Looking back at Library 2.0

I think this program has been a good one. It is important to keep up with new technologies, and the best way is really play and experience them. I am grateful for the time, guidance, and sharing this has provided. I hope the library implements some of these into our web presence soon. I would enjoy working on library blogs or wikis, and would like to see us get started with some book reviews and discussions so we are ready for next year's summer reading. Another nice benefit of the Library 2.0 project is getting to know other staff members better. Now it's off to "beyond 23 things."

Cameron is 6 months old!

Cameron is 6 months old already. It's hard to believe! He went to the doctor for his checkup. He weighs 19 lbs. 12 oz., and is 28 3/8" long. Soon he won't fit in 12 mo. clothes anymore. He rolls over and sits on his own now. He is such a good baby!

E-Books

I have checked out one e-book in my life - on a Sunday night to get free Ohio will papers for a relative. It took awhile, as I remember, to download the new adobe and other such programs, but I finally got it to work. On a positive note, the papers were not needed, as the person got better. I can see students and researchers using e-books, but I think most people want a book they can hold (myself included). I look at a screen too much as it is! I can see the benefits of audio e-books, however. I will check one out when I get my ipod.

Podcasts

Looked at podcasts, and podcast directories. I personally do not find them very interesting. Subscribed to "Audiobooks with Annie" on my bloglines account. Tried to place a widget for this feed in my post, but I had trouble getting the image to load correctly so it's at the bottom right of my page. I can see this being beneficial on our library catalog. Many patrons need help with basics like clicking on a title to get location information, how to use the cart function, etc. Podcasts placed in the catalog might be helpful - but the noise might be a problem in some locations. News releases could have podcasts along the stories on the libraries homepage.

YouTube

Here is a FatBoy Slim video featuring the dancing stylings of Christopher Walken (who is a talented and fascinating guy). I found YouTube very easy to use. It was very easy to post once I read in the #20 instructions to use the edit HTML tab in the post. That was the secret I have been missing for getting the codes in the posts, and not just added on the side or bottom! I like the idea of YouTube. Everyone should check out the Silent Library Japanese game show. I found a lot of library promotional videos on there.

Web 2.0 Awards

I looked at several of the Web 2.0 award winning sites. Be Green Now was interesting. I got an ESPN widget from Springwidgets. I found Yahoo! Answers interesting and disturbing at the same time. Some people believe everything they read on the internet. I think that the library should promote itself as an authority on reference in person, on the phone, and online. We must get people to understand the importance of trustworthy and reliable information that is absent of opinion, bias, or product promotion. You can get all sorts of information on the web, but people don't understand that anyone can put anything out there. This should be our mission. I did find Minti interesting. It is advice for parents by parents. And I DO understand that this is in addition to the pediatrician's instructions and the medical book I have by the American Pediatrics Association.

Online productivity

I think that Zoho is wonderful. I really could have used this when I was working on my Master's degree. I only had Microsoft Works at home, and my Master's paper had to be in Word. I didn't want to spend the money on all these Office products. Zoho even has Online spreadsheets and presentations. Who needs Excel and PowerPoint! You can insert all kinds of things. but I wish there was more choices of lettering styles. © 2007

The previous paragraph was posted from Zoho. It really couldn't have been easier! I also looked at Google docs, but I think I like Zoho better.

Wikis Part 1 & 2

I can really see the value of Wikis. I especially liked the Princeton Public Library Booklovers Wiki. It is great how they tied in their summer reading program with patron reviews. I definitely think we should do something like this next year, and not just for the adult program. We had patrons requesting they be able to sign up for summer reading online. Why not?
I added my blog and some other favorites to the PLCMC Learning 2.0 Wiki. It was so easy! I am so excited to make my own wiki - but what would it be about, hmmm?
A side note - had anyone tried www.ineighbors.org?