Using the search term libraries, I found 1,031,906 matches. Looking through many of the images I was treated to libraries of all manner, from the personal to majestic structures. I even found images of famous staircases I trod during my tenure as student and Librarian in the quest for knowledge and skills I could use in providing customers the best service imaginable. Take a peek:
Our library has a wiki under construction. The public section has yet to be made public. The staff side is developing well and now that I have looked at some library wikis as part of Learning 2.0, I have a better grasp of how the wiki will help us streamline some activities, improve communication, and facilitate team-building. The St. Joseph County Public Library Subject Guides and the Albany County Public Library Staff Wiki are two wikis I certainly will use as examples as we discuss such topics as managing our pathfinders and updating our procedures.
Bookwink
http://bookwink.com/
Just One More Book!!
www.justonemorebook.com/
Nancy Pearl Book Reviews
http://kuow.org/program.php?current=NP
PRI:Afropop Worldwide
www.afropop.org/
Casting about for podcasts to add to my RSS aggregator reeled in some treasures for me, either in the form of sites or ideas. I found podcasting easier to fathom than RSS. Through RSS our Library would be able to provide customers with the latest news about programs, services, and materials without them having to visit the Library’s web site first. But podcasting would allow us to provide content created by staff. In Children’s Services we are already fiddling with Audacity, recording very brief booktalks that we plan to make public once we have polished our technique. I envision us providing stories for our listeners. But why not invite them to contribute content in the form of reviews of their favorite books- or other materials available at the Library? Author and illustrator visits provide an opportunity for podcast interviews. Even as I subscribe to podcasts purely for personal reasons, I find myself thinking about the possibilities for our Library, and therefore our customers, and I am excited!
I realized an hour ago that I won’t be getting much sleep for the next 11-12 weeks due to the leap I decided to take this week. It’s our typical busy summer season at the library, so I am working on 2.0 assignments after hours. I now have my aggregator in place, with my RSS feeds neatly organized in folders. Okay, I’ll admit it- I’m still up because I couldn’t resist the temptation to read the feeds as I subscribed to a multitude of sites. Currently, my aggregator tab shows 102 feeds. Since I am new to RSS, I have no idea if that is high, low, whatever. The number just jumped to 107 and I haven’t added half of my favorite sources for news, etc.
I also spent time tonight checking out a number of the ATN community’s blogs. Some of them led me down other paths, such as Baby Boomer Librarian’s insightful lists of ways to encourage and discourage young Librarians. Since I plan to visit each blog, I guess I will continue to be sleep-deprived. The adrenalin is a-pumping. I know it is from the stimulation I am experiencing as I participate in this venture. I am gleaning much that I could use at work.
Prior to this course, I shied away from RSS because I sometimes feel the need to disconnect, to not be wired, to defend myself against information overload. I did not relish the thought of information coming at me fast and furious at warp speed. But I do know how to turn off the TV and the radio, to log out of my email, to let the phone go to voice mail. I see my aggregator has a Sign Out link. I’ll just make use of it when I feel the need to go in search of some quiet time. Maybe even read a book.
Well, I have taken the leap. I’m taking a Learning 2.0 course. Hopefully, I’ll know a lot more about Web 2.0 after 12 weeks. I work at a public library and I want to keep up with the new technologies.
