Beware of Papercuts

Thing # 47 Evaluation

2009-06-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed a lot of the graphics tools (Scrapblog, Animoto, etc.) and it reminded me that new generators/tools and websites are going up ALL. THE. TIME. That if I find something I like I need to not forget to research again later for something else because it is evolving constantly. (That is one of the challenges and joys of the internet...maddening and great.)

I lost some of my spunk somewhere in the middle of these Things but it came back. There was less exploration of new concepts for me this round (as it should be). A lot of the tools I had already been aware of and been using. But that was alright. I would have liked to have seen more out there things....but maybe we're running out of those?

One thing I think people could have benefited from would have been some scheduled chat nights at a chatroom or some such. I think that would have been a new experience for a lot of people and it would have given us a chance to "meet" online.

It was beneficial - if there is ever a 3rd Things I'll keep participating as it's always worth it and I really appreciate that this experience was possible. Thanks!

Thing # 38 Screencasting

2009-06-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

Well, Screencast-o-matic was easy and intuitive. I can certainly see the use of this at work. Might make some acts easier - to refresh your mind. I know I can see a couple uses for it at home. (My husband has to reshow me how to do a couple functions with computer software at home when I don't use it regularly. Might be a nice cheat.) Some of the programs gave my computer a fit. Prefer the programs that were online based.

Fun @ Your Library!

2009-05-21T12:36:00.001-07:00

Thing # 46 WebJunction

2009-05-11T15:48:00.005-07:00

WebJunction has some useful tools - but it's a bummer that it's not a more active community. When I looked at the "more active" groups - some of them hadn't been posted to in weeks or months.

I did use the class function last year - it was pretty slick and very nice that classes are available for free.

I'm unable to do the "remember me" function at work so I have to do that at home, which is fine.

I'd like to see more of a presence on WJMN. It's just not an active forum very much but I really don't know how you'd get more participation. :o(

Thing # 37 Digital Storytelling

2009-05-11T15:48:00.003-07:00

(((This sentance added after publishing the following post. Maybe BubbleShare wasn't so easy!! Look how it messed up my scrapbook page display thing.)))

I liked BubbleShare - it was super easy and fast.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

RockYou was cheezy - definately more for the teen crowd. Animoto was slick...and definately a professional grade tool. And it was easy.

I think these will make great tools for both personal and professional use. We use Flickr at the library but these tools will make the event photos more visible and attractive on our blog. Very neat!

Thing # 39 Photo Tales

2009-05-11T15:47:00.001-07:00

I enjoyed using Scrapblog. I've played around a simplified version of this before on ofoto when I was contemplating having a collection bound into a book. (But I never did that.)

I can definately see a use for this at home. At the library...it'll be something I recommend to patrons. But won't really enter into something the staff will use that is work related.

When I went to publish the scrappage on my blog the instant entry tool did not work. So, I had to copy and paste the code manually into a widget. I tried it twice and it didn't work as slick as it should have.

I was bummed to see that some of the themes on Scrapblog aren't free. But they were reasonable...more than anything they gave me ideas.

Scrapping is something I've always wanted to try...but realize I don't have the patience for it. This was a fun way to get around that. :o) I also have family and friends who are far away and I really liked that I could design a scrapbook, add music and send it on. That was way worth it!

If we offer special computer classes again this would be a tool I'd love to recommend for the advanced user - I don't think it'd be easy enough for beginners. A lot of the functions are too advanced.

Thing # 42 Music 2.0

2009-05-11T15:24:00.000-07:00

I've been using LastFM for a while after a colleague recommended it.

I also like AmieStreet - music is offered for sale inexpensively - you pay based on the popularity. Which is an interesting concept. They also offer free downloads of new artists to increase their exposure.

I am a fan of RadioHeartland...and all of the old downloads of the Dale Connely and Jim Ed Poole Morning Show. Super great music and funny skits! The music selection is so good I'm actually thinking of upgrading to a digital radio in my car that has 240,000 miles in it. So that is saying something!

I haven't had any difficulties with any of the services. It's mostly just tons of fun. Rhapsody is also nifty - you can listen to 20 songs for free each month of your choice...so when I am really, really jonesing for a song and I have to listen to it right now I sometimes go there as LastFM can lead you around a little bit, teasing you.

Vizu Poll Results

2009-04-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

The poll results....

What is your favorite part of your job working at a library?
57.1 - access to materials
42.9 - working with people/kids
28.6 - multitasking
14.7 - creativity
14.7 - designing programs

Thing #41 Mashup Your Life

2009-04-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

First I tried SuprGlu...the application failed. Next....TabUp. I tried it out....nothing impressive - much rather using my iGoogle page.

Profilactic appears to be more useful. I was able to add my Delicious and Twitter account. But, when I tried to add my GoogleReader and Facebook it wouldn't let me - it required that I look up account id information to post it. Blah. Who has the time to do that? Especially when I tend to be behind in the use of both of those services.

I have seriously reached the point of social tools overload. I've taken to Twitter and then neglect another. Every single app that I sign up for now is just clutter to me. Seriously, if I can't put it on my iGoogle page forget it! Has anyone else reached this point?

Where's the usefulness in a service when you find that you have to find time to remember to use it and then USE it? If I can't see the point of it in my life at this point then I don't want it.

Thing # 40 Mashup The Web

2009-04-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

I tried the Wheel of Food. Fun but incomplete. :o)

I liked Pandora.FM

And a favorite of mine will always be BigHugeLabs. There is always something there! A great site, loads of fun, useful and easy apps.

I tried Bubblr But it wouldn't pull up my Flickr photos. Not sure why.

I generally don't use mashups that often but they are fun and I like how they customize everything. It's amazing.

LibWorm is very cool and I'll be sending the link out to my coworkers.

Thing # 43 - Online TV & Video

2009-04-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is a Thing that I have been doing a lot of looking into before Things on a Stick. I am SICK of my cable (and high speed) company - I have a package with them. Their customer service stinks so we've been looking into how can we drop the cable without feeling the pinch too much. With Netflix and library dvds we have home movie night covered...but what about Grey's Anotomy (which I watch religiously). I don't want to be stuck in front of the computer screen instead of our tv.

I wonder if anyone else uses HDMI cords to hookup their tv and computer so that computer content can be displayed on the tv?

Hulu is awesome. I've gotten sucked into watching old tv shows...and just surfing for them for old-time's sake.

I think having so much of tv content available on the web may provide some much needed competition for the cable companies. The fact that you can watch shows on demand without a TiVo or other DVR setup also makes it very attractive.

Thing # 45 Cloud Computing

2009-04-23T15:45:00.000-07:00

I am a user of GoogleDocs. I started using it at work when I discovered that one of the computers I sometimes worked at wouldn't read my thumbdrive. So, I used it to access text docs I was working on. Later, I started to use it for personal uses as well . . . I have my novel I am working on on GoogleDocs (wish I would have done this previously - since I have a 65 page novel stuck on a hard drive that is waiting to be resuscitated).

The main benefit of joining a web os is also it's drawback - your information is accessible anywhere. Of course you have to know the id and password....but there is always some tech evil genius out there...so I don't know how safe I'd feel having such unlimited access to all my information if they are able to hack the cloud.

GoogleDocs is really the best solution for me at this time. I use Google. It's not like some of the services I've signed up for and then absolutely forget that I signed up for it because I never use it beyond the trial period.

Thing #44 - The Economy

2009-04-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

I really liked Wisebread and Mint. Wisebread offered some great freebies - and I love freebies. (Who doesn't? - Today it listed a link to get a free copy of Sophey Kinsella's Shopaholic book) I liked that it also searched other bargain sites and listed the top five from each site. The articles were well written as well. Fat Wallet wasn't so hot. . .

While I like the concept of financial tools...I really HATE putting my financial information Out There. I have a friend who's dealt with identity theft and frankly it's really easy to forget that you signed up for something and who knows how safe something really is? I certainly have no idea and I hate having to give a second thought to it. SIGH. I currently use Quicken (software I had to pay for) - having these free online tools really opens up financial planning when you would rather save the money instead of paying for the software.

On the topic of gardening . . . here's a nifty site that was shared with me recently. The U of M Extension site was informative. (Did you know that raw kidney beans are toxic? I didn't!)

Thing # 36 (Generators)

2009-04-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

Don't watch Shaun of the Dead after a really long day at work. Sometimes it reminds me of birds who fly into windows. . .watching people trying to pull the doors open when they are locked and the lights are off. . .

Things I need...
And from the Excuse-o-Mat - handy for when I need it:
I won't hide the extent of my sin -- I messed up, disappointing my co-workers, clients, and even my lawyer. No one can wallow in more dejected self-loathing than I, though I emphasize that my intentions were honorable. All I can do is take it one day at a time, and fall upon the mercy of the court.

Thing # 36 One of my Things (ToonDoo)

2009-04-22T14:50:00.001-07:00

Here's one of the comics I like...

It's by poseygalore who's posted a few other's on library theme. Enjoy!

Thing # 36 My ToonDoo (Part of a Thing)

2009-04-22T14:29:00.001-07:00

Here's my ToonDoo cartoon.
It's Library Fear Factor...

Thing #35 Books 2.0

2009-04-18T13:48:00.001-07:00

I really liked LitLover - lots of interesting suggestions and one of my co-workers who co-runs one of the bookclubs was happy that I shared the link.

Also...I liked the idea of Which Book but it really didn't seem to give me suggestions relevant to the books I have read. Perhaps as more people join and enter titles it will become "smarter."

BookStumper was a neat idea. Liked it. Who hasn't had that one request for a story where the details were so VAGUE but you just knew someone else would know what it was? Very cool.

A co-worker recently shared http://www.fantasticfiction.com/ with me. Very handy as well. I like it for looking up series and to see when my favorite authors will next publish.

What I've observed about reading at my library...it seems that there are more people who are rediscovering the joys of reading (that I've noticed). I've had conversations with people in the last two weeks who have said now that the kids are in school...or moved out...they have time again to read. I guess it is probably cyclical for some people but I can't imagine being without it. Myself, I enjoy the tactile qualities of a book and hate depending on technology (and batteries) to read so I don't imagine myself leaving books as a medium. However, I one of my co-workers swears by Kindle and how it has brought books more into her life because it is so accessible.

Thing #34

2009-04-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

YahooAnswers . . . is perhaps one of the lamest Q&A sites I have found. I think this specifically because when I have looked up things myself I also find someone asking the same question (YES!) and then visit the YahooAnswers site and find that no one has replied and the question is over a year old. Who wants to send a question out into a cyberspace black hole? Not me! How annoying.

I have found some useful content at Mahalo . . . It seems to have a bit more of a developed network than some of the other sites - it is definitely more attractive than AllExperts. (I know, I shouldn't base my opinion on looks but I can't help it when it comes to website content. Sad.)

Anonymity and convenience are the biggest pulls for online reference sources. It's handy to be able to send out a question anytime you have it and check back later when you have time. Also, something someone might do is refer the question to multiple sources to see what kind of quality answers they get so that they can decide which service to use in the future. (I know I've done that with online travel tools to see what's cheapest.)

And...anonymity can be nice when you live in a small town and don't want to ask your local librarian for information on a disease or be seen checking out a book on that topic. Sometimes questions just want to be kept private - not because they are risque in nature but because of the situation.

One of the biggest line learning/reference resources I've ever used frequently is YahooGroups. I've been on one when I was learning how to make handmade lye-based soap. Some things are better learned from someone who's done the work - no matter how good the book reference is it's still a wonderful thing to get information from a pro. Same goes for fixing things. Books and reference desks don't play well into the how to PLUS and WHAT IFs.

I haven't participated in the Slam the Boards event but plant to next month on the 10th.

Thing #33 Travel 2.0

2009-03-09T10:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.boo.com/ the "collective wisdom" website had NO knowledge when it came to me trying to find information about places I'd like to travel to.

http://www.greenroutes.org/ offered some interesting places to check out the next time I stravel up to Duluth or to the Twin Cities. The nearest green location on the map from where I am is in New Ulm at Morgan Creek Vineyards (I've been there and it IS neat!).

http://www.igougo.com/ I'd visit this site again if looking for info on places I'm travelling - would easily choose it over http://www.boo.com/.

http://www.mapness.com/ I am now debating between using mapness or MyGoogleMaps to create a mashup of places I visited on my honeymoon. (There were a lot of places!) Mapness lacks some of the bells and whistles that MyGoogleMaps does, so I think I will keep to that but will keep Mapness in mind.

http://mykugelhopf.ch/ I could easily surf My Kugelhopf for quite a while. The pictures are great!

Some of my favorite travel sites:

www.exploreminnesota/myfavoriteminessota/ - Explore Minnesota is awesome but making it even better is My Favorite Minnesota - people can make lists of their favorite places and share them - I've found some great lesser known places to go visit that are much closer to me. Very helpful and fun!

*ExploreMinnesota is one I regularly recommend to patrons who are surfing OR purposefully searching for Minnesota travel information. It is a fabulous site with so many tools!!!
Also I've found Babelfish useful when it comes to translating http://babelfish.yahoo.com/ ...haven't had a chance to travel and use it since I haven't gone far lately but I do use it now and then.

I also enjoy searching based on a location and "food blog" - you never know what you'll find. Half of the memories of a trip is the great food you ate. Mm, like the pasties I had up at Two Harbors at Vanilla Bean.

Thing #32 Google Maps

2009-03-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

I created a mashup of handy places to take a book and read in the town I work and shared it. I'll probably create on of places my husband and I visited on our honeymoon in Washington state. Maybe I'll scrapbook that for posterity - I always thought for sure I'd remember all the places we went and stayed at but my memory is already getting fuzzy. How disappointing.

I've enjoyed the Google Maps functions when going places I'm unfamiliar with. When I looked up the SELCO site I could even "drive" along and look at sites along the main roads in Rochester. Very impressive. I sometimes also like to use it to armchair travel...see sites I'd like to visit or have visited and just wanted to check out for fun.

I wish there was a Google Maps mashup of movie locations used. Then maybe you could travel and stop and recognize sites used in your favorite movies. That'd be fun.

I really couldn't think of a way that it'd really be that useful for our library.

Thing #31 Twitter

2009-03-02T11:34:00.000-08:00

I've added Twitter to my iGoogle page. I have a 3G phone but have not opted in to any of the texting services (do so little of that) that Twitter wouldn't be useful on my phone at this time...but I could see it maybe being that sometime.

I use my Twitter account as a professional tool - I've found some nifty links that others have shared: http://www.mcm.org/educators-groups-parents/parenting-in-public/history-of-wakanheza/ Wakanheza program was started in Ramsey county but offers some good info that can easily be applied in a library environment. If not for Twitter I'd never would have found this.

I'm now listed in the TweeterDirectory. At first I missed librarians under the education heading...almost put myself under "Knowledge Management." LOL.

I've found that Twitter is.....what you make of it. You might find that you never use it or why would you even want to? It is more likely to be that if you don't experiment with it. Even now, I find that I try to check mine daily (although sometimes I forget) and maybe every other time I'm on. Some people I've subscribed to only post personal stuff (Shouldn't have partied last night.) - things that I'd never send out to cyber land. And others, you never get a sense of who they are. I hope I'm in the middle. Otherwise, what's the point?

I use it more for microblogging and then some conversing. That's where I'm at on that scale. It's a super tool that I wish existed for me when I was in college.

Podcasting for Libraries

2009-03-02T09:54:00.001-08:00

Podcasting: Searching for Content

Searching for literature in the public domain can be simplified by using the internet as a tool. Be careful of the resources you use as many personal websites on the internet may be unwittingly using content that is still copyrighted. Literature by A. A. Milne that features his character Winnie-the-Pooh is still copyrighted, yet, many personal websites have work posted by this author.
Websites that might prove useful for research purposes are:
www.gutenberg.org
www.books.google.com (Search for books marked as Public Domain)
www.archive.org In the end, keep in mind that you are the one responsible for knowing the works and being sure of the existing rights, if any, of the work to prevent yourself from infringing on copyright. Copyright infringement is punishable by law with statutory damages being awarded up to $150,000 per willful infringement of each work.

Thing #30 - More Ways to Use RSS & Delicious

2009-02-27T09:18:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-24T10:26:00.001-08:00

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

2009-02-11T14:25:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

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

Published without copyright notice between 1923 and 1977

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

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

2009-02-09T14:43:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-05T14:09:00.000-08:00

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?

Want to learn to podcast?

2009-01-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

I'll be posting tips and detailed how-to's on podcast....so keep tuned! In the meanwhile, check out Albert Lea Public Library's Podcast "Classics On-the-Go"- I've uploaded over 30 podcasts. These are stories read by volunteers, recorded with freeware using audio equipment that cost less than $150.

ImageChef.com

Thing #25

2009-01-28T13:29:00.000-08:00

Well, I added a subscription widget and a widget showing who's following the blog. I'm hoping that people who stop by sign up as following so that I can go visit their blog. :o) I also added a poll.

It's easy to get overwhelmed with widgets. I one point you have to ask...is my blog about something or really nothing with lots of cool stuff? It'd be too easy to overdue it (I already feel like I have!). I spent about a half hour just digging through widgets. Trying to see if there was one that really had added VALUE. Right now...not so sure.

I also spent more time when I was at home just surfing. Maybe an hour? I'll be interested to see if anyone builds a widget. I saw that there is coding available but that is something I don't even think I want to dip my toe into.

As you can see I've collected quite a few widgets...I've dropped a lot of them into the bottom of my blog while I ponder if I really want to keep them. I do love my Good Reads widget - ever since discovering that in the first 23 Things I've been recommending it to everyone who could use it. Love it!

Thing #24

2009-01-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

Well, as you can see my blogging has been sporatic at best....at worst I had I three month dry spell. What I enjoyed most about blogging was the fact that I had a place to put useful information so I could refer back to it and maybe it'd be useful to someone else. I like those kind of two-fers.

What I am really going to do is start communicating with my 23 Things peers on their blogs. That was one of the reasons I got involved in the first place, I wanted to network with people. Have a small online peergroup that was interested in throwing out ideas, brainstorming and sharing information. So, better watch out. Because I will come find YOU! ;o)

More 23 Things on a Stick - Yay!

2009-01-24T07:46:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm back visiting my blog because the 23 Things has started a More 23 Things on a Stick. Anyone else planning on starting? I'd like to do more networking this time...get to know more people. ;o)

- Michelle

Some posters and such...

2008-10-18T07:41:00.000-07:00

Nifty posters you might find useful for patrons using the internet:

http://www.google.com/librariancenter/librarian_tools.html

Many of these posters are well done and attractive!

http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/tell-library-story/Props/posters

Don't forget to look at the rest of the resources at the Iowa Library site...

http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/tell-library-story/Props

Interesting library news podcast

2008-09-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

Interesting podcast content - it was last current in June or July but the idea of a library news podcast is intriguing...

http://libvibe.blogspot.com/

Also interesting to listen to as a podcaster - listening to the intros/exits and newsvoice.

Podcast in full swing!

2008-09-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

I've been podcasting for a while now and have learned a lot....a lot! I've also been working on doing a write up on how-to as it's possible I might be presenting this information.

The volunteers have been awesome with the project - we all have a little diva in us!

What's been really interesting is what is popular for download and what isn't. Mother Goose? Not so much....Edward Lear's The Duck and the Kangaroo? Like gangbusters! Same with The Three Little Bears. (But who doesn't love that one? And it's an even older version with a naughty old lady - not Goldilocks. In my opinion, hilarious!)

Ideas for free email marketing...?

2008-08-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

We were looking at Constant Contact here as an email marketing resource. Does anyone have any suggestions for a FREE mass email marketing resource?

Thanks!

Podcast up and going!

2008-07-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Alright, I've been hard at work recording children's stories (in the public domain) read by volunteers, editing them and then uploading them to our podcast website.

It has been a fantastic experience - I've learned a lot and am still learning. Some recording issues are unsolvable - like, what do you do in a building where EVERY room has a rattling air condition vent (or several) and if you render them useless you'll end up sweating out the volunteer and yourself?

I've found some great, user friendly tools and set-ups and some that aren't as easy but are necessary.

It took me about four months of research (the kind you do here and there and on weekends) .

It's a wonderfully geeky world with great volunteers. We're getting some favorites and eclectic materials recorded - it's great.

Check out the SELCO page - free classes for MN library staff

2008-06-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

WHOA! Check out the SELCO page if you're a Minnesota library staffer - free online courses are being offered. Brush up on skills or learn new ones. A fantastic listing. And did I mention they are FREE? Register within the next two days or cry! (But not for too long - they mentioned that they'll be offering another round of sign ups after the 30th sometime.)

Music & Podcasting

2008-06-24T12:14:00.001-07:00

One of the challenges of podcasting is creating a polished work. Music in the intro or to segue can help you accomplish a more sophisticated podcast.

Some websites worth visiting and with great goals are:
www.musopen.com
www.opsound.org
http://www.jamendo.com/en/
http://freemusic.org.ru/

http://www.soundsnap.com/ - Sound effects and loops.

As always, visit the licensing page of the website/artist to find out if and how you are allowed to use their work and what licensing you must make your production.

Have some websites you'd like to share? Please do!

Neat tools to use from your cell phone!

2008-06-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

I recently ran across these two tools:

Google 411 - Connect to any business for free from your cell phone

Jott - "Free voice to text service. It's like your own personal assistant." Use your cell phone to call in memos and to do lists etc that are then electronically converted to text. Now, I don't necessarily promote talking on your phone while driving...but it'd be a great way to make a grocery list or whatever when you are safe to use your cellphone and want to multitask.

Let me know if you use these and what you think.

23). Summary

2008-06-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

Holy cow, I made it! *Happy dance!*

This experience has helped me find tools beyond what I knew. One of the best ways it helped me was that I felt justified in seeing more of what's out there - our library director was very supportive of this program.

My favorite discovery...well, I guess it has to be GoodReads or LibraryThing. The social networks were great - I'd belonged to Yahoo! groups in the past for hobbies and interests and to see how slick so many of the social networks have become. Wow.

I'm still looking for others to network with. If anyone wants an ear for a program or wild idea you've got rolling around in your head I'm here. And, once I've got all my ducks in a row I'll be happy to be a resource for anyone else building a podcast at their library. I've been researching this for a while now and am actually into the doing part so I have a lot to share. :o)

I'd really love to see a website dedicated to the 23Things or a wiki that we can start to put information onto so that it has a touchstone that we can continually come back to.

I would definately participate in 24 Things Plus program.

And, if I had to describe my experience in one sentance...

"This has everything you have been wanting to know more about (or didn't know you should) when it comes to learning about technology in the workplace and library."

22). What did I learn today?

2008-06-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

I resolve to keep blogging.

I do find useful tools and I have useful information and I promise to share it. Hopefully someone else will find it interesting or helpful - isn't that what started the 23 Things in the first place? (Besides the fact that the creator was organized enough to put it all together?) I can try to be organized. Really.

What you'll likely find here in upcoming months will some of my own findings on library podcasting. Updates on favorite new authors and books....Maybe some of my own musings on writing.

Some things that I find useful in trying to stay current...blogs. I have several blogs in my iGoogle Reader - I catch up with them when I can and I almost ALWAYS run across an idea or resource that is useful or inspiring.

I also pick up PC magazine or Smart Computing now and again on my lunchbreak. I've come across new and interesting things now that I do searches with the words "social networking" as the main goal. Never know what you'll find!

One thing I have really come to realize is that there is a tool out there for every need...almost. So, if you find yourself getting frustrated about something see if you can find something that will help you out! The internet is limitless and full of possibilities.

21). Beyond MySpace

2008-06-14T13:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I joined GoodReads and Shelfari. Shelfari - didn't like the graphics. GoodReads - was THRILLED to find out that one of my very good friends is already on there and am happily waiting for her to add me to her friends list.

I also am happy that GoodReads has NO LIMIT on the number of books that can be added to your shelf. As LibraryThing did have a 100 limit and I was bummed.

This will come in handy for those nights of allergy-med induced insomnia. I can keep wracking my brain for all of the books I have read. Ever. YES! [Random high-five Jim Carrey style.]

I will be recommending GoodReads to all my friends who are readers - it'll be fun to compare and see what everyone is reading. Also check out the widgets and the author pages - very cool. Enjoying it like crazy! I enjoy reading authors blogs and pages so this was a fun find.

20). Facebook & MySpace

2008-06-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I looked at MySpace long ago and was turned off by it. I thought its design was too much like my freshman year locker to be of any interest - messy, stuff all over...

FaceBook is more attractive but you have to be careful not to get sucked into the many games and quizzes. I have a friend who started sending me stuff almost daily. Useless bits of quizzes. But I was able to find my old college roommate on there and reconnect. So that was awesome. (If a blast from the past.)

I get frustrated and perhaps a bit anxious with Facebook, however, in the fact that I do have personal information Out There. [Cue the Twilight Zone music.] So I try to keep things PG even though I am not a PG personality at all times. Sigh. I get tired of having aliases and pseudonyms.

I really would like do more work-related networking. Have a group of cyber buddies that you can talk shop with and bounce ideas off of without worrying about politics, dud ideas...just be able to throw it all out there.

19). Podcasting

2008-06-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

I prefer Podcastalley.com for podcast searching. I'm pretty enmeshed in podcasting right now. I've been designing a podcast program for the library. It's a collection of children's classic literature that's in the public domain (no copyright worries) and I'm soliciting patrons as readers for the content. I'm absolutely excited every time I get a new person interested in being involved.

I've also done recording with Audacity. Audacity is the perfect recording software. It's free and does all that you need it to do and more. For recording equipment we're using a usb hook-up mic to laptop and a few other various sorts of eqipment. (Pop filter, headphones....)

When we have our podcasts up I'll be posting the RSS feed link.

There are many possibilties for libraries to explore with podcasting - one that I've got rolling around in my head if this all goes well is the idea of collecting oral histories or doing a community reading (a different person reading each chapter) of a larger work.

Want to listen to classics or do some reading and share it with others? Check out LibriVox - it's a VERY awesome project. Also check out Project Gutenberg - tons fo eBooks and audio.

18). YouTube

2008-06-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

This video cracks me up! My husband (who's from Nepal originally) tells me that India's Bollywood copies everything Hollywood does. He's right. The chance to see anyone else dress in red leather and dance like Michael Jackson is too fun(ny) to pass up.

I have fun surfing YouTube now and again - whether it's playing the old "I Love Lucy" scenes (like the grape stomp) or looking for the Hardee's commercial with the little old ladies asking "Where's the beef?" Of course, there is the undesirable (to me) instances of pornography. And of course there's the copyright issues. Ugh. But it's very fun for the consumer - you can even pull up old cartoons from the 80s that haven't come back by DVD (like the Snorks).

17). ELM Productivity Tools

2008-06-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

Holy. Cow. This is one of those things that you know you should know more about and I'm glad to have finally had a chance to do more than just skim the surface. (Even though it was more like dipping than dunking - there's so much information here!!)

I will be happy to add this to my arsenal for reference questions...here at my library very few people are doing actual research - and when they do we often come up short when it comes to obscure topics or anything that falls outside of our popular categories (cooking, crafts, gardening, dogs, WWII just to name a few).

These tools would benefit patrons who are looking to do research or even recall an article from a magazine. If we had enough demand for it a class for patrons would be great.

I am already rethinking how I've been researching the topic of going green. (I'm on the green committee here -- I really lucked out compared to one of our poor librarians stuck on the safety committee who gets stuck listening to park and rec and maintenence woes.) Anywho. It's great.

Oh, and I will be working this into one of the classes I'm teaching this summer on how to research medical conditions and live a healthy lifestyle. It's mostly about webtools but this will be a great resource for the more research motivated patrons.

16). Student 2.0 Tools

2008-06-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

The U 0f M Assignment Calculator is much more detailed than the Research Project Calculator, however, the RPC lets you sign up and get email reminders whereas the U of M AC is limited to faculty, staff and students of the U of M. You could save your research guide or print it out. I like to print things out so I can write all over them and take notes. And cross things off as I get done with them. Hehee.

Extra handy is the supporting materials page with TONS of helpful printouts. Check out under #4 - you can print out a "Copyright and Fair Use Tip Sheet" (there's an appropriate library handout!) and a "Permission to Use Copyrighted Resource Tip Sheet." There will certainly be helpful pages for longterm planning on projects at a library.

These links relate more to a previous Thing but thought I'd share these free and fabulous resources for organization and planning:
http://www.toodledo.com/

http://www.famundo.com/

http://www.mynotewall.com/

15). Online Gaming

2008-06-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I surfed Puzzle Pirates. I was going to try 2nd Life at home last weekend but when it came to downloading more software onto my husband's computer (mine croaked and is now being reincarnated) I hesitated.

So, surfing Puzzle Pirates, I was intrigued to find a page listing all sorts of people who'd met, fallen in love and gotten married or became a couple from Puzzle Pirates. Ah, technolove.

The interactions with other pirates was fun...I wonder how many pirates are people hiding from their day job hunkered down in their cubicles? It was more fun than solitare on my computer - which I enjoy for the mindlessness of it.

Once my computer is back up and running I think I'll try 2nd Life then. I feel guilty putting time into surfing and game stuff in the summer but come winter I'll be ready to sit in the glow of my moniter, I'm sure.

Gaming at our library...well, that's about 95% of what the kids use the computers for. The one time I've actually been asked to help a kid with Word instead of www.PBSkids.com or www.nickelodeon.com I was pretty impressed that he was writing for fun. Yay!

14). Library Thing

2008-06-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! (In the sense of joy, not an internet search engine.) I love Library Thing.

I enjoyed exploring the Zeitgeist - see who the worst- and best-rated authors are, the 25 most-rated books and more. And check out the largest libraries.

On the search page you can do searches on usernames (hint: have fun doing a search under "librarian" and see all the users who come up and then look at their lists).

I also had a lot of fun adding books I've read - the only drawback is that you can only have a hundred books on the free account. Total bummer as I'm sure most library staff will fill personal accounts up quickly!

13). Online Productivity Tools

2008-05-31T09:46:00.000-07:00

I have start pages both on Yahoo! and Google. My Yahoo! page is my personal one - has all the fun non-work related gadgets (movie times at local theaters, horoscopes) and my iGoogle I use at work (to do lists, bookmarks).

I tried the one at PageFlakes also. It has a sleeker look...you might also want to know that Yahoo! has recently gone through some updating and offers some choices for personalization, however, it does not dare to even come close to Googles background pages smorgasborg. In fact, it looks like Yahoo is mimicking Google in that way but falling way-short.

I use both Yahoo and Google - what I find is that Google has more tools and gadgets and is more cutting edge. But, Yahoo is more established and is therefore more able to offer groups that serve your needs/interests. Google falls short on groups. If you want to network or chat/email with other people on just about anything, check out Yahoo. If Google was that advanced I'd certainly completely shift over. Well maybe. Only Yahoo offers the Ziggy comic strip for your start page. Google lacks that. (They both have Garfield.)

The PDF converters are nice tool - but I really wish they'd have the ability to convert a Quark file to a PDF. That's the one thing that all online PDF converters fail to have. Google offers a PDF converter gadget as well - just another thing on my iGoogle page to make things handier at work.

One last note...I LOVE 30 Boxes. LOVE IT!!! I'll be entering in friend's birthdays and my to do list stuff. I am a chronic birth-date forgetter. I have less than five birthdays memorized (and one of them is my own and one of the others is the day after mine) - I am horrible at dates so I'm looking forward to using this tool. This tool also has the option to email you ahead of time for events.

12). Social News Sharing

2008-05-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

Newsvine for me was the most useful site for credible news recommendations. Digg and Mixx were more of a People and US magazine version of news - fun, flashy but not necessary sources of substance. Reddit offered up some interesting news bits and seemed more middle of the road for me as a source.

I find that I will prefer Newsvine over the Yahoo and Google news engines. I've used Google and Yahoo surfing for news to read because they're easy. (I like easy.) But they are very limited in their presentation and I guess I'm ready to graduate to a better level of news service. ((I know you'd think being in a library I'd read the newspapers we get but I've seen people read the papers who use other things than Kleenexes to rid objects from their nose and then go back to flipping through the paper. No thanks.))

Mixx and Digg leaned more towards being productivity drainers. Nothing wrong with that if that's what your looking for.

The article that I tried to add to Newsvine - I submitted it but it didn't show right away. I wonder if that's normal for a new submission??? The second article I tried to submit was already submitted - as it was a week old.

I'd really be interested in the demographics of the members of these groups. Just for curiousity's sake.

11). Tagging and Del.icio.us

2008-05-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it. I've been meaning to do it forever, so finally a reason good enough to register with del.icio.us. I'd been keeping bookmarks at my iGoogle page which is handy but doesn't involve any social sharing with it.

I bookmarked some pages and did a search with "Library 2.o" and then looked at some of the peoples' bookmarks who had that in their tagging. What can I say? Treasure troves of nifty bookmarks of sites to go visit. If you're lucky you find someone else who thinks like you but who is ahead of you in the bookmarking game and you've hit the jackpot.

I love that the bookmarks are accessible. I have lost personal bookmarks before when my computer has died...bookmarks that took me five or more years to store and lovingly sort. It's horrible. So I like that they are out there in cyberland free from the lifespan of my personal computer and tendency not to back things up. (I'm getting better though - I really am! Cross my heart!) But I don't like that you can't organize them the same way as you do in your browser. I have a method to my madness that I can't replicate here and I am bummed. But I'll get over it.

10). Wikis

2008-05-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

Wikis are a great tool for sharing information and having it in a central location - the director of my library and myself put up a wiki (we used wikimedia).

In my opinion, schools should not be banning wikis as sources of information - but rather teaching students how to be responsible consumers of information. This is one of my top ten pet peeves. (That is if I was organized enough to have a list!) Students should learn to be discerning in how they rate their information resources - the format of anything, book, newspaper, wiki, should not make it credible or not credible. Just because it's a book with a hard cover doesn't mean the author knows anything --- and just because any joe can publish on a wiki doesn't mean he isn't knowledgeable about his material.

If we are taught only certain resources are "good" aren't we just getting lazy and becoming enabled to not think for ourselves? Ack! *hair pulling*

9). Sharing tools

2008-05-27T10:58:00.001-07:00

Well, I decided I like the Google tools rather than Zoho....that's more based on the general fact that I use Google some much - all the tools are then centralized for me.

Zoho had some features that really markets it more towards the business end of things rather than personal so I can see where that would be a draw.

I made a spreadsheet for everyone to come visit and edit - I really hope everyone comes and adds their own three favorite books/authors to the list!
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=p7upnA1MbSx9tJyK7HycIbA&hl=en

8). Sharing one of my "Things"

2008-05-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed looking at all these tools and have several people I'll be recommending the e-folio to. (How cool was that!?) I used Lazybase to create a database of books I've read. Every year I think to myself that I should start writing down all the books I read. So maybe here's the start.

Lazybase was simple but a bit frustrating - I like to be able to customize things more and it's not all that snazzy looking. But, perhaps databases aren't supposed to be snazzy. *sigh*

I'm looking forward to adding all of these items to a more nifty bookmarking system than offered by Google. I use that one in desperation at work since we're always at different areas. Time to start putting them onto del.icio.us I guess.

7). 2.0 Communication Tools

2008-05-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

Email is frequently used at our library. Some of our content we are in the process of moving (or duplicating) to a wiki. It's all about organization - so much communication here becomes a reference for later. (You know, I had a problem with such and such patron/couldn't get the microfilm scanner to work....how do I do this??)

I personally use IM frequently at home with friends who are long distance - it really helps us keep up with eachother since so many of us seem to use computers/internet to relax or manage personal finance.

Two interesting communication tools that I have seen are:

http://www.zoho.com/

http://www.lumifi.com/

Also be aware that if you use iGoogle you can share documents and work on them with another person (or multiple people). Neatest tool ever that I haven't been able to use yet. But if I could...oh boy!

4). Flickr - Cats in Space!

2008-05-21T10:50:00.001-07:00

Cats in Space!
Originally uploaded by Women, Fire & Dangerous Things

I had a lot of fun searching the tag "cat" - I found this in the creative commons by Zumi, owner of Malingering - TheDamnMushroom

Go visit Cats in Space.

I think Flickr is a good tool - we use it at the library and often post children's events and other interesting things.

As a personal account...I haven't used it. I tend to store my photos at http://www.ofoto.com/ and share them from there. I'm not too socially open on photo sharing.

5). The Flickr fun stuff....I could definately see our library using the movie poster and badge maker. Actually a lot of the tools could come in handy. I think I'll be trying them out for one of my next fun posters for an event/program. The Big Huge Labs and Image Chef are fantastic....ToonDoo I tried out but I'd get myself into trouble making stuff with that. :o) It'd be too easy to be sarcastic or some such.

6). Online Image Generators - I think these would be a lot of fun to put together to host a tweens/teens computer class or program. Legality issues are huge and often muddy when it comes to library priveleges. (For example - A librarian can read a book for a storytime audience but it can't be recorded and played back on a podcast without getting into deep waters.) I've heard conversation where Disney (do I need the copyright symbol after THAT now?) went after libraries that had used images to promote books/etc. Sticky wicket!

And just for fun ---- check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyLTqBARFt8 . This made me laugh so hard!

3). RSS Feeds

2008-05-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

I love the fact that with RSS feeds I can put everything in one spot and that it saves the data so I can read it when I remember to when I finally have time. (Between lack of time and memory I can get really behind.)

I've found it useful because I've been able to find blogs and websites that are on the same track or farther ahead - easy to pick up something useful without having to dig for it.

Teachers and media specialists can make us this because it really makes everything accessible. And because the content is so fresh you can stay on top of things - or at least the things you want to stay on top of.

I like using Google Reader. In fact, I love Google in general - check out all those tools it has and the betas in testing. Wow!

My favorite reads: "Tame the Web," "The Shifted Librarian," "Library Stuff" and "Blog Junction."

As for using RSS for audio content (mp3 players) - check out www.podcastalley.com to find podcasts and audio to subscribe and listen to but first checkout Juice.

Curiousity Got Me - AdSense

2008-02-08T10:09:00.001-08:00

Well, this will be interesting. I have added AdSense to my site - I'm curious to see what will be advertised - what do they think librarians need? (Please, let it be more creative than Amazon.)

Library 2.0

2008-02-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

"L2 requires a fundamental change in a library’s mission

It behooves us to look at our mission through an L2 lens . . . It’s possible to “Give them what they want” with ‘L1′, but then, how many is “they”? Is “they” the dwindling elderly population, the soon-to-retire baby-boomers? We can still provide the same level of service to that segment while drastically changing the role libraries play in the lives of our younger constituents . . . A fundamental change in what we think our purpose is is necessary to engage our future tax-payers." (From 11 Reasons Why Library 2.0 Exists and Matters by John Blyberg)

This idea was one of the most compelling ideas expressed by Blyberg, in my opinion. Technology has posed a threat for various traditional institutions and businesses. If libraries and staff can't find newer ways to interact with the changing needs of patrons and how they get their information and entertainment what kind of presence can we maintain in our communities? It's an interesting challenge that must be met head on with the expectation of change.

Librarian Begins Checking Out 23 Things on a Stick

2008-02-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

I consider myself to be pretty savvy when it comes to technology. I guess it comes partly with being in my generation (I knew how to hook up a VCR when I was eight) and not having my mom's genetics when it comes to anything spatial. (Note: When I was a kid, my mom owned a video store and was unable to hook up VCRs back in the day when you would rent them out to customers.)

I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I shudder when I think about how kids in general are so dependent on it without having the appreciation for it; I've had the experience of having to know how to do things without it. For example, I've used a typewriter and know the pain of retyping a page just to correct an error.

I'm looking forward to picking up some more skills and just generally getting to know some more people in the library world.