Where to start, where to start...well, before I address some of the "blog prompts," I'd like to mention my RSS failure. After searching for RSS feed icons on other librarians' blogs, I wanted to add one to The Cautious Librarian, rather than asking readers to scroll all the way to the bottom of my blog to the "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)" link. So I looked and Help'd (neither Help on Blogger or Google Reader were very helpful) and finally found a convoluted answer, which, if I were truly devoted and had unlimited time, would probably eventually be useful.
Back to the prompts:
I used Google Reader, mostly because I already had a Google account and my mind is reeling with usernames and passwords, and I didn't particularly want to add another to the mix. In retrospect, Bloglines it is probably a more useful tool, but oh well. Google Reader was satisfactory; I particularly liked the "bundled" blogs, esp. Fun stuff and News (Jon Stewart and BBC News - gotta love 'em). It was also pretty easy to add other blogs from friends and colleagues and other random stuff (searching was easy, but for the most part I just entered the specific web addresses). I was sad, though, that I couldn't use Roger Ebert's webpage as an RSS.
I also would have liked to put a link to my RSS aggregator on my blog, but I didn't see any instructions on the 23 Things page, Blogspot or Google Reader. (Another one of those "if I had unlimited time" tasks...)
Regardless, it was a pretty easy program to manage, and I think it will decrease my use of Explorer Favorites. Not a huge impact at the moment, but I can see that it will become more of a part of my computer usage as I become familiar with this tool.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thing 2. What is Library 2.0?
I think Library 2.0 has a lot of potential applications in the library world. Kids nowadays don't use email because they're too busy communicating on myspace (young whippersnappers). Many don't come into the library to do research because hey, it's all online. We have the obligation to engage this group and provide services for them, not the least because they will be paying our salaries in the near future.
So, recognizing how important this technology is, let me say that Wow, watching the assigned video was kind of awful. I'm referring mostly to the experience of viewing it online, because the program kept choking, but also because the subject of the video, while expressing relevant ideas, is not a particularly engaging public speaker. But to be perfectly fair, neither am I. I was interested in point he made about how if you are passionate about something, like smoking (smoking?!), you can always make the time for it in your daily life. I agree with this statement, but realistically, in the long term you can only cram so much in your day before you hit overload (more comments on this topic below).
A lot of the information in John Blyberg's blog post was covered in Jody Wurl & Michelle McGraw's MLA presentation (Reader's Advisory 2.0) which I was lucky enough to sit in on last fall, but Mr. Blyberg did have some interesting insights. I particularly liked the comment that "In order to be adept at navigating L2 waters, the old fiefdoms need to disappear," and not just because I like the word fiefdom. Loosening the boundaries is difficult concept in today's compartmentalized library systems. I wouldn't say that our library has a daily gladiator match ("Tuesday: Reference Librarians v. Technical Services!"), but our respective job descriptions do mean that we occasionally have very different - and sometimes opposing - agendas. It would be fantastic if we could have more overlap of duties among divisions; if the overlap could be combined with innovation, all the better.
I do wonder, however, how we can drastically increase our services to the millennials while at the same time providing the same level of assistance to patrons that may have some computer skills, but have little or no interest in facebook or youtube. Obviously this group is dwindling, but they they are still a very important subgroup of our user population. (Some of my concerns were mirrored in one of the posted comments: "We haven’t just been ignoring the young and the tech-savvy...what about everyone else?")
According to one article, if we host collaboration resources, we need to trust our patrons to stick to guidelines like those at Ann Arbor..."Keep it factual, simple, direct and about library related business." I commend Ann Arbor for their optimism, but boy, after seeing some of the comments posted to our teen page, I shudder a bit at the idea of unmoderated library blogs. On the other hand, I was a bit nervous re: express reserves, and as far as I know we've not had any problems with people checking out someone else's materials. Shame on me for being a Negative Nancy.
Note: if there is one thing I'd like to see added in the short term, it is the conversation feature that Hennepin County added to their catalog entries. Too cool!
And finally back to the subject of time, sweet, fleeting, elusive time.
I don't think I've ever heard a librarian say, "I'm sooooo bored. I really wish that my supervisor would give me more work to fill my increasingly empty day." Libraries are all busy and understaffed (admittedly many libraries in the state are much worse off than mine, so I have NO complaints), but I do think if we are expected to incorporate Library 2.0 tools in our daily activities on a permanent basis, then something - some task or tasks - will have to fall by the wayside. Of course, I have no idea which ones should get the ax...
So, recognizing how important this technology is, let me say that Wow, watching the assigned video was kind of awful. I'm referring mostly to the experience of viewing it online, because the program kept choking, but also because the subject of the video, while expressing relevant ideas, is not a particularly engaging public speaker. But to be perfectly fair, neither am I. I was interested in point he made about how if you are passionate about something, like smoking (smoking?!), you can always make the time for it in your daily life. I agree with this statement, but realistically, in the long term you can only cram so much in your day before you hit overload (more comments on this topic below).
A lot of the information in John Blyberg's blog post was covered in Jody Wurl & Michelle McGraw's MLA presentation (Reader's Advisory 2.0) which I was lucky enough to sit in on last fall, but Mr. Blyberg did have some interesting insights. I particularly liked the comment that "In order to be adept at navigating L2 waters, the old fiefdoms need to disappear," and not just because I like the word fiefdom. Loosening the boundaries is difficult concept in today's compartmentalized library systems. I wouldn't say that our library has a daily gladiator match ("Tuesday: Reference Librarians v. Technical Services!"), but our respective job descriptions do mean that we occasionally have very different - and sometimes opposing - agendas. It would be fantastic if we could have more overlap of duties among divisions; if the overlap could be combined with innovation, all the better.
I do wonder, however, how we can drastically increase our services to the millennials while at the same time providing the same level of assistance to patrons that may have some computer skills, but have little or no interest in facebook or youtube. Obviously this group is dwindling, but they they are still a very important subgroup of our user population. (Some of my concerns were mirrored in one of the posted comments: "We haven’t just been ignoring the young and the tech-savvy...what about everyone else?")
According to one article, if we host collaboration resources, we need to trust our patrons to stick to guidelines like those at Ann Arbor..."Keep it factual, simple, direct and about library related business." I commend Ann Arbor for their optimism, but boy, after seeing some of the comments posted to our teen page, I shudder a bit at the idea of unmoderated library blogs. On the other hand, I was a bit nervous re: express reserves, and as far as I know we've not had any problems with people checking out someone else's materials. Shame on me for being a Negative Nancy.
Note: if there is one thing I'd like to see added in the short term, it is the conversation feature that Hennepin County added to their catalog entries. Too cool!
And finally back to the subject of time, sweet, fleeting, elusive time.
I don't think I've ever heard a librarian say, "I'm sooooo bored. I really wish that my supervisor would give me more work to fill my increasingly empty day." Libraries are all busy and understaffed (admittedly many libraries in the state are much worse off than mine, so I have NO complaints), but I do think if we are expected to incorporate Library 2.0 tools in our daily activities on a permanent basis, then something - some task or tasks - will have to fall by the wayside. Of course, I have no idea which ones should get the ax...
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Thing 1: Set Up Your Blog
I didn't have too much trouble when it came to creating this blog; no worse than putting together a profile on facebook. Actually, since I didn't have to compile lists of my favorite music, activities, etc., it was probably easier, particularly in light of the detailed instructions provided for participants of 23 Things on a Stick. As warned, the hardest part was coming up with a name; my favorite blog, sporadically updated though it may be, is The Ornery Librarian, so I blatantly pirated that idea and tried to find the most applicable adjective. (A coworker suggested The Diabolical Librarian, which is extremely cool, but unfortunately I'd already registered this blog :-(
The templates were quite similar to ones provided in Microsoft Publisher, which I use frequently for creating fliers, bookmarks, and postcards, so no major barriers there. Note: I liked the option of changed the default colors.
No problems to report re: creating an avatar, except that yahoo had a tendency to freeze up when I was scrolling through different options, and of course the guilt I experienced doing this task on work time. It brought to mind the paper doll obsession I had during my pre-teen years - different clothes + different hair styles + fun accessories = hours of fun.
Exporting was pretty simple, although I know it would have taken me a lot longer if I hadn't had step-by-step instructions, and adding a picture was a snap.
The templates were quite similar to ones provided in Microsoft Publisher, which I use frequently for creating fliers, bookmarks, and postcards, so no major barriers there. Note: I liked the option of changed the default colors.
No problems to report re: creating an avatar, except that yahoo had a tendency to freeze up when I was scrolling through different options, and of course the guilt I experienced doing this task on work time. It brought to mind the paper doll obsession I had during my pre-teen years - different clothes + different hair styles + fun accessories = hours of fun.
Exporting was pretty simple, although I know it would have taken me a lot longer if I hadn't had step-by-step instructions, and adding a picture was a snap.
Last night
I'm sorry to disappoint anyone anticipating a lascivious posting, but last night, in my quest to become a more accomplished life-long learner, I watched public television (it's sad, I know).
I don't normally watch much TV (except House MD and Pushing Daisies - @*&$* writer's strike, grumble grumble) but The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow and The Lobotomist both caught my attention...the latter also managed to trigger my gag reflex.
I grew up on a farm in northeast Iowa; my dad grew corn and beans like all the other farmers in the neighborhood, and also had beef cattle. Not one of the disturbingly huge factory farms, but one of the now-almost-extinct small operations that he was able to manage on his own. Before leaving for college, I periodically helped out with the livestock, and often listened to the cows bellowing while they were inoculated, de-horned, or castrated (oh, the memories). It was very interesting to learn that some of the the distress they were feeling was caused by anxiety rather than pain, which according to Dr Temple Grandin, the subject of TWWTLAC, can be alleviated with some very simple changes.
As for The Lobotomist...ugh. The title says it all; check out the 2005 biography of the same name by Jack El-Hai if you want to learn more, while I try to purge the details from my memory.
I don't normally watch much TV (except House MD and Pushing Daisies - @*&$* writer's strike, grumble grumble) but The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow and The Lobotomist both caught my attention...the latter also managed to trigger my gag reflex.
I grew up on a farm in northeast Iowa; my dad grew corn and beans like all the other farmers in the neighborhood, and also had beef cattle. Not one of the disturbingly huge factory farms, but one of the now-almost-extinct small operations that he was able to manage on his own. Before leaving for college, I periodically helped out with the livestock, and often listened to the cows bellowing while they were inoculated, de-horned, or castrated (oh, the memories). It was very interesting to learn that some of the the distress they were feeling was caused by anxiety rather than pain, which according to Dr Temple Grandin, the subject of TWWTLAC, can be alleviated with some very simple changes.
As for The Lobotomist...ugh. The title says it all; check out the 2005 biography of the same name by Jack El-Hai if you want to learn more, while I try to purge the details from my memory.
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