Thing #30 - More Ways to Use RSS & Delicious

Well, first off, yeah, that Delicious is now the name of the site instead of del.ic.ious or whatever the heck it used to be. It was sooo frustrating!

I found that I do not like filtering my RSS feeds. I tried Spreeder and that was a total waste of time if you ask me...but then again, I pretty much feel like my RSS feeds are manageable.

Popacular - I found the all-time highest ranked websites most interesting.

Insuggest - It didn't work for my username. I tried other people's user names and it worked so. . . what's wrong with me? *sniffle* Oh, well. Maybe you need a minimum of bookmarks on Delicious for it to work?

I started a thread on the Ning for everyone to share their Delicious id to promote networking with our community there. And I have to admit, I'm curious to see what everyone else finds interesting enough to bookmark.

I don't really use Delicious for anything more beyond bookmarking yet. I am trying to build a Delicious network but really am not certain that I'll use it. Twitter seems be working for me for that networking purposes.

I really like the 43marks.com site - just started using that tool and it really works with the way I think visually - I like that I can sort this way - prefer that over Delicious' presentation. Althought with it being in beta it does make me nervous...would hate to put all my bookmarks there and then lose them (and the time putting them in) if it would become unavailable...which sometimes happens with things in Beta.

Thing #29 Google Tools

I chose to use:

Google Alerts (Because hey, I already use a zillion of their tools.) I set up some alert searches for:

• "Library Use Economy"
• "Kee Town & Country Centre" (a nonprofit board I am on)
• "Albert Lea Public Library" (where I work)
• My name

Basically, I thought it'd be a great way to stay on top of news and possible references to these topics in the news. Very happy to have added this to my Google tool repertoire.

I worked with Google Sites for a while. Am actually going to suggest my nonprofit group use this for our website because of the functionality it offers - multiple people can cooperatively edit and update. Very nice features. It is not as user friendly as it could be, however, as I had some frustration manipulating the navigation bar and adding pages. I've worked with programs that were more intuitive to the user. This isn't one of them. A bit clunky but I am hopeful that Google will improve it as time goes on since many of their other apps are so slick.

I am also a user of Google Health. I basically use it to enter in general health stats so that I have an easy reference for looking up the last time I had a shot or what my blood pressure has been, that sort of thing, since none of my health care providers have the sharing function that is offered with some providers.

I also use Google Calender...not extensively but I think I'll be using it more since you can put the calender on your Google Site. (How handy.) And share it.

Thing #28 Startpage

I've had both iGoogle and MyYahoo startpages. I ended up switching over primarily to iGoogle - I enjoy the multiple functions that it allows and often use Google tools for work and personal.

MyYahoo has some functions I really enjoy - I read Garfield and Ziggy and also look at current movie showings at local theaters. So, sometimes I check that on the weekend. :o)

iGoogle may not be the end-all be-all of startpages but it offers more than I can use and all that I need. I have had it happen with other Google before that they'd try something in Beta and then discontinue it (even though I loved it) but this will be around for good it appears with more and more to offer.

I used Blidget and added a widget that links back to my podcast at work. So, hopefully that will increase exposure as well. Blidget might be very handy for crossreferencing the three main websites we use at our library. We have a blog, a homepage and the podcast. I will certainly be trying things out.

Speaking of comics...everyone has seen Unshelved, right?? Hilarious! I love the one where the public internet computers go down and everyone is circling the desk with pitchforks...LOL

Podcasting for Libraries: Part 2

2). Programming Content

Copyright Law & Content

Copyright prohibits the use of a work by anyone other than the author. It is a common mis-perception that if you are not benefiting or making money from the work that you can use it as you will, however, this is not true. The Disney Corporation and various music production companies are well known for guarding their assets to the teeth so it is a good idea to take copyright infringement lightly, either ethically or financially.

For a work to be in the public domain it must be:

Published prior to 1923

or

Published without copyright notice between 1923 and 1977

or

Published with notice between 1923 and 1963 but copyright was not renewed

or

Published between 1978 and March 1, 1989 but without notice and without subsequent registration within 5 years

Otherwise the work still has copyright on it. Notice that all these laws change from country to country – you might not be able to use a book here in the US but find that it is within the public domain in another country. For more information, visit http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain/

Certain exceptions do apply. The doctrine of “fair use” allows for limited reproduction of a work for scholarly purposes, criticism and comment. For more information, visit: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

Upcoming blog posts will cover these following topics in Part 2:

Copyright Law & Content

• General law

Searching for Content

• Public Domain Literature
• Obtaining Author & Publisher Permission for Copyrighted Materials

Thing #27 - Twitter

I've joined Twitter...and will now wait with baited breath...just how exciting will it be? I think the most exciting/interesting thing I had heard about Twitter was sometime, let's see, last year or year before? There was a demonstration/protest in the Twin Cities and people were able to avoid being dispersed or detained by the police by timely Tweets of the streets that the police were on. Viva revolucion!

I'm MnLibraryGrrl on Twitter. So come follow me - I'll be posting some library stuff, podcasting info, techie info that I can share.

I could see using this between staff to promote communication if we were a larger library. But I think it'd be overkill here.


I'll definitely be checking out if any of my friends are on Twitter. It'd be a handy way to keep up with them as I am a fan of Facebook's update but never seem to get there regularly.

Update: I've been on Twitter for about four days? I've already found use for it. I shared information that I had - one post was already "retweeted" and I've also asked for ideas and gotten responses. I like it!

Thing #26 - Ning

I joined the Ning in round 1, but sadly didn't do much with it. When I revisited it this time around I was glad to see some people I had met at a workshop - so I was able to have some Friends. (Yay!)

I started a discussion topic for Teen Tech Week. Someone has responded - hopefully that will see some more action. I didn't see any groups to belong to...so maybe I'll start one. :o)

I can see using a Ning in my personal life, specifically, some of my friends from high school and I are in charge of our next high school reunion - this might come in handy for getting organized and reconnecting classmates.

Podcasting for Libraries

Programming Format

Who is Your Audience?

Identify your audience. Who do you desire to connect with and become a valuable resource for?

Identify the obstacles of reaching your audience. It seems that most of the patrons who are 'tweens to early twenties are familiar with and use MP3 players. The farther up in age, the larger the obstacle to inform a patron and make this technology relevant and accessible.

Endless Possibilities of Format:

o Book chats
o Audio recordings of classical and public-domain literature
o Audio recording of copyrighted literature that has been granted permission by author or publisher for use
o Recording of book club discussions
o First-hand accounts of local historical events
o Interviews
o Audio tours of a facility or website

What formats have you found to be the most interesting to you? What do you think would most apply to your library?