The 24th Thing

Earlier this week I received my Mp3 player. It is pink and very cute and I like it a lot. I had no trouble downloading the two audiobooks that I got off of overdrive. (I have been listening to one of the audiobooks on my computer). Then I downloaded the music that I saved to Realplayer on my computer. I could not though figure out how to get my music from I-tunes to the Mp3 player, but I know that I will be able to figure that out another day. I did not have trouble charging the player.
Here is where I have a confession to make, I have not looked at the directions at all yet and that is why I probably had the next problem I am about to confess.
I took it to my gym where the music is loud. I got on the elliptical machine and plugged in my headphones to the Mp3 player. I could not get it to work for me at the gym. Sometimes I could hear part of a song, but as soon as I moved the buttons to do what I thought was turning up the sound, I lost it. Also I am not sure if the player liked how much it was being moved around. In any case, I think that I probably need to read the directions. I charged it up again last night so I think I am ready to experiment with it again.
Thank you Chester County Library for the Mp3 player! I have been curious about them for a while and it is nice to have one to experiment with and enjoy.

#23 Is this really the end? Or just the beginning …

I would like to begin this blog post by writing about some of my favorite discoveries with this 23 Things project. I looked through my past blog entries to review my favorites. First of all, I enjoyed the ease and entertainment of downloading a book with Overdrive. I listened to it for about an hour last night at home and really enjoyed it.

Secondly I liked exploring Zoho’s web based applications including the project management application. For some reason it was just really interesting for me to see what Project Management software looks like. Save for one job, I have never worked for a for-profit cooperation and so I find it really interesting to look inside that world.

I also will put to use the local restaurant recommendations that I got from PB Wiki. Wiki’s are collaborative and somewhat informal and I like that.

One application I know I will use in the future is Technorati. You see applications like Bloglines make me nervous because content is always being added to your in-box. With this set-up I don’t ever feel like I am done reading things. It makes me anxious. But with Technorati I can just search a topic and read posts by all sorts of blog written by different people and when I am done I can just close that window and nothing accumulates for me to read later. It eliminates the anxiety for me.

My final favorite 23 Things application is Flickr. I used Flickr before the 23 Things but it was only after I did the Flickr exercises that I really started to appreciate it. I like the mashups; they can be really fun and useful. I also liked how you can blog through Flickr. Also I got a digital camera from Christmas so now I will have some new photos to upload in Flickr. I can send pictures out to friends and family. I don’t know how I will be able to use it in my current position but it is something I can think on.

Here are some final wrap- up thoughts. I think I would say that this program has made me more excited about technology. I was already somewhat excited about technology but this program has made me more excited about technology in libraries, particularly creating promotional materials using mashups and other creative software.

While working on these 23 Things I was lucky enough to have a desk and computer to work at. I cannot help but think though this program would have been more difficult to participate in if I did not have a personal computer to use. So for that I feel lucky.

I am glad I participated in this program, but am relieved it is almost over because of the time commitment. Thanks for your efforts in implementing and running this program!Thank you for participating in this project. We hope that you have learned something lasting and that we as a system can all benefit from our new knowledge.

#22 E-Audiobooks (or “The end is in sight “)

Okay this task actually took more time than I thought. I intially tried to do this on my work computer, but for some reason it would not allow me to download the book to that computer. I could download the overdrive software though. So I did it tonight on my own computer. Maybe I read the directions a little more slowly or maybe it was a security issue, I do not know.

In any case I chose an audiobook that I think I will really enjoy. It is called Love Is a Mixed Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time by Rob Sheffield. I am listening to it as I write this entry. It is my kind of book.

Had it not been for this exercise I might never have thought to do this. I might not have found this audiobook.

Now that I have it set up on my home computer I know that I will take out more Overdrive books. I sometimes go to the gym so I think that I will download books to listen to at the gym. And now I can help customers who want to learn how to do it.

Podcasts

Today I checked out Odeo. First, I used Podcastalley.com. I really could not get it to work for me so then I tried out Odeo. I think Podcasts are something I can really get behind. I like listening to NPR and radio shows where you learn things or hear people being interviewed so it seems like podcasts are the perfect match for me because they can be entertaining and informative.
Today I listened to the Library Geeks pod cast. I added it to my Google Reader account. I liked it and will probably listen to it again. I have sent myself the web address for CCLS 23 Things so I can look over this when I get home tonight. There are a lot of entertainment related podcasts I would be interested in listening to and unfortunately I can’t just pretend they are work related. When I go home tonight you can bet I will check them out. Also when I buy or get an MP3 player I know that I will be downloading podcasts to listen to when I work out both work related and ones with my outside interests.

You Too Can Youtube

I love Youtube and I am glad that the Chester County Library has a Youtube page. In my non-work life I use Youtube for many things. I have watched my favorite parts of TV shows on Youtube. Sometimes I watch music videos or live performances of songs I like on Youtube. Sometimes I just watch funny videos on Youtube.

Here is a video created and produced by some members of my library marketing class during the spring of 2006. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItCIHAksjf4

I remember this being the first time I had heard of Youtube. Our professor told us it was the next big thing and that this was the technology kids are using today. He sure was right.

I remember when they made it and now it has had over 62,187 views. They made the video to promote national library week in 2006. It just shows you what kind of exposure you get on Youtube. Just think in a few years the CCLS contest views might have that many views.

I think Youtube can be a great place for libraries to get exposure. It is fun and entertaining. Plus it is easy to use and video do not take very much time to load. People use Youtube to learn new skills. One time I used Youtube to help me find videos on how to make a roux for a recipe. Youtube might be a great place to post a video on how to use the online catalog.

Myspace et al

Today I took some time to explore microblogging and library Myspace pages. I also set myself up a Twitter account. I have a Myspace page, and I know libraries have been doing Myspace for a while now. Some libraries have Facebook too. They are pretty cool. You can post your library hours, advertise events, post pictures, post announcements for your friends. Good stuff.

I think libraries should have a presence on Facebook and MySpace. The only drawback is that you have to make sure you stay on top of it. The library staff members who monitor it will have to set up preferences so they can review any comments before they are posted. Also if you are posting pictures a photo release must be signed before the pictures can be posted.

I also tried microblogging. I set up a twitter account. I am not that impressed with it yet. I am not setting it up so I can update my status through my cell phone. I already sort of microblog when I use Facebook and Myspace and I update my status. I enjoy reading my friends’ status updates on Facebook. I also took a look at some of the microblogs for libraries. You can find out about small things that are going on at the library. It makes you feel involved.

Web 2.0 awards list

I decided to take a look at the Web 2.0 Awards. I must say I liked their choices for awardees. I personally love Craigslist the 1st place winner in the Classifieds and Directories category. I have been using Craigslist for a few years now. This is what I love about it. It is just like the newspaper classifieds with discussion boards added in and it takes place in real time! So the content is always fresh. People are always posting. I purchased some of the furniture for my apartment by searching the Craigslist ads. I also love that it is not owned by Google, Yahoo, or Microsoft. It is paid for with ad revenue. Craig, the founder, is not out to make money! I also like the fact that users do not need to create a username and password to use Craigslist.

Anyway, my love of Craigslist also caused me to take a look at ParkingSearch.com. I did not really search this one because you had to create a usernames and password to use it. Then I checked out Oodle which uses the tag line “More listings. Smarter classified.” Truthfully, I probably still like Craigslist more, but it is nice to know that alternatives are out there.

This is the part in the post where I try to explain how libraries can use Craigslist, Oodle, or other Web 2.0 Social Sites. Libraries could use Craigslist or Oodle to post job postings. I know many of my friends have searched Craigslist before for jobs. In the professional networking category LinkedIn is a first place winner. Library staff can use LinkedIn to be connected virtually to classmates, business acquaintances, friends, and co-workers in order to exchange ideas or connections. It is sort of a visual representation of the six degrees of separation that connect us all.