Week 10?!?! What?!?!?! Already???!!! aka, Wild Card Week

So we have finally reached the final week of our course together.  Kind of getting nostalgic here.  I have enjoyed reading other people’s entries and find that the library makes for many-a-witty individuals.

So, what did I pick?  I was going to go through the 350+ categories but the list was too overwhelming and nothing was really jumping out at me.  So I went with what I first saw, and what I felt would be most useful, and something I could actually utilize.  Didn’t really care for networking and I am very much a tangible, “pen and paper” kind of gal when it comes to to-do lists.  So I picked reference 2.0. 

I thought it was quite random to put Minti in that list as Yahoo Answers and Wiki-How are more general.  But don’t get me wrong: being mainly stationed in the children’s area and the main assistant to our children’s librarian, I think this site would come in most handy, actually.  Of course, I would have to remind our patrons this disclaimer: these are answers by laymen, not actual professionals.  And even then, they are only human.  I can’t use these sites to answer patrons’ questions (I equate this to giving medical/legal advice), but I can suggest these sites.

These will definitely be useful as they are written in everyday language by everyday people, as opposed to like the Physician’s Reference Book or other things like that.  And they are straight forward as they are written in the style of one’s speech.   And they are easily accessible.
My Final Thoughts (so Jerry Springer like…though I never watched the thing):

I thought the Web 2.0 online seminar was quite fun and informative.  I’d do it again if there were a part deux.  It has changed my perspective in the way that I am able to apply all these sites that I would have otherwise thought to be only personally beneficial to something I can use in the library and pass the knowledge to others as well (easily understood pieces of information).

Honestly, since the library deals with the public from all walks of life, these sites will come in handy one way or the other.  For example, our teens are very much in tune to online communities and communication.  By being well-versed in these areas, library workers can connect with teenagers and speak their language.  That way, we can attract them to the library and perhaps make a difference in their lives. 

For older folks who are not as tuned in to the internet as the younger generation, these sites are actually so easily accessible and understandable that, though intimidating at first, newbies will eventually get the hang of these sites and their functions as they are not overly complicated.

I think Web 2.0…it’s too early to tell, honestly.  I think the choices “passing fad” and “permanent change” are too limiting.  I think it is an option that we will always have available to us, which is great.  That way, we can choose conventional and unconventional methods (whatever that may be).

Ok, and with that, I bow out and extend my arms, ready to receive my mug.  But seriously, this was a fun project.  I hope ya’ll come up with more!

Week 9

So it was pretty cool using learning about podcasts and vodcasts for the first time.  I’ve heard about podcasts before but not vodcasts.  I have never used podcasts because, as silly as this sounds, I thought they were only for Ipods (don’t laugh, I’m technologically challenged) and being the anti-ipod-supporter-of-other-mp3-players-that-are-just-as-good-if-not-better type of person, I never thought of looking at podcast.com.  So would youtube count as a vodcast?  I’m not sure if RSS feed is used for delivering these videos.  Don’t laugh, I’m learning.  Anyway, I enjoyed searching on podcast.com and found Ravi Zacharias, a Christian apologist I really admire, and look forward to what other selections I might find there.

Youtube is nothing new to me.  Working with teenagers, I get to hear about the latest, or at least most popular, things on the net.  Do we still use the net as a nickname for internet?  Is this still cool *raising the roof* ?

Ok, so, does Contra Costa County use podcasting?  Well, their library system sure does.  I’ll have to look at their website to see if the rest of the county does too.  Gia was recording some for story time just a few weeks ago and the advertisement about storytime podcasts may or may not be on the library home page still.

How could the library use vodcasts and YouTube?  As tutorials, definitely.  As the libraries are becoming more and more technologically enhanced, especially here in Hercules, many new patrons would benefit with watching videos of people using our catalogs, self-check systems, etc.  Of course, this all reminds me of being on an airplane and watching those videos about how to survive a plane crash, so I’m getting goosebumps just thinking of it.  But still, videos would be useful. 

Well, that’s week 9 for you.  One more and we’re through!

Week 8 : Social Networks

Again, being the young-at-heart person that I am, I’m not really a stranger to social networking.  When Friendster first came out, which I believe pioneered it all, I had one, then MySpace, then Facebook, even Livejournal, Multiply, the list goes on and on…usually boredom is the progenitor of these creations.

But I must say, I have never heard of Ning.  why must the colors be so bland though? 

Ok, so signing up and following the directions were pretty easy.  Now onto the blog topic.

Originally, I wanted to blog about “Library Fans” because I wanted to know what the general public’s opinions about libraries are.  But seeing as there was only one member of that group (so terribly sad), I moved onto another one (but I’m going to check periodically for its growth).

So the American Library Association, known as ALA to us cool ones, has a Ning network.  I think this would benefit the CCCL community because the ALA is not limited only to library workers but anyone really who is interested in learning.  I remember being acquainted with the ALA when I was taking Children’s Literature classes back in college. 

So yes, I believe that this page will keep us up-to-date with what is up regarding books, libraries. learning and all the other fun stuff that comes with learning, libraries and books.  Plus the forums look pretty cool and could actually keep me occupied.

Ok, that’s my blog.  Wow, 8 weeks down, 2 more to go.  Exciting!

RSS

I always wondered what RSS was.  I think I used it one time at one of the blogs I managed in order to import entries for another blog.  But I wasn’t exactly sure on what its function was until now.

1.  I’ll choose my library event to describe.  Here at Hercules, I hold the Tuesday Evening Story Time.  The age range indicated for this event is 3-8, but this is really intended for families, regardless of age (and that’s exactly what I’ve been getting:  blessed me ^_^).  Basically, as it follows the Picture Book Time format, this is an event that is a mixture of stories, songs, fingerplays and dances.  It’s real fun because I have a great bunch of kids and adults (and an uberly supportive set of colleagues!) and this program always leaves me exhausted.  That’s a good sign, right?

2.  Yes, this exercise definitely helped me understand RSS feeds better.  I didn’t know what they were exactly until this assignment.  I’m intrigued, as far as finding out what other information I can import that would be useful for me.  The new DVDs RSS was especially interesting as I can keep patrons (including myself) informed on what we have recently received.  Although judging from the titles, “new” doesn’t always mean “new” (Back of the Future is definitely something that I remember watching during my pre-school days).

3.  As far as problems, some of the instructions written were vague.  For example, when the instructions indicated, “highlight and copy the URL address at the top,” I was sure which top was being referred to.  I copied and pasted successfully from the page for exercise 1.  Exercise 2 took me a while because I was copying and pasting what was on the top of the page instead of the URL on my browser (thanks GIA!).  After that, the rest was a cinch.

This hurdle solidified what I learned in the Reference training through InfoPeople.  I was reminded that what may be clear for me may not be as clear to the patron I am communicating with.  This was tough though since the instructions were only written (there were no nonverbal directions that could possibly be given: hmm…possible problem that could occur for online reference?).  So kudos to the instructor.

As you can see, I can write on and on.  And with that, I bow out. Ciao bella.

Instant Messaging: Meebo

Now this field, I am familiar with.  This is what initially got me addicted to the internet back in high school and I still use IM for communicating, especially with my friends back home (Philippines).  I must say, I use this more than the phone (except for texting, which, I believe, is precipitated by online instant messaging).

But this assignment is not about what I use IM for personally.  Rather, it is this:

Regardless, you need to compose a blog entry discussing and expounding upon the virtues of, or questioning how, a tool such as the MeeboMe Widget may be used by a library.

Well, I would see the MeeboMe Widget’s purpose in the library much like the telephone’s: it operates to get us in touch with patrons who cannot or choose not to come to the library.  Much like the homework help online, library workers can assist patrons over the internet with a variety of reference questions.  In addition, other libraries’ staff can also communicate with us through Meebo.

Advantages:

-Easy (easier?) access to information via library staff

-no busy signals via the phone

-library staff can multitask, as we are already at a desk, most of the time

Disadvantages:

-Can add to busyness of the library (attending to patrons in person, on the phone and online all at the same time) 

-Being on “Away” status may be more irritating for awaiting communicator than being placed on hold for a long time (the phones in Hercules beep so that we don’t forget that a person is put on hold; not guaranteed for those on “hold” on IM)

-possibility of being stuck at the desk due to onslaught of IMs

-possible communication hindrances due to slow internet, unclear wording, etc

-Multitasking may lead to lowered quality of work overall.

 

Personally, I enjoy communicating online, since it’s one of my primary resources of communication on a day to day basis (not only IMs but emails, blogs, etc).  So I think it’s pretty cool if Meebo can be used in the library as a means for patrons to reach us more efficiently.

Google Docs

So yet another interesting find. I encounter so many patrons who have the desire to save documents but fail to bring a disc or flash drive.  Usually, I teach them to save it temporarily on the X-drive, and then email it to themselves (or even create an email account if they don’t have one).  This is much more efficient and quite easy.  Of course, the problem usually comes in when the patron decides to wait until either the last few minutes of their time on the computer, or when the library is close to closing, and we’re rushing this saving process.

A possible problem that could come up with this option is if Google decides to be down when a patron opts to save on their docs.  But then again, that’s a risk a non-flash drive/disc bring-er will have to take.
Otherwise, interesting find.  Never knew about it.  So thanks again!  I feel so much more educated

Week 4: Social Bookmarking

I must admit, I have never heard of social bookmarking before.  First, I thought that I wouldn’t have much use for this website, but after thinking about it, I do have a lot of bookmarked pages on my laptop that I wouldn’t be able to access otherwise.  Plus, I think it’s a good idea to be able to organize links in categories.

Upon further thought, this can be really helpful with regards to helping patrons with reference questions as many come up over and over again.  Instead of doing another search, I can just check my organized set of favorite links.  Kudos to the people who thought of this and to Bill and Caroline for the introduction.

http://del.icio.us/Alastacol

Flickr

So, I have finished week 3’s assignment, as far as uploading pictures to Flickr.  Usually, I do it in photobucket or in my albums at Friendster/MySpace/Facebook/Multiply (depends which set of friends/family I am trying to show what events to).

Anyway, here is the site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28455216@N03/?saved=1

As I don’t have any pictures saved in my computer in the library, I only copied and uploaded the picture from the Hercules Library.  I want to post pictures though of the “Dan Chan the Magic Man,” an event our children’s librarian, Gia, put together.  So hopefully, I can get those pictures on flickr soon.

Wiki

I was out during the week, so I only got to do week 2’s assignment recently.  Here is a link to my review on For Women Only:

http://staffpicks.pbwiki.com/Books+for+Adults

This is the second time I have written a review for staff picks.  I actually enjoyed writing it and may look into writing more in the future.

testing, testing, one, two, three

So yet again, I have created another blog.  But wait, this is no ordinary blog: this is my “what’s going on in my job as a library assistant” blog.  And this, dear reader, is the first entry.  As I await the last 30 minutes of work and relish the thought of escorting out, ever so kindly, the remaining patrons in the library, I am trying to conjure up what to write, as not much is left working in my brain.

Hmm…I am loving these summer months.  Peace and quiet, for the most part.  A different type of hustle and bustle.  I am going to hold on to these days as long as I can.

Ok, that’s about it.  I still have to complete the rest of this project.  Toodles!