Wikis

I use wikis for several things in my job. The continuing education coordinators from all 50 states have a wiki. We use the wiki to share information and to ask questions. We also use it when planning our annual meeting.

We have a wiki at work to discuss changes and updates to the library's website.

I am on a grant committee and we use a wiki to write our documentation. One person writes the original document and everyone else can edit the piece.

I have found wikis to be very useful.

Tagging

I have a Delicious account and I do use Delicious, although maybe not as much as I should. What I like about Delicious is that I have my bookmarks no matter where I go. I also like being able to share bookmarks with my friends. Another cool thing about Delicious is that it recommends websites based on my tags. Very cool!

Social Networking

I have a facebook account. I did not think I would use it a lot and I do not post a lot. However, I go in at least once a week to see what my friends are doing. It is a good way to keep up with people when time is limited. I think facebook and myspace are good ways for libraries to get the word out about events that are happening at the library. I read the newspaper, but a lot of younger people don't. I think one way of reaching them is through social networking tools such as myspace and facebook.

Google Docs

I created a word document in Google docs. I then invited a friend to add to the document. I could see where this would be very handy for libraries that have a tight budget. Not having to purchase Word, Wow! This would also be a useful tool if you are on a committee that has to write or revise a document. I thought this was a very cool tool!

Videocasts

I took a look at some videocasts on YouTube. The one I found interesting, about libraries, was Berkely Public Library. It was a little quirky. I think YouTube is great and a great way for libraries to publize themselves. If you can come up with a cool video people will watch it over and over again. It is also a great way to advertise library events.

Podcasts

I love the George and Joan Thinking Out Loud podcasts. I added them to my rss feed. George and Joan are library consultants. They do the Thinking Out Loud podcasts for InfoPeople. Some of the podcasts they have done recently are The Future of Newspapers and What It Means for Libraries; How Libraries Can Survive; and Best Practices for the Customer Focused Library.

These podcasts are really great and I recommend them to everyone.

Flickr Mashups Take 2

It worked! I was finally able to upload a picture to my blog. Of course I still cannot upload directly from Flickr. :-(

Flickr Mashups

I created a trading card, but I cannot get it to display on my blog. Most depressing!

Flickr Take 2

I have to add my blog to Flickr and cannot figure out how to do that. Can anyone help? Thanks.

Flickr

I have an account in Flickr, but am having trouble posting a picture to my blog. I'll try this again.

RSS

I use RSS to organize a lot of my professional reading. It makes my life a lot easier. Instead of going to 100 websites, I only have to go to one website. What a time saver. I use bloglines at work, so I decided for the Library 2.0 Challenge that I would use Google Reader. I may find that I like it better. So keep blogging everyone! I'll be following your posts on Google Reader.

Tweeting

I tried twitter, but personally I don't think I'll use it. My life is not that exciting. Who cares if I had cheerios for breakfast or that I shrunk the bedspread when I washed it?

However, I do see where twitter might be useful for a library. Libraries could twitter about upcoming programs, new books, etc. People who tweet on a regular basis could keep up with what is happening at the library. It has potential.

Creatings A Blog

It was easy to create my blog. It wasn't the first time I had created a blog, so that probably helped. I know I will constantly be messing around with the look of my blog. I am looking forward to reading everyone else's blogs. Other people always have thoughts about things that just never occurred to me.

7 1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learning

I enjoyed the Lifelong Learning tutorial. Sometimes we forget that everyday we are learning something new. Thirty years ago we weren't even using computers in the classroom. Today we use computers everyday. We would be lost without them. Not only do I know how to use a computer, I know how to create a blog, I know how to download audio books to my MP3. I actually know what an MP3 is! Learning is so cool.

For myself I think habit #4, Have Confidence in Yourself as a Competent, Effective Learner, will be the easiest. I think of life as constantly changing. I need to be constantly learning if I do not want to be left behind.

Habit #3, View Problems as Challenges, will be the most difficult for me. I tend to see problems as problems. I see the problem as something I need to fix, but that doesn't necessarily mean I see it as a challenge. I'll continue to work on this one.

Let the challenge begin!

Getting Started

I am very excited about taking the Library 2.0 Challenge this summer. I hope I can find the time. This weekend I will complete lesson 1.