Thing 23 - Final Thoughts

Good to at least investigate various things: watch videos, read articles/comments, compare different products that do similar things. Some I joined, some didn't - I know about them but have no personal interest in participating in them. Professionally, library should definitely do some of social networking things to reach different audience - local or not. Readers may never set foot in an RCL library, but may learn about resources they can use without coming to a building. A vibrant FaceBook or MySpace page may reach people who think Google or the like is the only way to find info, and help them LEARN how to learn. The key/most important word in last sentence is vibrant. If info is ho-hum on first look, people won't go further and whoever developed page will have wasted taxpayer money and essentially misused time from system.

Thing 22 - What did I learn today?

Personal goal for years has been to help people every day - professionally as well as personally. Professionally means to help people learn something, find information they need, meet a need in their lives, etc. Can do that by being in a busy library where patrons are willing to ask questions and willing to learn that what we start with is often just the beginning - there's usually more information available through various print, online, referral and possibly other sources. I learn whenever I help someone else learn. I also read - often online - to learn what else is out there. I've been learning for years - and a life goal is to never stop learning.

Thing 21 - Beyond MySpace...

Read the articles, investigated quite a few of the various other social networks listed, didn't join any. I've so much in-person interaction going on with PEOPLE in my life to take time to do any social interacting online at this point. Got the concept, but it's not gonna happen any time soon!

Thing 20 - Social networking and libraries

Both MySpace and Facebook have interesting features, could be used effectively in libraries as link to Hennepin's shows. Somewhere I read that links to the library Facebook or MySpace presence should show on a library homepage. Question - in order to reach more patrons, should one or two staff members develop Facebook and MySpace pages, duplicating most/all, then perhaps group together so any social-networking-savvy patron will know what to look for and do? If time will be spent to do this, best to reach maximum patrons.
Did not personally join either.

Thing 19 - Podcasts

Understand the concept of podcasts, but unsuccessful in getting any to play with volume on computer in back workroom. Library setting - possibly better than YouTube - walk someone through library library tour, similar to museum audio tour.

Thing 18 - YouTube and other online video

Rather than take up the memory and time to upload, the following link is a short choice from YouTube. It also appears on Google Video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwihz7iZlx0

Pros/cons. Video about how to access a "book" intriguing. Could be happening in the distant past or distant future. As someone with motion sickness, most videos are too jumpy to watch. Annoying to sit and wait for the next few seconds of video to load.

If libraries choose to do video - as Winona State did - to show what's available in very quick format, to show quick database possibilities, to show kid programs, etc, could be linked from homepage for quick viewing.

Thing 17 - ELM productivity tools

If portion of collection merits updating - example controversy over Pluto, planet or not - could be helpful to use tools to receive info as published. Applies to individual librarian or selectors as a cohort - eg children's issues. Patrons may wish to do this in research - most simply seem to want only to search, find, print, write paper and go.

Thing 16 - Student 2.0 tools

Both sites /research levels should be bookmarked on reference computers. Didn't see either link under Education on homepage, but think both links should be there. Perhaps "Education" site needs elementary, middle, secondary, college level sections with links to databases, sites such as this, other connections to provide students and parents with grade-appropriate help.

Thing 15 - Online games and libraries

Puzzle Pirates not permitted to download to computer at workroom desk - watched several couple-second games in action - showing types or sample of games available. Second Life can have uses - safer place than real life to test possible behaviors, see reactions. But. If we breathe, we live in a world populated by real people - family, friends, co-workers, people in stores, services we use, not to mention pets, activities we do, etc - people who actually want to interact with us - share our time. How much of an addiction are sites that take people away from people? How does living in a dream world compromise living in the real world?

Thing 14 - LibraryThing

If LibraryThing added to library homepage, likely to get a following by patrons. Patrons would love staff to provide lists of the newest dvds, books, etc, but staff don't have time to even weekly create new lists of items coming in. LibraryThing might be alternative, but if used, librarians would have to prepare for onslaught of titles patrons want library to buy.

Thing 13 - Online Productivity Tools

Chose iGoogle - useful perhaps at home, but not particularly at work. Don't wish to use online calendars because they're not available most of the time - use paper calendar in my purse that's available anywhere, anytime. Have tried various organization styles - what works is to make notes and/or lists on small pieces of paper that I toss when I've completed them. Again, seldom use a computer when not working.

Thing 12 - Do you Digg?

Mixx and Newsvine = interesting. Digg and Reddit = not so much. Can see bookmarking Newsvine and actually using it. The others seem time-wasters. I have a life to live.

Thing 11- Tagging and Del.icio.us

Could not get 8 minute video to play on computer at backroom work desk - or rather it would only play as a 1 1/2" video, so unable to see screen well enough to make sense. Have seen tagging used in various places. Possible use might be to replace selected websites on library homepage, particularly if regular staff can add to lists, rather than waiting for automation services.

Thing 10 - Wikis

Better understanding of Wikis as more efficient than email - IF - IF - IF people actually take time to view them, read, edit, and post. Good for small groups - another thing to remember to do in a day if info is general to large group, and info not essential for day's work. Easily put aside and forgotten.

Thing 9 - Online Collaboration Tools

Nice to know various collaborative sites available to edit, share from various locations. Helpful background knowledge to know "toys" like calendars and labels and lists and ... are available.

Thing 8 - Share your creations

Tried creating a database using Lazybase for a display tentatively titled "Armchair Tourist" for a Maplewood Library January display cube. One option is to import database from Excel. When I imported database from Excel into sample to see what import would look like on Lazybase, had to re-space most everything. Also, could not get info to import into "real" database. Lazybase either not working, not intuitive, or not completely available from reference workroom computer. Additional problem - when trying to create database from RCL's Horizon, unable to copy-paste info from Horizon into spreadsheet. Must type everything - takes much time.

Thing 7 - Online Communication Tools

Nice to know online meeting scheduling and calendaring available, but at this point, not useful in my world. Have used Archived Minitex webinars - they're good. Note, however, that with volume turned to highest on computer in ref work space, and with ear pressed to where sound projected from pc, can barely hear the speaker(s).

Thing 6 - Online Image Generators

It's winter - gotta think spring!

Thing 5 - more Flickr

More than I choose to take time to do at this point, but read the various links. An intriguing one:
http://ctrl-w.net/kaleidoscopr/

Thing 4 - Flickr

Not hard to use - but heard Google's version also good. Flickr photo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariecarter1965/

Thing 3 - RSS

Interesting idea - will consider other sites later on to add for news, weather, etc.