It was easy to register for and use Rollyo. I can definitely see myself using this site at home to search my favorite craft websites. When I told my friend about the site she thought it would be great to use when you are doing research to buy some new electronics. You could set up Rollyo to search key websites like Best Buy, Amazon, etc, all at once. This is a great find!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Library Thing
Library Thing was easy to use, but once again I need to read about how libraries are incorporating this into their website. It would be nice if patrons or staff at our branch libraries could add some descriptive tags, rather than just the LC subject headings.
For now, I just entered a few favorite titles to get the feel for the program. I liked being able to look at the covers of the books, rather than just a list of books. It seems like kids and teens would especially enjoy Library Thing to keep track of their books at home or just some books that they have read. I really don't see myself using this at home to catalog my own books, but I might use it to look for other books to read. In that respect Library Thing is like Novelist.
I can also see using Library Thing for collection development. For instance, I think our teen/adult fantasy paperback section needs improved. It looks like there is a FantasyFans Group that has a list of toughstone works and since I am not into this genre, this might be a good starting point. If people are passionate enough to write about these books, they must have some merit for other fantasy readers. Other groups on Library Thing , like the Knitters, have a list of the most commonly shared books. This is another example of how this site could be helpful in updating some subject areas.
Finally, it looks like this can just be another online social gathering place for people with similar interests. Librarians have a group and it looks like all sorts of issues are discussed, like problems with homeless people, not just book topics.
For now, I just entered a few favorite titles to get the feel for the program. I liked being able to look at the covers of the books, rather than just a list of books. It seems like kids and teens would especially enjoy Library Thing to keep track of their books at home or just some books that they have read. I really don't see myself using this at home to catalog my own books, but I might use it to look for other books to read. In that respect Library Thing is like Novelist.
I can also see using Library Thing for collection development. For instance, I think our teen/adult fantasy paperback section needs improved. It looks like there is a FantasyFans Group that has a list of toughstone works and since I am not into this genre, this might be a good starting point. If people are passionate enough to write about these books, they must have some merit for other fantasy readers. Other groups on Library Thing , like the Knitters, have a list of the most commonly shared books. This is another example of how this site could be helpful in updating some subject areas.
Finally, it looks like this can just be another online social gathering place for people with similar interests. Librarians have a group and it looks like all sorts of issues are discussed, like problems with homeless people, not just book topics.
Teaching Others
Teaching others about some of the technologies I have been learning about is actually number 22 on the list, but I have been doing this each step of the way. It's exciting when you learn about a new website and personally I want to share the information right away. Our teen library assistant is already using one of the Flickr mashup sites and other FD Flickr Toys to create some fun displays and to help generate some images for an upcoming craft program, decoupaging cigar boxes. I have also been talking to one of our library student interns about some of the sites, although she has already been introduced to some of them throught her classes.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Online Image Generators
I could spend hours playing with the online generators! Some of them could be really helpful in generating posters for programs or book displays in the library. I am anxious to try some of them at home using my vacation photos. Some of the tools available help make pictures very professional and unique and some generators are just fun. I especially liked using the links on FD Flickr Toys http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
I signed up for Twitter and posted 2 entries. I was also able to easily link my Twitter updates to my blog. Although teens might find Twitter a fun way to keep up on their friend's activities, I am guessing most of them would just use their phones to text message each other. I am not sure how we could effectively incorporate Twitter into our library web site. I will have to do some research and find some libraries that use the site.
RSS Feeds on Blogspot
Turns out adding an RSS feed to this blog is also fairly simple. I added a feed to CNN top stories to keep up with what is happening in the world.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Class and RSS Feeds
Well, my Infopeople class was cancelled because the venue could not get wifi access. I was looking forward to learning about Web 2.0 from an instructor and getting some hands on practice with new tools, but the class will be rescheduled for a later date at a new location.
Although I thought adding an RSS feed would be difficult, I gave a try and found out it was much easier than anticipated. I added a cooking blog for fun, 2 news blogs, and a book blog. I like the idea of being able to check one site and get the top news stories for the day.
At this point I only used Bloglines to set up the RSS feeds and not to blog, so I have no comparison there. My next question is how to add an RSS feed to this blog.
Although I thought adding an RSS feed would be difficult, I gave a try and found out it was much easier than anticipated. I added a cooking blog for fun, 2 news blogs, and a book blog. I like the idea of being able to check one site and get the top news stories for the day.
At this point I only used Bloglines to set up the RSS feeds and not to blog, so I have no comparison there. My next question is how to add an RSS feed to this blog.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
RSS Feeds and Bloglines
In preparation for a class on Monday, I already signed up for a Bloglines account which was easy to do. I have heard about RSS feeds before and I just finished reading a bit about them, but the real test will be to set one up when I tackle task #8 on the list.
Libraries Using Web 2.0 Effectively
The Charlotte & Mecklenbery County web site was amazing. I think our library system could also use RSS feeds to promote programs since we have one website for many different branch libraries. I know Second Life is something that is popular and even used by some University Libraries, but I really don't understand the appeal. Maybe our teen advisory board would be interested in exploring the site, however.
I think the advantage of using an entire site based on blogging software like the Ann Arbor Library, is that people at branch libraries can add their own information or modify existing posts. In our system the IT Team takes care of the web site so changes have to go throught them which takes some time.
I thought the Denver Public Library's site was great. I didn't think it was too hard to find the podcasts from the homepage, but then again I am a Librarian. I don't know if the general public would think to look under downloads. The podcasts were quite easy to use and although families could check out books on tape/CD at the library, it's nice that kids could access some online stories at home.
For adults it would be nice to have some author interviews or book discussions. In our library system we are planning a literary festival so it would be great to have podcasts of the speeches available afterwards. Some teaser interviews from the authors would also be good publicity.
It is interesting to see that many of the libraries are now offering e-movies. Our library currently offers e-audiobooks, but it looks like we may need to look into this new movie format. It would certainly free up some shelf space!
On the Seattle Public Library site I like the idea of patrons being able to subscribe to our upcoming program information. It's helpful that they can use RSS feeds or get emails. I would love it if we could get the program information to our regular patrons in this manner! On this web site I was impressed to see the information available in so many different languages.
It makes more sense to me to have a My Space Teen Page than something in Second Life. Just about every teen that uses the Internet at our library has a My Space page so it just seems easier and more practical.
On a different library's website they had an RSS feed from a news source like CNN as a side bar. Maybe something like that would encourage patrons to make our catalog their homepage.
Looks like our library web site is behind the times!!
I think the advantage of using an entire site based on blogging software like the Ann Arbor Library, is that people at branch libraries can add their own information or modify existing posts. In our system the IT Team takes care of the web site so changes have to go throught them which takes some time.
I thought the Denver Public Library's site was great. I didn't think it was too hard to find the podcasts from the homepage, but then again I am a Librarian. I don't know if the general public would think to look under downloads. The podcasts were quite easy to use and although families could check out books on tape/CD at the library, it's nice that kids could access some online stories at home.
For adults it would be nice to have some author interviews or book discussions. In our library system we are planning a literary festival so it would be great to have podcasts of the speeches available afterwards. Some teaser interviews from the authors would also be good publicity.
It is interesting to see that many of the libraries are now offering e-movies. Our library currently offers e-audiobooks, but it looks like we may need to look into this new movie format. It would certainly free up some shelf space!
On the Seattle Public Library site I like the idea of patrons being able to subscribe to our upcoming program information. It's helpful that they can use RSS feeds or get emails. I would love it if we could get the program information to our regular patrons in this manner! On this web site I was impressed to see the information available in so many different languages.
It makes more sense to me to have a My Space Teen Page than something in Second Life. Just about every teen that uses the Internet at our library has a My Space page so it just seems easier and more practical.
On a different library's website they had an RSS feed from a news source like CNN as a side bar. Maybe something like that would encourage patrons to make our catalog their homepage.
Looks like our library web site is behind the times!!
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