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.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Week 6: RSS and Google Reader
Finally, something digital that I actually use. On a daily basis (or did until the unfortunate calamity that befell my computer). I didn't subscribe to more feeds. I am currently at 31 subscriptions, most in effect with three or four dormant, and 770 unread because of the dead computer. I reckoned I didn't need more. Not now. I would add the LFPL audio feed but that it lumps all audio, book and cds, together. Frustrating.
Here are a few of my favorite feeds: Ree Drummond's thepioneerwoman; The Art of Manliness by Brett and Kate McKay, et al; The Book Bench (from The New Yorker's Book Department); and The Kitchn (sic). I miss reading these and talented others.
Okay. I added one: Rancho Cappuccino by Bryan Welch. I read his article yesterday about his grandfather. It was everything I want in creative non-fiction. So now I'll read him often.
GReader versus the old way (which was bookmarking and filing and foldering)? No contest. RSS FTW! Plus all the ways one can track, share, tag feeds....
GReader as part of the lifelong learning kit? Absolutely. Until the next best thing comes along. Like downloading the content directly to my brain. Of course, that wouldn't allow for savoring the writing. But I'm sure there's a pill or an app for that in development.
Here are a few of my favorite feeds: Ree Drummond's thepioneerwoman; The Art of Manliness by Brett and Kate McKay, et al; The Book Bench (from The New Yorker's Book Department); and The Kitchn (sic). I miss reading these and talented others.
Okay. I added one: Rancho Cappuccino by Bryan Welch. I read his article yesterday about his grandfather. It was everything I want in creative non-fiction. So now I'll read him often.
GReader versus the old way (which was bookmarking and filing and foldering)? No contest. RSS FTW! Plus all the ways one can track, share, tag feeds....
GReader as part of the lifelong learning kit? Absolutely. Until the next best thing comes along. Like downloading the content directly to my brain. Of course, that wouldn't allow for savoring the writing. But I'm sure there's a pill or an app for that in development.
Week 5: LFPL's Research Tools
10b. Searched Newspapers, Courier-Journal via ProQuest, narrowed search date. Obituary was published March 18 2008. Betty Jean McMichael had four sons (and SEVEN daughters). She was well-loved and sorely missed (although it doesn't say that).
10c. Telos=no. BJftHoP=yes, with full text delay of 12 months (Academic Search Premier). CM&R=yes, since 02/2004 (ASP as above).
11a. Selected Business and Money. Selected Morningstar Investment Research Center. Searched for Vanguard Target Retirement 2020. Manager is Duane F. Kelly. Stewardship is B, overall. Morningstar overall rating is four stars.
11b. I thought I'd find Consumer Reports immediately with Consumer Information but didn't so searched alphabetically under Periodicals listing. Narrowed date range. Info found in 2009 Buying Guide, pages 294-97.
11c. Please don't open a coffee shop. How about a tea shop? There's practically no competition. Anyway. Searched Business ReferenceUSA (too obvious, no?) and customized search for 402 and "coffee shops." There are 94, give or take, that may or may not be currently serving coffee. I'd call Dunkin' Donuts the biggest competition in the 40202 zip, with Heine Bros a second (locale-wise), and then Starbucks as the giant third. I used the map to get a visual. Nice tool.
12. I expected this to be really hard. Not so much. But I am rather handy at searching and finding stuff. (Strong in some digital areas, weak in others.) I did spend more time playing around with this exercise, with the databases. Personally, I like Academic Search Premier for a complete brain-food source. True, the library likely has other professional preferences and one day when I get my librarian badge (ten year plan?) I'll know more about those. The one research tool we should be proclaiming is the Consumer Information. Particularly, links to Edmunds, Kelley and NADA guides as well as the Auto Repair Reference Center containing complete repair manuals published by Chilton. I showed this to a patron who wanted to search our catalog for a particular manual. He thought the online info was very cool and liked how he could print out the exact pages he needed to repair his steering column without having to check out the whole manual or wait for it to be sent from another branch, etc. Woo-hoo! The library rocks.
10c. Telos=no. BJftHoP=yes, with full text delay of 12 months (Academic Search Premier). CM&R=yes, since 02/2004 (ASP as above).
11a. Selected Business and Money. Selected Morningstar Investment Research Center. Searched for Vanguard Target Retirement 2020. Manager is Duane F. Kelly. Stewardship is B, overall. Morningstar overall rating is four stars.
11b. I thought I'd find Consumer Reports immediately with Consumer Information but didn't so searched alphabetically under Periodicals listing. Narrowed date range. Info found in 2009 Buying Guide, pages 294-97.
11c. Please don't open a coffee shop. How about a tea shop? There's practically no competition. Anyway. Searched Business ReferenceUSA (too obvious, no?) and customized search for 402 and "coffee shops." There are 94, give or take, that may or may not be currently serving coffee. I'd call Dunkin' Donuts the biggest competition in the 40202 zip, with Heine Bros a second (locale-wise), and then Starbucks as the giant third. I used the map to get a visual. Nice tool.
12. I expected this to be really hard. Not so much. But I am rather handy at searching and finding stuff. (Strong in some digital areas, weak in others.) I did spend more time playing around with this exercise, with the databases. Personally, I like Academic Search Premier for a complete brain-food source. True, the library likely has other professional preferences and one day when I get my librarian badge (ten year plan?) I'll know more about those. The one research tool we should be proclaiming is the Consumer Information. Particularly, links to Edmunds, Kelley and NADA guides as well as the Auto Repair Reference Center containing complete repair manuals published by Chilton. I showed this to a patron who wanted to search our catalog for a particular manual. He thought the online info was very cool and liked how he could print out the exact pages he needed to repair his steering column without having to check out the whole manual or wait for it to be sent from another branch, etc. Woo-hoo! The library rocks.
Week Four: Photo Sharing
I uploaded a photo to Flickr. I feel better now. Actually, not really. Five BILLION images? I felt like I was trashing the virtual environment by adding just one more. There's just so much garbage and to find beauty amongst it is difficult but astounding when one does.
I searched for an image of the Colgate Clock in Clarksville. Not one that I found is exceptional. Disappointed. I also searched for roller coasters, then added the tag for Sandusky, Ohio. So many. I am hypercritical when it comes to photography. Snaps of your kitty are fine, but you don't need to share all nine thousand of them.
What's the visual equivalent of noise? I can't recall the exact term...likely because of the brain noise.
I've used Flickr as a reference tool before to identify vegetables. But it can be unreliable. Are the tags useful? Does the photo have a title, a location? A history? (They all have histories, but is it evident or to be discovered? And do I really feel like chasing after something on Flickr when another source may be more efficient?) The whole garbage in, garbage out thing. Know your sources and judge accordingly.
I like Flickr, really. I've found it useful in the past.
Typical questions I get regarding photo sharing have to do with Facebook, not so much with Flickr. I think Flickr users more or less know what they are doing.
If I had a digital camera that was worth using I might post photos to Flickr. Oh, but wait: I don't have a computer that works. Ah, the digital divide between the haves and the have nots. Every day I go without access to the new tools I feel ages behind.
I searched for an image of the Colgate Clock in Clarksville. Not one that I found is exceptional. Disappointed. I also searched for roller coasters, then added the tag for Sandusky, Ohio. So many. I am hypercritical when it comes to photography. Snaps of your kitty are fine, but you don't need to share all nine thousand of them.
What's the visual equivalent of noise? I can't recall the exact term...likely because of the brain noise.
I've used Flickr as a reference tool before to identify vegetables. But it can be unreliable. Are the tags useful? Does the photo have a title, a location? A history? (They all have histories, but is it evident or to be discovered? And do I really feel like chasing after something on Flickr when another source may be more efficient?) The whole garbage in, garbage out thing. Know your sources and judge accordingly.
I like Flickr, really. I've found it useful in the past.
Typical questions I get regarding photo sharing have to do with Facebook, not so much with Flickr. I think Flickr users more or less know what they are doing.
If I had a digital camera that was worth using I might post photos to Flickr. Oh, but wait: I don't have a computer that works. Ah, the digital divide between the haves and the have nots. Every day I go without access to the new tools I feel ages behind.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Week Three: Social Networking
Yes, I tweeted. Yes, I added Tony Millionaire to follow. (Then I decided to remove him and his mature and often immature content and just stick with something I am indifferent about but is current: fifawwc!) Goal.
Facebook. I used the lfpl practice site because I knew it would take me days and gallons of coffee and pounds of patience to do it proper like. Yes, I noticed the vast differences switching settings. Is it more tedious or meditative to adjust settings like that? Depends.
My personal experiences with Twitter (T) and Facebook (F) have been limited. I set up an account on each in the beginning stages of each and neither engaged me enough to suck much of my time. I have neither account now. Professionally, and by that I mean here at the library, I help patrons with their F accounts occasionally and their abilities range from "my friend set up my F account" which equals they don't know the name of the account or their password to "how do I print this rant on my wall" (= you don't really, unless you copy and paste it into a document) to "how do I do jfldhpfgnvnk" (= I suggest they use the help menu on F because I have no idea what the person means). I don't follow anyone or anything on T. I did. I lost interest. Gotta cull the words somewhere and the 140 genre were the first eliminated from my feed reader. (Talk about culling words, Simon; this needs editing.)
A few years ago when T began, I recall reading David Pogue's thoughts it. He explained it well and the example of its usefulness as a search engine he gave is more or less how I might use it here with patrons. It had to do with patents and emerging technology
and trying
to determine if anyone anywhere was working on a specific widget (for my memory fails as to what exactly the tech was). So he tweeted. In moments he had several responses and none was any type of info he could have gotten via any other way of networking, at least at that very awesome speed.
I would very much like to learn more about F, but mostly just so I will be able to help patrons with their questions. It just seems so bloated and massive and wasteful...hmmm, interesting how it reflects, or highlights, our worst qualities.
I don't love or hate social networking. Or maybe I love and hate it. I do know that I would prefer not to. (Thanks Bartleby.)
Are people still using LinkedIn? I like the concept, but it doesn't have the push and pull that F and T have. Rather, it hasn't the media's attention.
Is LinkedIn still valuable as a tool or has it hit the doldrums?
Facebook. I used the lfpl practice site because I knew it would take me days and gallons of coffee and pounds of patience to do it proper like. Yes, I noticed the vast differences switching settings. Is it more tedious or meditative to adjust settings like that? Depends.
My personal experiences with Twitter (T) and Facebook (F) have been limited. I set up an account on each in the beginning stages of each and neither engaged me enough to suck much of my time. I have neither account now. Professionally, and by that I mean here at the library, I help patrons with their F accounts occasionally and their abilities range from "my friend set up my F account" which equals they don't know the name of the account or their password to "how do I print this rant on my wall" (= you don't really, unless you copy and paste it into a document) to "how do I do jfldhpfgnvnk" (= I suggest they use the help menu on F because I have no idea what the person means). I don't follow anyone or anything on T. I did. I lost interest. Gotta cull the words somewhere and the 140 genre were the first eliminated from my feed reader. (Talk about culling words, Simon; this needs editing.)
A few years ago when T began, I recall reading David Pogue's thoughts it. He explained it well and the example of its usefulness as a search engine he gave is more or less how I might use it here with patrons. It had to do with patents and emerging technology
and trying
to determine if anyone anywhere was working on a specific widget (for my memory fails as to what exactly the tech was). So he tweeted. In moments he had several responses and none was any type of info he could have gotten via any other way of networking, at least at that very awesome speed.
I would very much like to learn more about F, but mostly just so I will be able to help patrons with their questions. It just seems so bloated and massive and wasteful...hmmm, interesting how it reflects, or highlights, our worst qualities.
I don't love or hate social networking. Or maybe I love and hate it. I do know that I would prefer not to. (Thanks Bartleby.)
Are people still using LinkedIn? I like the concept, but it doesn't have the push and pull that F and T have. Rather, it hasn't the media's attention.
Is LinkedIn still valuable as a tool or has it hit the doldrums?
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Week Two
In The Google Empire I use Maps most often. Well, I did until my computer died; now I have to find locations the old fashioned way and actually interact with a person who painstakingly gives me directions as if I'm twice my age. Or, gasp, a paper map. (I kinda like paper maps, maybe for the same reason I like paper dictionaries--the meandering, the getting lost while searching for something, the browsing effect). If I were a student I'd think Gbooks and Gscholar would be helpful, but don't know if Gscholar would actually be any better than Ebsco or other like database. Likely I'd use Gdocs if I didn't have access to MS Office. I had used the free and limited (less bloated) OpenOffice before The Great Google Empire expanded to what it is today. I've noticed several patrons using Gdocs for resumes, etc. I expect the Gpatents is helpful to those interested in such, being they have more immediate access to such information via Google.
Gsites is a good way to have a semi-professional looking presence on the internet, good to direct potential employers to and such.
I noticed Gunclesam is M.I.A. What happened there? Other than there was seemingly enough access (can I use access one more time?!) through .gov sites.
I think all Google options have the potential to be useful to patrons, especially those who need to get to their personal documents from a variety of places: from different libraries, from a friend's house, from school.
So, yes Google Empire is good for us all...until it turns into Skynet.
The thing is: I regret I don't have time to just explore the Googleverse. I learn by using, and working with patrons at the 6 desk has helped me become more familiar with the Googleverse. I know. I gotta take responsibility for my learning. What lifelong learning number is that one?
Gsites is a good way to have a semi-professional looking presence on the internet, good to direct potential employers to and such.
I noticed Gunclesam is M.I.A. What happened there? Other than there was seemingly enough access (can I use access one more time?!) through .gov sites.
I think all Google options have the potential to be useful to patrons, especially those who need to get to their personal documents from a variety of places: from different libraries, from a friend's house, from school.
So, yes Google Empire is good for us all...until it turns into Skynet.
The thing is: I regret I don't have time to just explore the Googleverse. I learn by using, and working with patrons at the 6 desk has helped me become more familiar with the Googleverse. I know. I gotta take responsibility for my learning. What lifelong learning number is that one?
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