Library Thing Lesson #12

In Lesson #4 my Library Thing account was established. It is http://www.librarything.com/catalog/hope65061, I have been unable to establish the Html link, so feeling like the last runner limping across the finish line, it's bye for now from Hope.

Lessons learned by Lesson #11

Librarian 2.0 really sets a new path for libraries and librarians of today and the future. It appears to be tech now, tech future and forever, no doubt heading to a place where personal contact between library staff and patron is less and less. Change can be difficult, we would so miss, helping 5 year old Haden look for Super Croc.

In the beginning I hesitated doing this program, given my dial up modem and in general my lack of computer knowledge, however, I am very glad I signed up, having learned so much about this tech world , where we find ourselves.

The information to be found on line is so vast it simply boggles the mind. I'm not sure I did all the lessons correctly, in fact I'm pretty sure I did not, but even where I was not successful (the map), I still learned much. I thank MRRL and all those staff members who so generously made this learning program available to all staff.

It would be great if much of this information trickles down to our patrons, some struggling with the catalog or internet programs or not using them at all. I guess after all that is where we come in, aiding them by using the things we have learned.

Lesson Ten - Podcasts

First I experimented with Flukeist, well why not? Photo story and vidio sharing, not my cup of tea, as in "what happened to your clothes missy", but I guess if you want exposure, it works and of course it is just another example of a world gone tech.



After spending an hour downloading a podcast, "cows with guns", not library related, just looked funny, but after all that time I lost the download as I set up my account. Oh well, next I downloaded a shorter podcast "pandas at play", I think it is going to be on this post, fingers crossed. After setting up my account, I realized Youtube is a show in itself, so much to see, so little time. Tools for locating podcasts are very helpful and as I thought animals would be a safe bet for cute, it was easy to find a short, cute one using these tools.



It appears these sites will replace other forms of entertainment and information gathering. It is amazing how many politicians are using them to get their platforms and positions to the public in hopes of winning upcoming elections.









YouTube - Panda Play

Lesson #9, Google Labs, Awards, etc.

In google labs I did trends, "what the world is searching for". I had no idea this was information available to all, visiting the music trends however, I recognized so few performers , it's slightly
embarrasing, #1 Linkin park, never heard of , #2 Akon, only knew of him because of really baaad publicity a couple weeks ago, #3 I knew , so perhaps what the world is searching for may not be what I'm searching for, as in all things it needs to apply to be beneficial.

The google maps would be helpful for navigating cities, also google transit lab would be good if you use public transportation when visiting cities as I do.

It's sure that many of the labs will become part of the main google site. The tools were easy to use and most amazing, even on my dial up, they were fast. What's up with that?

On the apps and tools, short list, read the explanation/definition of 2.0, then went on the the awards list. Choosing 2.0 awards Zeitgeist, #l place Books, Lula, another publish and sell site. After taking the tour on how to get started and watching the demo, It appears that writers, musicians, even proud grandparents could use this program.

Checking the other winners, not suprising Technorati in first place for Blog guides and Library
thing winning 3rd for books category.

As to Library use, Lulu could be helpful in publishing programs, in the making of brochures, calenders, etc.

Lesson #8 Con't, search engines

In the search engine section, I used Wink, Gravee, Yahoo. Using the personal data format, I searched for a friend and the information available was pretty much the same on all three, however, Yahoo was the only one that had the correct date of birth showing him at 49 years old, while the others had his age at 72. Yahoo was also faster. All three engines would have given further information for $9.95. I also visited Katoo, it was very interesting visually and turned up with the correct birthdate and address for my friend.

Lesson #8 and what a lesson it turned out to be

I started lesson #8 by reading Rick Anderson's article on "Away from the Icebergs", and found it to be very informative. In fact the area of "just in case print collection", really tells the tech story. We can't afford the space and no longer need the volumn print collections. Patrons more and more will access the new avenues for all mterials. Still I can't imagine, on a snowy afternoon, in front of the fireplace, reading a book on line. Somehow that just seems wrong.

Continuing the reading in lesson #8, I thought perhaps things had gone too far with 4.0 and the description Dr. Wendy Schultz provided of the dream society, where libraries are mind gyms or art saloons, having not replaced libraries 2.0 and 3, but absorbing them, being mobile, providing all manner of information to our enlighted patrons. These spaces will be comfortable, gracious places with private sponsers, good lighting, find coffee and single malt, but wait, we're doing all of the above now, well everything except the coffee and single malt, and somehow it seems we have arrived back to that snowy afternoon in front of the fireplace.

This is such a complex subject, I really do not feel I understand all of the changes being made now and those certainly just around the corner, in services libraries provide patrons and of course the changing role of librarians, staff and patrons as we proceed into this new tech world.

I really hope that our libraries do not go the way of major corporations, where the library assistant answering the phone is in India or the Phillippines. If that happens I've got the straw and I'm looking for the camel.