Reflection time

Awww...it's all over!

When I first heard about this I got really excited. Then we started doing it and I got really frustrated. I just didn't have the patience for it. But towards the end I really started to appreciate all these new things I was learning. I found out about some pretty amazing stuff! Some stuff that I now use in my everyday life! I've even started going back to earlier steps to try them again since I was getting so frustrated at the time.

I'm glad that I plowed through. And I thank my Lib 2.0 sidekick, Sheri, for pulling me through it all. And thanks for all the Lib. 2.0 peeps out there who made this possible. For someone who only ever used the internet to check her email and St. Louis Cardinals, my brain feels full of possibilities now!

Web 2.0 Award Winners

This was a lot of fun to look through. Here is a list of things that I came across and really liked.

Biblio.com
This has an easy search engine for out of print books. I found two right away. 'The Elephant and the Bad Baby' (One of my favorite children's books.) and 'The Long Way Round'. And they were pretty cheap too! There is also a section of bargain books for $2 or less! And you search by genre.
A cool search I think we would be able to pass on to our student patrons here at the library would be the Textbook search. Maybe they could save some money?

Yelp
I feel like this would be useful at a Reference desk. Maybe more so in a public library. But it's so easy to use. I love the different categories it gives you to choose from, like 'Best of', 'Browse by Category', and 'Popular events of This Week'. All of them searching in whatever town you want! Even just around your particular neighborhood. The website, 'Upcoming', is also pretty good. It's pretty similar except you can find events that are coming to you soon.

Meebo
I think this is the Delicious of chatting! What a great idea. Sheri said we looked at this earlier in Lib. 2.0 but maybe I wasn't as into such things at the time. But I'm definitely into it now! It's so useful because you can get access to any chat line. And you can take it to any computer! Once again, very helpful especially if you work somewhere where you are always running around to different desks and what not.

Things that I found for fun...

One Sentence
If anything, this page was just a lot of fun to look at! I've never even thought of such a thing before. Some are really funny while others are very heart breaking. All those emotions packed into one sentence.

Pandora
Now, I had a last.fm account and loved the idea of it but found it to be messy and not user friendly, so I gave up. But then I came across Pandora and this is more my style. Much cleaner and user friendly page. And being such a music lover, I'm on it!

Fuzzmail
I love this! It's active email! I sent one to Sheri and you can see how many times it takes me to try and spell a word! It's just really cute and funny. Makes it more personable and that's always fun.

But I must say that out of everything, I just love Delicious. It has been the most helpful to me and I try to get as many people on it as possible just so they can see what a life saver it can be.

Audio ebooks

Well, that's a bummer you can't download on macs! Since that's what my house hold uses. And being an avid user of the Santa Cruz public libraries, I looked up some audio and ebooks. Even some emusic! But I didn't find anything that I was really interested in. It seems like there's only a limited amount of titles that they have. I also have found that I can't really get into audio books. Now, I've tried! But they just can't capture my attention. I always find myself thinking of other things and not listening. Then I feel bad and have to rewind or scan go back! I even tried listening to one of the Harry Potter's on tape once. And the guy who reads that is awesome! But still, it couldn't grab my attention. I'll try again though. Sarah Troy told me that 'To Kill A Mockingbird' is awesome because Sissy Spacek is the reader. And that book is dear to me. So we'll see. Then there are ebooks. Now that I can't get into either. I can't read too much on the computer. Besides, you can't go curl up somewhere w/ your computer that easily.

I did like what they had for the kids! The Tumble Book Library is very interactive. I've met a many of kids who would love that. They even have a section for Language Learners. I love how the words being read light up as you go.

Podcast

These are pretty cool. I found that the Yahoo podcast search was my favorite to use. It just got to what I wanted right away. And I love things that are user friendly. As I was going through searches and listening to different podcasts I found myself not being that interested. Only because I think I'm more of a visual person and want to see what they're talking about. I like pictures and video! But then as I was coming across some made up music shows it dawned on me that it could be a lot like the movie 'Pump Up the Volume' except you won't get arrested! You could have your own radio show in a sense and that is pretty cool. But I just love what some public libraries have down w/ podcasts. For instance the Kankakee Public Library had podcasts of interviews w/ authors and had recorded a Teen Poetry Slam. As for us, we could set up podcasts w/ instructions for our patrons. We could add one w/ the new 'My ILL Requests'. OR, professors could add a podcast along w/ their Reserves lists to give extra instruction or discussion ideas. I just might be warming up to this Podcast idea. I just need to mess around w/ it some more.

Oh, and I added the RSS feed of NPR's 'Story of the Day' to my Bloglines. I almost forgot about my Bloglines! I've now put it up on my Delicious page. I'm getting so geeky!

Youtube, Itube, wealltube!

I cheered out loud when I read, "...we aren't going to require you to sign up for an account this time." THANK YOU!!!

I went through all the video links. I liked the way the Photobucket one looked at first. It seemed easy to use. But then I couldn't find anything telling me about the video clip I was watching. I think I might like the Myspace one the best because it gives you backgrounds on what you're watching. But of course I enjoy Youtube! And just for kicks I looked up an old library I worked in, Urbana Free Library, and found a funny video of some old co-workers handing out the new Harry Potter. Anyways, it's funny what you can find just by typing something into the search engine. I put in my home town, Neoga, IL and found a clip of people shooting guns and some church thing. That is about right!

This could add some help in the ways of running a library. Me being a visual learning we could have all kinds of clips that showed patrons "how to" tips. Such as reading call numbers! Any volunteers to be in that video? Sarah Troy? I know how much you love being on camera!

Firefox Add ons

Again, I really like it! It's pretty easy! Very helpful and organized. I can't wait to add some things on to my home computer. Especially the Lonely Planet. I loved looking through the most popular. I'll plug in some things to our back up station behind the desk and this again will be something easy to pull up from another computer. It makes Cruzcat just one click away and that's nice.

A lot of these Lib. 2.0 things we're learning are similar in ways. Is it just that we need to find which ones we like and work best for us? Or as we keep using them all we'll notice that each one has a specific function that will work best for something?

More on Online Apps.

I sent the photo in a Document from my Google account. It was fun and easy and many people have enjoyed it and responded. I also have fun adding on to Sheri's quote page! I'm sure it would be an awesome tool for work related things as well.

Online Apps

For sure! That's fun and EASY! I dig it. I used the google version since I already have an account w/ them. It's really easy to navigate and open to so many different uses. I'm going to try sending a photo of some fellow co-workers of mine when I get home. Is it geeky to do Lib. 2.0 at home? Cause I do! I'm getting all geeked out!

Library 2.0

Alright...I read through all those perspectives. But I especially enjoyed the last one. The thing is, things will always be changing w/ libraries and everything. And I know it's hard to change what we are used to but if it's going to better things for the patrons we should move on it, right? Being a part of this Lib. 2.0 has made me aware of what could be made easier for patrons and staff. We should embrace these new steps! Look at me being all positive. I've been telling myself for years now that I would enjoy going to library school. But I've always talked myself out of it because I see it going into the direction of a lot of web and computer use. Being a part of this has helped me feel better about that part. Yeah, I get easily frustrated but I keep trying. And I've discovered some really cool things. Plus the more I do this the more I see how this could be helpful in the use of a library. Libraries are a great place that I have always adored. I do hope that we can always keep a very personal touch and comfortable feel to them even as the Web 2.0 comes more and more into play.

Google Customize Search

Yuk. I don't like it. Complicated. I'm getting frustrated. And I haven't been frustrated for awhile! I'll try again after I've cooled down.

Ok, I cooled down. I made a little search thingy for my STL boys. But you know, I already have them in my delicious. I see that it's another way of keeping track of your stuff, it's just not my favorite way.

Rollyo

Ok, I tried doing this w/o my side kick, Sheri. I've totally gotten lost! I registered and named a roll but I have no idea what it's doing. I don't get it. Do you get sick of hearing me say that? Cause it must be really easy and make sense to you since you made up this thing. Oh wait, Sheri just told me I should do it through Google since I already have an account w/ them. Let me try that.

IMing

I've been using this off and on for years. I've pretty much only ever used it to talk to friends and family. But I think it would be helpful in the work environment. That is as long as people are at their desk and can respond. If they're not though, they will see your comment and can get back to you. I have worked in public libraries who have had this as an "Ask Your Librarian" page. I always really liked it and found it to be helpful. But then I always get a little worried about the loss of human contact.

Wiki 2

Hey! That was really easy! Someone had already summed up what we do in Circulation but I added a little bit for fun. Check me out! I'm a wiki-ninja-master!

Wiki 1

Well, I'll be honest...I've never looked anything up on Wikipedia because I had heard that anybody just puts info on there. So, I figured it was just...what's the word...crap. But I looked up myself and it was actually pretty close to getting me right! Ha ha...sorry. But really, I'm giving it a chance. You've inspired me to look into it more.

So, Wikis are completely new to me. And when I said Wiki out loud, it sounded a lot like Wookie. As in Chewbaca! So, I thought maybe it was his cousin! But then as I read through all the information and found out it actually means fast in Hawaii. Oh well. And then I thought, great, another thing to do quickly because our lives are so jammed packed w/ things to do. But again, I kept reading and looking at the examples and found some pretty cool things!

The first two examples were a little hard for me to get. But I like the idea of a library using it for their book club. But did they still get together for meetings? Because that's always been my favorite part of book clubs. You get together and talk about the book for 10 minutes and then whatever else the rest of the time! I also really LOVED the Library Success wiki. Now that's putting the wiki to good use! I just love hearing other peoples ideas.

But what I'm having the toughest part w/ is how different are Wikis from Blogs? Are they just faster? I see a lot of similarities. But remember, I'm new to all of this, so feel free to update me!

P.S. Good Reads

So, I forgot to mention this after I looked at the Library Thing step. It reminded me a lot of Good Reads. It's a free and fun web sight where you can keep track of what you've read, what you want to read and what you're currently reading. You can rate them and comment them and even have friends. It's fun to look at what you're friends are reading and what they had to say about books. You can even add comments to their reads. My friends give me a lot of ideas of what books I might want to read next. I enjoy it because I often forget about books I've said I've wanted to read. Now I have a nice list of "to read" books in my Good Reads account! I also notice that there is a book swap option where you can actually send and share books w/ others. I haven't done that yet but I think it's a great way of recycling "good reads". If anything, you should just check it out.

Library Thing

Why aren't we using this? It's beautiful! In fact it's so beautiful I had to make Sheri stop petting the screen!

I looked up my fave book, 'The Alchemist', and was awed by the abundance of great info and recommendations that were listed before my eyes. And yes, I had read some of the other books listed but some I had not and have written them down to find. I then went on to look it up in Cruzcat only to find that the first LC subject heading listed for it was shepherds. Shepherds? It's not even about shepherds. There's a shepherd in it.

Anyways, I'm very excited about this Library Thing!

*Ping*

Ok, well...I tried "pinging" to find myself. I went down the first column (Weblogs, Feedburner, Feedster, Blogdigger, Moveover, News Is Free) to see if anything would pop up from my recent blog. But as it turns out, I either couldn't find any sort of search engine, you had to have an account, or it couldn't find anything. I went to Technocrati because I'm at least familiar with that one and, hooray, it found me! Although, I was just putting in one word to search and it wasn't pulling up anything. But then Sheri told me to try putting in a couple of words. Then it worked! But once again, if I wouldn't of had Sheri, I wouldn't of succeeded. At least not as quickly.

P.S. Am I writing what you want to hear? Am I doing this right?

Del.icio.us again!

I'm sorry but I can't stop raving about this. And then Sheri helped me clean it up a bit and I have folders and my Lib. 2.0 life is just soooo good right now! Oh, and I got the email saying I'm behind. Thanks for reminding me. :) I'm on it!

Del.icio.us

Now this I like! I'm finding it especially helpful here at work. Now I don't need to call ILL or yell over at a co workers for a homepage or something of that sort. It's helping me not feel so scattered, if that makes sense. I can put it all in one place! I'm a fan! It's helpful and user friendly! That's right people, I said it's USER FRIENDLY! Or maybe I'm just opening up to all this. Cause you know, just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm the all knower of computer/internet business. I'm even showing my husband how to do it! And he's a real computer geek! Woo hoo, me!

Second Life

"You don't even have to leave your desk.", as they said in the Second Life in the Classroom article. That's the real go getter, huh?

I like the idea of using Second Life as an educator. Me, being a visual learner, would of loved to have this in the classroom. Much more interesting than the, "read this then write about it" method. And just like in the video clip, international students can get a good glimpse at a campus and what not. It's neat!

I'm watching Ken give birth to himself and am not sure if I will tackle it that far. Again, it would take a lot of time and patience. But I enjoy knowing about it since it looks as though it has a HUGE future. I think it could really have a lot of benefits. But I feel like I'll just hear about them and not really experience them myself.

Ning

It's pretty cool. I looked up Harry Potter. Did you guys know he dies?!!
I don't think I would get into though. But nice to know it exsits.

Facebook

Ok, I have one of these as well. And I don't check it anymore. Only if I get emails that someone has commented to me. When I log on, the page is too busy for my liking. And I can't figure out how to accept new friends! I think I do it but then I can't find them. Maybe I just need to spend some more time on it but again...my patience with computers is not so good. I promise, I'm way more patient in person...face to face. Just applaud me for still sticking this out!

They should just make something called MyFace!!!

My Space

I've had a myspace account for about 2 years. I enjoy it because it's a fun way for my family and I to keep in touch. Mainly with my siblings and cousins. It's fun to decorate it and is the first time I've ever gotten really into something online. And if you don't know me, that's a big deal!

I have gotten hacked into once. A message had gotten passed on to me that looked like it was coming from my sister. I clicked on it and it made it look like I had accidently signed out. So, I signed back in not knowing it was a page where they were getting my login and password. They made it look just like the myspace sign in page. The URL was a little bit different but I didn't notice. Anyways, now I make sure to change my password every now and then. And I have everything set to private/friends only setting. That's easy to set up.

It's pretty user friendly. It took me a little bit to get a hang of the blogging and posting. But it's the only thing I've stayed constant with. And again, that says a lot. I use to just use the internet to check my email. Now I check my myspace too!

Bloglines

This is cool. Again, a lot going on...but with friendly, patient guidance (Sheri & Kerry) I plow through it. I just don't have the patience for this. But I'm working on it. :)

Uuuggghhh! I'm getting a little frustrated cause I can't think of any academic ideas or Flickr. Or even public library ideas!

How about using pictures of library events coming up as your screen saver on the public computers?

Flickr Photo

I've always loved baseball. Yeah, I'm a huge Cardinals fan, but I'm an even bigger fan of the game. Ever since I've moved to California my love of the game and the Cardinals have grown because it reminds me of the midwest, where I grew up and where my whole family still lives. There is nothing like walking into a baseball stadium on game day! All of this a bit sentimental, yes. But true!

Technocrati & BlogAsk

Ummm...not so into them. Maybe just too much on the page scares me away. I need something that makes me feel like I can do it the moment I see it. I don't like work hard for it. Umm...and any suggestions on what academic things to look up would be helpful. I just tend to look up things like the St. Louis Cardinals and ice cream flavors.

Sphere

Now this is nice! Nice and clean web page so it's not to confusing. And whatever you key in it takes you right to another nice clean non cluttered page. I also like the fun options it gives you on the homepage. You can get a quick look into the current news or entertainment. Fun!

BlogScope

I like that BlogScope has a flash demo. I watched it a couple of time. I'm a visual learner!

Hey everybody! I'm excited to be joining the library fun.