Thing #23: Finishing up

In addition to learning some new tools, I've also changed my impression of social media. Previously, I would have dismissed social media as not for me--or for young adults. However, I loved the Flickr activity and plan to use it soon in my job. I've also enjoyed Ning and can see the value in joining a social media site that's the right fit. I'm still working on my attitude about blogs--there's just too much filtering that you need to do to find relevant content.

One thing that would have helped me is if I had a co-worker who was doing this program at the same time. I was the only one in my library participating in 23 Things. I would have enjoyed sharing ideas with my work group.

If it's possible to get a print-out or PDF of 23 Things on a Stick, I'd use that to review and revisit the websites and tools.

Thank you for setting up this program! I'm signing off now...

Thing #22: Keeping Up with Web 2.0

Here it is--I'm committing to keeping current with Web 2.0 developments and using some of the tools. Here's are some things I'll be doing:

--I've subscribed to feeds for "The Shifted Librarian" and "Information Wants to Be Free"
--I'm trying to browse our subscription to Information Today's Information Advisor, as frequently it has Web 2.0 information.
--I'm seeking opportunities to learn from others. One of my co-workers is using De.li.cious -- I need to have lunch with her or take the time to learn what she's doing and how it's working
--I've convinced my work group that we need to start a Wiki in our special library for our resource guides; my co-worker is our technical expert is eager to work with me on this
--We're putting our print collection on a new WebOPAC and as part of the launch I'm planning on setting up a virtual tour on Flicker of the library collection and the catalog (in addition to a physical open-house--many of our users are in different buildings)
--I have bookmarked the Web 2.0 Directory at home and at work
--I hope to continue using Ning. Someone invited me to be a friend yesterday!

Here are other resources that might be useful:

American University - Center for Social Media (in their School of Communication) (Note: I still can't get the hotlinking to work)
http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/



A blog that was featured in The Information Advisor is one by JP Rangaswami, the managing director of design at British Telecom (BT) in the UK. Here's the URL:
http://confusedofcalcutta.com/

I checked out his blog and it seemed to be more about music than Web 2.0, but maybe I needed to go back to his archived posts. (That's the problem with blogs, I think--you need to do too much filtering.)

Thing #21: More Social Networks

This attitude has helped change my mind about social networking sites. I always thought they served a purpose but were not for me. I enjoyed viewing Ning and posting a comment to another 23 Things member.

Here's the link to the Ning badge--unfortunately, I can't hotlink as my PC settings have prevented me from doing this (and I can't figure out how to change them):

http://23thingsonastick.ning.com/main/embeddable/list

I also enjoyed the Steve Campion, Pierce County Library article, especially his closing comment: "The library is already a community space. Let's make the social web a new reading room." Although I work in a special library and not a public library, I think we could use social networking in my group to keep connect our employees with resources--perhaps just by starting simple with comments on books that our employees have enjoyed.

I also looked at What's on My Bookshelf and Good Reads. I think I'll join Good Reads. I can always use more recommendations on new titles.

Thing #20: Social Networks

I haven't been a user of social networks probably because I'm middle-aged and old school. But after looking at some of the resources, specifically MySpace and Hennepin County Libraries MySpace pages, I can see practical applications for social network sites in libraries.

Meredith Farkas' column, Libraries in Social Networking, was extremely helpful. I appreciated her comments that libraries should implement technologies not because they're cool but because they serve a specific purpose; further, these technologies should be useful to patrons "where they are" (i.e. in social networks).

I don't think I will personally use a social network; but there's the possibility of using social networks in a special library setting--maybe in these ways: a) connect users who are reading the same book (online book clubs), b) use the social network to elicit suggestions for books purchases (as one library did in one of 23 Things Resources for this Thing), c) others??

I completed an MLIS degree through a distance education, online program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee a few years ago. We all had personal webpages and connected through email, online CHAT, etc., but a social network would have been very helpful. It was hard to keep in touch with other students after each semester ended. Participating in social network would have been helpful in building an ongoing community. I suspect I might have built lasting friendships through a social network vehicle, instead of forming short-term friendships each semester.

Thing #19: Podcasts

I didn't realize that a podcast is "distinguished from other digital media formats by its ability to be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically when new content is added." I also assumed that you had to download a podcast to an MP3 player to listen to it--didn't know that many were offered via streaming audio on the Web. Good information!

I found podcast.net to be the easiest directory to navigate, but my favorite content sources are National Public Radio and Minnesota Public Radio. I added a few podcasts to my Google Reader page from these sources: Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac, a grammar podcast, and a new classical music podcast. I also downloaded the latest Car Talk podcast to my MP3 player. Now I can enjoy Car Talk when I'm not in the car.

Here's a nice podcast from Minnesota Public Radio titled "Letting Go." It's about sending your child off to college.
http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/minnesota/podcasts/hows_the_family/2008/02/02082008_family_64.mp3

Sorry, I can't hotlink directly--my computer is blocking this feature and I can't figure out what setting to change to enable hotlinking.

Here's my MP3 player, a Creative Zen MicroPhoto. I've tried out several MP3's and this one has a bookmark feature that works well--a necessity for e-audiobooks:

Thing #18: YouTube & online video

I'm a regular YouTube user for searches at work. We search for ads, competitor products, or user-created content about our products.

Here are two videos that I'd like to share:
Snowboard video:

This is a video my son created. It's 3 minutes long, so you may not want to watch the entire video. If you look closely, you'll see my son--he's the one wearing a helmet! (He had a concussion earlier this season which convinced him--finally--that he really should wear a helmet.) Note to parents of young boys: it only gets harder to keep boys safe as they get older.





Coke and Mentos video:

I've seen this a few times in various company meetings. It's an example of "consumer-created content." It's also long (3 minutes) so feel free to skip through it to see the ending.



This is great that it is so easy to share a video in a blog.

Thing #17: ELM Productivity Tools

I hadn't used the folder options in ELM before, so this was a helpful introduction. However, I rarely use ELM at work, as we have our own subscription databases, so I don't think I'll use any of the productivity tools at my special library.

I'm a frequent NetLibrary user for e-audiobooks but haven't used the Favorites & Notes option before. I will probably take advantage of this for my personal use. I'm also thinking about the possibility of customizing a NetLibrary account for my library, so I may be able to use the Favorite & Notes utilities in this setting.

If you enjoy e-audiobooks, here are some that I've liked: