Week 9: Thing 23: Summarize

Most of the stuff that we looked at in the 23 Things program was new to me. I search the web for topics that interest me generally just through Google. I was surprised that using some of the tools like Del.icio.us and Technorati could actually help identify interesting blogs or websites. Blogs, wikis and podcasts could really be useful for libraries to help organize work or to bring more content to library website users.
The hardest thing about the program was the time it took to work on the 23 Things. Because I was learning many new things, it took time for me to read all the material, listen to the webcasts, try out the tools and then write my entry. You can see looking at my blog, that I did things out of order several times! Usually that means that I got stuck on something, or I wanted to work on a thing at home rather than at work. For me, being part time, finding time and a computer at work was very dificult. Thankfully, I was able to work on it at home with few problems. I know I spent a number of hours on the Things like Flickr, Rss feeds, technorati and Del.icio.us. I still have to read some articles I've bookmarked on Library 2.0!
The great part about the program is that I feel like I have an overview of the web 2.0 and how it can enhance information exchange and productivity. Plus, some of the stuff really is fun to use!
Thanks for putting together the program, and thanks for giving us a few extra days! The extra days were a big help!

Week 9: Thing # 20, Youtube

There's so much stuff on Youtube that I think you can find something on almost any topic.
I searched for quilting, and came up with more than 20 videos, most of which were instructional. I was intrigued by the video that I posted on my blog. This instructor managed to show how to create an appliqued vest in less than 3 minutes.
Posting the video to the blog was very easy. All I had to do was follow the instructions for posting. I did not have to paste the code for the embeddable player at all. Youtube had it set up so that all you had to do was click on the appropriate button, and the link was created for you.
During this whole 23 things process we have watched quite a few videos with instructions on how to use a particular website or feature. It might make sense to think about using videos to show patrons how to use library websites or how to use features like Overdrive audio books. Many people learn more easily when they are shown how to do something instead of having to read instructions. Of course, we would need the bandwidth to play all that video!

Week 9: Thing # 21, Podcasts

I did a few searches in Yahoo Podcasts to see how easy it would be to locate podcasts that I was interested in. I tried a very specific search for a medical condition and had pretty good results. The results included ten or so podcasts, but they were all relevant to the search and looked useful. Most of the podcasts gave instructions and suggestions on how to handle the medical situation.
The second search was broader, using "art schools". The results were not really relevant. One was for a teacher named Art. I did find a childrens book review site called "Book Voyages" that I really liked. I listened to the podcast about the young adult book The Geography of Girlhood by Kirsten Smith. Most of the podcast was of Ms. Smith discussing the book and reading from it before and audience. I really enjoyed listening to her talk about the book.
Looking at Yahoo Podcast website, I realized that it will be discontinued in October. I tried Podcast.net and was able to search directly for Book Voyages and add it to my RSS feeds.
I also looked at the podcast information on the Merlin site. The book readings, interviews and LibVibe were all very cool uses of podcasts. I linked to LibVibe, and I'm listening to the latest news while typing this. Definitely a fun, and informational, podcast.

Week 6: Thing # 15 Library 2.0

Library 2.0 really seems to center on bringing the tools of the web 2.0 to the public. For a public library this may mean using blogs or other information sharing tools to make the content of the internet more accessible. One of the articles linked in the Wikipedia article quotes a definition by Sarah Houghton: "Library 2.0 simply means making your library's space (virtual and physical) more interactice, collaborative and driven by community needs." ("11 reasons why Library 2.0 exists and matters", www.blyberg.net). Michael Stephens' talks about giving users access to the library services wherever the users are located.
I think that one of the major functions of the Library 2.0 will be to give users access to the internet, through our computers or through interaction with our website. Given all the new tools that users may not be aware of, like del.icio.us and RSS feeds, I think that the libraries must provide users with some education on how to use these tools. Online productivity tools would certainly be useful for many users. Maybe there are ways to use tags to enhance the search capabilities of the a catalog or websites. Certainly there is a lot of information out there, and the library's mission should be to show it's users how to find it. Like Stephens says, it may also be the library's mission to show users how to use the tools that will allow them to shape and use the information.