Thing 15 Library 2.0 Future of Libraries

I have been a librarian for fewer than 10 years, and have seen so many changes already that sometimes it boggles my mind to think of where we might be in 5 years, in 10 years... BUT as a profession we have always tried to be collaborative, customer friendly, and welcoming.

I personally work very hard to embrace the changes that bring daily challenges to my work space and my patrons. I take to heart the comment that "if our services can't be used without training... fix the service" but I also understand that we serve patrons at both ends of the technology spectrum, and we must continue to realize, while moving ahead and embracing the tools of the 21st century, that we can't ignore patrons who need help bridging the technology gap, and we can't ignore patrons who come to the library for a human interaction.

I think the challenge is to be there 24/7 in web 2.0, but also to realize that some patrons want and need the brick and mortar library as well. Our goal then is not to impede access on either front.

Thing 14 Technorati and Tags

I think I have a pretty good understanding of tagging, and think it's an invaluable tool. Of course, librarians use subject headings in much the same way as tagging to help patrons find materials. I'm just happy to now be able to add tags to web content.

I can understand anyone in sales will be most interested in these tags to spot market trends, but wonder what it will do to us as consumers of information. Things already change and go out of style so quickly now.

I liked the advanced search feature in Technorati. I think it will be a great tool in the neverending search for information. I found Technorati very user friendly.

Blog Claim - Claim your blog

cgtprxdsha

Thing 13 Tagging and Discover Delicious

Delicious is a site I wish I'd explored a long time ago. I need to do more with tagging various websites if only to keep myself more organized. This will certainly make moving from multiple workstations an easier task.The implications for the library and any classroom are huge. We've come a long way since providing students with websites via hotlinks in an html document. I like the idea of creating an unusual tag and sharing lists of websites with colleagues or students in a particular class or with a certain assignment. I've been hearing about Delicious for a long time and didn't realize how many social bookmarking sites are in existence.

Thing 12 Commenting

For a long time, I have been "lurking" around the Internet. Often when I think of making what is imho, an important comment, I find that a similar comment has already been made. However, the 23 Things exercise has taught me how much fun it is or how helpful it is to receive a timely comment.

While reading the ways to increase comment #'s post, I was struck my how similar the instructions are to being a good dinner companion, or an interesting guest at a party. They are also suggestions that are helpful in corporate America.

I regularly follow Barbara Jansen's blog and Naomi Bates blog. Both are librarians that I respect and try to emulate. I have found things in both of their blogs to make me a better teacher.

I've commented on the blogs of library lady, laptop learner, mhs broadcasting, elaine learning, and algebra at SOC

Thing 11 - Library Thing

Library Thing looks like an excellent resource for remembering what books you have read. I also plan to use it to make lists of books that I want to read. I saw several groups that look interesting (a YA group and the librarians who thing). I think this will prove to be a great resource for giving book recommendations by matching books you have read to books you are likely to enjoy. I was going to add a widget showing some of my favorite books, but so far, I've only added my summer reads to the catalog, and most of the ones I selected had no image. That is something to remember in case I decide to create the widget in the future.

Thing 10 - Online Image Generator

I had a lot of fun with this. I created a "fishing license" for a little boy who went fishing with me for his very first time. I could see a practical application for that in the library if we wanted to create Library Aide Badges or Hall Passes or something like that. I used a button generator to create a button for my library catalog, but my favorite site was definitely
bighugelabs.com

I used it to create a Magazine Cover which I think could be a fun class project for almost any subject from Social Studies to Math to Language Arts