Wrap-up

Yes, I finished the lessons with 3 hours to go!

My observations about Library 2.0:

1. I love my Google Reader. It's such a great way of keeping up with news, library blogs, etc.

2. Flickr and YouTube can be very addicting.

3. I am going to try to work on my MySpace page and keep up my blog, but time will tell.

4. I hope I can remember all the new accounts I have created!



All in all, I enjoyed this class because it encouraged me to check out resources that I heard about but never dived into. Some of them I'm just dipping my toes into (wikis and delicious), some I'll try wading in a little deeper (my blog and MySpace), and the there's that I have dived right into (Google Reader).

Wikis

Like many people, my first experience with a wiki was Wikipedia. At that time (several years ago) I had no idea what a wiki was. In fact I remember I was not impressed by Wikipedia at that time. Now I can see that it can be another way for a library to communicate and with its patrons. However, does a library need to have a blog, a wiki, and a Facebook page? Sometimes it seems it might be a little too much for smaller libraries to keep up with.

However, I do see that this could be a great resource for staff cooperation/communication. I am a part of the State Library wiki - OK, I haven't added to it yet, but I have read all the new posts. Also, a wiki could be a great resource for families concerning upcoming vacations, weddings, graduations, and genealogical research.

Tagging and Social Bookmarking

Since "research" is my job I keep finding more and more websites that I believe could be useful (someday...). Yes, my bookmark list on my work computer is quite long (too long...?) and every so often I try to eliminate the outdated, nonworking ones. I haven't set up an account yet in Delicious, mainly because I am getting account weary. However, tagging seems the way to go! If I was working away from the office, a Delicious account would be wonderful. What a great way to organize and then locate all those favorite websites!

Social Networking

Ok, I'm trying to catch up and I have less than 20 hours to go! So, "social networking" - I'm quite familiar with Facebook since one of my daughters has had an account for a few years. Because of that I chose to create an account with MySpace. It was extremely easy to set up except for choosing my screen name. It took at least 15 tries before I chose one that no one else had. Time will tell if I keep up with this account. I still need to add to my profile, etc., but who knows this might be fun. I'm not sure if having a blog is just as good if not better for libraries than having a MySpace or Facebook page, but perhaps some library patrons prefer this way of accessing information about their library.

Google Docs

I had checked out Google Docs last year but never dug into what all is available: calendars, labels, presentations. I could have lot of fun with this! So far I've created a short presentation of my daughter's wedding and started creating a calendar for next year. Google Docs could be used among staff members to add to a calendar, view a presentation (with built-in chat), etc.

YouTube

I've played around with YouTube for some time now, mainly due to my two daughters. We enjoy all the videos made by Dan Olson (Banion5) and his girlfriend Amber - both talented singers. I'll try to attach one of them in my blog. Of course, videos can also be used for educational purposes as we all know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF65qz24CMM

There are way too many podcasts out there! I ended up at Podcast.com and set up an account there (how many accounts do I have now?.....) So far, my playlist includes Sherlock Holmes stories and some music - but I could spend way far too much time searching for more and more. I am also kind of a news junkie so I'll probably adding more informative podcasts, too.

Podcasting can be a great way for libraries to do training, booktalks , etc., easily available to the public.

U.S. Open 2007

U.S. Open 2007, originally uploaded by Sara H W.

While watching the late night tennis match between James Blake and Donald Young at the 2008 US Open, I thought I would play with more flickr toys. Since I was definitely in a "tennis mood" I decided to create a photo mosaic using photos I took last year at the 2007 Open. Go Robby, Marat and Roger! Yes, I do have my tennis favorites!

My creation -trading card

My creation -trading card, originally uploaded by Sara H W.

08/12/2008

I had so much fun playing with all the toys that I had a hard time choosing one to post on this blog.

All these toys can be very addicting!. Since its almost time for the U.S. Open, I decided to make a trading card with a few of my favorite players.

Rain over Lake Oahe

Rain over Lake Oahe, originally uploaded by vfluckey.

So far Flickr has been more challenging than setting up an account in Google Reader. Another account, another password....

I noticed that Google now has Google Photos. Since I already have a Google account this may be an easier way to share photos.

I found this photo by searching for "Lake Oahe". Wonderful picture of rain over the big lake!

RSS

I found setting up my Google Reader account to be quite easy. Searching for and finding blogs has been easy - my only problem is limiting the number of blogs I'm interested in. I am kind of a news fiend, so having just one place to quickly scan my favorite news sites should be a timesaver! One library blog that I have found to be informative and quite amusing is the Swiss Army Librarian. Check out some of the unique reference questions he has encountered... http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/

7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners

I truly believe in being an active lifelong learner. My parents instilled that desire in me and I hope I have passed that on to my children. Everyday is a new learning experience, not always an enjoyable one, but that's life! Habit 3 (view problems as challenges) can sometimes be difficult for me. I have been known to make little problems into big ones... Habit 4 (have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner) is probably the easiest one for me simply because I enjoy learning anything new.

Creating my blog...finally!

I have finally started my blog! (After much prodding and a little hand-holding by two co-workers...) Selecting a name for my blog proved to be a little difficult for me and my brain is still a bit sluggish from all the activities surrounding my daughter's wedding. I decided on "Ms. Kitty" partly because I have always loved cats. Also, now that my daughters are growing up and moving away I will probably start turning into that "crazy neighborhood cat lady". I almost chose "Miss Kitty" since I did grow up in the Gunsmoke era, but Ms. Kitty sounds so much more sophisticated!

I thought I would share a picture of my daughter Kate and her husband, James. It was a wonderful day!