THE WONDERS OF WIKIS!!!!

This was a pretty cool exercise. Previously,I'd only been aware of Wikipedia. I liked the look of the Bull Run Library wiki, but that one seemed more like a website than a wiki. I really liked the "Best Practices" wiki. It was succinct, and it had that marvelous tab for comments. Someone mentioned, on one of these wikis, that they are great for sharing library ideas, experiences, successes, etc., which I think is a great thing. There's really no reason for any of us, in this awesome information age, to allow our libraries to be way back in the 20th Century, now is there?

Feelings about Web 2.0

I've been learning some new things about what's available on the internet through this "tutorial". HOWEVER, it's been frustrating trying to 1) find the project time to do it, and 2) avoid the many distractions in the work area. Just when you're gaining enthusiasm for a lesson, you get an interruption, or the hour is up, and you must go to another area of the library.
In MY case, I began "23 Things" as a displaced OBB Youth Services staffer assigned to RPB Circulation. Now, I've been re-assigned to HRR Circ., where there weren't any working computers available to most of the staff for the first week (not to mention the volume of work to be done here. Ergo, time lost to work on "23 things".
I truly wish that I'd had more time to explore these things. I really had no concept of the wonderful sites available to us all. Perhaps sometime soon, before I forget too much about them,I'll find time at home to pursue some of my favorites.

ICEBERGS

"Away from the Icebergs" was interesting, in that it pointed out 3 dangerous threats to the future success of libraries: The "just in case" collection, reliance on user education, and the "come to us" model of library service. All three of these, I think, are true. The traditional COLLECTION has been available for "if" and "when" patrons might need the items. I liked the point made that library staff aren't teachers -- If patrons cant' use the services available, then the service needs to be changed! AND, thirdly, the libraries need to find ways of bringing services TO patrons, rather than insisting that the patrons come to the library...on our terms! It's exciting to speculate on the various possibilities for the future. The main thing to remember is that the world, even for libraries, is changing VERY quickly, and libraries need to not only keep up, but think WAY ahead. So that the patrons can benefit.

Week 6

Found a bookmark..."Gather" then "Olive Oil is Olive Oil." This'll be nice, think of the creative resources available with all this sharing stuff!

WRIGHT BROS. and MADAGASCAR

I accessed Webfeat, both from the "23things" link, and from the PBCLS homepage. Fun. Found the Wright Brothers while searching for Dayton, Ohio. Orville was the younger of the two, but the one who actually piloted the first flight.
Thought I'd do a children's search -- in Madagascar (since I know very little about the place). Read a little about lemurs, which are native only to Madagascar and one other small island country off the coast of Africa. Who knew?

LIBERRY THAING

Library Thing is very similar to SHELFARI.com, which I'm registered with. I'll have to do a little more exploring to see which is superior. Nevertheless, it's nice to have your reading repertoire all in one place. Hey! We need to tell our patrons to register on one of these sites -- they're ALWAYS asking if we can pull up what they've read in the past!!!!!

RSS & Readers

It was said this would be the hardest of the 23 things. Very right. It might have proven harder for me because of the limited chunks of time I had to complete it; ya think you're "getting it" and it's time to quit. Then, next day, you must re-teach yourself for a few minutes before making more progress! Ain't that life, tho....
I added three readers to my blogline account. I can see how this would be very valuable for many library staff - both at work and in their personal lives. It shortcuts one's searches for latest news, products, etc. which are of interest. I'm not one to enjoy surfing the internet -- there's SO MUCH at our fingertips, and (for most of us) so little time.