Program Review

My favorite part of this program was exploring technorati. Its a great way to find new sources of info. I am not sure yet how this program will fit into my lifelong learning goals. I didn't have any unexpected outcomes.

One way to improve upon this program would be to institute workshops to help people along the way. The open time in the computer lab was a good start and I think more guided instruction during that time would be beneficial to many.

I would definitely participate in something like this again--especially if there are prizes!

Audiobooks

Fahrenheit 451:

"The system was simple. Everyone understood it. Books were for burning, along with the houses in which they were hidden. Guy Montag was a fireman whose job it was to start fires, and he enjoys his job. He had been a fireman for ten years, and never questioned the pleasure of the midnight runs nor the joy of watching pages consumed by flames. He never questioned anything until he met a seventeen-year-old girl who told him of a past when people were not afraid and a professor who told him of a future in which people could think. Guy Montag suddenly realized what he had to do."

Podcast

Everymorning I try to listen to Opie and Anthony on the radio but I didn't know they had a free podcast. I am not sure how podcasts fit into the library: but it is good for staff to know about them for when patrons ask.

Youtube

The library does get alot of mail...

I think educational videos on youtube could help patrons. Any videos on how to use the computer, word processing, etc.

Last.fm

Last.fm is a website that allows you to listen to alot of music for free. You can also post comments about music and watch videos (usually Youtube links). I am not sure that this site would work in a library, other than to recommend it to a patron looking for music.

Zoho Writer

Zoho Writer is a great application. I have been using google docs for a couple of years (previously called writely) and use it frequently. These applications work well for anyone who uses more than one computer. Or for those who always misplace their USB drive (like me).

PBCLS Wiki

I found an interesting post about mangos on the PBCLS wiki.

Wiki

I think the best practices wiki is a good idea. One area in our library where a wiki would work is for computer problems and solutions. Patron questions about how to use the computer could be put in a wiki. Also issues like paper jams could be included.

2.0 Perspectives

Into a new world of librarianship talks about how librarians need to be trendspotters. I think this is really imprortant. Technology and information are ever evolving and we need to keep an eye out for what is coming.

Technorati

This is great for those days when you feel like you've surfed every page of the internet. I found that I like the most viewed blog boing boing. My favorite part of technorati is finding out what is popular.

Del.icio.us

Del.icio.us is a great way to stay organized. I found a cool calulator on the hotlist that works much better than the one that comes with windows.

RSS

RSS feeds provide a nice way to get information. I like the way bloglines has set everything up to be clutter free. It seems like a nice and simple design. It was overwhelming to choose the feeds because of the vast selection.

The Machinist

The Machinist is a blog on salon.com about technology that's always full of great technological tidbits. This post is about the successor to Windows Vista, Window's 7, slated to come out in 2009 or 2010. Windows decided to use a touch screen interface--one very similar to the IPhone, which is already out. The Machinist points out that the apple device is already about to release its second version of the touch software. With Vista still yet to prove itself, apple appears to be years ahead.

Lucy

Lucy
Originally uploaded by matthewtselby

Now accepting bids to make Lucy the new library mascott (sorry Dewey).

Blogging in the Library

Blogging can be used to spread new ideas and concepts. When new web applications come out, staff can blog about them so we are ready for any issues that may arise when patrons are using the new applicaiton.

7 1/2 things

I thought the 7 1/2 things was a good exercise because it can be applied to everyone. The part I think will be the most difficult for me is the one about setting good well defined goals. Sometimes have trouble with followthrough and having clear goals would help with this.