Podcasts #2

I listened to the beginning of several children's stories, and can't imagine children actually sitting still to listen to these. I'm not sure there's any use we can make of podcasts. The video casts, yes, but not podcasts.

Podcasts

I found most everything blocked by WebSense. I did enjoy listening to several "samples" of songs. I found one podcast that I could send to GoogleReader, but thinking there would be more I didn't "send" it. I then looked around for others, couldn't find anything and then couldn't go back to the one I did find. I don't see too many uses of this in the library.

YouTube

This is the first time I've looked at YouTube. I found it very easy to search. It was very interesting to see the videos that came up for a search of Virginia Beach. I'm including the following video because, as a knitter, I found it hilarious. I espcially like the comments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz8LPZ1Hxrk

I think using YouTube would be a great way to show patrons how to search the catalog, use our resources, give virtual tours of the libraries and provide programs.

Flickr Tools

Enjoyed looking through, especially Montagr. Still prefer reading.

Flickr Tags

Tags seem to be important as finding tools. The more specific the better.

Flickr

I like this picture. I wish it were here!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hershman/337001850/

Flickr appears to be very easy to use. It should be a great way to send photos to friends/family out of town.

Web 2.0 Awards List

I like LibraryThing.

Technorati

What a great way to pull "everything" together and the keep yourself informed throughout the day. Will I use this? No. I don't spend that much time on the computer, especially after work.

Tagging, Folksonomy, Technorati

This looks great for people who spend a great deal of time on computers. For the rest of us, interesting, but not something I plan on using.

MySpace

It certainly does look easy with lots of help, codes, etc. and I certainly see lots of people (usually younger patrons) using library computers to checkout their "spaces." They are often frustrated with our 30 minute time limits. I choose not to create a profile.

Online Social Networking in VBPL

Sounds like a great way to put out announcements about programs, services, new books, etc. But who is going to do this work, keep it up-to-date, answer questions and messages? Will a "friends" level be set that if we don't reach this level, it's not worth it? Sounds good, but sounds like work for ____ who? We're already stretching ourselves on the desks. Will new staff be hired?

Posting to Staff Picks

It was very easy once I asked one of our resident experts (Matthew) how to "post." I didn't realize that "edit" meant "post." It was fun to read some of the other picks. I think some of our patrons would enjoy adding their favorites as well.

Wikis in Libraries

As long as someone is going to monitor a wiki, it seems that there are lots of uses for them in libraries.

IM at VBPL

I think it's a good fit, and I imagine we'll be offering more hours once we learn more as a staff and a system. An IM staffer here says it's going well, but the customers don't always wait for an answer to their question. I guess they want an instant response just as if they're having a conversation. It's flattering to have customers think "we" know everything about everything!

Instant Messaging

Instant messaging is certainly "here" and we need to have it available for fast contact from and getting answers to our customers--espcially the young customers who are using IM more than e-mails and the phone. It also seems that more and more adults are using IM as a mehtod of fast communication--it certainly beats the long distance phone bills.

RSS Search Tools

Feedster was down, Topix.net and Syndic8.com were okay. I'm confused on how to add blogs to Google Reader. News feeds are wonderfully easy.

RSS

I like it. I had never heard of this before, so I was certainly curious. Now I know. It will make keeping up with the news so much faster and easier--one site instead of many.

Web 2.0

I have to admit that I've always heard the terms blogs, blogging, etc., without really knowing what they meant and how they worked with the Internet, web pages, and everything else. It'll be great to pull it all together.

7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners

Easiest Habit: Habit 1. It's always easy to say "I want to do/be (something)." It's not until you start thinking about what steps, etc., need to be taken/done to get to the end that it turns hard.

Hardest Habit: Habit 3. It's way too easy to reach a "problem," say I can't do this, and quit.