Thing 7

My library uses email to communicate with patrons who have requested items and need to be notified when they arrive. Patrons have a choice as to how they will be contacted, because there is a small % of our patrons that have email access.

Email is used for communication between staff members. We are a part of library system, so there is communication between the different branch library buildings, as well as our own building.

We have patrons email us with reference questions, and we answer the same way. Patrons also remail us with item requests.

As far as online reference using some of the other web 2.0 communication tools, I can't see that happening soon. We don't have enough patrons with the technology. As stated above, we don't have that many patrons with email capabilities, which I think is step one on the technology ladder.

No, I'm not an active user of text messaging, im, or other communication tools. It will be interesting to go through the "Things" to learn more about them.

Thing 6

Trading Card

This is my version of the trading card. What a cutie!! I found her on Flickr. I love the double chin. The trading cards would be great for children's programming!!

The picture used for the puzzle is one of Detroit Lake City Beach found on Flickr. (taken by Kenkare.)

Thing 5

I'm always amazed at how creative people are. Some of these spin offs from Flickr are so neat. I can see lots of uses for them in the youth programming. These would be a fun resource for a grandparent too! I don't know why but a puzzle from one of my own pictures really appeals to me.

In response to the blog prompt: What do you think of sharing photos online, it scares me. I think it is a wonderful way to archive your digital photos and keep them safe. Nobody likes to think of a castastrophe happening resulting in losing their pictures, but it could happen. The part that scares me is putting pictures on the internet of family members that are accessible to everyone. I know it says you can choose for you pictures to be private or just accessible to friends and family, but I guess I'm not very trusting. I won't put any pictures on flickr with family members in them. I would just as soon burn them on a cd, and share copies with other family members so I could recover them.

Thing 4

The photo of the Pumpkin Farm is by eva101. I got it from "flickr." Just look at that sky!!

I visited the Library of Congress site, and was blown away. I have history working in a museum, so I couldn't help thinking of the possibilities for using flickr in that field. Museums usually have a ton of donated pictures that aren't identified or are semi-identified. Flickr (or one of the other such sites) could get the public involved in helping to identify these pictures!! That would be such fun!!

I loved what the Clements and Alcuin libraries did with the tags on the bookshelf!

Thing 3

What a wonderful time saving tool! I hate to be negative, but I have often thought computers don't really save us time. I can see where RSS feeds definitely help turn the tables on that statement. Using feeds gets all kinds of valuable up to date information readily accessible...whether it's professional or personal information. I happen to be a knitter, I mentioned earlier that I visited knitting blogs, well now I can subscribe to them!! I subscribed to the recommended library associated feeds. It'll be a great way to be connected to the library world.

I thought the little orange button was the easiest to use...it was definitely easiest to see!!

I couldn't get the Cnet video to work. I thought the "Feed Me" tutorial was very good. I had a hard time setting up my account. I tried Google Reader first, but gave up and went to Bloglines. Once I switched I didn't have any trouble at all setting up an account. I have no idea what that was about?

Thing 2

First I'll respond to the blog prompts.
Time always is an issue, but my "23 things on a stick" time won't exist because I no longer smoke 3 packs a day...thank god!! I am suppose to work on it during work hours.

I am participating because I was asked to. I want to learn as much as I possibly can. I consider myself technologically challenged, so am very grateful for any help in this area!

The internet is a large part of my life, both at home and at work! The biggest eye opener, as to how much we depend on the internet, is when the server goes down here at the library!! We virtually come to a halt!!

I would say I have just scratched the surface of Web 2.0 tools, but I'm looking very forward to learning more!! I think my library is at about the same place.

I am looking forward to every "Thing."

I learned a lot through the video, blog and the articles. I need to find out what Twitter, Meebo, and Ning are!! I think the most interesting was the feedback from others after the blog!! I agreed with the person that felt the tools have to be implemented into our mission or they just become toys that take time away from our mission.

Thing 2

I got a chance to watch the video, finally! I think the guy was speaking a different language, when he was listing all the new technology. It's pretty obvious I have a lot to learn, but I keep telling myself -that will always be the case. Even if I just take baby steps at least I'm heading in the right direction. The video inspired me to find out what some of the technologies are. He mentioned "virtual reference," and Im's and as soon as I post this I'm off to find out what they are!

He is so right about the way we learn...I'm so glad we have this program to actually do the 23 things!!

Avatar

I had some free time to work on this, but of course it wasn't quite enough. I had to go to lunch before getting my avatar loaded onto my blog. It felt like an intense cliff hanger until I could get back to it!! What a thrill it was to see pop on my blog, it looks so much like me!! I had to show it to my co-workers...I thought it was worth a laugh or two!

Thing 1

I think I'm blogging! I've visited blogs a number of times, (some have great how to's ), but I never thought I would have one. It's a good thing I'm learning these 23 new things now, because it won't be long and my five year old grandchild will laugh at me for not knowing how to do them...then give me lessons.