In love with shiny new toys

Let's keep an eye on the future by looking at what new gadgets are around. My current favourite is Gizmodo - use their search feature if you're after something specific.

Communication

Here's a picture of a communication device of another sort.

Social Networks

Social networks on the web - yet another chance for social people to be social. I don't see a need for libraries as institutions to join social networking sites and thought it unnecessary to use the British Library site to say "meet you at the library at 10.00". If individuals choose to use MySpace etc as social networking vehicles, this is individual choice. It may be used as a marketing tool with the individual giving a link to their library, blogging / chatting on issues etc. The individual has the time, opportunity and interest to do this. There are many ways to contact librarians, libraries and professional bodies online - doing this course has exposed us to endless library sites, discussions, people - ways for librarians to share ideas online and peruse what others in the profession are doing. Bit exhausting to think of setting up an Avatar and heading off to Second Life to talk libraries. I haven't got my head around everything in First Life yet. 

I was impressed though that MOCA had over 10,000 friends. If I had 10,000 new friends I'd be a little overwhelmed. When new sites go up, they are visited. That sensible article reminded us (Sydney Observatory Blogger etc,) "The days of upload and leave are over." Library Managers need to consider staff hours allocated if "ongoing participation" (staff time) is required. The staff is needed before the hits and queries and new friends start rolling in. 

BUT, far be it from me to be a wet blanket. If you want to get involved in social networking, why not. Now that I'm at Week 12 I'll spend more time reading and exploring alternate ideas as I know I've lots to learn. Great course, yeah Commoncraft for making new info easy and palatable, go libraries!! Time to escape into a book.

Online

I've investigated and used a variety of online tools I didn't know were available - another learning week! Created the required document at Google docs, and went on to try their photo upload facility. I like the idea of albums for personal pics, but for work still prefer the tag related Flickr. More librarianish . . . . Google docs was easy to use - clear tabs / menus. Great. Zoho writer has more features -  closer to Word, plus I like the tags again. So many options - you could spend an evening with Zoho and I might have to - saved into Writer and Notebook but notebook doc has disappeared into the stratosphere. User error? Good to know about online conversion of file formats - the mysterious is becoming accessible. Not feeling quite as social this week, so removing link to my webpage. Let me know if you have a reason for wanting it. Otherwise, incognito is my comfort zone. But I encourage you to read along in any language.

Mashups

I had no idea what Mashups were, so learnt lots again. I've seen and used simple scanner software and photo programs for calendars etc, so made the cube from my Flickr pics - a nice little decoration for a Toy Library collection with potential to have several and create a mobile that shows a selection of resources. These web toys are fun!! I'd like a Google Maps mashup showing location / photo of one of the local libraries which is poorly sign posted. Keep an eye on my website (link removed so not possible now) to see if it ever appears. I'll also be getting the Flickr link for special needs toys on the website.

So there's another result of doing more on the web - I've gone public, no longer the shy beginning blogger. Looked at a few applications of mashups but also interested in the implications. Wired is a reputable online magazine with current info for world citizens/web users. Do other librarians read or use it?

Pods for people

In searching for podcasts, I enjoyed the librarian's discussions in Thinking out Loud. In What's in a Name, George and Joan discussed the use of the word patron, more generally used in context of Patron of the Art and patronizing a bar, but let's not get too patronizing about use of language. With alternatives of civilian, guest and constituent, I think I'd still opt for member, which implies responsibility and sharing.

Spending home time completing these tasks, I have enjoyed podcasts and listening to library related discussions while renaming reorganizing photos etc. Rather like radio, it's possible to do other things at the same time.

I also listened to the British Library's explanation of contents of Evelyn Waugh CD and enjoyed the author's perspective on archiving their documents in Manuscripts Matter. The pod itself is valuable archival material. I have favourite ABC pods such as the Science Show and Life Matters. That's why I prefer the A-Z program search to subject.

Not an original idea, but I really like the idea of libraries having podcasts of fables and short stories for children. There is much emphasis on multi media and toys that flash and create sounds. Let's use podcasts to bring back to children the quiet of listening and the cadences of the human voice. A list of podcasts gives them choice, they develop the skills to access the medium, and then they can shut their eyes and just listen......... or will they feel a need to play a game of solitaire at the same time.

Answer boards

I like the idea of librarians promoting themselves and their services by Answer Boards. Two comments - one is time, if professionals feel this is another "have to do" in a busy role - but if librarians are willing they are definitely able. It's a sneaky and effective way to inform and remind what libraries can do and try to eliminate stereotypes. Second, dare I suggest that sometimes the librarian's answers gave more detail than was required by the questioner. Normally, this becomes apparent in Reference interviews, but online it's hard to distinguish between the person who needs the complete complexities of the answer and the person whose purposes require a superficial understanding. इ ऍम एन्जोयिंग थिस ट्रेनिंग वैरी मच.