THING #17
I created a login account at Maryland Libraries Sandbox. Then I successfully added my blog to the Favorite Blogs page. However, this page is not user friendly so it took awhile to figure out how to add my blog.
Monday, November 26, 2007
WIKIS
THING #16
Wikis offer users a lot of benefits, the major one being that a group of people can contribute to develop a website together and they do not need to know HTML or other languages. The main downside to a wiki is information accuracy because any user can add or delete pages. Therefore, if content control is a big issue, a wiki may not be the proper tool to use.
The most famous and largest wiki is Wikipedia. Other projects I researched are wikiuniversity, wikinews, wiktionary, and wikiquotes.
Libraries use wikis to collaborate, share knowledge, and create online communities. Some applications include: pathfinders, subjects guide wikis, catalog annotations, book review wikis, library outreach, ALA conference wikis. Some other uses internally are: meetings, conference planning, collaborative editing of documents, intranets, collective knowledge of the library community, a place to share success stories, advice, and useful materials, librarians sharing library instruction, and library best practices.
I searched through many of the library wikis and my favorite one and most interesting was the Portland Community College Library using Macromedia Flash (Camtasia Studio 2) (audiovisually) to teach users how to search the Oregon Guide.
Wikis offer users a lot of benefits, the major one being that a group of people can contribute to develop a website together and they do not need to know HTML or other languages. The main downside to a wiki is information accuracy because any user can add or delete pages. Therefore, if content control is a big issue, a wiki may not be the proper tool to use.
The most famous and largest wiki is Wikipedia. Other projects I researched are wikiuniversity, wikinews, wiktionary, and wikiquotes.
Libraries use wikis to collaborate, share knowledge, and create online communities. Some applications include: pathfinders, subjects guide wikis, catalog annotations, book review wikis, library outreach, ALA conference wikis. Some other uses internally are: meetings, conference planning, collaborative editing of documents, intranets, collective knowledge of the library community, a place to share success stories, advice, and useful materials, librarians sharing library instruction, and library best practices.
I searched through many of the library wikis and my favorite one and most interesting was the Portland Community College Library using Macromedia Flash (Camtasia Studio 2) (audiovisually) to teach users how to search the Oregon Guide.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
LIBRARY 2.0
THING #15
I read all of the perspectives.
I agreed with much of Michael Stephens' perspective about sharpening specific skills of the librarian 2.0. These skills include: library planning and proposals being based on library user needs and wants; embracing web 2.0 tools; controlling technolust ("technoworship" does not exist here), buying technology only if it meets the users' needs in a new/improved way; making good yet fast decisions; seeking out and reading information/news about technology/business that might impact future library services; and finally, understanding that the future of libraries will be guided by how users access, consume and create content, therefore it is very important that librarians get feedback from other library staff and library users when planning and learns from past successes and failures.
My own thoughts on Library 2.0 are that libraries and their librarians need to keep up with the latest web technology and accessory technology. We need to keep our library environment relevant; if we cannot offer the library user of all ages what they need (and want)(hopefully it's affordable), we could become obsolete. It is essential we can show the library is valuable to the user in these changing times, constantly changing with new technologies.
I see three major ways the library can remain relevant and keep attracting customers:
(1) Meet the basic needs of customers (students, elderly, and others who may not own or cannot afford computers, internet cable service or the software they need.
(2) Librarians/library staff gather information about technology and business trends that can impact library users/local community/our culture. They also need to get feedback from staff and library users about users' needs and wants and what's working and not working well.
(3) Librarians need to inform and educate the public about web tools they can use from a practical standpoint, learning stance as well as having fun on the internet. This builds good and fun relationships with the customer and will ultimately bring the customer back to our library over another library or institution/environment. This also means the librarian needs to stay informed and trained, hopefully, supported by the librarian administration. I believe training the library staff (just as Howard County has done with Library 2.0) is essential and is an excellent investment; without it the librarians and the library can be perceived by the public as unhelpful, uncaring, and unknowledgeable.
I read all of the perspectives.
I agreed with much of Michael Stephens' perspective about sharpening specific skills of the librarian 2.0. These skills include: library planning and proposals being based on library user needs and wants; embracing web 2.0 tools; controlling technolust ("technoworship" does not exist here), buying technology only if it meets the users' needs in a new/improved way; making good yet fast decisions; seeking out and reading information/news about technology/business that might impact future library services; and finally, understanding that the future of libraries will be guided by how users access, consume and create content, therefore it is very important that librarians get feedback from other library staff and library users when planning and learns from past successes and failures.
My own thoughts on Library 2.0 are that libraries and their librarians need to keep up with the latest web technology and accessory technology. We need to keep our library environment relevant; if we cannot offer the library user of all ages what they need (and want)(hopefully it's affordable), we could become obsolete. It is essential we can show the library is valuable to the user in these changing times, constantly changing with new technologies.
I see three major ways the library can remain relevant and keep attracting customers:
(1) Meet the basic needs of customers (students, elderly, and others who may not own or cannot afford computers, internet cable service or the software they need.
(2) Librarians/library staff gather information about technology and business trends that can impact library users/local community/our culture. They also need to get feedback from staff and library users about users' needs and wants and what's working and not working well.
(3) Librarians need to inform and educate the public about web tools they can use from a practical standpoint, learning stance as well as having fun on the internet. This builds good and fun relationships with the customer and will ultimately bring the customer back to our library over another library or institution/environment. This also means the librarian needs to stay informed and trained, hopefully, supported by the librarian administration. I believe training the library staff (just as Howard County has done with Library 2.0) is essential and is an excellent investment; without it the librarians and the library can be perceived by the public as unhelpful, uncaring, and unknowledgeable.
TECHNORATI AND USING TAGS IN BLOGS
THING #14
The Technorati website lets users search for blogs in a countless number of categories. I think it is soooo cool that users can also sign up with Technorati and even claim their own blogs! Users can also keep track of their favorite websites (by subject) using a watchlist! And it's all FREE!!!!!
When I did a keyword search for "learning 2.0" in the blog posts, tags, and directory, I noticed the results seemed to be connected; the posts seemed to be written by users who have signed up with Technorati and seemed to have claimed their blogs.
I noticed two types of categories when I explored the top favorite blogs, top searches, and top blogs: favorite celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and tmz.com and second category: practical topics for users such as lifehacker (tips and downloads for getting things done). I enjoyed reading lifehacker and readwriteweb.com (helpful tips for technology).
The Technorati website lets users search for blogs in a countless number of categories. I think it is soooo cool that users can also sign up with Technorati and even claim their own blogs! Users can also keep track of their favorite websites (by subject) using a watchlist! And it's all FREE!!!!!
When I did a keyword search for "learning 2.0" in the blog posts, tags, and directory, I noticed the results seemed to be connected; the posts seemed to be written by users who have signed up with Technorati and seemed to have claimed their blogs.
I noticed two types of categories when I explored the top favorite blogs, top searches, and top blogs: favorite celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and tmz.com and second category: practical topics for users such as lifehacker (tips and downloads for getting things done). I enjoyed reading lifehacker and readwriteweb.com (helpful tips for technology).
DISCOVERING DEL.ICIO.US AND TAGGING
THING #13
Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking website that allows users to store and share bookmarks on the web vs. in their browser which lets the user get to the bookmarks from ANY computer.
Tags allow computer users (in an informal way) to assign keywords to webpages and images, etc.
I love learning about helpful sites an Delicious lets me do this via networking with others who have identified sites new to me. I can see how Delicious can help me personally and as a professional librarian helping customers at work. Imagine I have access to an endless number of useful websites I can access at any computer!
I liked reading the library blogs (NEAT STUFF) via Delicious, my favorite was "Why librarians are not obsolete." I'll be using my Delicious account mostly for tracking my research, wishlist, and favorite recipes.
Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking website that allows users to store and share bookmarks on the web vs. in their browser which lets the user get to the bookmarks from ANY computer.
Tags allow computer users (in an informal way) to assign keywords to webpages and images, etc.
I love learning about helpful sites an Delicious lets me do this via networking with others who have identified sites new to me. I can see how Delicious can help me personally and as a professional librarian helping customers at work. Imagine I have access to an endless number of useful websites I can access at any computer!
I liked reading the library blogs (NEAT STUFF) via Delicious, my favorite was "Why librarians are not obsolete." I'll be using my Delicious account mostly for tracking my research, wishlist, and favorite recipes.
ROLLYO: CREATE YOUR OWN SEARCH ROLL
Thing #12
I created my own search roll on a popular topic at the library: gluten-free recipes as well as a topic of personal interest. Rollyo offers so many examples of search rolls other people have created. First I created a link to Rollyo and then I attempted to create a searchbox tool for my blog...I don't think it's working yet.
With Rollyo I can identify, organize, and keep track of unlimited sites categorically I might offer to library customers. VERY HANDY!!!!!!!
Check out this personal search engine I just rolled at Rollyo:
http://rollyo.com/ritahsher/gluten_free_recipes/
I created my own search roll on a popular topic at the library: gluten-free recipes as well as a topic of personal interest. Rollyo offers so many examples of search rolls other people have created. First I created a link to Rollyo and then I attempted to create a searchbox tool for my blog...I don't think it's working yet.
With Rollyo I can identify, organize, and keep track of unlimited sites categorically I might offer to library customers. VERY HANDY!!!!!!!
Check out this personal search engine I just rolled at Rollyo:
http://rollyo.com/ritahsher/gluten_free_recipes/
LIBRARY THING
THING #11
Library thing is perfect for any book lover who wants to organize and even catalog their books, they can add tags, and can share their book list preferences with others.
I am using Library thing to keep track of books I want to read and to get ideas about books they have enjoyed reading.
Library thing is perfect for any book lover who wants to organize and even catalog their books, they can add tags, and can share their book list preferences with others.
I am using Library thing to keep track of books I want to read and to get ideas about books they have enjoyed reading.
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