Although I've been a member of LibraryThing since late 2006, I didn't realize that libraries could get in on the action. I think it works great for libraries, since I find it too much "work" to enter in my home collection of books, or even titles I'm currently reading from the library. I guess after all the cataloging I do at work, I've lost all interest in coming home to do it some more!
That said, I used to work at an optics library while I was pursuing my masters degree and I think that LibraryThing is a great tool for special collections (which are book oriented) because users with their special knowledge can add subject tags. This is an awesome tool that allows librarians to harness the knowledge of the users who know more about a subject than the librarian does!
Obviously, I've only sporadically used this site personally, but would love to implement it in our culinary library here at NECI to find out how useful the tag clouds are in guiding patrons' book searches.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Image generators: (Meez are the beez kneez)
I had such fun playing around with image generators! I especially liked creating a Meez avatar. It was easy to pick out which features and clothing I wanted to add.
There's so many directions to in with creating an "avie"; one with fantasy features (clown shoes and makeup with a krumping pose anyone?) or one that resembles you. I chose to make one that actually resembles me and added clothes that I might be caught wearing on the weekend. I then chose the "chillin" pose and put myself in a library background! Too much fun.
It was very easy to add the image to my blog afterward too. One of the selections on the "export" page is an icon for blogger. After I selected the blogger icon, entered my login and blog title, and viola! it populated directly to my blog's sidebar.
There's so many directions to in with creating an "avie"; one with fantasy features (clown shoes and makeup with a krumping pose anyone?) or one that resembles you. I chose to make one that actually resembles me and added clothes that I might be caught wearing on the weekend. I then chose the "chillin" pose and put myself in a library background! Too much fun.
It was very easy to add the image to my blog afterward too. One of the selections on the "export" page is an icon for blogger. After I selected the blogger icon, entered my login and blog title, and viola! it populated directly to my blog's sidebar.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Social Networking sites
I think it's important for libraries to be a part of the social networking sites because:
1. It's a way of projecting a library's presence out into the web in a fun and easy to use format (some libraries OPAC are overly sterile and/or unwieldy).
2. It's a free way to make announcements and market your events or projects.
3. It's an opportunity to get feedback from your patrons who might not be willing to approach someone at the library.
4. It let's libraries/librarians see what other libraries/librarians are doing and get inspired.
1. It's a way of projecting a library's presence out into the web in a fun and easy to use format (some libraries OPAC are overly sterile and/or unwieldy).
2. It's a free way to make announcements and market your events or projects.
3. It's an opportunity to get feedback from your patrons who might not be willing to approach someone at the library.
4. It let's libraries/librarians see what other libraries/librarians are doing and get inspired.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Spokeo = spooky?
An article in Newsweek, Friends under the microscope, first brought the site spokeo to my attention. It's one of those web 2.0 apps that are bound to bring fear and loathing to the hearts of privacy lovers everywhere. Being somewhat of a millennial, I don't have the paranoid tendencies of most technophobes, so of course, I wanted to check it out straight away! I have to admit, I can see both the appeal of the site and yet understand why it can be disturbing.
The site is dedicated to allowing users to track this friends online content (which is public information since it's is out there in cyperspace) without having to access each application- much like a RSS aggregator allows one to read various blogs in one central format without going to each blog's site.
Spokeo specifically advertises "Track your friends. Spokeo tracks your friends' new content, so you don't have to visit their websites one by one." And, "Spokeo find your friends' blogs and photos that you never knew about, guaranteed."
And they are right. I uploaded my address books from my various email accounts. I found people's (including my husband's) amazon wish lists and shopping carts. I found pictures uploaded from site like Flickr and Picasa from old co-workers or friends that I'm no longer in contact with (but since I have their email, they are tracked on this site). Which of course, made me feel like some kind of stalker type. Or at least like an uncomfortable voyeur.
It is a little spooky, even for this tech enthusiast. That said, I will continue to use this site because it's the only way I can track updates on everyone's online content without having to visit their various sites, which is so much easier for me (just like RSS). And I can easily delete the people that I am not interested in tracking from my "friends" list on spokeo, so I don't have to feel uncomfortable viewing their online info.
The site is dedicated to allowing users to track this friends online content (which is public information since it's is out there in cyperspace) without having to access each application- much like a RSS aggregator allows one to read various blogs in one central format without going to each blog's site.
Spokeo specifically advertises "Track your friends. Spokeo tracks your friends' new content, so you don't have to visit their websites one by one." And, "Spokeo find your friends' blogs and photos that you never knew about, guaranteed."
And they are right. I uploaded my address books from my various email accounts. I found people's (including my husband's) amazon wish lists and shopping carts. I found pictures uploaded from site like Flickr and Picasa from old co-workers or friends that I'm no longer in contact with (but since I have their email, they are tracked on this site). Which of course, made me feel like some kind of stalker type. Or at least like an uncomfortable voyeur.
It is a little spooky, even for this tech enthusiast. That said, I will continue to use this site because it's the only way I can track updates on everyone's online content without having to visit their various sites, which is so much easier for me (just like RSS). And I can easily delete the people that I am not interested in tracking from my "friends" list on spokeo, so I don't have to feel uncomfortable viewing their online info.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
RSS
What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?
What I like most about RSS and newsreaders is that I can synthesize my reading(s) into one area. I especially like google's because I can read my feeds regardless of what computer I'm using. This is very convenient for me, to keep abreast of my reading whether I'm on the home desktop, my lap top or my work computers.
How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your library or personal life?
I think this technology is very useful for any library because there are blogs for most types of employment types. There are even some cool dewey blogs! I like the also like the medical library blogs.
How can libraries use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?
Obviously libraries can take advantage of RSS by pushing updated info out to their customers by keeping their own blogs or by subscribing to relevant blogs out there that will keep the librarian abreast of relevant information.
What I like most about RSS and newsreaders is that I can synthesize my reading(s) into one area. I especially like google's because I can read my feeds regardless of what computer I'm using. This is very convenient for me, to keep abreast of my reading whether I'm on the home desktop, my lap top or my work computers.
How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your library or personal life?
I think this technology is very useful for any library because there are blogs for most types of employment types. There are even some cool dewey blogs! I like the also like the medical library blogs.
How can libraries use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?
Obviously libraries can take advantage of RSS by pushing updated info out to their customers by keeping their own blogs or by subscribing to relevant blogs out there that will keep the librarian abreast of relevant information.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Flickr
For the Flickr exercises, I decided to do option B: I brought in my digital camera to take pictures of the NECI Essex Child Library. I uploaded and tagged the photos, and joined the group setup for the Vermont 23 Things to share my photos.
The photos I took are of the outside of our building and all the inside rooms of the library.
In my experience, as a first time Flickr user, the process was easy. I really liked the fact that (unlike blogger) you can upload a group of photos at once and it doesn't take very long.
The photos I took are of the outside of our building and all the inside rooms of the library.
In my experience, as a first time Flickr user, the process was easy. I really liked the fact that (unlike blogger) you can upload a group of photos at once and it doesn't take very long.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Blogs and the workplace
Although we are currently exploring and using Flickr in fun and creative ways, and posting our experiences in our respective Vermont's 23 Things blogs, blogs and the workplace can also spell trouble.
Came across this reminder in the New York Times today, "CNN Producer says he was fired for blogging", on how sometimes personal views on blogs may be perceived negatively by employers. In this case, resulting in job termination for violation of company policy. I think some good points are made here about where the line is drawn- over comments on social networking sites, or even anything posted in an online forum can be considered by the company. We even get to find out what the NY Times own blog policy is for their employees.
Came across this reminder in the New York Times today, "CNN Producer says he was fired for blogging", on how sometimes personal views on blogs may be perceived negatively by employers. In this case, resulting in job termination for violation of company policy. I think some good points are made here about where the line is drawn- over comments on social networking sites, or even anything posted in an online forum can be considered by the company. We even get to find out what the NY Times own blog policy is for their employees.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Lifelong Learning
For the exercise on Lifelong Learning, I watched the tutorial on the 7 & 1/2 habits of successful lifelong learners.
Of the 7 & 1/2 habits, for me the easiest is: Habit 6 – Use technology to your advantage.
I've really enjoyed the advances in technologies that make my life easier and more interesting. For example, email and the internet allow me to stay in touch with friends and family on the West Coast. Also, at my job where the campuses are split between Montpelier and Essex, we are able to email back and forth with little effort to keep the libraries running smoothly and to share our resources via the online catalog.
The habit that is hardest for me is: Habit #7 – Teach and mentor others.
As a newly minted librarian myself, I really haven't had the opportunity yet. Although when I think about my own mentors, and how much of a positive impact they've had on me, I can understand why this is included in the list.
My only confusion is on Habit #7 1/2 – Play; why is it considered 1/2 of a habit rather than the 8th Habit? Perhaps because play is a common trait found in mammals, ergo there's less to learn? I'm really not sure...
Of the 7 & 1/2 habits, for me the easiest is: Habit 6 – Use technology to your advantage.
I've really enjoyed the advances in technologies that make my life easier and more interesting. For example, email and the internet allow me to stay in touch with friends and family on the West Coast. Also, at my job where the campuses are split between Montpelier and Essex, we are able to email back and forth with little effort to keep the libraries running smoothly and to share our resources via the online catalog.
The habit that is hardest for me is: Habit #7 – Teach and mentor others.
As a newly minted librarian myself, I really haven't had the opportunity yet. Although when I think about my own mentors, and how much of a positive impact they've had on me, I can understand why this is included in the list.
My only confusion is on Habit #7 1/2 – Play; why is it considered 1/2 of a habit rather than the 8th Habit? Perhaps because play is a common trait found in mammals, ergo there's less to learn? I'm really not sure...
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