thing 23 / wrap up

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey? - I really loved blogging and making the time to look around and compare notes with others. It helped me to read other's blogs and learn that no one was really sold on technorati and that most folks weren't crazy about rollyo. We have some great writers and thinkers on our staff! It was nice to meet them through this format.

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? - Lifelong learning is never negotiable. It's essential. It was awfully helpful that someone put together a time frame and curriculum for this kind of learning. I don't think I wouldn't have gotten to it any other way.

Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? - I learned that while it's all out there, that's it not all right for us or for our customers, but that it is important to keep trying, and trying, and failing and trying again. I don't think we've taught this message with as much fervor as we are now. Library 2.0 is about trying things and readapting. Nothing is ever fixed or perfect, but that's okay.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? Not a thing - it was all laid out very easily - many thanks to the team for putting this all together.

thing 22 / instant messaging

I remember the day Julie came to me and said something to the effect that we have no excuse for not providing IM as a way to communicate with our customers in reference. It was a good thing that she did - because that's what started the ball rolling. With the help of Allana and the Network Services Staff, we created a meebo widget that has been added to our ask a librarian page and ALSO to our OPAC. It's terrific - I'm so glad we have it.

Once a year, I do a presentation along with Robin Bernstein and Karen Hein about the subject of virtual reference. This past year, Mother Nature got in the way and I asked Michael to videotape my presentation which is provided here: http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/blogs/NLC/2007/12/virtual_reference_at_the_nebra.html

We have to make ourselves available to customers in whatever way they feel most comfortable contacting us. Chat isn't for everyone but it is for some of our folks. Phone isn't for everyone but it is for some of our folks. Email isn't for everyone but it is for some of our folks ... in librarianship, you never stop adapting the way we communicate, but the message never changes and that is that we're here to help.

thing 21 / podcasts

I love podcasts - and found an NPR program that was recommended to me by a friend: http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1236

I was able to listen to it while I worked on another project. I think podcasts are the busy person's way to keep up with news and information. As I continue to record shows on television, podcasts do all that for me and make themselves available for free and at my convenience.

I subscribed to NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me podcasts -
http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast.php?id=35

thing 20 / YouTube

What's not to love about YouTube? I looked for some library videos but settled upon this clip of a February 2008 performence by the Doane Choir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfJ0HAefSP4 -




What a great application for YouTube given that so many long distance parents would be able to see their kid's performence without leaving home. And my alma mater choir sounds better than ever.

thing 19 / Discovering Web 2.0 tools

I looked at 43 Things -- the online goal setting community. I can really see how this would appeal to some folks for 'publicizing' their goals in a social way and for others with like goals through tagging to cheer each other. Interesting - although I wouldn't think of using this myself.

I also looked at Care2 to see what kind of information it provided about charities. The description "... an online hub of people who care about their world and want to make it better" didn't necessarily give me a clear notion of what I could find or locate there exactly. I started browsing and found -- The Cat Lovers group had 49,466 members - which when you consider is larger than most of the communities in Nebraska!

There are always applications of web 2.0 for libraries when there are interested patrons wishing to discuss a mutually agreeable topic.

thing 18 / Web-based Apps

I gave Zoho a trial run - and really liked it. The idea that portability in word processing is possible no matter where you're sitting is really likable. I typed a sample document. When I located spell check (an absolutely necessity for me) - I was stunned by the number of languages available, especially all the brands of English. At first I didn't think spell check worked because I'm such a right clicker - but indeed does - quite efficiently I might add, with a simple left click on underlined words with options where available. Bravo! (I also finally found spell check in blogger - 'bout time).

This seems like a great common denominator for document sharing. Oh yeah - I typed this in Zoho first.