Library 2.0 assignment

As I read through these articles on Library 2.0 certain thoughts keep going through my head. Unfortunately, there seems to be a gap in the type of customers we serve. There are those who are familiar with and excited about new technologies and are ready for libraries to advance and there are those who are fearful of even using a computer. We have to be ready to serve customers at either end and in between. It sounds great to get so much information online, but not everybody is ready to embrace that.

I do agree that we have to be careful to choose technology that helps us to help our customers. Not every great new thing will be practical for the library, but the right technology will smooth the way for us to provide services to our patrons.

Here in our library, we do try to practice continual change and improvements. We test new technologies and try to respond to our customers' needs. Yea TCCL!

Technorati assignment

This one isn't for me. I'm just not finding that I want to spend time reading blogs. There are just too many other things for me to be doing. I'm glad to know about it so that if my customers are wanting a way to find blogs I can let them know, but I'll pass on it.

Delicious assignment

I've been playing with Delicious and I do think it will be helpful in organizing my sites. I'm starting to put together some of my favorite map sites, and this will help me to organize my thoughts. Plus, I'll be able to access these from any pc anytime I need them (as long as I can remember this password!).

rollyo assignment

Since I was asking Jackie for a list of event calendars just the other day, I decided that would be a good rollyo list to make http://www.rollyo.com/search.html?q=event+calendars&sid=518004. This could be a handy way to keep our favorite sites organized. I've been trying to organize folders to help with that. Now, maybe I'll explore this option and see how it works.

LibraryThing assignment

I forgot to link to my catalog. Here is my list so far. http://www.librarything.com/catalog/kmch&sort=stamp

LibraryThing assignment

I've added some titles now in LibraryThing http://www.librarything.com/home/kmch. I suppose this could be a way to keep track of my reading list. It seems very easy to use. Maybe when I have more time, I'll play with it more.

Image Generator Assignment

If you haven't tried Ben & Jerry's flavor generator http://www.benjerry.com/scoop_shops/dousaflavor/flavor_generator.cfm, it's a hoot. I had a lot of fun creating "All American Apple Pie" with apple cinnamon ice cream, walnuts, pie crust, and a caramel ribbon.

After looking through several other possibilities in the Generator Blog, I found the soft drink generator http://www.says-it.com/softdrink/can.php. It was also very amusing.

RSS searching

I've been looking through the RSS search tools and I think I like the set up of Technorati best. It allows for quite a bit of flexability while still providing some guidance if you are not sure where to start. Topix.net seemed very limited in its focus on the news. I really didn't like Syndic8 and I'm not sure why. Something about the layout and the random selections disagreed with me. You have to scroll down to find the searchline, and the results lists were unappealing or the search did not come up with any results. I will pass on that one. Bloglines search tool was fine for a quick search, but did not offer browsing options.

Overall, I would have to agree with Cara when she said in her blog that it is more fun to stumble on an RSS feed while you're browsing through Internet sites rather than just looking for one through these searches.

RSS Feeds

I think I am getting the hang of this, but I don't think I am going to get too attached to RSS feeds. It took me a few tries, and it didn't help that I started the whole process one day and finished another day. Now with all that trial and error, I have way too many feeds to keep up with. I hope one of our next lessons will be how to cancel feeds?

I can see how it could be helpful to receive notices on events and new books and the like. But, since I can't even keep up with email, I have little confidence that I will pay much attention to the feeds. At least, I'll know more about guiding our customers to our RSS feed links and will be able to tell them a little bit about what these are.

technology "tries"

I've been feeling better about learning to IM and to text. Since I was going to be doing the 23 things, I decided I would also sign up for Facebook and see what that is about. It has turned out to be a fun way to get in touch with a lot of friends I haven't seen in years. Now we'll see what 23 things has in store next!