Q1. What were your favorite discoveries or activities over the past ten weeks?
A1. Favorites include using reference databases and seeing what Google offers as an alternate and mobile office suite. I also like the online reader advisories, although what was usually suggested wasn't a good match in my opinion. I also discovered that I challenge myself in some areas of lifelong learning, but don't take much responsibility for increasing my knowledge in other areas. 23 Things prompted me to revisit and assess my weaknesses, intellectual and otherwise.
Q2. Do you feel more confidence with these resources now? Was it time well-spent?
A2. Yes, I feel more confident with some resources; however, I still need to beef up my Facebook skills to help patrons (they really don't seem all that concerned with privacy settings, etc.). I also need to take all the computer classes offered here so I can have a better grasp of advanced Word formatting. I also need to use Google Docs more and refer patrons to them. Time well-spent indeed. Actually one of the best things for me is working the computer help desk (MIS6). It allows me to learn with the patrons and also lets me know where my strengths and weaknesses are.
Q3. If a similar learning program is offered in the future, are there other resources and technologies you would like to see covered? Any suggestions for how we might run the program differently?
A3. Other resources and technologies I'd like to be familiar with are how to efficiently transfer a Publisher document to a Word document. I've had a couple of patrons create their resumes in Publisher and then realize it won't do for their online application, that they need to have it in Word or similar format. I'd like to do a step by step photo program: take the photos, transfer them to Flickr, edit them, etcetera. I don't know anything about music files, other than there is iTunes and I don't know the first thing about using it. I really don't know what more to suggest because I don't know what I need to know.
I get frustrated with my lack of access to the technology and the lack of time one needs to just play with it to learn it well enough to be proficient. I know there are people in Sub-Saharan Africa that are better at some technologies that I am. They know it because they have access, they must have access, it has become necessary.
No suggestions on how to run the program better. I think it was fine. Wait, here's an idea. Not a program that is mandatory, but ask for tech savvy volunteers, those on the bleeding edge, and ask of they would partner with someone like me who doesn't have access to the tech but is painfully curious how it all works and fits together. Maybe allowing us to borrow some items and create projects or solve problems. When I looked at what the teen summer reading program was requiring of the teen participants I couldn't complete half of them because I lack the tech.
Q4. Do you think our patrons would benefit from a similar program?
A4. Yes. But some need to learn how to use a mouse first (I am not joking). Or some need to learn how to check their spelling. Some need remedial training. I try encouraging as many as I can to take the free computer classes upstairs when I notice how much they struggle.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Week 9: Online Reader Tools
@ Goodreads recommended Joe patron to read Montana 1948 by Larry Watson.
@ Bookletter I selected New Fiction to receive, but think that Books on the Air and Book Sizzle would be tremendously helpful for me in assisting patrons who want to know about, "that book that's being made into a movie with Carey Mulligan." The others are good to have as current reference hot sheets that we can show patrons who want to stay current on a variety of topics.
@ NoveList I tried the Teen age group and searched for If You Like...Coraline. The recommendations were a little weak. Then I searched Teen, Halo (The Game) and it recommended, among others, Ender's Game. Excellent match, I thought. I'm not crazy wild about OSC and Ender, but it is one of those novels that I think gaming teens and even those younger ought to read. I'd definitely consider it a classic. I also looked at Teen Fantasy and Contemporary Fairy Tales Adaptations. Again a little weak as most titles were only rated two or three stars. But they did get Beastly on there, so there's that.
NoveList appears infinitely useful to guide oneself through unfamiliar reading territory. I'd direct a curious reader to it any day.
Other resources I'd recommend to patrons would be the obvious Goodreads and Shelfari.com so they can create their own community of readers and get recommendations from friends near and far, new and old.
@ Bookletter I selected New Fiction to receive, but think that Books on the Air and Book Sizzle would be tremendously helpful for me in assisting patrons who want to know about, "that book that's being made into a movie with Carey Mulligan." The others are good to have as current reference hot sheets that we can show patrons who want to stay current on a variety of topics.
@ NoveList I tried the Teen age group and searched for If You Like...Coraline. The recommendations were a little weak. Then I searched Teen, Halo (The Game) and it recommended, among others, Ender's Game. Excellent match, I thought. I'm not crazy wild about OSC and Ender, but it is one of those novels that I think gaming teens and even those younger ought to read. I'd definitely consider it a classic. I also looked at Teen Fantasy and Contemporary Fairy Tales Adaptations. Again a little weak as most titles were only rated two or three stars. But they did get Beastly on there, so there's that.
NoveList appears infinitely useful to guide oneself through unfamiliar reading territory. I'd direct a curious reader to it any day.
Other resources I'd recommend to patrons would be the obvious Goodreads and Shelfari.com so they can create their own community of readers and get recommendations from friends near and far, new and old.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Thing #19: Comparing Wikis
I like Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. Content looks useful and fresh. LoudounPedia link is down. The Blogging Libraries Wiki seems good for comparing and inspiring similar blogs. Sharing is good.
I think I learned that from a Muppet--likely Grover. Yes, I like the Muppet wiki as well as Wookieepedia and Uncyclopedia (possibly my favorite because it's indecentness heaped upon nonsense; see the entry for gold).
I don't feel compelled to create or "edit" a wiki. Leave well enough alone. Leave it to the authorities. I'll sit out the wikigame.
Can I see a potential use for a wiki in advancing the library’s mission? Maybe? I am not thinking large today. I see wikis useful here internally, but externally? My small mind is not making that giant leap today.
I think I learned that from a Muppet--likely Grover. Yes, I like the Muppet wiki as well as Wookieepedia and Uncyclopedia (possibly my favorite because it's indecentness heaped upon nonsense; see the entry for gold).
I don't feel compelled to create or "edit" a wiki. Leave well enough alone. Leave it to the authorities. I'll sit out the wikigame.
Can I see a potential use for a wiki in advancing the library’s mission? Maybe? I am not thinking large today. I see wikis useful here internally, but externally? My small mind is not making that giant leap today.
Thing #18: Play in the Sandbox
I added to Favorite Teams a colorful Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts. To Favorite Bands I contributed the videos for The National and The Hold Steady (coming to Louisville August 28 at Headliners, tickets less than $20).
I really don't feel like I edited much of anything. I feel like I'm cheating. I'm not writing code. It's like using an automatic camera. Worse. I feel less removed from the creation. It's like I didn't have to learn the language to speak it. It's a digital fake book. Someone else somewhere did more work so I have to do less. I know it's the same with much of what we consume.
I really don't feel like I edited much of anything. I feel like I'm cheating. I'm not writing code. It's like using an automatic camera. Worse. I feel less removed from the creation. It's like I didn't have to learn the language to speak it. It's a digital fake book. Someone else somewhere did more work so I have to do less. I know it's the same with much of what we consume.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thing #17: Browsing the podcast universe
Product on Demand is great. Oh, wait. It isn't product, you say? I didn't find anything terrific, but I am sure it exists.
I listened to Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day. For July 22 2011 it is adumbrate, a verb, meaning to foreshadow vaguely. Good podcast. I also tried LearnOutLoud's Spanish course podcast. Very handy. Be even handier if I had a mobile device that played podcasts.
Tried CNN. Listened to a pleasant Out to Lunch: Authentic Tacos. Most of the offerings on CNN look like the same filler CNN broadcasts 24/7. (CNN makes my brain hurt.)
Tried BBC. Chose Radio Scotland (for the accents, duh). Suffered through Kitchen Cafe Takeaway. I cannot recommend.
I have seen good pcasts, like this.
I like the concept of having content available at my command. It's just so majestic. Er. I wonder if I can combine the feature of convoing with Etsy peeps who create art/knitted stuff by request with the podcast phenom. Rough example: contact that hypothetical couple in Japan (from the LeFever feature) and request they go to such and so restaurant in Tokyo and review it for me because I'm not sure I want to eat there or another place when I get there in, uh, never.
I found it both odd and true that we consider those who podcast (like the hypothetical Jason with the hypothetical Western couple living in Tokyo) our "friends." But they aren't, I say. Then I wrestle with myself whether that is possible and the nature and meaning of friendship. Then I tap out, because wrestling yourself isn't pretty.
The Library ought to have a podcast or three.
When I think of podcasts, I think of whaling.
Extra credit: yeah, I saw that. Don't subscribe to that Radio Scotland foodie program.
I listened to Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day. For July 22 2011 it is adumbrate, a verb, meaning to foreshadow vaguely. Good podcast. I also tried LearnOutLoud's Spanish course podcast. Very handy. Be even handier if I had a mobile device that played podcasts.
Tried CNN. Listened to a pleasant Out to Lunch: Authentic Tacos. Most of the offerings on CNN look like the same filler CNN broadcasts 24/7. (CNN makes my brain hurt.)
Tried BBC. Chose Radio Scotland (for the accents, duh). Suffered through Kitchen Cafe Takeaway. I cannot recommend.
I have seen good pcasts, like this.
I like the concept of having content available at my command. It's just so majestic. Er. I wonder if I can combine the feature of convoing with Etsy peeps who create art/knitted stuff by request with the podcast phenom. Rough example: contact that hypothetical couple in Japan (from the LeFever feature) and request they go to such and so restaurant in Tokyo and review it for me because I'm not sure I want to eat there or another place when I get there in, uh, never.
I found it both odd and true that we consider those who podcast (like the hypothetical Jason with the hypothetical Western couple living in Tokyo) our "friends." But they aren't, I say. Then I wrestle with myself whether that is possible and the nature and meaning of friendship. Then I tap out, because wrestling yourself isn't pretty.
The Library ought to have a podcast or three.
When I think of podcasts, I think of whaling.
Extra credit: yeah, I saw that. Don't subscribe to that Radio Scotland foodie program.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Thing 16: Exploring NetLibrary, err, OneClickdigital
Since we are using OneClickdigital for audio books now I went there instead of Netlibrary.
My choice is True Grit, read by Donna Tartt. The duration is 6:19:36. Sounds good.
My choice is True Grit, read by Donna Tartt. The duration is 6:19:36. Sounds good.
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