I made up a fake person for LinkedIn and found it extremely easy to use. I was able to pull up all the graduates from a specific university, specific major and specific year and see their photos and whatever personal info they wrote. Having all that information and real photos so readily accessible is really creepy. Its great if you’re actually looking for contacts or job hunting – but if you’re not?
Step #8: OverDrive May 30, 2008
I’ve practiced downloading a couple of audiobooks here at the library and it’s not hard if you follow the steps and have a few minutes. I don’t have an ipod or mp3 player but I love my books on CD and daily sit parked in my car to finish a chapter – so I’m really looking forward to our new OverDrive station and mp3 players that we can check out.
Step #7: IM and ask Librarian May 30, 2008
With Dara’s help I was able to open my meebo account in my gmail -which makes everything much more convenient. I can see using IM to talk to staff in other depts – especially if you don’t want others to hear. I IMed Brandee and Lori in Reference and my son (who’s always plugged in). I can see the advantage of having access to each other, but I think it would be kind of annoying to constantly have to chat with others.
Ask a Librarian is great for those at home after hours. I know Lynn does a speedy and thorough job answering the RS questions and loves doing it!
Step #6: Wikis May 13, 2008
I don’t normally search for things in wikipedia - but I do read the wikipedia entries if a better match doesn’t come up and I can’t find what I’m looking for. I’m a little concerned that it lacks credibility – although they claim to have built-in protection. I think the library’s entry is great – I love all that old history.
I could spend loads of time in Wikihow – love it!
Step #5: OneStop Search May 5, 2008
OneStop turned out be very interesting. I searched for an obscure British author and found not only book reviews but marriage records, various home addresses, father’s life story – all sorts of revealing details. I can see how this would be a valuable and powerful resource tool for reference searches, while also leading the fiction reader (book groups) to intriguing information on a favorite book or author.
Step #4: RSS May 5, 2008
I’ve got a couple of personal fun-type feeds that I really enjoy, but I can see this becoming way too time consuming if you don’t watch it. I also signed up for a couple book blogs that I try to check out regularly – so it’ll be nice to have easy access to them. At first I thought these feeds came directly to our email, which would be really great – but then I found out you have to go into bloglines to read them – not so great (or convenient).
Step #3: YouTube April 11, 2008
My very, very favorite youtube is Paul Potts’ first tv performance.
We went hiking in Zion Utah over spring break and I found a cool one of the scenery we saw on one of our hikes (there was no music playing when we were there).
Some possible library use ideas -
Last Week at the Library – clips of some of our great past, adult programs.
Staff book chats – staff picks a favortie new bestseller (or old favorite) and gives a one-minute mini booktalk on the title.
Step #2: Flickr April 1, 2008
In theory flickr sounds easy, but having never used it, I didn’t find the directions that user friendly. I can see the library using flickr to highlight special exhibits (upstairs lobby), seasonal displays, active and interesting adult programs, special services (that might be unknown), new locations and additions to different departments (i.e. moving the DVDs).
Possible tags – programs, exhibits, displays, services, collections, departments
I don’t use a digital camera and can barely remember where I left my last disposable – so I don’t see myself using flickr for personal use at this point.
Step#1blogs April 1, 2008
Writing this blog is new to me - although I’ve recently spent way too many hours searching decorating blogs for the perfect paint color. I guess we’re not gonna share BM paint colors – but I’d love to know what everyone’s reading – great way to booktalk!
