Method 12

I enjoyed every bit of this program. I can't make any suggestions because I think it was so well-crafted, with one thing building on the next and with real-world examples of how libraries are using these technologies.

I've always been willing to learn new things and have always wanted to keep up with new computer applications, but this has caused me to recognize how quickly one can get behind. It will make me more proactive and make me seek out new learning opportunities. I hope to retain that throughout my career.

This course has both inspired and frustrated me. I'm inspired by the potential that technology provides to interact with our patrons and provide information in ways that have never been possible before. I'm inspired by what I see other libraries doing. I'm frustrated because I know how unlikely it is that I can get people at my library to be inspired too so we could really do something with this information.

I did this program in conjunction with a co-worker and really liked using it that way. It opened up so many dialogues and lead to so many brain-storming sessions. I think it would useful for people to go through this program in pairs, if possible.

I would absolutely do another program like this, and I would love to see this program continue with new units added as new technologies emerge. I hope this same course will be available again as I would like to see other staff members at my library complete this course as well. I hope the page for this class remains up for a time as I would like to at least informally go through some of it with my staff and print some of those great articles to share. Thank you so much for this valuable information and this great course.

Method 11

I particularly enjoyed browsing through the various podcasts from libraries. As a youth services librarian, I was most interested in the webcasts by teens and in the booktalks. Teen podcasts are a built in programming idea that involves one of our most challenging groups of patrons. Teens are hard to involve, yet here are teens creating podcasts about things teens enjoy, that are going to appeal to more teens. Booktalks are just another way to reach patrons, in my case children. If I could do this with, for example, the Bluebonnet Books, I'm sure it would be wildly successful and could interest children who don't know what they want to read and who need to be "sold" on a book. I think there is so much potential in youth services and beyond. By providing information in yet another format, I feel like we truly can offer something for everyone, whether print, audio, or video. The more ways we reach out to our community, the more people we reach. I also appreciate that this and many of the other topics covered allow for another level of interaction with our patrons. I think that is one overarching lesson that I've learned from this course.

Method 10

Something that we have been struggling with in our Reference Department is communication. We have a paper calendar that we use to schedule the program room, that has to be manually updated, and can not be viewed electronically. There are two other desk calendars we use to notify other librarians when someone is taking leave, or called in. Another problem we have, is that we currently do not have a central reference email. So when people email us tests that we need to proctor, for example, it goes to a specific librarian. And if that librarian has been out, or didn't print out the email, the other librarians on desk have no way to retrieve that info.

I think PB works is something that we can use, to help bring us to that next level. It should be easy enough to use, that even those without the technical knowledge, should be able to pick it up. I think it would make our lives a little easier, a little more organized at the reference desk. We could even use the planning function, for big events like the summer reading club. Help organize task list, create deadlines, and make sure each librarian knows his/her responsibility.

As for wiki's itself, it seems just like a more involved blog. I can see where they would be useful to provide information on services that the library provides, and perhaps more detailed training for the different databases. There are actually tons of ways the library could incorporate those ideas. But I was more excited to learn about PB works, more than anything :)

Method 9

I've been using chat, whether through Messenger or AIM, for many years. The only library experience I have with it was when I used it from the patron's end to ask a question to a librarian in another state. It was convenient and useful. I didn't know about Meebo before and was glad to learn about it. The potential problem I can see is that both here and at other libraries where I've worked, there is a range of technical ability among librarians. I know that the answer to that issue is training, but there is the issue of resistance to training in new technologies. I think it's part of our job as librarians to take courses such as this one to be current, but I know so many who aren't and don't care that they aren't. The quality of answer and interaction a patron receives shouldn't depend on luck of the draw as to who is on desk at the time, but it does in real life, so I guess this is no different. I can just imagine poorly answered chat interactions, or even ignored attempts at chat. That would be worse than not having it at all.

Method 8

Personally, I think social networking is great. For me, though, I pick and chose the ones that I use. I don't go all out, and embrace each one, I just find the ones that I will use, and keep up with. But as a librarian, I am all for each one. It is such a great way to reach out to the community, and keeping people informed of what is going on at the library. I think it is such a great venue because you can not only reach users, but also the non-users of the library. The segment of people that never go to a library, because they think the library has no relevance to them. Social networking is the absolute best way to reach those users, and to show them that we do have resources that can help everyone.

I am one that tries to keep my personal life and professional life separate. I have different email addresses for personal (one that I've had since I was 16 years old), and email addresses for my professional life. It is a little easier for me, I think, because I have two separate jobs, so it comes naturally to be able to separate things. And I really don't necessarily want patrons from my library to know that I'm a single mom with kids, or that I'm currently looking for love on eharmony. :) But I also believe that as a librarian, you have to let a lot of your personal side show. To be able to relate to the patrons, and to make them feel comfortable, so they can ask the silly questions. I think everyone deals with this situation, though, when you have coworkers as your facebook friend. It creates some very interesting situations.

I've already commented on this, but I fully believe that libraries should embrace social networking. For one thing, it is FREE. It doesn't cost anything to set your facebook status to an upcoming program or event, or to tweet about the latest book coming out. But as a library, you also have to be careful, because there is such a wide variety of technical skills within the patrons. On the plus side, I think social networking could reach those that have the technical skill, but may not realize the relevance of the library.

My facebook link is here. http://www.facebook.com/eyelash99 This is a funny story about privacy on facebook. I've always used it as a personal way to communicate with friends, or people I have graduated with. My grandmother is now my friend on facebook. I am now a lot more cautious of what I post! :)

Method 7

I can easily see both the personal and professional benefits of a social bookmarking site such as delicious. I was going to make an account, then found that I would have to create a yahoo account, then had a vague recollection that I already had one. That's one nuisance that I guess there's no way around (such as needing a google account to use blogger). Unless you marry yourself to one company you can end up with so many that you no longer know what profiles you do and don't have. But I digress, so let me return to the topic at hand, not continue musing upon the cost of the cloud.

Personally, I would use this regularly as I have a number of different computers that I use, from the computer on the library's public floor, to my office computer, to my home computer, to my laptop, to my smartphone. It would purely be a matter of convenience. For the library, I definitely see how it can be used for book recommendations, pathfinders, teaching, and generally building an interactivity with our patrons. I liked the idea of breaking down groups into current events, books, arts & culture, science & technology, etc. in order to still perform the job of a librarian in directing our patrons to current and correct information in our modern world where we may never see the patron at all. This speaks to me on the issue of how libraries maintain relevance in the age of Google. It is our place as librarians to find order in chaos, and with tools such as delicious, I think it is a service to our patrons and our profession to use such tools to help both them and ourselves.

Method 6

I went to YouTube because of its commonality of use. Everyone has heard of YouTube, and recognizes videos from YouTube.

I chose to search Librarians. Since being a librarian, I have realized how hard it is to get away from the stereotype. It is very interesting, and entertaining, to watch how others view our profession, for good or bad. I also wanted to see what libraries in our area are doing with YouTube, and how many views/hits they have received. I noticed there wasn't much from the Grapevine area, and just a few videos from other libraries. This will be very interesting to track in the future.

The video clip I chose is Conan the Librarian. A very entertaining view of being a librarian.