Project Play Wrap-Up

Thank you, dear Project Play Ladies, for all you've taught me these two semesters. You have made me curious. I am desiring to learn more about Web 2.0 and all the possibilities it holds for creating better customer service for library patrons. I am also curious to learn more for my personal and professional use. I hope to grow more as a librarian as I find new ideas through new technologies. Like Seth Godin, I am not content to sit in front of the TV being mindless. I want to explore and learn.

Even though I am not that old, I have been a bit of a dinosaur with Web 2.0 technologies. That is why I am so thankful that you have made this class playful and not threatening. I know I still have so much to learn, but I have also learned so much. I have enjoyed blogging the most, and I will be doing more with Flickr and Pikipimp when I get online at home in the near future.

Thank you again for being such wonderful teachers. Hats off to you all!

Mashups

I think I'll go and mashup some potatoes...what? Wrong context?

I must admit that I feel a bit dumb with this lesson. The idea of blending information sounds wonderful and convenient, but I don't get all the techo-part of it. I'm also afraid that I might have erased someone else's information on the Project Play map, and I am sorry if I did--no malicious intentions!

I wish I could somehow start at the beginning and get well-versed in computer technology, but I tend to feel caught in midstream with not enough wits to go forward. I need a Computer 101!I am not sure how mashups can be used in the library, and I guess I count on all the wonderful gurus at Winnefox to lead the way in that area. I feel at such a disadvantage in this high tech world since I can't afford to be high tech in my personal life (much to my teenagers' chagrin), and my part-time status doesn't give me the time at work to really get into it. I certainly appreciate Project Play and the good overview that is given for each subject. I just wish I had the time and ability to feel like I really know what is going on. I feel like technology is developing so rapidly that I can't keep up with it, and I would rather be out in nature than in front of a computer screen.

Sorry if I sound like a whiner. You have developed a great class with Project Play, but it just has been a bit difficult to keep up this semester due to being busy with our programming. Because of your class, though, I will be open to new technologies and strive to learn them better. I will also view Web 2.0 as a chance to learn and grow, even if I grow a little slower than I would like.

You Tube

Charlie Goes to Candy Mountain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPONTneuaF4

I had to create a link to this strange video. My daughter Tavia thinks this clip is hilarious and has been quoting it for weeks. I finally had a chance to view it during this assignment, so thanks for letting me play on You Tube at work!

At first I thought of You Tube as just a place for entertainment. I didn't realize I could see historical events like JFK's speech. What a way to make history come alive for our patrons, especially for children! You Tube would also be fun as a library promotional tool. I love the idea of libraries running contests for patrons to make a video of why they love their library. Much creativity could abound in promoting library services through a You Tube video clip. Shameless self-promotion for libraries could be quite fun. Maybe that Darth Vader costume I have at home could come in handy...

Libraries are great places that sometimes still suffer from the Shushing Librarian Syndrome. By featuring contests and fun promos on You Tube, we can help further our image as an invaluable community center. Even Conan the Librarian would have to agree...in a non-violent way, we hope!

Screencasts

Screencasts can be another valuable tool in helping our patrons. Technology continues at the speed of light, and many people feel lost in the shuffle. We can help our patrons learn how to use our databases, catalogs, and website through screencasts. It always helps to see a picture in addition to verbal or written instructions, and our patrons can learn to use our resources from the comfort of their own home and on their own timetable. Seeing a screen and learning how to navigate helps facilitate quicker learning.

I personally love the Common Craft videos that explain how different technologies work. The screencasts featured within were so helpful. It's always nice to see exactly what I will be working with. I also like the screenshots in The Ides, so screencasts will be a great tool to help our patrons find the information they need.

Podcast

This will probably sound silly, but I am finally getting used to the term "podcast." I get where the term came from, but my mind tends to associate "pod" with the original version of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"! Now that I am no longer creeped out about the word "pod", I think I can finally embrace the technology!

Libraries can have a lot of fun with podcasting, especially in the children's department (my domain). We are having a podcasting camp this summer where elementary-age kids can create their own podcasts. What fun for a child to talk about a favorite book or do reader's theater. I also think it would be fun to have storytelling available on our website or do "A Story a Day". We could also podcast "What's New?" and talk about new books and programming. Podcasts are another way to promote all the great things going on at the library.

Just please keep those aliens away...

Social Networking for Libraries

My first thought was why would a library want to create a profile on MySpace or Facebook? Teens are looking for their friends and wouldn't give a second glance at a library. Then one Sunday, my pastor read the passage about Paul becoming all things to all people in order to spread the gospel. That got me thinking that maybe that is a library's mission,too: to go where people are and become relevant in their lives. I appreciate Meredith Farkas' observation that merely having a site isn't enough--the library needs to show its importance. We as librarians are so familiar with our services, and we don't always realize that many people don't fully understand all we have to offer. For teens to feel empowered by being able to suggest materials for libraries to purchase--priceless! For people to realize we can get materials for them from outside our library system free of charge--another shining moment! I think we need to do all we can to spread the message about all the wonderful and free resources and programs available at the library. That's more good news people need to hear!

Remember the Milk and Jott

Okay, my mind is officially blown away! To have a phone message converted to text and sent to different places--incredible! It is hard to believe that these technologies that seemed like wild fancies of imagination are actually coming true. I can see that Remember the Milk and Jott would be great productivity tools. I don't see myself using them in the near future, but they definitely could be a good way for busy people to get organized. The internet is quite amazing, but I haven't gotten online at home yet because it seems that the computer can take up too much time, and I am afraid my teenagers will want to spend hours online. I am of the "get outside and play" or "read a book" way of thinking. We have so many modern conveniences to make our lives easier and more organized, yet why do we feel so rushed or too busy? Maybe online productivity tools can make us feel less rushed, but I still prefer a simple pencil and piece of paper to help me remember the milk. I enjoyed learning about productivity tools, however, and maybe I will embrace the concept in the future. Thanks for teaching us about all the fascinating tools on the web.

Google Docs

Does anyone know the song "Mazel Tov" from Fiddler on the Roof? For some reason my brain keeps singing that song with "Google Docs" inserted in place of Mazel Tov! And why not sing about Google Docs? Google continues to blow my mind with all that it offers. How nice for anyone who does not have or cannot afford Microsoft Office to have similar features available for free! How nice to be able to save documents and access them anywhere instead of being tied down to one computer or carrying around a jump drive! How great to have Google Docs for collaborative work! How cute to have a Google Dachshund--love those play on words!

My exclamation points show just how neat I think Google Docs is!

Semester 2: Instant Messaging

Greetings from "menashakids"--my IM screen name on Aim Pro. It is actually for any four of us in the department, and it is used for other departments to send us a quick message. I've enjoyed many lovely chats using IM. My most recent experience came on the day of the Newbery and Caldecott Award announcements. My supervisor Marge was in Philly for ALA, and we were IM'ing each other about the awards and the conference. We were even having fun changing the font colors and blinding each other with the bright green and yellow (Go Pack!).It is fun to instantly chat with someone without worrying about the long distance bill! I've used IM to ask my director a quick question, and I also keep in touch with my boss when she is working from home during her FMLA times. One feature I like is that I can send something without feeling like I am interrupting. If that person is busy, they can reply in a few minutes, and I don't have to "stay on the line" waiting for information. It's also nice to send a quick message to someone in reference or circ, sometimes for information, and sometimes for a quick heads-up about a patron.

IM can be a nice feature for patrons, too. It is handy at the reference desk and is another tool to promote good customer service--as long as not too many acronyms are used! I can usually figure out some acronyms, but thank goodness Joy gave us a link to the dictionary! LOL! I know that teens love this technology, and it certainly can be fun and convenient, just as long as we still meet face to face and talk on the phone, too.