23 - A look back and forward

These exercises have been well worth the effort in reinforcing what we learned at Information Online 07, earlier this year. The new web is the new point of interaction between users, the point where ' information and imagination ' - to take Bayside's outlook can really take on a new perspective. The private library can take on a fresh dimension, the photo album becomes a resource for fellow travellers, and a link to families across the world. For Libraries, as David Lankes, a keynote speaker at the conference, discussed, the web is now the other branch to a library service. This exercise has shown how much interaction there can be by Libraries as single units, or by connectivity to larger engines.
The private person has an online Library ready for downloading, in the form of books to his pc or ipod, broadcasts and music whenever the time is right. There are innumerable points of connectivity with like minded web users, or the opportunity to start a new trend, or float an idea.
For the Library of today, whether they be small or large, there is huge potential to harness this new aspect of the Web to their advantage, and make the collections far more accessible and flexible in content and delivery. Audio and e-content has become a parallel runner with the print.
It is imperative the library staff keep abreast of these developments, and this is where this programme has shown so many possibilities, and realities.

No. 14 - Technorati

Whoops, I missed entering any ideas on this little item. Well, I choose not to tag my own blog - I have checked out the site, and links. As with some of the sites in this exercise, the blogs featuring as well linked and tagged, are primarily American based; I will have to find some local content on other blog sites. The little features you can add to the blog and extend its scope are useful if you are wanting your ideas to spread far and wide. On a local application, however, in an organisation, I can see useful applications, as subjects and areas of interest could be easily identified. Individual departments can utilise different tags for ease of information distribution. On a general interest level, the scope is endless, as are some of the blogs.

No. 22 - Audio books

After having used audio books in the car and home for a long time, I was familiar with the concept. I do not own a portable player, but I did check out the web sites, and checked out a couple of other audio libraries. I listened to the Netlibrary tutorial, and can see procedure for downloading, after having the requisite software onboard. I checked out audible.com, which has a big listing, and the option of burning to a cd as an alternative - very clever if you require that format. Like so many aspects of this technology, there is a constant need to upgrade, as these technologies require particular capacities for successful operation.

21 - Podcasts

I have already done the short course on podcasts, and had Juice loaded. I have used it for catching programmes from the ABC. The Podcast.net is a good search point. I found a couple of useful ones on London's Trafagar Square. Very useful for the ipod, ofcourse, and checking possible information for areas to be visited, if using the travel sites. The quality of the product varies quite a lot. Libraries in Universities and large institutions must already be using these for self guided tours of floors and collections. Art Galleries must be finding this technology invaluable.

No. 20 - My first visit to Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9K4uq2dE8k

Yes, I now I am the last person on the planet to check this out. I must admit I am not a big fan of home movies. But this is a taste of the flight in a few weeks time - hopefully just as smooth.

No. 15: A couple of thoughts on web2.0

It is a new future for us all in Web 2.0,and we will be left behind if we do not embrace it. We do need to acknowledge the integrity of our service while looking at what is on offer now for the library, both small and large, for the 21st century. I am showing my age, but for a librarian who had to learn the correct layout for catalogue cards, this time in our profession is wonderful. Web 2.0 is creating a new branch for ever library prepared to take the leap. I liked Rick Anderson's article, 'Away from the icebergs'. At grassroots level, he refers to the need to move away from the 'just in case' scenario we have all been guilty of. At a very basic level, in a small public library, Web 2 is enabling the large reference collections to be pruned to a small functional size, and giving the borrower the opportunity for borrowing the items so long seen as out of reach. Chip Nilges article has some very good points, too. The 'user adding value' concept has great possibilities for reader advising extensions. The concept of the borrowers adding value to the catalogue via blogs in booklists and subject lists is a whole new area. Library Thing has these concepts. There are also going to be great developments in Worldcat. (see previous blog)
I would only want to add a word for the generation of borrowers who do not have the need or want, to participate in the new Web2.0 world. We need to make them still feel part of the library community, help them at the point they are at, and assist them if and when they are ready for the new.

No. 19 - 2.0 Awards list

I am sorry, but not all that impressed. Some awards were for links totally for the US market. As I have been checking a lot of travel and airline sites recently, I checked those links, and one retrieved the flight and fare we are taking. There were several not linking at all, may have been down for service. However, this service did not produce any sites I would return to. There could be ample opportunity for similar lists with a wider geographical scope. However, the site may be out there, and I have not yet found it.

No. 12 - Useful Rollyo

A clever little concept, creating your own lists rather than just taking what the engines throw at you, in their selected order. It is handy for those of us on the other side of the world, to construct our own area relevant links. The starter kit is useful if you were devoid of ideas as to where to start. Library info desks could create some homegrown ones for very local issues, and demands.
I liked the worldcat link, and the quotes sites were easy to use. Some of the links did not function. (I checked these over a couple of days)
http://worldcat.org/

I chose not to start an account at this site.

No. 11 - About my bookshelf - looking at Library thing

After many attempts, I finally got a password accepted. The site seems to have a few connection problems. It is a useful concept for readers who really want to share their reading and want to be continually updated with new titles. I prefer not to put my library out there. I checked a few of the titles from my personal collection, and there were no links. The listings , I presume, are heavily US biased. However, it is a handy tool if you are trying to confirm a title, as it searches a lot of huge d/b's at once. I searched 'Pride and prejudice', being a Jane Austen fan , and found over 100 titles. It is worth having in your favourites folder under Library tools. I just choose not to participate.

No. 18 - online word processing

I have checked out Zoho a little. Will go back and have another play. The free templates look good, but are a little tricky to set up for yourself. The site could do with a little more on the help site.
This whole exercise is a real eyeopener as to what is out there.

No. 16 - Wikis and all that jazz

I loved looking around some of the library wikis and found so much for readers advisory work. I have listed a couple just for my own extra record, when I am not on my home computer

http://ricklibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/06/establishing-and-promoting-readers.html


http://www.kcls.org/pearlspicks/

Wikis have such a potential for inhouse training and updating of manuals and procedures. And I loved the concept of a wiki attached to an upcoming conference. So much can be added at one point rather than emails, and attendees an just check in the area of interest. Go wikis.

No. 13 - Librarians have always been ahead of the pack.

I have just checked out del.icio.us. A lot of material from a lot of internet junkies. But I couldnt help thinking that librarians have been doing this sort of organizing forever, and the rest of the world can see how forward thinking we all are.
Referring to a previous task, the RSS feeds can be a bit of a trap, you check out an interesting site, and if there is a feed, you are constantly tempted. But where is the time to come back and check them all?
This project is a lot of fun.