And this kitty looks like my other polydactyl cat named - what else - Polly!(except that her eyes are more coppery)
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Week 6 - Podcasts
Well, first off I must sheepishly admit something to you all. I didn't realize you could listen to podcasts without an IPod or MP3 player. I figured the brilliant Project Play leaders had rigged a way for us to listen to their weekly podcasts via the computer, figuring not everyone had players. Duh! As Dick Van Dyke repeatedly says in "Night at the Museum": "Moving On!"
I really like the idea of libraries using podcasts for programs, tours, book reviews and book talks, storytime, teen news, group discussions, etc. I scanned the Podcasts in Libraries wiki and checked out a number of the libraries using them: BookTalk Quick and Simple with Nancy Keane, Denver P.L., Manchester, CT P.L., Arizona State U., Grand Rapids P.L., and the Lunar & Planetary Institute Library. I listened to a variety of their podcasts and was amazed at how simple the technology is to navigate. There was even a podcast of kids talking with each other about a popular book series. The kids were enjoying the recording session, and I imagine other kids would like to hear them rather than some stodgy adult talk about a series they might be interested in. I think the potential for library instruction/interaction with patrons may be unlimited with this format! Do I sound excited? I am! I think our library could use podcasts for library events (taped programs that patrons might miss), book reviews/talks, and new book lists, for starters. Tours and Bibliographic Instruction for using certain collections, such as genealogy materials, might be a possibility, too.
I decided to subscribe to some podcasts for my blogroll and was surprised that I already had a link with the Garrison Keillor podcast - I had subscribed to it to read before and didn't realize what that little podcast icon was, that I could listen to the day's recording rather than read it! I am SUCH a podcast ninny - quit laughing! Then I subscribed to the Uncontrolled Vocabulary podcast for library issues. Again, easy and interesting. Finally, I went to podcastalley.com and searched for some quilting podcasts - BINGO! I found 2 that made my day: the Quilting Stash, a twice weekly broadcast, and a podcast for one of my favorite quilt artists Bonnie McCaffrey. Too cool!
I also went to the site for the Project Players to record their own podcasts and listened to what had been recorded. Everyone did a nice job, and it seemed like the instructions were pretty clear. I couldn't think of a single thing to record, so I opted to do the assignment section for subscriptions- I'm not completely fearless, yet!
It was good that the legality/copyright issues were mentioned - I hadn't thought about that. If there's a public performance or visiting lecturer, would the library need to have the speaker sign an agreement to have his program taped and broadcast? Would royalties have to be paid? I can understand if a person reads aloud and broadcasts the entire text of a children's book, then permission must be obtained first. How does that work for reviews of book? I haven't been involved in any of these, so I don't know how far one must go. For that matter, how do Children's Librarians do storytime - a public performance - without obtaining permission - or do they have to? Geez, I don't wanna drive myself crazy overthinking this. Moving On!
I really enjoyed this week's assignment and feel it is a technology that will give libraries a lot of bang for their bucks. Speaking of which -
Jill's Jem for the day: My grandma was an incredibly thifty woman. She could take a nickel and squeeze so hard that the Indian was riding the Buffalo! (does anyone else remember Buffalo Nickels???)
I really like the idea of libraries using podcasts for programs, tours, book reviews and book talks, storytime, teen news, group discussions, etc. I scanned the Podcasts in Libraries wiki and checked out a number of the libraries using them: BookTalk Quick and Simple with Nancy Keane, Denver P.L., Manchester, CT P.L., Arizona State U., Grand Rapids P.L., and the Lunar & Planetary Institute Library. I listened to a variety of their podcasts and was amazed at how simple the technology is to navigate. There was even a podcast of kids talking with each other about a popular book series. The kids were enjoying the recording session, and I imagine other kids would like to hear them rather than some stodgy adult talk about a series they might be interested in. I think the potential for library instruction/interaction with patrons may be unlimited with this format! Do I sound excited? I am! I think our library could use podcasts for library events (taped programs that patrons might miss), book reviews/talks, and new book lists, for starters. Tours and Bibliographic Instruction for using certain collections, such as genealogy materials, might be a possibility, too.
I decided to subscribe to some podcasts for my blogroll and was surprised that I already had a link with the Garrison Keillor podcast - I had subscribed to it to read before and didn't realize what that little podcast icon was, that I could listen to the day's recording rather than read it! I am SUCH a podcast ninny - quit laughing! Then I subscribed to the Uncontrolled Vocabulary podcast for library issues. Again, easy and interesting. Finally, I went to podcastalley.com and searched for some quilting podcasts - BINGO! I found 2 that made my day: the Quilting Stash, a twice weekly broadcast, and a podcast for one of my favorite quilt artists Bonnie McCaffrey. Too cool!
I also went to the site for the Project Players to record their own podcasts and listened to what had been recorded. Everyone did a nice job, and it seemed like the instructions were pretty clear. I couldn't think of a single thing to record, so I opted to do the assignment section for subscriptions- I'm not completely fearless, yet!
It was good that the legality/copyright issues were mentioned - I hadn't thought about that. If there's a public performance or visiting lecturer, would the library need to have the speaker sign an agreement to have his program taped and broadcast? Would royalties have to be paid? I can understand if a person reads aloud and broadcasts the entire text of a children's book, then permission must be obtained first. How does that work for reviews of book? I haven't been involved in any of these, so I don't know how far one must go. For that matter, how do Children's Librarians do storytime - a public performance - without obtaining permission - or do they have to? Geez, I don't wanna drive myself crazy overthinking this. Moving On!
I really enjoyed this week's assignment and feel it is a technology that will give libraries a lot of bang for their bucks. Speaking of which -
Jill's Jem for the day: My grandma was an incredibly thifty woman. She could take a nickel and squeeze so hard that the Indian was riding the Buffalo! (does anyone else remember Buffalo Nickels???)
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Week 4 - Social Networking
Well, like the bad-guy police captain chasing Harrison Ford in Witness said upon being told the Amish don't have phones , "Thank you, sheriff....it's been a real education."
The closest I've come to social networking has been accounts at Care2 and Classmates.com (the free version;I'm too cheap to pony up for the "gold" club ). Although I've heard tons about FaceBook and MySpace, I haven't looked into them. I realize that many of our patrons (teens and adults) are using these and other social sites daily at our library, and I have to admit, I'm just not comfortable with them. I am constantly amazed at the amount of personal information and exposure available on these public sites. In the previous semester, I commented on another person's blog regarding his link to an article about people who post on blogs and social sites and the amount of personal information they share, information that is cached forever in cyberspace. They don't realize that potential employers are looking at these sites. In their painful quest to be accepted by someone - anyone! - out there, they seem blithely unaware that they are breaching their own privacy and opening themselves up to potential predators, too. Okay, I'm taking a deep, cleansing breath now...
I read Meredith Farkas' article about social networking with great interest. I do understand her reasoning that we should be out there where the people we want to serve are. But I don't agree that we need a presence in the social networking sites to do it. Don't we look like the silly adult who tries to talk and look hip to his teen kid's friends, and failing miserably, looks pretty cheesy (Marilyn's term) in the process? I feel like libraries are acting like McD's trying to be ALL THINGS to ALL PEOPLE, even those we'll club over the head to attract. Or like a big bad Yellow Pages - where else should we put that ad to get the most bang for the buck? Are teens really going to surf FaceBook or MySpace and look for us there, or stumble upon us and smack their foreheads, moaning, "I coulda gone to the LIBRARY today!" Instead of spending the last three hours finishing that research project - oh that's right, if the library has IM, they can ask the ref librarian on duty to get all the materials together for them! Ooops, my cynicism is showing again...
I did look at the Flickr slideshow of FaceBook pages and they semed pretty ordinary looking. Why even bother to have them there is the thought that comes to mind. I'm just curious if they generate a lot of hits - if yes, then that's great, it's working for them, and I'm just full of it. If anyone reading these posts works at a library with a successful FaceBook, MySpace, or similar entry that's drawing in kids and is working out well, I'd really love to hear about it. I'm open to learning how this is working in real life.
That said, I did take a look at several of the sites listed. The first one I looked at was the Charlotte-Mecklenberg's "The Loft@ImaginOn" - at first I wasn't sure where I had landed. I had difficulty reading the purple text on black background - guess that's cool these days. I did see that there are a number of posts from kids, so they must be using it. I moved to the LaCrosse Library's site with the black text on dark green background. Again, I had trouble deciphering and navigating it. Now, Arapahoe Library's site got my attention with its neat music! And it got the attention of my almost 12 yo son who's home sick today. He sauntered in, peered over my shoulder, and asked what I was looking at. I explained, and added that I couldn't read the text on the buttons (dark blue text on black buttons), and he said I could get around it by highlighting the text I wanted to read if, "they were stupid enough to use those colors", what My genius said when I showed him the previous two sites I looked at. Seems like the black background is popular - Goth? I use black in quilts to make other colors pop - just need enough contrast to read, thank you.
I think these sites had some neat looking features for teens - comment "walls", IM capability, upcoming events and books of interest to teens, etc. I think this is all great info on a library website, but I'm just not sold on it being listed at MySpace and FaceBook. I would be really curious to know if these sites generate lots of hits and comments from users, and if the librarians who manage them are in contact with their users. Please understand: I want kids to feel like we take their questions and requests seriously, that we want to offer services and programs they'll like and attend. I'm just afraid it's another "cool techy tool" that will stretch and break the already stretched-too-thin staff time and resources and not be worth it. And we'll look like we're on the "Bleedin' and Cheesin' Edge" of the technology to do it. If I had to vote this moment, I would not want my library to do a FaceBook or MySpace entry.
As for the article outlining 12 ways to use FaceBook professionally, I think people might be better off spending their time DOING THEIR JOBS than trying to figure out angles to make themselves look better online. I don't think these social networks are appropriate places for professional contacts, although heaven knows networking (online and in person)seems to be the way many people get jobs.Just MHO.
Hubby and I monitor our son's computer use at home and have warned him of the various dangers out there on Wild West Frontier of the Internet. We've explained that posting personal stuff online can be dangerous and that once it's posted, you can't take it back. I think there may be a whole carpe diem generation out there who may regret their entries in another 10 years or so, but then again, I may still be full of it.
The closest I've come to social networking has been accounts at Care2 and Classmates.com (the free version;I'm too cheap to pony up for the "gold" club ). Although I've heard tons about FaceBook and MySpace, I haven't looked into them. I realize that many of our patrons (teens and adults) are using these and other social sites daily at our library, and I have to admit, I'm just not comfortable with them. I am constantly amazed at the amount of personal information and exposure available on these public sites. In the previous semester, I commented on another person's blog regarding his link to an article about people who post on blogs and social sites and the amount of personal information they share, information that is cached forever in cyberspace. They don't realize that potential employers are looking at these sites. In their painful quest to be accepted by someone - anyone! - out there, they seem blithely unaware that they are breaching their own privacy and opening themselves up to potential predators, too. Okay, I'm taking a deep, cleansing breath now...
I read Meredith Farkas' article about social networking with great interest. I do understand her reasoning that we should be out there where the people we want to serve are. But I don't agree that we need a presence in the social networking sites to do it. Don't we look like the silly adult who tries to talk and look hip to his teen kid's friends, and failing miserably, looks pretty cheesy (Marilyn's term) in the process? I feel like libraries are acting like McD's trying to be ALL THINGS to ALL PEOPLE, even those we'll club over the head to attract. Or like a big bad Yellow Pages - where else should we put that ad to get the most bang for the buck? Are teens really going to surf FaceBook or MySpace and look for us there, or stumble upon us and smack their foreheads, moaning, "I coulda gone to the LIBRARY today!" Instead of spending the last three hours finishing that research project - oh that's right, if the library has IM, they can ask the ref librarian on duty to get all the materials together for them! Ooops, my cynicism is showing again...
I did look at the Flickr slideshow of FaceBook pages and they semed pretty ordinary looking. Why even bother to have them there is the thought that comes to mind. I'm just curious if they generate a lot of hits - if yes, then that's great, it's working for them, and I'm just full of it. If anyone reading these posts works at a library with a successful FaceBook, MySpace, or similar entry that's drawing in kids and is working out well, I'd really love to hear about it. I'm open to learning how this is working in real life.
That said, I did take a look at several of the sites listed. The first one I looked at was the Charlotte-Mecklenberg's "The Loft@ImaginOn" - at first I wasn't sure where I had landed. I had difficulty reading the purple text on black background - guess that's cool these days. I did see that there are a number of posts from kids, so they must be using it. I moved to the LaCrosse Library's site with the black text on dark green background. Again, I had trouble deciphering and navigating it. Now, Arapahoe Library's site got my attention with its neat music! And it got the attention of my almost 12 yo son who's home sick today. He sauntered in, peered over my shoulder, and asked what I was looking at. I explained, and added that I couldn't read the text on the buttons (dark blue text on black buttons), and he said I could get around it by highlighting the text I wanted to read if, "they were stupid enough to use those colors", what My genius said when I showed him the previous two sites I looked at. Seems like the black background is popular - Goth? I use black in quilts to make other colors pop - just need enough contrast to read, thank you.
I think these sites had some neat looking features for teens - comment "walls", IM capability, upcoming events and books of interest to teens, etc. I think this is all great info on a library website, but I'm just not sold on it being listed at MySpace and FaceBook. I would be really curious to know if these sites generate lots of hits and comments from users, and if the librarians who manage them are in contact with their users. Please understand: I want kids to feel like we take their questions and requests seriously, that we want to offer services and programs they'll like and attend. I'm just afraid it's another "cool techy tool" that will stretch and break the already stretched-too-thin staff time and resources and not be worth it. And we'll look like we're on the "Bleedin' and Cheesin' Edge" of the technology to do it. If I had to vote this moment, I would not want my library to do a FaceBook or MySpace entry.
As for the article outlining 12 ways to use FaceBook professionally, I think people might be better off spending their time DOING THEIR JOBS than trying to figure out angles to make themselves look better online. I don't think these social networks are appropriate places for professional contacts, although heaven knows networking (online and in person)seems to be the way many people get jobs.Just MHO.
Hubby and I monitor our son's computer use at home and have warned him of the various dangers out there on Wild West Frontier of the Internet. We've explained that posting personal stuff online can be dangerous and that once it's posted, you can't take it back. I think there may be a whole carpe diem generation out there who may regret their entries in another 10 years or so, but then again, I may still be full of it.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Week 3 - 43 Things
I really liked this site! It was fun to see others with a few goals similar to mine. I took a few minutes to register and think about some realistic life goals, something I've been meaning to do but haven't made the time for. This might be an inspirational place to come and plan, and even to dream a bit. I get so bogged down in day to day living that I sometimes forget to dream about and plan a bit of my future, as an individual, and as part of a couple that will someday wave goodbye to a fledgling.
Week 3 - JOTT? Not!
I can say that I probably wouldn't use Jott very much. I was able to complete the instructions and leave two messages, but I apparantly don't speak clearly enough. When I checked the Remember the Milk site, "Jill" became "Bill", and "Jim" became "Tim" in the two messages, and the software interpreted "wood in" as "wooden". I'm not impressed.
I've actually called home and left answering machine messages for myself before so I wouldn't forget something important, so it's not that I'm adverse to leaving voice messages. I guess I'm just missing the point when it comes to this particular tool.
I had a laugh when I was scanning the Remember The Milk log for my messages from Jott. The emails I sent to RTM earlier appeared in pieces in the log - partial sentences were spread throughout the list. Is there some format to the email I didn't follow? I feel like I have fumbled my way through this particular assignment.
I don't mean to sound so curmudgeonly. I'm glad we're getting to play with some different tools in Project Play, and I realize that some will be more useful to me than others. So, if it works for you, have at it!
I've actually called home and left answering machine messages for myself before so I wouldn't forget something important, so it's not that I'm adverse to leaving voice messages. I guess I'm just missing the point when it comes to this particular tool.
I had a laugh when I was scanning the Remember The Milk log for my messages from Jott. The emails I sent to RTM earlier appeared in pieces in the log - partial sentences were spread throughout the list. Is there some format to the email I didn't follow? I feel like I have fumbled my way through this particular assignment.
I don't mean to sound so curmudgeonly. I'm glad we're getting to play with some different tools in Project Play, and I realize that some will be more useful to me than others. So, if it works for you, have at it!
Week 3 - My Milk's Gone Sour!
Nah, I'm just kidding. I sent the email to Remember the Milk and it didn't show up at first, so I sent a 2nd email. When I checked again, there were 4 listings for my name, but only 1 with a partial message. So I logged in and deleted 3 of the listings, and assigned a number 1 priority to my remaining message (under Jill E.). The message was moved appropriately.
When I started looking around the site, I saw a number of different lists with messages, and to tell you the truth, I don't see how this would improve my life. With my limited understanding of the site's use, I would say that this would be very useful for a group using it for a project, so that tasks could be listed, prioritzed, assigned, and completed. But I don't see it being useful for me personally. I am a consummate list maker, and I make those lists in various places - sitting in a chair watching tv, preparing for bed at night, or eating breakfast at the kitchen table - not a one of these is near where I use my computer. I get a real sense of accomplishment slashing through tasks I've completed, too. :) I can't see adding them to a computerized list any more than I can see using a computerized calendar, much to my dear husband's chagrin. He would like me to use the Google calendar, while I'm happy with my South Wood County Humane Society page-a-month-filled-with-wonderful-cat/dog/other-animal-pics - printed calendar hanging in the kitchen.
Older Than Dirt, that's me, and I'm content with that. I don't own a PDA, Blackberry, cell phone that can text message (I have a basic Tracfone), or any other kind of "organizer", and I manage to stay basically organized. I'm beginning to suspect that some of this "organizational technology" is developed just to push the envelope of how much technology we can stand without pulling our hair out and running, screaming, into the night.
THUMP! That's me climbing off my soapbox now. The assignment was interesting, and I will post more later when I try the JOTT assignment. Right now I have to help hubby in his remodeling of an entertainment center to accomodate a different tv. I think I'll help by putting that pizza in the oven and tossing a salad - sustenance will keep him vertical, which will make installing the tv much easier, doncha think?
When I started looking around the site, I saw a number of different lists with messages, and to tell you the truth, I don't see how this would improve my life. With my limited understanding of the site's use, I would say that this would be very useful for a group using it for a project, so that tasks could be listed, prioritzed, assigned, and completed. But I don't see it being useful for me personally. I am a consummate list maker, and I make those lists in various places - sitting in a chair watching tv, preparing for bed at night, or eating breakfast at the kitchen table - not a one of these is near where I use my computer. I get a real sense of accomplishment slashing through tasks I've completed, too. :) I can't see adding them to a computerized list any more than I can see using a computerized calendar, much to my dear husband's chagrin. He would like me to use the Google calendar, while I'm happy with my South Wood County Humane Society page-a-month-filled-with-wonderful-cat/dog/other-animal-pics - printed calendar hanging in the kitchen.
Older Than Dirt, that's me, and I'm content with that. I don't own a PDA, Blackberry, cell phone that can text message (I have a basic Tracfone), or any other kind of "organizer", and I manage to stay basically organized. I'm beginning to suspect that some of this "organizational technology" is developed just to push the envelope of how much technology we can stand without pulling our hair out and running, screaming, into the night.
THUMP! That's me climbing off my soapbox now. The assignment was interesting, and I will post more later when I try the JOTT assignment. Right now I have to help hubby in his remodeling of an entertainment center to accomodate a different tv. I think I'll help by putting that pizza in the oven and tossing a salad - sustenance will keep him vertical, which will make installing the tv much easier, doncha think?
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