Friday, February 25, 2011
Conclusion
I really enjoyed learning throughout the 23 Things activity. It is intimidating when starting a graduate program and you realize you have a lot of learning to do. Information, having such a dynamic and infinite nature, requires constant utilization and effort. Technology being the driving force behind such a powerful thing requires continual learning and practice. It is technology that I need to continue to learn and grasp. It will be the future of my career. The activity invited and promoted some amazing programs that I have never used. Other activities made me realize how valuable the programs I was aware of truly are to the future of librarianship. This assignment was a great launch into the LIS program and the future of my career.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
7 1/2 Habits
This was inspiring. I don't always remind myself that learning is continual. Everything you do from daily activities to watching movies teach you something. I liked that they mentioned playing as a way of learning-that's what we did as kids! It was very strategic to put this 2nd in the list of 23 Things. I should have started here first! Anyway, it was motivating. The nature of a librarian's work needs to be conducive to learning. The responsibilities a librarian has requires constant learning-as well as adapting to new forms of technology and information retrieval. Information is continual and never ending, as is the librarian's task to learn.
I am glad I did this thing today because I had ran into some seriously stressful programs online. In another class, I had to create a tutorial for a hypothetical situation. I had to pretend I was a librarian that had just been asked for help in reference. That wasn't the hard part. I had to become familiar with a program named JING which allows you to record what you are doing on your computer. This was really neat, however, it did take some trial and error. After playing with it for a while, I couldn't find how to add captions. I surfed the web for tutorials-thank you YouTube! I found this program called Camtasia that allows you to edit and add caption to video. Now this tool really gave me a hard time, however, I finally got it. BUT, then I couldn't save it as a .swf as was required by the assignment. Then, I had to try another program named Screencast to get it over to the professor. SUCCESS! The point of the story is that I have to spruce up my technological abilities because I was honestly very stressed getting that project together.
Librarians can find this useful in their career path by using it as a motto. It is a great way for aspiring librarians to stay on track and it is a great tool to motivate current librarians to shoot for the stars. It could be part of a training program and a model to promote success in your career.
The hardest habit for me would be number 3 "View problems as challenges." As unfortunate as this sounds, I am one of those individuals that gets very stressed out with technology. This is something I am truly going to have to work at because my future occupation will revolve around technology. It is also advantageous for me to learn such technology for personal reasons-it makes the world go 'round---faster. I need to remind myself that learning sometimes requires a challenge, but never a problem.
My easiest habit is wonderful number 7 and a 1/2..PLAY! One thing I didn't mention about the project I was talking about earlier was that I did get to play a bit. I made some cool practice videos, which ultimately showed me how to use the programs. Perhaps I need to keep this in mind when tackling new (stressful) technology.
I am glad I did this thing today because I had ran into some seriously stressful programs online. In another class, I had to create a tutorial for a hypothetical situation. I had to pretend I was a librarian that had just been asked for help in reference. That wasn't the hard part. I had to become familiar with a program named JING which allows you to record what you are doing on your computer. This was really neat, however, it did take some trial and error. After playing with it for a while, I couldn't find how to add captions. I surfed the web for tutorials-thank you YouTube! I found this program called Camtasia that allows you to edit and add caption to video. Now this tool really gave me a hard time, however, I finally got it. BUT, then I couldn't save it as a .swf as was required by the assignment. Then, I had to try another program named Screencast to get it over to the professor. SUCCESS! The point of the story is that I have to spruce up my technological abilities because I was honestly very stressed getting that project together.
Librarians can find this useful in their career path by using it as a motto. It is a great way for aspiring librarians to stay on track and it is a great tool to motivate current librarians to shoot for the stars. It could be part of a training program and a model to promote success in your career.
The hardest habit for me would be number 3 "View problems as challenges." As unfortunate as this sounds, I am one of those individuals that gets very stressed out with technology. This is something I am truly going to have to work at because my future occupation will revolve around technology. It is also advantageous for me to learn such technology for personal reasons-it makes the world go 'round---faster. I need to remind myself that learning sometimes requires a challenge, but never a problem.
My easiest habit is wonderful number 7 and a 1/2..PLAY! One thing I didn't mention about the project I was talking about earlier was that I did get to play a bit. I made some cool practice videos, which ultimately showed me how to use the programs. Perhaps I need to keep this in mind when tackling new (stressful) technology.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Rollyo!
Handy. This is great, and it is the first tool that I can honestly say I have never heard of. When I first created my search roll, I thought I did something wrong because it was so easy. I created a search roll about different library associations that I find interesting and frequent for info-there are many. I tried typing a few different general words into the search and a page popped up with finds from all the different associations I entered. When you sign in, you get a search engine where you can type what you are looking for and you have the option of choosing certain areas. For example, on mine I would click the tab for LibAssoc. Updates to search throughout all the associations I added http://rollyo.com/index.html. I typed in "jobs" and this is what I got http://rollyo.com/search.html?q=jobs&sid=684216.
This tool is useful for every internet user. We all have our favorite sites that we frequent. This is a good way to keep them neatly in one space. There are so many associations out there and keeping them together like this helps me search throughout them for specific topics. This saves a lot of time and a lot of searching.
Librarians and libraries can really make this tool work for them. Libraries can create searchrolls for popular topics and make the patron's searching job very easy. Let's be honest-searching can be tedious. Having multiple websites that contain information on a certain interest, can make the internet a much more manageable tool.
Librarians can keep tabs on associations, publications, books, and everything library. After all, the librarian is meant to stay current with many areas pertaining to the library. This is a tool that allows you to search for subjects in designated areas-there is no better way to narrow your search!
This tool is useful for every internet user. We all have our favorite sites that we frequent. This is a good way to keep them neatly in one space. There are so many associations out there and keeping them together like this helps me search throughout them for specific topics. This saves a lot of time and a lot of searching.
Librarians and libraries can really make this tool work for them. Libraries can create searchrolls for popular topics and make the patron's searching job very easy. Let's be honest-searching can be tedious. Having multiple websites that contain information on a certain interest, can make the internet a much more manageable tool.
Librarians can keep tabs on associations, publications, books, and everything library. After all, the librarian is meant to stay current with many areas pertaining to the library. This is a tool that allows you to search for subjects in designated areas-there is no better way to narrow your search!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Really Simple Syndication--Sounds fancy
Ok. I won't lie. I had a bit of trouble getting the whole RSS feed down. I am still trying to practice it. I was able to get my bloglines up and running. It took a few trial and error situations, but the tool itself is very handy. As a student, I constantly have multiple windows and tabs on my firefox at any given time of the day. Blogs, websites, you name it. Bloglines is a simple, one page setup where you can follow blogs, news, and virtually any feed you are constantly keeping current with.
I have to wonder if this is actually more handy for the librarian other than the patron. The patron can use it for multiple personal reasons; it can keep them up to date on their local library, librarything, writer's blogs, etc. What I am trying to say is that this can be beneficial to anyone, but as far as library affiliation purposes it may be more useful to librarians. Again, any given person from the general public can keep up with anything and everything through using this.
It would benefit libraries and librarians in particular to use RSS feeds. The librarian's duty is to keep current on several different media tools, technological advances, book reviews, community concerns, I mean they need working world knowledge. They can keep everything they follow on their bloglines. It can help them organize what they need to follow and help them surf through daily information in one place. They can get the latest updates without running website to website.
Patrons can use it to follow upcoming events in the library community and combine all the information they follow in one simple page.Check mine out at http://dashboard.bloglines.com/privatepage/1.
The uses for RSS really make it simple for people to stay up to date in such a fast paced internet world.
I have to wonder if this is actually more handy for the librarian other than the patron. The patron can use it for multiple personal reasons; it can keep them up to date on their local library, librarything, writer's blogs, etc. What I am trying to say is that this can be beneficial to anyone, but as far as library affiliation purposes it may be more useful to librarians. Again, any given person from the general public can keep up with anything and everything through using this.
It would benefit libraries and librarians in particular to use RSS feeds. The librarian's duty is to keep current on several different media tools, technological advances, book reviews, community concerns, I mean they need working world knowledge. They can keep everything they follow on their bloglines. It can help them organize what they need to follow and help them surf through daily information in one place. They can get the latest updates without running website to website.
Patrons can use it to follow upcoming events in the library community and combine all the information they follow in one simple page.Check mine out at http://dashboard.bloglines.com/privatepage/1.
The uses for RSS really make it simple for people to stay up to date in such a fast paced internet world.
Beauty on Flickr!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/francisfontaine/5448060306/
Tell me that isn't just beautiful! Intriguing!
Flickr creates a space, where not only art can be shared, but where great social networking can be carried out. Besides the Library of Congress art that was posted, what about the librarians themselves? The employees at the library help create and promote the essence of the library. This tool can help librarians keep in touch and communicate with other librarians. They can get patrons involved in creating a group where the patrons post pictures and use the library as an affiliation in which patrons can exchange ideas. The library is there to also build up the community. What if the picture above had been taken to promote a local dance team? Patrons of the library and librarians can create strong bonds through picture sharing and can be the catalyst for more involvement in the library and the community.
Tell me that isn't just beautiful! Intriguing!
Flickr creates a space, where not only art can be shared, but where great social networking can be carried out. Besides the Library of Congress art that was posted, what about the librarians themselves? The employees at the library help create and promote the essence of the library. This tool can help librarians keep in touch and communicate with other librarians. They can get patrons involved in creating a group where the patrons post pictures and use the library as an affiliation in which patrons can exchange ideas. The library is there to also build up the community. What if the picture above had been taken to promote a local dance team? Patrons of the library and librarians can create strong bonds through picture sharing and can be the catalyst for more involvement in the library and the community.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Can't make it to DC? Flickr's got ya covered!
Wow. Very cool. See this first http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/sets/. I love libraries and museums. To be able to find such extensive exhibits online is pretty neat. The quality is better than expected. Just beautiful http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/sets/72157624588645784/. The different ways libraries can use this is limitless and infinite. Libraries can exchange collections, exhibits, you can show a picture that can aid in tutorials-basically this can be a good place for ideas to start. A picture is worth a thousand words after all. As you can see from the links above, the Library of Congress showed how using flickr can share amazing photographs to everyone and anyone across the world. I even found these without signing up or subscribing.
I have always loved scenic view pics. Please see this picture by VietVet'67 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vietvet67/3529626489/in/gallery-amrock84-72157622536087364/. I love the railroad track going right through the forest...it is truly a beautiful image. It is a bit haunting and lonely being that tracks are just going through what you imagine to be a vast forest. It just cuts right through it to lead somewhere else. It also has that sense of clashing natures. Nature and or versus industrialization. Ok...maybe I am going on a little too long on this.
The ability to be able to share this kind of art and beauty is wonderful. Flickr could be a great, useful tools for libraries. It would also be a fun way to showcase the library. I know I read somewhere and I cannot remember where...or maybe it was a commercial? Anyway, someone used a gnome taking pictures around the world. I think it may have been a travelocity commercial. Well, someone can post a gnome reading different genres in different settings. Horror by candlelight! Romance on a hammock on the beach! Crime thrillers at breakfast! People, I believe, can judge a book by its cover-I still do! Pictures, flickr, can be used to take pics and promote the library.
I have always loved scenic view pics. Please see this picture by VietVet'67 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vietvet67/3529626489/in/gallery-amrock84-72157622536087364/. I love the railroad track going right through the forest...it is truly a beautiful image. It is a bit haunting and lonely being that tracks are just going through what you imagine to be a vast forest. It just cuts right through it to lead somewhere else. It also has that sense of clashing natures. Nature and or versus industrialization. Ok...maybe I am going on a little too long on this.
The ability to be able to share this kind of art and beauty is wonderful. Flickr could be a great, useful tools for libraries. It would also be a fun way to showcase the library. I know I read somewhere and I cannot remember where...or maybe it was a commercial? Anyway, someone used a gnome taking pictures around the world. I think it may have been a travelocity commercial. Well, someone can post a gnome reading different genres in different settings. Horror by candlelight! Romance on a hammock on the beach! Crime thrillers at breakfast! People, I believe, can judge a book by its cover-I still do! Pictures, flickr, can be used to take pics and promote the library.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The truth about Wikis-well the lie really
Good grief! I just finished reading this article http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-11-29-wikipedia-edit_x.htm. I am a little stunned. Not at how wrong wikis can be, but by how they can affect lives. Let me start by staying-I still am a fan of wikis. For the most part they are good sources for quick info. However, now I understand why it was frowned upon to list it as a citation. In wikipedia, we found out that John Seigenthaler ( a former assistant to Robert Kennedy) aided in the assassination of John and Bobby Kennedy. Well, the source was wrong--very very wrong. This poor man was so upset and for a good reason.
Since wikis are available for anyone to edit, who's to know the truth? For the most part in my experience the sources are pretty good and pretty accurate. This incident, however, proves that wikis may leave something to be desired. The very charm about wikis is that multiple perspectives and knowledge can be shared and edited. Should they employ a cross referencer?
For librarians, there are many wikis that can be used that do not involve that type of information where names and reputations can be ruined. It is harmless and I believe that librarians would not run into much trouble with it. But what a story!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wikis!
It is just a fun word...wiki! I am happy to find yet another tool that creates a casual, user-friendly, communication operation for librarians and info professionals. So wikis are open to all, it can be used and edited by anyone. However, it works best if you do create a log-in and meet some others who are constantly adding to the wiki. It has a very casual feel to it. The first place I started was http://libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Main_Page. It gives you a little introduction on what a wiki is and lists some categories that may entice you. There is everything from technology links to professional management links--and of course links on books, book reviews, etc. This is another valuable way for those in the profession to communicate and explain in detail certain aspects of the job. From furthering your tech education, http://libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Online_Training_Resources_for_Librarians, to looking for a job http://libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Looking_for_a_Job, wikis can keep patrons and professionals informed. It is like a giant site to lead you to the most popular FAQs of librarianship. It is a short and sweet "how to" version of the profession. It is most often edited by professionals that are familiar with the field and who currently still work in it. They take the best and most concise information and put it out there for inquiries.
Wikis will work particularly well with libraries because it lists so many hot topics in librarianship. It has many of the "23 Things" tutorials and explanations. True to its wikipedia form, it serves as an encyclopedia for the different aspects of librarianship. Professional advice and suggestions on organization and training, continuing ed, technology, reference services, programs-wikis cover just about all the various components of the profession and the institution.
Wikis will work particularly well with libraries because it lists so many hot topics in librarianship. It has many of the "23 Things" tutorials and explanations. True to its wikipedia form, it serves as an encyclopedia for the different aspects of librarianship. Professional advice and suggestions on organization and training, continuing ed, technology, reference services, programs-wikis cover just about all the various components of the profession and the institution.
Library Thing-Zeitgeist
Ok...so I still love this thing, but it can be a little overwhelming. Check this particular page out http://www.librarything.com/zeitgeist. While I understand that you are supposed to maneuver through the site, if you click on, for instance "reviews" from that page, you get this http://www.librarything.com/z_reviews1.php. It took me a while to read through, but it was just a mix of "hot reviews" that were chosen and displayed. This can do one of two things to the user. It can either make them overwhelmed or intrigued if they are just scoping for some good reads. I have to admit, however, that I was overwhelmed. The organization of the site started to lag a little. Perhaps it's the way the different links are presented? I don't know if what bothered me was how the setup of the page was not better organized, or if there was simply too much information on one page.So I clicked on a review, one about "Cleopatra: A Life" by Stacy Schiff and I got this http://www.librarything.com/work/9989655. Again, wow there is a lot of things going on here! It is a very busy page. While this is great for the experienced Library Thing user, for someone new it might leave them a little bewildered. Maybe it's me. Do I need to just catch up with the technological times? It may have taken me a little too long to start my library on that site. Here is my catalog so far http://www.librarything.com/catalog/tolivera.
Don't get me wrong, I think this is fabulous. It can be used within the library to promote events and creates an opportunity to share with other libraries any effective programs and ideas. Also, book-lovers will and already seem to avidly use this site. Perhaps some website maintenance can be done to help the inexperienced user get through here.
Don't get me wrong, I think this is fabulous. It can be used within the library to promote events and creates an opportunity to share with other libraries any effective programs and ideas. Also, book-lovers will and already seem to avidly use this site. Perhaps some website maintenance can be done to help the inexperienced user get through here.
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