CPD23: THING 6

As a disgruntled member of Facebook, I have been looking for a new social networking site. Originally, I joined Facebook since our running club was looking for a quick message center, but soon got overwhelmed by the random friends knocking on my screen. Plus, there are the security issues. When my screen became compromised and I was asked to select a new password, I decided it was time to jump ship. However, I learned that you never truly avoid the sharks, since I am still on the roll call and occasionally get notifications. Live and learn, I guess.

Happily ever after, our club has since joined wordpress where there is more control and a limited, content managed audience.

As a result of Thing 6, I investigated LinkedIN only to be surprised that I was already a member! I had forgotten that I had joined in 2009. But this time around I actually posted a picture and additional information. I am trying to decide now how much more info I wish to post. I have naturally joined the CPD group and am investigating others. I like to take Things gradually...As for security, my husband is a financial adviser and that is the only networking site his company allows him to join in a business capacity. So I feel as if I have turned the key and locked the door.

So I guess I have checked out of the BBQ and entered the office. So much for summer vacation!

As for the other suggestions, I was intrigued by Librarians as Teachers since we all are teachers in one capacity or another, but I am not sure I will join. At this point it seems to be way beyond the preschool/elementary developmental stage that I deal with. And, truthfully, I felt that I would rather stick with ALA than CILIP since ALA is on my side of the pond and I have enough here to deal with.

Now all I have to do is this time around remember I am a LinkedIn member and get with the program!

CDP23: Thing 5 Reflection

Reflection is like a diary, but more focused. More detailed and less random than those little slips of paper that clutter your desk or your nightstand. More structured like my running log where I write date, distance, place, owls seen, tree frogs counted, or on a down day, aches and pains. Although I should argue that any time outdoors comprises a good day.

Too often I attend a conference, get all fired up, and upon returning immediately get sucked back down into the vortex of routine and business. That is why I like this CDP23 series so much. Even when it is not an official reflection time, that process is still built in as we blog about each lesson.

I am a somewhat reluctant techie, having been trained when overhead projectors and microfilm were all the rage. While I have embraced email, much of the rest, for me, is rather like a graphic novel. My eyes dart hither and yon and never seem to settle. Too much input as on Twitter and not enough content.Perhaps if I quit my day job and my after job job I would have time to deal with all this. I certainly admire folks who do and can seem to handle all this information. I am jealous, but only partially tempted.

What I really enjoy, and this may be obvious by now,is blogging and I can see that becoming a part of my life. And I am grateful. I am currently toying around with setting up a personal blog with some of my writings. Folks say "You should write a book." And I think, "Yeah, but who would want to read it?" Perhaps that would be a good way to find out! Now all I need is a catchy blog name--one that will flag down all those trail and snowshoe runners...
laura clark

CPD 23 THING 4: Current Awareness, Twitter, RSS, Pushnote

TWITTER: I found the Twitter account very easy to set up, although an instructive exercise to say something in just a few characters. I immediately became friends with another librarian who works in our system administration so that should be helpful. I was also delighted to discover ebooknoir as I am fascinated with that technology.

RSS: I already have an RSS account, but will definitely find it useful to add the entire CDP23 feed. It is amazing how many different takes there are on the same technology.

PUSHNOTE: After reading some of these feeds, I realized that I was not alone in never having heard of pushnote. Unfortunately, here at work we are not permitted to add such enhancements to our computer without special clearance, so I have decided to pass. And really, that is OK for now at least as it seems it is not all that popular. And as THING itself has suggested, such technologies are meant to be a tool and not to overwhelm. Currently, we are in our busiest time of year as all the kids are out of school and I have all I can do to keep up.

laura

CDP 23: THING 3

While I realize that branding has migrated from the Western plains to Eastern corporate America and across the Pond, I have not decided whether I want to join the wagon train. My blog is obviously of the canned, pick-and-choose variety, but I rather like it that way, with a tasteful sprinkling of birds winging off toward unseen horizons. After thinking it over, however, I did decide some concessions were in order. Not intending to sound gruesome, I realize that when I read obituaries I tend to focus on those with accompanying pictures. Hence, my picture along with the Librarian tag.

My mouse almost pounced on some of my other interests : freelancing, sports, nature but I decided against it. After dutifully googling my name as Thing 3 suggested, I decided there was more than enough of my sports personna out there anyway and not enough of a library presence. My rationale for seemingly one-sideness is that it is nice to take a break and concentrate on something entirely different. Perhaps I need to rethink that a bit.

laura clark

CPD23: THING 2

It was fun to ramble around the maze of tags. The first I investigated was freelance, thinking perhaps it might turn out to be me. Clearly, I was not thinking--how boring to talk to yourself! But it turned out to be Beth who sounded eerily like my cousin Kate. I roamed around a bit and offered advice and friendship but I think perhaps I was successful only with Beth. The others required your account and then verification, whcih I did, but when I checked back a few minutes later my comment was not posted. But perhaps there is an approval lag where the authors judge whether or not I pass muster?

I also followed the extra credit link to random blogs and was amazed a how much was out there and how many folks had found the time to communicate so heavily. Maybe when I retire!
laura

CDP23: THING 1

Dr. Seuss' "Cat in the Hat" does it backwards, introducing Thing 2 and then Thing 1, but I guess librarians prefer the normal order of progression. My blog, however, is leftover from Polly Farrington's CDLC 10 Things learning experience so maybe that does qualify as a Thing 2.

I am a Children's Librarian at Saratoga Springs Public Library in Saratoga Springs, NY--a small town that expands in the summer to host a premier flat track venue. I also enjoy running and snowshoe racing and writing about my experiences in a number of publications including Adirondack Sports & Fitness and UltraRunning Magazine and the online Snowshoe Magazine.

I am old school, graduating from a pre-computer library program when filmstrips and overhead projectors were the media of choice and self-correcting electric typewriters were hot off the shelves. So what I really want to do is feel comfortable with at least some of the overwhelming media choices besides my fall-back email account. I am not sure what I am searching for, but at the very least I would like to be able to speak the language and comprehend the necessity of it all. Ideally, I would like to become more familar with publishing media available to new authors.

What I absolutely hated the mostin our Thing 10 series was RSS feeds. It is beyond my comprehension how folks could have that many hours in the day to devote to media bombardment. There is somethig to be said for concentrarion and focus. Oh well, in case you were taking bets--I am 64 years old. But I do churn out 50 milers, which is more than some folks can safely drive in a day, as well as marathon library Gingerbread workshops. So I teetering at the top of the hill but by no means over it.

laura clark

THING #10: Future Trends

Already, there is a widespread trend toward basic online research and utilization of library subscription databases from home. I imagine new technologies like netbooks, etc. will go the way of the original transistor radio and casio wristwatch--becoming super affordable and ever-present. But there still will be a need for guidance and selection and this is where the librarian will enter the picture.

Also, as more folks are working at home online there will be a need to meet in person (besides webinars, etc) just because at some point folks do need a certain amount of contact. Our meeting rooms now are almost always full and I see that trend continuing and with more technology available in each room.

Still, for the youngest and their parents, I imagine much will remain the same. Kids need to socialize, learn how to sit still in storytime and parents need to interact with other parents. And in the summer, the library performs that same function for elementary school kids and their parents. Teens, too, despite their reliance on technology, need to get together in a central setting.