Week 9, Thing 21 Podcasts

Not loving the podcasts. I am really not an auditory learner. Therefore I think that I do not appreciate this format as much as some might. I would really rather see the speaker and have something written to refer to. As far as using the podcast format in libraries, I did like the podcasts from Opal (Online Programming for all Libraries). These podcasts are short and cover various topics of interest to librarians. I listened to a podcast on the Milennial generation. The podcast gave some interesting ideas about how we can tailor library services to this particular generation of customers.

I also listened to podcasts from a public library that broadcast news to customers about library issues. This may be of more interest to librarians than the general public. It might be cool to add a monthly podcast to the library's homepage. The podcast could mention upcoming events at the library, just like the PSAs we do with Metrocast cable. Just an idea!

Week 9, Thing 20 YouTube

YouTube is certainly entertaining. I could see how you could spend hours looking at the videos! I chose a Jordache jeans video from the 80's. Jordache jeans were very big when I was a middle schooler. This video took me back to my middle school days and made me laugh.

Week 8, Thing 19 Web 2.0 Awards

I explored a cool site called cocktail builder. You can tell it what you have in your bar and then it tells you a bunch of cocktails you can make and how to make them. You can also make a bar menu to hand out to guests at a party. They can then choose what they would like to drink. There is also a search function to find recipes for cocktails you know of, but don't know the ingredients or how to make them. Great fun for parties! We could suggest this tool to customers planning parties or weddings. It would also be a cool addition to a book display for summer barbeques or cocktail parties.

Week 8, Thing 18 Google Docs

I made a test document in Google docs. It seems fairly easy to use. I can see the benefit of using these online productivity tools. Collaboration and easy access would seem to be the best reasons to use these tools. I don't quite understand how you can save a doc in Google docs as a Word file and attach it to emails as a Word file. But Google docs says you can!

Week 7, Thing 17 Learning 2.0 SandBox wiki

I added a few foods to "favorite foods" and books to "favorite children's books". A pretty cool way to collaborate on stuff!

Week 7, Thing 16 Wikis

Wow! I was just looking at the subject guides wiki that was created by SJCPL and I really like it. What a great way to organize all types of information that customers are interested in, all in one place! For example, under "Gardening" there are links to local gardening resources, great gardening websites, book covers of recently added gardening books, lists of gardening magazines, and community information about gardening (Master Gardener classes). What a great application for a wikis in libraries. This looks like it took a tremendous amount of time to create and upkeep but I think it would be worth it.

I also like the idea of a book review wiki open to both library staff and the public. However, to really get this going you need some people that really want to share their opinions with others and are willing to take a little time to contribute to the wiki. I like the book review wiki created by Princeton Public Library. They have a book lovers club that was dedicated to creating this wiki. I love the book covers they added.

Week 6, Thing 15

Icebergs

It's not hard to agree with Rick Anderson's article on library "icebergs". I am often asked by customers for help navigating something as simple as our library catalog. It seems fairly simple to us and I think most people are able to navigate it without too much trouble, but even our catalog could probably be made simpler and more user friendly. Libraries should definately focus efforts on simplifying ways for customers to access information. I also agree with Mr. Anderson on the topic of pumping up library services on the web.