Friday, October 12, 2007
Thing # 23 - Summary
I would be interested in completing another set of 23 Things that would perhaps be more library-oriented. It would be nice to become more knowledgeable about KDL's new technological offerings for our patrons so that I can help them when they have questions.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Thing # 22 - Podcasts
As podcasts pertain to the Library I think that they could be used for a number of things. You could do Library news and events, book reviews, book talks, read a book or a chapter of a book and promote the Library. I think it's a great way to reach an increasingly mobile populace.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Thing # 21 - Online Video
I chose a Crazy Cats! video on YouTube:
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Thing # 20 - Special Treat
I especially liked the end when they state that digitization will make us rethink the way we govern, interact, and relate to others. It has already begun to turn the judicial system on its head with copyright, security, and privacy issues. The fact that these issues often cross national boundaries is yet another quandary we are finding ourselves in.
It reminded me of a book that I have read recently: Revolutionary Wealth by Alvin and Heidi Toffler. The Tofflers are futurists and in the book they give an overview what may happen in the years to come. Some of it is exciting and some of it is frightening. It's a good book to read if you are interested in where the world is headed next.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Thing # 19 - Digital Music
I really like being able to access music online or directly from my computer. At home I have some free software from Yahoo! that has some nice Internet stations called the Yahoo! Music Jukebox. You have to download it onto your computer but there are lots of different genres of music to choose from. You can also organize your music from there or even buy songs. I love music and will continue to use it digitally or otherwise.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Thing # 18 - Social Networking
Social networking does have the potential to be a significant influence on our culture, for good or ill. A positive aspect it that it can increase visibility and accountability. A negative aspect is that it can increase sensationalism. At this point only time will tell...
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Thing # 17 - Wikis
- SJCPL Subject Guides – a pathfinder wiki developed by the St. Joseph County Public Library system; and the
- Book Lovers Wiki - developed by the Princeton Public Library.
Both wikis offered a lot of relevant information. The SJCPL Subject Guides wiki is a great way to provide information for your patrons in an easy to use format. I liked the way they included information about the subjects, resources available at their library, bestsellers, award winners, and classics, staff recommendations, and stuff that you can do on your own. It is also easy to navigate.
The Book Lovers Wiki is valuable because you could have different staff members doing book reviews and have them categorized by subject and a link to the library catalog. It's a great way to do staff recommendations. Overall, I think that wikis offer a valuable way for people to collaborate and I am glad that Librarians are starting to use them.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Thing # 16 - Technorati and Blog Tagging
Monday, October 1, 2007
Thing # 15 - Tagging
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Thing # 14 - Best of Web 2.0
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Thing # 13 - Online Productivity
I used Zoho Writer's template for a recipe and typed in a recipe for oatmeal cookies. I published it below. I had to edit the post a bit for it to show up well but it was quite easy to publish it to my blog. I think that having web-based applications is a great idea. Not everyone can afford Microsoft Office so it is a good alternative. I did find it harder to use than Microsoft Word though it does have all of the basic functions it does not have all of the editing capabilitites.
Quaker's Best Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 margarine or butter, softened
- 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt (optional)
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked
Directions
Heat oven to 375.
Beat margarine and sugars until creamy.
Add egg and vanilla, beat well.
Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg, mix well.
Stir in oats; mix well.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 8 to 9 minutes for a chewy cookie or 10 to 11 minutes for a crisp cookie.
Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets remove to wire rack. Cool completely.
Store tightly covered.
About 3 dozen cookies
Variations:
Stir in 1 cup raisins or chopped nuts.
butterscotch or peanut butter pieces. Omit cinnamon and nutmeg and stir in 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate,
Bar Cookies:
Press dough onto bottom of ungreased 12 x 9 inch baking pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely; cut into bars. Store tightly covered. About 2 dozenFor high altitude: Increase flour to 1 3/4 cups.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Thing # 12 - Customized Search Engines
I created a Health & Medicine customized search engine. Every year I get a cold and/or flu and am always looking for ways to cure it. The search engine is also good for general knowledge. I also added a searchbox on the lower right-hand side of my blog. Check it out!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Thing # 11 - LibraryThing
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Thing #10 – Web 2.0 & Libraries
I really like this definition of Library 2.0 because it gets at the heart of the issue. Everyone can argue over the specifics, such as how it got started, if it’s always been there, etc. What really matters is how libraries relate to their patron base. I am as idealistic as anyone about the role libraries play in our community but it is up to us meet our community on their terms or else there will be no Library of the Future.
I think that here at KDL we are starting to adapt to Library 2.0. Upgrading our patron computers, offering self checkout, and expanding our available services, e.g. addition of ebooks and eaudiobooks shows that we are listening to our patrons and what they need from us rather than arbitrarily deciding what would benefit the patron without their input.
Change is always difficult. I thought that I was somewhat tech savvy but after starting the 23 Things I realized that I have a lot to learn! It is challenging and frustrating at the same time but I know it will improve my service to our patrons.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thing # 9 - Library Blogs
- http://www.feedster.com/: I used Feedster to search for library blogs and it didn't bring up anything close to libraries so I went to the next search engine.
- http://www.topix.net/: I inputted my current zipcode into the search engine and it came up with local news for my area. I added this to my bloglines.
- http://www.syndic8.com/: I searched for library blogs and found quite a few. I ended up subscribing to the http://www.lisnews.com/ feed so that I can keep up on National Library related news.
- http://www.technorati.com/: This is a great search engine for blogs. I searching for library blogs again and found two of interest: http://thebunlesslibrarian.blogspot.com/ and http://wpbpl.blogspot.com/ and added them to my bloglines account.
As for the rest of the feeds on my bloglines I searched out websites that I use frequently and others of interest and added them to my bloglines account. I am really starting to like this tool!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Thing #8 - RSS Feeds
This is my public blogroll:
http://www.bloglines.com/public/eagerreader
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Thing #7-Image Generators
- M&M Character Generator: http://www.becomeanmm.com/
- Simpsons Avatar Generator: http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.htmlmovie.com/main.html
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Thing #6-Mash-Ups
We visited Macchu Picchu in October 2005. My husband is a native of Peru and this was his first time visiting the famous city. This view is actually from the backside of the city. We were about 3,000 feet above sea level. Macchu Picchu is located at the beginning of the Peruvian Amazon so it was warm and there was some light rain when we were there. It is a trip I will never forget!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Thing #5-Photo Sharing
I had fun putting it up but it was a lot of work. It is nice to have something bright and colorful in the children's section to complement our new paint and carpeting.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Thing #4 - Having looked at the list of 23 Things, is there anything in particular you're excited to learn more about?
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Things #1-3 - 7 ½ Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners
1. Begin with the end in mind.
2. Accept responsibility for your own learning.
3. View problems as challenges.
4. Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner.
5. Create your own learning toolbox.
6. Use technology to your advantage.
7. Teach/mentor others.
7 ½. Play!
Hardest Habit:
The hardest habit for would have to be Habit #2: Accept responsibility for your own learning. When I have to learn for a class or for work I have no trouble taking responsibility for my own learning but when I want to learn something on my own it is very difficult for me to get beyond the second step of the Learning Contract. I can easily set goals but getting over the obstacles all by myself I find quite difficult.
Easiest Habit:
The easiest habit for me would have to be Habit #5: Create your own learning toolbox. I love to plan and gather the materials that I will need to learn something new. I am somewhat of a perfectionist. I like to do any activity well and that starts with the first step.