YouTube has revolutionized the web. It has given amateur filmmakers free publicity. Friends and family are able to share their videos with one another without overloading e-mail in-boxes. Internet users can view popular events that they have missed or would like to see again. For instance, I missed Adam Sandler hosting the David Letterman show on Tuesday night but I've found portions of the show on YouTube.
How could YouTube be implemented in our library system? New technologies could be demonstrated via YouTube. Videos of the some of wonderful programs scheduled at the libraries could be uploaded as well.
While exploring YouTube, I found several creative videos. One that I would like to share is called Tasty Choices @ Your Library. It's a short ad highlighting the variety of items that you can find at your library.
Another video that I want to share stars a guinea pig named Bing. The tune is catchy and it teaches you a lot about guinea pigs - it is all about them. :-)
Friday, March 23, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Thing 19 - Discovering Etsy, A Web 2.0 Tool
After browsing some of the winning Web 2.0 tools, the one that I found most captivating (aside from the tools that were explored in previous lessons) was Etsy. Etsy is a website that brings together sellers and buyers of handcrafted items. Wikipedia describes Etsy most accurately by equating it to an online craft fair.
There are many ways to search for items on Etsy: by category, tag, recently listed, seller's favorite, seller's location and color. I found searching by tag and category most worthwhile. One of the items that I found was the painting shown above. It is a gouache painting entitled Summer Reading that is listed for $80. I least liked searching by color. My searches tended to yield bizarre results. For example, when I clicked on yellow, I was recommended a pair of batman earrings.
How could this tool be implemented in the library? We probably couldn't use this tool professionally but we could always recommend it to our creative patrons who are looking for a way to sell their crafts. I already have a person in mind: a coworker that crafts beautifully beaded jewelry.
Look at one of the gems that I found during my search. It is an ornament that can be
personalized. I'm thinking of getting two for my guinea pigs. Too bad the seller doesn't offer personalized ornaments for German Shepherds. I hope my dog doesn't get jealous.
Thing 18 - Web-based Applications
Using Zoho to Report on New Technology
For the past couple of days, I've been searching the news for an interesting story to write about using Zoho. Well, on the way to the library this morning, I heard a story worth sharing. I learned that TiVo customers will soon be able to purchase movies from Amazon and download them to their TiVos. Nifty! Now, I just need to convince my husband to buy a TiVo.
About Zoho
Wow! Web-based applications are very useful. I can create and view a document, spreadsheet or presentation practically anywhere. It unties me from one computer or network. The only downside seems to be that these web-based applications aren't as versatile as Microsoft's products. For instance, I can customize the font in Microsoft Word whereas Zoho has set font sizes. Also, neither Zoho Writer nor Zoho Show has clip art. Both are features that I frequently use. So, I think Microsoft is safe, for now.
* I'm using Zoho's publish feature to post this onto my blog. I tried to make the format consistent to the rest of my blog posts. After many tries, I think it looks very similar.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Thing 17 - Playing Around with PBWiki
I'm surprised how easy it is to add text to a Wiki page. It's scary, really. I noticed that under the Favorite Animals section, someone had manipulated the number for horses. I can definitely see the benefit of limiting editing rights. I added comments to My Favorite Blogs, Animals, TV Show, Stores and Websites.
Thing 16 - Wikis
The wiki that I found most interesting was Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. Un
der the Programming heading, there was a link to Displays. Several users had uploaded pictures of their library displays. It helped ignite my creative spark. Watch out craft stores, here I come! :-) At last year's staff development day, we had a sharing/ best practices group discussion and I found it very helpful. Wouldn't it be great if we had this type of sharing online via a wiki?
I was also very intrigued by the Book Lovers Wiki. I wish there was a way for our patrons to review the books that they have read. It would help me alert them to newly published books that match their interests.
On a lighter note, I used the wiki search tool to find information on "guinea
pigs." It helped me find a new web site called Guinea Pigs Club. There are lots of guinea pig themed games to play. If you get a chance, try out How Quickly Can You Feed Your Guinea Pig. he! he!
der the Programming heading, there was a link to Displays. Several users had uploaded pictures of their library displays. It helped ignite my creative spark. Watch out craft stores, here I come! :-) At last year's staff development day, we had a sharing/ best practices group discussion and I found it very helpful. Wouldn't it be great if we had this type of sharing online via a wiki?I was also very intrigued by the Book Lovers Wiki. I wish there was a way for our patrons to review the books that they have read. It would help me alert them to newly published books that match their interests.
On a lighter note, I used the wiki search tool to find information on "guinea
pigs." It helped me find a new web site called Guinea Pigs Club. There are lots of guinea pig themed games to play. If you get a chance, try out How Quickly Can You Feed Your Guinea Pig. he! he!
Thing 15 - Library 2.0
After reading the five perspectives, I think the one I agree with most is Rick Anderson's "Away from the Iceburgs." I think Loudoun County has done an excellent job catering to the evolving technology. It has made available an information rich database, convenient downloadable audiobooks, portable audiobooks, engaging Tumblebooks, live homework help, Grease Monkey for Amazon, a LCPL toolbar, and many other nifty technologies. (Although it would help a lot of patrons if they could download audiobooks on their Ipods or Zooms.) I can honestly say that I'm proud to be an employee for the county. I like to check out other libraries as a hobby. (I know, it's sad, but I really do love my job and the library.) Anyway, the point is, I think Loudoun County tops the list on available technology and user friendliness. In summary, on the technology aspect, I think our library system is Library 2.0 compatible.
I think we have two "iceburgs" though. First, I think only a few of our patrons comprehend the extent of our collection. The community isn't aware of our online gems or even our in-library digital collection. We needs to pump up our marketing strategy and keep the public abreast of our technology. Perhaps we should go to schools and educate the teachers on how to use our online tools. They can then pass the knowledge down to their students. I think many of the youth view libraries as a building storing a just-in-case collection. I want them to see that we are much more. Maybe we could visit gyms and market the portable audio books. Wouldn't time pass a lot quicker if they listened to a book while working out?
The second challenge is to keep the library staff educated on the new technology. The technology is rolled out so quickly that we need to receive proper training for us to successfully serve our patrons. For example,Web 2.0 has been an absolutely awesome learning experience! We need more training programs like this. Please don't get miffed at me for writing this, but I also think learning Web 2.0 should be mandatory. Even if there wasn't a prize at the end, it's valuable training that is essential for serving our patrons effectively. (Don't get me wrong, I can't to receive the MP3 player. I'm giving it to my husband so he will be able to work out on the treadmill with his own music. he! he! Charlie gave me one for my birthday two years ago and it is fantastic!) Hopefully, there will be more learning in store for us after Web 2.0. I don't want to miss out on anything.
I think we have two "iceburgs" though. First, I think only a few of our patrons comprehend the extent of our collection. The community isn't aware of our online gems or even our in-library digital collection. We needs to pump up our marketing strategy and keep the public abreast of our technology. Perhaps we should go to schools and educate the teachers on how to use our online tools. They can then pass the knowledge down to their students. I think many of the youth view libraries as a building storing a just-in-case collection. I want them to see that we are much more. Maybe we could visit gyms and market the portable audio books. Wouldn't time pass a lot quicker if they listened to a book while working out?
The second challenge is to keep the library staff educated on the new technology. The technology is rolled out so quickly that we need to receive proper training for us to successfully serve our patrons. For example,Web 2.0 has been an absolutely awesome learning experience! We need more training programs like this. Please don't get miffed at me for writing this, but I also think learning Web 2.0 should be mandatory. Even if there wasn't a prize at the end, it's valuable training that is essential for serving our patrons effectively. (Don't get me wrong, I can't to receive the MP3 player. I'm giving it to my husband so he will be able to work out on the treadmill with his own music. he! he! Charlie gave me one for my birthday two years ago and it is fantastic!) Hopefully, there will be more learning in store for us after Web 2.0. I don't want to miss out on anything.
Hamlet's LAPS Blog
As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've been working on my 2.0 blog at home because I work part-time and it's hard for me to focus at the library. For the past couple of weeks, I haven't been keeping up with the new tasks. I'm guilty for two reasons. One, I've been playing the new SIMS Stories game which despite the positive reviews, I find disappointing. Second, I've been creating a blog for LAPS (Large Ample Pigs Society.) I'm a member of the Guinea Pig Daily Digest, an interactive e-mail digest involving guinea pig owners from all around the world. Hamlet volunteered as Secretary for LAPS and Web 2.0 has helped me create another blog just for that club. Thank you LCPL for teaching me about blogs, Flickr, Flickr Toys and Image Generators. These tools all helped me create it. Now that it's set up and open to other LAPS members, it's back to learning. I have a lot of catching up to do!
A story about Hamlet:
Hamlet is my "big boned" pig. His heftiness gained him membership to the exclusive LAPS (Large Ample Pigs Society) club on the Guinea Pig Daily Digest. He's so happy to have finally found a group of guinea pigs that share his love for eating and lounging. Seussy, his non biological brother, only weighs 2lbs. 8oz. As you can imagine, before LAPS, Hamlet was very insecure about his weight.
I love this little guy and his sweet little brother too!
A story about Hamlet:
Hamlet is my "big boned" pig. His heftiness gained him membership to the exclusive LAPS (Large Ample Pigs Society) club on the Guinea Pig Daily Digest. He's so happy to have finally found a group of guinea pigs that share his love for eating and lounging. Seussy, his non biological brother, only weighs 2lbs. 8oz. As you can imagine, before LAPS, Hamlet was very insecure about his weight.
I love this little guy and his sweet little brother too!
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