Thing #17

Wickis ... I learned some time back to inform patrons of the nature of Wikipedia and not to use it as a primary research source because of the potential unreliability of the information.

In reading about the various wikis, however, I can see where they would be useful in situations where what you are looking for is opinions. For that reason, the Princeton Book Lover's wiki seemed to be the best use. (It would have been helpful, however, if, in giving book reviews they would have posted other favorite books of the reviewer so the reader can get a frame of reference... in other words, I might give more credence to a biographer's review of a book than a person who reads only Stephen King novels.)

Despite the fact that they give lots of information, I would be dubious about posting information as being created by me (as some of the library sites do), unless I had the ability to prevent some anonymous person from changing my words an misrepresenting my views.

Thing #16

This was very interesting reading and I agree with most of it. The "just in case" collection is a case that is pertinent to our library. With a miniscule budget, that type of collection is not affordable to us, nor pertinent. I've been steering people to NebraskAccess to eliminate the need of "just in case" materials.

With the on-line materials we are able to access information that a generation ago was not available to rural libraries. Helping patrons not computer savvy to feel comfortable with this type of reasearch is on a "one-by-one, as need arises" basis. Have not had success with classes, as people only come when they have a real need for it.

"Technolust" is a problem we don't have, again a small budget the reason. I'd be happy to get a T1 line, which is not available here.

In "temporary places in time", the description of what libraries are really fits a small community. With limited places to go, the library is a place for people to meet and chat as much as a place for research. The more ways we can fulfil needs of the community the more relevant we will be.

Thing #14

I was impressed by this tool for its organizing of materials. I really liked what the Holdredge Library did with Delicious.

thing #12

I loved, loved loved Library Thing. I created an account, entered several of my personal books and even went in to edit a few of them with ratings and tags (would have done more, but editing was slow).

I would love to get my cataloger at our library up to speed on this so we can start putting all our collection into this format!

thing #13

Twitter might be of use to someone who is tied all day to a computer in a cubicle in the corporate world, but doesn't do much for me. I've just signed up for an account and will follow Michael, but I agree with one other person who made the comment that she couldn't see people's needs to follow the most minute details of each other's lives.

One area where I can see this as being useful is in the library commission's twitter. The little posts are like "news flashes" of different things that might be relevant to other libraries.

Here in a small town, we have our own twitter. When the neighbors see that UPS has delivered a large box to me, they know there will shortly be new books at the library ... their twitter is much faster than anything I could do to get the news out in any other way.

Thing #11

I feel that what you are giving us in this class is a small taste of everything, and that from there, when the class is over, it is up to us to pick and choose which "Things" will be relevant and useful to us. Even I will probably not use everything learned, it is good to at least be aware that each of these functions exist; easy to get behind out here in the backwaters.

I personally plan to keep this class bookmarked after the class is completed so I can go refresh myself at my leisure, or when I find a relevant use for some function I remembered seeing. I can even see using some of the applications (like playing with the comic book generators) as a means to get more middle school kids into the library, using the generator as a class.

In these small communities, homes with computers are still in the minority ... this is how our library will have to stay relevant.

Thing #10

Okay, this one didn't excite me as much as 8 and 9 ... although I'm sure I could use some of these ideas in creating things for a children's reading program. I did manage to create a little piece that is an insult to Einstein. Check it out at www.hetemeel.com/einstein/318546.jpg

Thing #9

Again, I love good artistic photography, so I almost got lost in a place called www.flickriver.com. Some of the concepts used in composing some of these works of art really give me ideas for my future picture taking. Really, really enjoyable!

Thing #8

I like this ... will have to copy over all my photos from my trip to Germany this past May ... that is, after I get past the holidays, do our bibliostat, start the new erate cycle and finish with our library move .... don't you just love small libraries where you have to do everything, including sweeping the floor.

Anyhow, I found an absolutely gorgeous photo that you can find at www.flickr.com/photos/f_m/3066238956/ . My father was a very good art photographer in the style of Ansel Adams. This photo reminds me less of the intense realism of black and white and more of a watercolor of a dream. The softness seems to have been lovingly created with a brush by an old Dutch master of the 1600's rather than by a lens.

Things #6 and #7

I have opened the reader account and have subscribed to 3 of my compatriot's blogs, as well as some news websites. RSS will be very helpful to me, as it will take the middle step of what I do anyhow, in reading various news sites daily. I am wondering, though, if there is some way to sort how they appear? It looks as if they just come up as they come up, and if I subscribe to too many sites the entire reader inbox will be a big unorganized "thing". Any suggestions?

I really got use out of this step!

Thing #5

Well, I've created an IM profile and have, out of boredom, given three responses to the initial "hello" I received. Everyone must be busy because I'm talking to myself and no one is answering. And this is after a two-hour wait.

In my limited experience with IM, I prefer email. The IM gives you expectations of response that will be quick, which may not be the case if all the people are busy.

Anyhow, Thing #5 milestone has been achieved.

7.5 ... easy or hard items?

Of the 7 1/2 learning points, the easiest for me would be points 1, 4 and 5. The most difficult would probably be 3 and 7 1/2. Maybe I could lighten up?

Here I go!!!

Okay world, this is my first test blog for this NLC class.