Method 4

I have used NewsGator in the past for my RSS feeds, but had to switch to Google Reader when NewsGator started wanting money. I like Google Reader, but it doesn't have the flexibility that I was used to in NewsGator, in regards to sorting, deleted, etc. But I like the fact that it is connected to my igoogle account, and so it pops up everytime I log on.

I use RSS feeds in my job as a researcher, keeping track of not only what is out there about the company, but what people are blogging about. It is a very good way to keep on top of the latest news, at your convenience.

ALA http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News

TLA http://www.txlablog.org/

Annoyed Librarian http://annoyedlibrarian.blogspot.com/

Method 3

In general, I love the idea of cloud computing. I have always been a yahoo user, as opposed to a google user, and was very disappointed when yahoo briefcase disappeared. I became heavily dependent to saving all of my documents in my "briefcase", and so whether I was at work, or school, or home, I could access those documents. It was really important for me in college, so I could work on my homework basically anywhere.

I think there is an acknowledgement when you save your pictures, or your documents, to the cloud that you may not have sole custody of those anymore. For example, facebook photos. The story of the facebook user who found her family photos in advertisements in another country. Only because the user had not selected the correct privacy settings. Is that that REALLY the user's fault?

Cloud computing is almost essential because of its flexibility. To be able to access a favorite recipe that you have saved online, from your phone at the grocery store while you are buying the ingredients is fabulous. As a library, however, you have the have the infrastructure to allow that, like was mentioned in the articles, not lock down the computers so that the users can't access their flash drives. If there is an application out there that is going to help a patron, and we have that knowledge as librarians, then by all means, lets pass it on. I think we can do that in a way that is still cautious, and rewarding.

Methods 1 and 2

To me, Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 are all about connection. The best quote is from the Stephen Abram article - "Web 2.0 is about the more human aspects of interactivity." Library 2.0 goes beyond just library services, and into the marketing world. How are you going to represent yourself virtually? What about those many users out there, that you aren't reaching through traditional advertising? That is one of the best products of social media, connecting with not only the current users of the library, but also the non-users. A facebook status about a specific event, an email service offered by the librarians, more ways of connecting the user to what they need.

The other level, is using this new technology to find out exactly what the patrons are using, and how often. Evaluating resources by the number of times they have been used, looking at webpage hits to determine its productivity. Also, look at what people are saying about the library - OUTSIDE of the library. What are people blogging about your library, what are they chatting about, if anything.

I think Library 2.0 is just another level of service, of meeting the patrons needs. It is a great tool, if we can not only provide the services, but listen to what is being said.

Method 3

I was very interested in this topic, having long used my web-based email as a back-up file to saved information somewhere out there in cyberspace. Obviously Google and others have seized upon this concept and made Google Docs, for example. The implications for libraries are interesting. Since I am a proponent of library as teacher, there would be an instructional component that would have to accompany any library push for a certain service. I can appreciate the savings involved in not having to provide Microsoft Office on every computer, but working with patrons every day, I recognize that many are not ready to move beyond the comfort of Word. In truth, many aren't even comfortable with Word. Evolving technology means evolving instructional service, a job libraries should step forward to fill so that we can evolve parallel to rather than behind the technology and, in the meantime, retain the relevance that is so important.

Methods 1 and 2

These articles made me reflect upon discussions of technology when I first started library school twelve years ago. At that time I made my first email address and the Internet was still young. We discussed that technology was widening the gap between the haves and have-nots and that the library's increasing responsibility would be to span that gap. That has occurred and continues to occur. With the advent of new technology comes the need for training. This is another area in which the library can assert its relevance and usefulness, by taking on the role of teacher. Therefore, the future holds increasing gaps between the haves and have-nots and increasing gaps between those with technological know-how and those without. The library has to potential to fill both of those gaps.

test for e

"So many fail because they don't get started - they don't go. They don't overcome inertia. They don't begin."

W. Clement Stone

Test

Here's our new blog!