Wikis II

Adding to the RA wiki was a breeze. It was just like editing a Word document. I did not understand how to add tags though. Some folks just added them after their plot summary, but I thought they were embedded. I guess I'll find out when we get to Thing 17.

Hello, Wikis!

I am glad the articles we read discussed reasons to & not to use wikis. The training we had with Michelle focused so heavily on 'yes,' that the 'maybe nots' were not considered. Sometimes a wiki may not be the best idea, if content control is an issue. Plain & simple. This was not discussed at the training, which I find annoying.

With all this complaining aside (& I can complain, because I don't think anyone reads this but me), wikis can be a cool tool in the library. I really like the idea of a book review / discussion wiki, like Princeton used for their Adult SRP. That is a great idea! Also, an unbaised community resource for the best tacos or a dishonest mechanic - who wouldn't want that?

The references to Amazon's catalog vs. the static library OPAC is true - I used Amazon to determine what books to buy for Christmas presents because I could read an exert of the text and see the cover, plus read reviews. It's a wonderful resource and the library catalog would benefit from their ideas.

Using a wiki for library teams would be GREAT. I must have gotten a gazillion emails regarding SRP 2007 last summer - it was insane. Having a wiki & having everyone consult the wiki & having a contstantly updated SRP resource to answer all those email questions - what a time saver. I'm sold.

IM & Libraries II

IM & Libraries will work well together. There are people who love IM, so it makes sense to make library services a part of their IMing.

So far, VBPL's IM has been slow to catch on. I think the promotion of the service was convoluted - if teens are so familiar with IM, leave off all the heavy info (use these 4 accounts, meebo). The ones who will use this new service are the people who already know how to IM.

IM & Libraries

Hmmm... the LJ article was pretty interesting. "Instant messaging isn't going to replace other forms of communication. But it can make your reference services relevant to a whole new group of users, while serving existing users even better." And these new users aren't necessarily teens, but 20-somthings who grew up in the 1980s with computers. This changed my view of IM a bit. Another interesting tidbit was patrons IMing the library while they are IN the library. I think that's just lazy - get off your duff, for heaven's sake - but it seems a sign of the times.

VBPL offers IM but it's not heavily used. Too bad we don't have a feature in the newspaper (LJ article again). I must have heard about libraries going to collection agencies about 4 times in the news, including NPR. This is just as big a step.

RSS II

Topix seemed the most user friendly. I didn't like Syndic8 or Technorati as much, they confused me. "Feedster is changing and will be back up soon..."

Topix found feeds about the Norfolk Catholic Worker, but Syndic8 did not.

RSS

Wow! This is really cool. The youtube clips were great for explanation. I created a bloglines account but couldn't figure out how to get a feed, so I went back (and took Cindy's advice) and did Google Reader instead. Much easier, especially after watching the clip on how to use Google Reader.

OK, back to the web 2.0 questions -
I really like that all my interests are represented on 1 page - RSS really is a secret weapon in our tightly-scheduled society. It also helps with those little things that can get forgotten - now it's on my feeds list and I won't forget it.

How can libraries use this? The New York Public Library already offers this as a blogfeeder, so I'm interested to see what they post. They also have RSS for their program calendar. How about for informal staff book reviews? These are things that VBPL could also do.

Web 2.0 (thoughts on...)

Web 2.0 is said to be easier, not so bound by the constraints of rules / software / etc., and shares content and creativity.
Web 2.0 is about trust and open conversations.

After reading the O'Reilly article (with the list), I see my experience are much more web 1.0 (Britannica Online vs. wikis, websites vs. blogging, domain names vs. search engines, publishing vs. participation). I see I need to step out of my realm of comfort.

But with all this creativity and access to this & that, I wonder - people have so much more access to information, but do they really read it? Isn't it all about cutting & pasting & skimming & browsing?

I see that the web is changing and libraries need to respond to it. The "Away from the Icebergs" article citing the end of library collections was dismal, but I think children's programming and services will still survive regardless.

7.5 Lifelong Learning Habits

The 7.5 Lifelong Learning Habits are...
1. Begin with goal
2. Accept responsibility for self learning
3. View problems as challenges
4. Have confidence in self (watch your words)
5. Make your own learning tool box
6. Use technology to help you
7. Teach others
7.5 Play

Which habit is easiest for me?
#1 There are all kinds of exciting ideas out there that seem totally feasible to accomplish (usually unrealistic)
Which habit is hardest for me?
#6 I tend to do 'what works for me' and not explore other possibilities with technology