Method 12

These activities ended too quickly. I was just starting to get into this.

The section on blogs was the best exercise. I had a blog a long time ago, but stopped using. This activity reminded me of how fun they are and how personal they can be.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the program was that we were able to be hands-on in completing the tasks. Instead of just posting a lot of links for us to read through, we actually had to set up a blog, or listen to podcasts. This way, we have a leg-up if we decide to use these tools in our own libraries. When presenting the ideas to a library board or library director, it will be easier to actually pull up the sites in front of them and show that we have actual hands-on knowledge of how each tool works. This will definitely help when making proposals and suggesting tools that the library should begin using.

I wouldn't change anything about the program, and if offered, I would definitely participate in the next one.

Thanks for all the hard work!

Method 11

I'm more of a visual learner, so podcasts (strictly audio) never really appealed to me. However, I do appreciate the fact that some libraries and instutions create podcasts of conference proceedings and make them available to the masses. It definitely adds something that a piece of paper does not. The Librarian Live site has so many podcasts on topics that most library professionals would find interesting. I think our library would benefit from a Teen Advisory Board, and that podcast offered a lot of useful tips.

I don't think our library has any use for podcasting at the present time (because of the size and budget). I could see the potential of podcasting programs that feature a visiting popular author or instructional programming.

Method 10

Like many others, I've become Wikipedia-dependent over the last few years. I was vaguely aware of the "wiki" concept as it relates to matters beyond "subject-definition." I must admit that I absolutely love sites like "Library Success: a Best Practices Wiki." For libraries with a limited budget, it's not always easy to send staff members to conferences and continuing education seminars. Wikis like these provide me with free opportunities that I probably would have never found out about on my own.

I've always be a bit concerned about the "open editing" aspect of these sites. It always makes me wonder whether I can trust that the information I find is complete and accurate. I know the vast majority of wikis are maintained by reputable professionals and institutions, but I'm not sure I would want just anyone coming along and editing and adding to my institutions work.

Method 9

Chatting is one of those things I couldn't get enough of when I was younger, but now really don't have any use for. Now I hate not being able to see someone's face when I'm talking to them.

The only use for chatting in a library environment is reference. I would love to set up our library with a Meebo or Yahoo IM account so patrons could send questions they needed to be answered. It would free up our phone lines and perhaps free up the reference desk for more book-related questions, and since a lot of the information we find for them is online, it would be so easy to copy and paste a website link or address into the chat box for them to use right away.

Method 8

In the past, I had a MySpace account but deleted it because I really didn't use it for much. In the beginning I thought I would use it to keep in touch with friends, but I rarely emailed them or left them comments.

For libraries, this could be the perfect place for customers to have online discussions (via the library's social networking page) about books they enjoyed, disliked, and talk about upcoming programs. It wouldn't be much different from the traditional way social networking pages are used, it would just be geared around the library.

Our library does not allow access to MySpace, so I don't think it would be wise to start up a page.

Method 7

I've never quite understood the importance of social bookmarking, and this module didn't make things any clearer.

I'm not sure if the focus is on 'tags' or on 'bookmarks' or if bookmarks and tags can be used interchangeably.

Again, like the "cloud computing" phenomena, I think this is just a way to move toward more internet-based tools. Instead of having bookmarks for your own personal use, this just allows everyone to see them and have access to them.

I don't know if this will have as much impact on the library world as MySpace or Flickr.

Method 6

This is a good clip. I had trouble finding it. (It isn't always a good idea to just type the word "library" in the search box. You get a lot of trash that way.)



First of all, I will say that I love YouTube. Anytime I miss something on TV or want to see a certain music video, I can always go to YouTube and find it without much trouble. The fact that the site lets ANYONE upload ANYTHING doesn't bother me that much because I don't do a lot of random browsing/viewing. I usually know what I'm looking for when I access the site.

From a library perspective, like Flickr, YouTube can only be beneficial. I would imagine that libraries could create mini-tutorials about using computers and OPACs, as well as uploading videos advertising book clubs, etc. The possibilities are really endless.