THING 6: Online Meetings

I was stretched for discretionary time this week since I am having dental surgery tomorrow (groan) so I chose to view an Archived Webinar.  I chose Booklist and selected Defending the Right to Read: Celebrating Banned Book Week, partially since I have always been interested in that topic and also because Judy Blume was on of the speakers.  It featured a panel of 5 varied experts--publisher, author, librarian, etc and it was interesting to get the varied points of view. Judy Blume pointed out that as an author you can't get truly into your characters if you are worried that their every thought will be censored.  She is so famous, of course, that the publishers leave the decisions up to her.

I was rather disappointed that I coulcn't attend anactual time meeting, but this one ran over, leaving no time for questions anyway, so even realtimers had my same experience.  I wonder if that happens a lot?  Experience seemed the same as attending a big library conference except you could clean off your desk while listening.  Not at all like an actual monthly meeting which is mostly interchange.

We might try to set up a meeting next week....if next week's Thing isn't too time-consuming...hint, hint.

laura

Thing 5: Reflecting Pools

YES!  We got a Snow Day, a Time Out, a Free Homework Pass!
Do we spend it or squander it?  But what's a snow day but to sleep in and do stuff you never would do otherwise?
So for this week, I plan to check out the library's loaner IPad to be closely followed by Kindle.  Need something to use to check email on the run and mabe write stuff.  I never would have considered it before this course...maybe I'll hit the 21st century yet!
The biggest Seuss thing I've gained has been more confidence, due in part to the byte-sized lessons.  Now, if I never have to revisit Thing 2, I will be all set.
Improve?  Not sure--seems to work OK--better if you ditch the Go Green aspect and print out the weekly lesson so you  aren't scattering your concentration between multiple screens.   laura

Thing #4: Online Communities

I joined LinkedIn and Goodreads.  Linked in is going rather slowly.  I have maybe four friends, only one of whom has posted anything.  But he is a scientist and I have no idea what he is saying anyway. But that's only fair since I am not a great correspondent, being still married to email.  I learned that email is passe but it still works for me--especially since you can contact folks who aren't necessarily your friends.  The way I see it--why not have one communicator where you can contact everybody rather than having to split your personality among various groups?

I can see the value if you are interested in a particular topic.  Hence,
my Goodreads membership.  Since I write book reviews, mostly on sports books, I was excited about the possibilities.  I discovered 2 groups focused on running and endurance sports.  Both had three or four members, neither of whom have posted anything.  Guess they would rather be out running!  On the other hand, I have met a college prof through email and my work with the Adirondack. Marathon with whom I exchange suggestions.

How can libraries use online communities to connect with customers?  I guess if you were having a preschool music program, etc you could connect with various groups who might be interested.  I can really see how an online book discussion group would be fun, especially if it were in real time. 

laura

Thing 3: Photo Sharing

This lesson was so perfect it was scary.  I had just returned to pasture from the Bull Run Run 50 Miler in VA and was sorely missing the other members of my herd.  So I decided to upload pictures of our Let's Get MOOving Cow Team to share with the Finger Lakes and Connecticut cows. I learned how to download from my camera to the computer, resize and rename.  Yeah, I know, I should have been MOOving on all this technology stuff a long time ago, but cows, bovines that they are, feel compelled to ruminate before putting hoof to keyboard. And then, I directed those with farmers kind enough to provide pasture internet access to my new flickr account.

I know this sounds pitiful to the rest of you but it is a giant leap for me.

Our library does have photos on our website, but one of the best things we have done in the Childrne's Room is to purchase a Staples picture frame and upload slidshoe photos of our programs.  Taking a cue from dentists' offices, we have placed this on the reference desk to extend the tolerance time of folks waitng for help and most especially to entertain young kids while their Moms are consulting a librarian.

lauraclark33's photostream

lauraclark33's photostream on Flickr.

Thing 2: RSS

Well, I finally did it using google reader.   Most of my problems were mechanical- the computer I was working on wasn't displaying the entire screen.  But I have 4 feeds and figure I will leave it at that.  As they say in ultrarunning, the journey is 10% physical and 90% mental.  I've got the physical done, but darned if I can get past the mental. 
There is already too much stuff demanding my attention anyway, so why would I want more thrown at me?  I figure if I really need info I can always google.  Also, many of the sites I use personnally don't have feeds anyway.

On a similar note, I liberated myself from Facebook.  Yes!  I have enough friends.  Our club is switching to wordpress with our own personal site which I like much better.

I did explore the blog search tools and enjoyed browsing the google blog search.  Especially since it was on library time!  I can see myself spending more time at the Top 25 Librarian Blogs.  Basically, the idea of searching for blogs on a particular topic was an eye-opener for me and I can see myself using these tools.  I guess the ultimate difference is the fact that I can choose the information when I need it rather than being bombarded.

laura