Additional Thought

As I look back over all the new gadgets and gizmos that I have been exposed to during this course, I am amazed at how much I have learned. I now realize the advantage of cloud computing, how to have a back up of my precious family photos, that a regular person like myself could have a blog and a podcast, that social bookmarking makes a lot more sense than a long list of links some of which aren't "favorites", not to mention the valuable privacy and legal issues that must be taken into consideration when using technology.

I'm sure that there are tons of other tools out there that I have yet to discover. I'm excited to learn them as well, but for now I will return to the Web 2.0 Two Step site (hopefully it will remain available) and continue to review and practice the new skills I have learned. Practice makes perfect.

Thanks for putting this training together! I have enjoyed participating!!!

Method 12 Evaluation

I really enjoyed this traning program. As I mentioned in the survey I felt that there was the expectation that some level of computer skills were needed in order to advance. I know others in our office wanted to participate and truly did try but they needed more step by step support in order to build their confidence and skills so that they could move forward.

I think this is an important point when using any technology though. I see it all of the time with our patrons when they come in to use our computers. They know a little but there is so much that they don't use because a. they don't know it is available and b. they need someone to patiently teach them how to use those features.

I loved blogging. I wish I knew html so that I could really customize the format more, but even as limited as it is, I still had a blast. The putting the viewmaster slide over the youtube video was really amazing. I think that was a real "Cool" moment for me. I am also fascinated and definitely want to learn more about social bookmarking. Podcasts would be great for so many programs in the library. Perhaps a training session could be offered to teach us how to pull off professional looking productions.

I hope I get the opportunity to learn more and to use what I have learned before I forget it.

Method 11 Podcasts

I looked at various library podcasts and listened to many of them. I loved the one called "Booktalks". It gave an interesting overview of children's books. It was really wonderful and reminded me a lot of how Levar Burton introduces stories on Reading Rainbow. It would be a great way to put in a blurb about books in any collection in the library. I discovered one promotional podcast for a summer reading program that frankly would have made me less likely to participate which brings up the obvious distinction that just because we can doesn't mean we should. If the podcast isn't executed properly I can see where it could be a distraction or even a detractor from the library programs.

I think it would be great to put a weekly storytime podcast by our Storytime Lady. Also blurbs from our librarian who purchases our collections so that if someone has a question about a book or an author they can get the information from an informed source. It would also be a great tool for "How To" segments.

I am just not sure how to pull off production so that it maintains an air of professionalism.

Method 10 Wiki Tiki Tavi

Whew! I had to delete and edit and save and edit and delete. It shouldn't have been that difficult but it was for some reason.

Our church has a wiki site and I think it is very helpful but also very confusing. It is important that everyone understand the reasoning for having a Wiki site as well as there be clearly defined criteria for accessing and posting. We had a situation where some information was available to everyone that shouldn't have been. I'm going to spend more time learning about Wiki. It is a great place to keep Friends of the Library other committee minutes, contact information, a calendar of upcoming programs, the list of books for the various bookclubs and allowing comments on all of the above.

I have a lot more to learn about wiki but then I feel I have a lot more to learn about everything involved in this program.

Method 9 Chatting and Pulling My Hair Out

I really love the chat widgets and programs. I have received online help from various customer service departments through online chat. It is especially helpful with computer issues. I can see where it could also be very valuable in a library setting. If a reference librarian had a chat feature where people searching for information could talk to him/her and get their input, also an online book club for readers who are just too tired after a long day at the office to venture back out to the library for a meeting.

I did get very frustrated trying to add the meebo widget to my blog. I settled for putting it in a post like the youtube video and using a slide, but it seemed that it was supposed to be a widget not a one time post.

I attempted to add it then I also attempted to edit the html of my blog, but that was very confusing. I needed more information on how to add this widget, more remedial instructions.

Chat is a good thing and it is a very good way to personalize the impersonal cyberland.

Meebo Me

Method 8 Social Networks

I'm not antisocial I just hate people. That's one of my favorite lines from a television series. Social networking allows libraries to reenforce the fact that libraries aren't about books but about people.


I think that the world of social network has a great deal of potential as both a marketing tool and also a community builder, but only if it is offered in a nonthreatening and easily accessible way. Just like breaking into a new school, patrons need to see what groups are available and then understand how to join and participate. They need to understand what personal information is shared and how to limit contact with other members if they so choose. There also needs to be a great deal of care taken for the protection of patron's privacy. Also, if there are going to be social groups on a library's site respect and care must be given to protect juvenile patrons. Questions as to how staff will oversee these groups and maintain participation standards need to be defined prior to launching such groups.


I've set up a facebook and myspace account before, but found that for me it felt as though I were the only 40 year old at a high school dance. I think that many patrons would want to be friends of the library's pages without having to deal with the hassel of setting up their own account or page.


I enjoyed viewing the library pages on both myspace and facebook and I found the information, especially Austin Public's three librarian musical number, to be helpful and entertaining. This medium is dynamic and therefore caters to the ever shortening attention span of our society.

I think the main issue with social networks is that not everyone wants to be on such a network. Once a person joins Myspace or Facebook then anyone looking for them from their past or present can search for them and reconnect. This isn't always a good thing. Just knowing that this could occur will prevent some patrons from participating. The arguement can be made that this person doesn't have to accept the person as a "friend" but most people would rather avoid the situation all together.

Social networking is valuable, but naturally won't appeal to all patrons. It will though work towards updating the image of libraries from a dusty dinosaurs to a well managed convenient stores on the information highway, a one stop shop where patrons can fill up their cars, hit the facilities, grab some jerky, look over a map,then head back out on the road in search of their final destination.