Thing #16 MySpace

I truly enjoy MySpace. I have periods where I'm on there alot and then taper off again. It's been a great way to keep in touch with friends I no longer work with and with my nephew in California. I've even messaged my niece who lives a mile away when I've noticed we're on at the same time. I've had fun finding information about bands I listen to and seem to do that more than I look for items of professional interest.
Last fall I was making plans to attend an outdoor concert with some friends over MySpace. A friend of a friend was going to attend also. I checked out her profile and when I met my friends at the concert I felt like I already new alot about this new person. It was a very interesting experience and I felt more comfortable, especially since we ended up standing right in front of the speakers and couldn't hear each other very well!

Thing #15 Social Networking

The VBPL should definitely have a profile on a social networking site that will appeal to teens. Many of our teen volunteers and teens attending programs are on these sites already and we may also reach teens who have no clue about the public library. This would be a great way to communicate and to allow them to communicate with each other and share info about the library, it's programs, it's services, and of course - books. I'd really like to see us get caught up with other, sometimes smaller library systems who are offering this type of interaction with teens. What teen wouldn't rather see us on Facebook or even MySpace than going to the library web site where we are restricted by the city's standard formatting and what Vignette can handle?

Thing #14 Reader's Advisory Wiki

Using the VBPL Reader's Advisory wiki was super easy. Editing a page by adding info was pretty obvious and the toolbar was similar to others. Now I want to read everyone else's recommendations!

Thing #13 Wikis

I must admit that wikis are my favorite thing so far. Quick to set up, easy to use, and an awesome way to collaborate.

I looked at the wiki for the Bull Run Regional Library, since I used to work in Prince William County and have friends who still work there. I liked the fact that they provided information about other libraries in the Northern VA area, recognizing that their customers may have cards in more than one system. From there I discovered Jen Robinson's blog about YA literature and have bookmarked that for future reference.

I already had the library success wiki bookmarked and have used it before. I also remember seeing the Biz Wiki at Ohio University and liking their tutorial for business reference sources.

The Library Instruction Wiki is my new favorite beacuse there are lots of good items ther and I don't believe in reinventing the wheel.

I think there are limitless uses for wikis in libraries. They work for staff communcating with each other, and I love the idea of customers communicating with each other and developing booklists, DVD lists, etc. together.

Thing #11 IM and Libraries

I believe we should offer our customers as many ways to communicate with us as possible. We've added new formats for check out over the years, so why not new ways of communicating? My only current frustration is staffing. At WW we are still working short right now and have not been able to participate in the VBPL pilot program. On any given day we may have staff from 2-3 different libraries answering the phone and serving customers at our help desk. It's just been too difficult to schedule. I do know that because of Learning 2.0 most of our staff have been testing the IM waters!

Since our assignment was to play with the search tools for news and bloggers I began with Topix. I searched for information I'd heard on the radio about a favorite painting in George Bush's office. I found it using topix: http://harpers.org/archive/2008/01/hbc-90002237

I like the idea behind Syndic8.com, that it's user driven, but the interface was not something I'd want to see on a regular basis. I did find the feed I wanted for Livescience, though.

I can see that boingboing could be addicting and am going to try to forget I ever saw it!

The RA Gourmet

I enjoyed reading the postings about banned books on the RA gourmet and found them to be very insightful. I like the ideas for questions to determine what type of books a customer likes. I've also heard someone suggest asking the person what type of movies they like to determine story preferences. At first I couldn't believe lots of people use chapter lengths as a criteria, but them I remembered I'm less tempted by books with small print than I used to be, even though I now wear glasses, I guess I can understand the chapter thing.

Thoughts on Thing 5/Library 2.0 and Web 2.0

Library 2.0 is a paradox for me. I love new technology and am amazed by the changes I've experienced in libraries over the past 31 years. I'm so thrilled to not have to make changes to the paper cards in the card catalog, or look up customer info on microfiche so I can call them and tell them their books are overdue. Yikes.

On the over hand, I love personal interaction with customers in the library and while conducting outreach.

If technology will bring more into the building for purposeful visits and enable them to communicate with each other and with staff in new ways then count me in!

7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners

Clearly the easiest habit of the 7 1/2 for me is PLAY! That is no surprise to anyone who knows me. Clearly the hardest is taking responsibility for my own learning - and making time for it. I am both a procrastinator and someone who is easily distracted. I find impending deadlines to be motivating, don't you?