#19: Replacing blog with wiki

Not easy to do. I've found some wikis that are designed to look more like web pages, sometimes even blogs. I created LibraryBytes (blogspot) as a liaison tool to communicate with the UAF English Dept., but found that no one was interacting with the blog--they were interested in pages I created and maintained, for example a page that explained how to use the library's databases with embedded links--static pages, static info.

Was happy to see that blog software was listed on the awards list. Tried wetpaint and got an initial page created, but how do I get rid of the advertising and the other commercial links I'm not interested in? Will keep working.

#10: Image Generators

So I created the flashing Natalie! Bubble-gum pink and flashy, flashy--okay, going back to see if I can find something a little more useful!


Is the tattooed back more useful?

Check it out!

I've added a search engine for book reviews to this blog!! Found the idea on another librarian's blog and went out and created my own search engine. I selected particular sites that have book reviews. So easy to do. This has to be one of the most useful tools I've discovered. Very neat!

#13: Is.not.it del.icio.us . . . & tag.gi.ng

Tried it. Here's what I posted on the Blackboard assessment page:

Gee, I don't know. I'm starting to get suspicious--am I really giving these products/services a chance. Looking at delicious--here again is another service that doesn't appeal to me. I rarely bookmark anything--with Google, one search is all I need to do. And, if there are websites that I go to regularly, they are saved in the bookmark section--I find I don't have too many, so manageable.

Ho hum!

How could this be useful to liaisons? As a starting place for subject-specific internet sites. But is that what our patrons want?

A librarian's canine companion

and my attempt at creating a librarian trading card!

#05: Mashups

I discovered Writer: the Internet typewriter and typed up the message below. Still not real clear how this could be helpful. I figured out how to make minor font, line, and font-type changes, but it certainly won't take the place of Microsoft Word.


Well, what is this? A typewriting tool? So, how would I use this? Often there are college students who want to type a paper, but we don't have Microsoft Word saved on our public machines, so they have a difficult time. Could this be a program that we could make available?

Note: italics is not available with Writer.

The question I've been asking myself: do I feel the urge the replace anything I'm already using with new tools I'm discovering?

Oh, and I've added my blogger heading--a photo from former UAF Librarian Debbie Kalvee.

#04: Flickr

Light in the Shadows 2
Originally uploaded by thepres6

Wanted to see if I could get this to post on my blog. Here goes . . .


And it worked! Okay, I'm headed back out into Flickr space!

My next challenge: to spice up the look of this blog. Will find photos and upload next week. Stay tuned . . .

#14: Technorati

Is it just me or is anyone else worn out by all the logging in and setting up that goes into using these sites? Technorati is an internet search engine--do I need another one? I'm perfectly happy with Google. Or am I settling, not pushing myself to explore?

#9: It's not easy being green!

Or maybe it is. For this assignment I was to look at library-related blogs and post about something professionally useful. I found this site and became fascinated by library buildings being judged based on their greenness. There's even an ALA roundtable dedicated to environmental issues! The other blogs were created by librarians interested in gathering environmental issues information and resources. That's an example of how blogs are useful to users.

#22: Colin Firth and sweet things

I was using ListenAlaska regularly when we first set up the program. It's a great resource--fun to listen to a good book as I'm processing books or just staring at my office wall.

I'm also familiar with Gutenberg--but still, fun to go out and see the link to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Read the first lines of chatter and was reminded of those long hours spent at Wendi Lyons' house watching the A&E production. Watching my friends swoon over Colin Firth as they reached for another sweet thing to pop in their mouths. That's entertainment!

#12: Holy-O! What is Rollyo?!?

I'm still not sure what this resource provides. Let's see---if I wanted to, I could create a place to go where all my favorite website addresses are located. If I publish these addresses, I could socially network with other people with similar interests.

Now, this could be useful for library subject guides. Liaisons could create a place for a subject and provide the information to patrons via Rollyo. Linking it to the liaison page would be crucial--I don't think I'd use this service because it's just one more place to go for information. Google does what I want, or the Bookmarks tool. But as a liaison . . . I'll have to think on this one!

#15: web 2.0, library 2.0

I'm less interested in the types of technology that are being introduced and more interested in our reaction to the changes. Learning 2.0 is a good example of what I'm referring to. You can choose not to do anything with technology (you can choose not to participate in this training opportunity!)--I have no doubt about that. You can even work in a library and not keep up--do the bare minimum without really pushing yourself to explore. I mentioned Tennant's column in an earlier post in which he describes his own mission to explore what's out there. He admits he won't use everything, but at least he's tried.

I can sum up my idea of the future and where librarians will be by pasting in a comment Tennant made when he visited Google headquarters where librarians were invited to discuss the future of bibliographic control:

The meeting was held in a room that had recreational equipment (ping pong anyone?) and a kitchen area. Google staffers constantly walked around the perimeter, making espresso and talking to colleagues or on their cell phones. “You may be discussing your future,” Google seemed to say, “but we couldn't care less. You will have very little or nothing to do with the future we envision.” If we can't get our bibliographic act together, and make bibliographic control easy and effective without being overly painful for too little return, Google may, unfortunately, be right. (Bibliographic Control Future, Library Journal. 4.15.2007)

web 2.0, library 2.0--did we ever embrace (web and library) 1.0?