And in the end...

Well, Library 2.0 is over and they have awarded a lucky guy with the coveted laptop. I guess this is the end of this endeavor!

Check out my personal blog: The New Librarian (http://newlibrarycard.blogspot.com/)

But you don't have my take my word for it!



I'll see you next time!

Final Countdown

Library 2.0 has been really enjoyable and I always looked forward to opportunities to work on it. It was also fun to see my co-worker's perspectives on their blogs. Speaking of blogs, it's been fun writing my thoughts and knowing that someone was reading it. I enjoyed experimenting with tagging and RSS feeds and now check my Google Reader daily for new updates. I really had fun with the online image generators and map makers. Must time was wasted on those activities. I especially enjoyed LibraryThing and have been using tagging skills and everything! Dabbling with different search engines was interesting, but reconfirmed my preference for Google. I'm starting to appreciate podcasts more and will continue to listen to the ones I found. I really like the "incentives" - Thanks! All in all, this was am invigorating program and I'm kind of sad that it's ending! But, now I have these newly learned tools at my fingertips, so I can use them at my leisure!

I feel like the Library 2.0 covered a vast range of topics and applications - I don't even know what else they could have added! But, in a practical application the library could use some of these tools successfully for their patrons. Tagging would be really neat in the catalog and hosting our own podcasts would be really informative. We could podcast the children's story times as well as book-talks! The world is at our fingertips - we just need to reach out to it.

Net Library

I was excited to try out NetLibrary - but wasn't as impressed with the outcome. Unfortunately, Netlibrary wasn't very user-friendly. I didn't find as many results with the search box - but ended up skimming though the subjects to find results. I was hoping to find some new titles (I'm working on reading Newbery winning titles), but I only found older titles. I did put about 10 titles into my favorite file - including the Anne of Green Gables series and The Hero and the Crown, etc.
So, from what I understand - you can check out a title and then download it to your Mp3 player - but then it expires after a certain time? How does the downloaded book stop working? I'll be curious to see how that all works out.

Podcast - keeping us all informed!

Yeah, I love my new little MP3 player! It's so darn cute (not even 2 inches long) - and it has a radio! Anyway, I'm already have fun using it! Well, I already have a IPod in my possession and I have been utilizing podcasts from ITunes - somewhat. I have been listening to "Tales from Lake Wobegon" from A Prairie Home Companion from American Public Media. Very funny.

So, I went to Podcastalley.com and looked for some podcasts to enjoy. I found some children's book review podcasts and even found one about Harry Potter - "Mugglecast". I added the RSS feed to my Google Reader.

Now, here's the glitch - getting the podcast from Google Reader to my little mp3 player is quite time consuming! Am I doing it right? I guess I'm just spoiled with Itunes - it automatically downloads the newest podcast and them when I plug in my Ipod it also automatically downloads it to my player. With Podcast alley, I just don't have the time or patience to sit and wait for individual downloading, etc etc. Is there an easier way?

"How many lives has been lost on the cutting edge of Discovery?"

Ahh! Gooogle is AMAZING!!! Ok, so I have already spent some valuable time playing with some different programs featured on Google Labs . I already have previously used some of the "graduated" features on the right and have been pleased with the results. It's interesting that Google is constantly creating new and interesting features - I guess it's important to keep on their toes on technology.

So, I went to the Experimental Search and used the time line feature. Wow, this tool is soo neat. You type a person's name, with "view:timeline" and it brings up a little time line chart and then relevant websites that have key events listed about their life. I haven't seen any hang-ups yet - but I was using well known names when I did my searches. I totally think this will be a most helpful tool for searchers - especially those who need biographical information. I hope this will graduate - I'm not seeing how this would not be a helpful tool! Try it out

Hulu and Me!

I have just been playing around on Hulu.com. It's amazing. I'm able to watch some of my favorite shows, with minimal commercials. Also, I can rewatch some television classics - including Silver Spoons and The A-team. Yes, I'm excited to waste hours on this new website! (hehe)
Hulu also has movies, and I'm anxious to see what they offer as well. Here is a short clip about a fellow librarian:

YouTube, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

I really like YouTube for many reasons. I like how you can find rare movie clips. I like how you can listen to songs and watch music videos. I also like some of the amateur stuff, like fan videos. I included a fan video my brother and his friends made - it's pretty funny.

Of course, I don't like the filth which is easily found. I also don't like those who infridge upon copyright and have obviously videotaped their television, etc.

This source could be wonderful on library websites. The children's department could video their storytimes. Librarians could do booktalks. The library could promote library events and activites. It definitely could be an assesst to the library - getting the information out to the people!