LibraryThing

Let me see if this widget for LibraryThing works. I now have an account and have included a selection of books I enjoy, but will be revisiting LibraryThing and del.icio.us as there's much to absorb and explore in these 2 sites, one for reader advisory services and one for subject categorization of web sites.  

Del.icio.us

Del.icio.us is a very practical tool for my job. As a result, I'll be adding to and using this account regularly. My bookmarks will only be of interest to people responsible for a collection of toys, but if that's your field they're at http://del.icio.us/oneofthelibrarylot New suggestions welcomed.

Wiki and clouds

I've successfully added to the shared wiki under an existing category - tried to create a page, but couldn't work out how to link it successfully. I noticed both it and the entry came up when I searched my tag - perhaps the blank page will be automatically removed. With the pressure of being a week or so behind, I'm moving on but may attempt this again.

And so to tags and clouds. This is really interesting and all new knowledge - how practical it is to link to self created online lists and not need all these pages on the server. It's interesting to scan and explore the tags. I'm particularly impressed by the Cleveland Public Library's use of recommended bookmarks. I looked in many sections, including Math and Math - homework help (a thematic link). Highly recommended - look under Literature, Comics and Humour and follow the dictionary tag.

Week 6

Still waiting on my invite key so I can add a section to the Learning 2 wiki  and then plan to add information on Tom Sherrin and the Sherrin Football for Wikipedia. Any Magpies supporters in NSW? (Go the Lions for Meeka Misfit who is actually reading my blog.)

But, moving on. Week 6 and fun with YouTube. Plenty of scope for using videos in training, demonstrating, advertising library services and sharing with colleagues. This format communicates with visual and auditory cues and a touch of music or humour makes it even more memorable.

I am embedding my favourite video from YouTube for the librarians and friends of librarians who love and understand mathematics and its precise language.

Week 5

The wiki week has been very interesting and good to explore the variety of ways libraries use wikis. I was surprised to hear about the German survey on Wikipedia. As a user, I go to Wikipedia because it is easy to read, current (particularly on technology terms etc) and reliable, but in libraries Wikipedia is often not as highly regarded.

I think wikis could be a useful tool to receive public comment, views about the strengths and weaknesses of the library etc. The wiki using book reviews provided by the public gave me the idea of hosting a wiki for teenagers and working in conjunction with local schools - teenagers review books for their peers. As wikis are topic specific, they are useful for any shared interest where each member of the group can contribute to and benefit from knowledge and experience of like minded people.

And to read more . . .

Yeah, well, I did it but the site is better than the feed in this case. Crikey ! 

Week 4

RSS has been all new information. I haven't found using Bloglines very intuitive, but am getting used to it. At first, I wasn't sure if I'd successfully added the feed or not. I'm still not convinced I prefer it to Bookmarks which go straight to the site with instant viewing of a  variety of possibilities - pictures, videos, cartoons and text. The feeds I added are mainly from sites I'm familiar with -  Crikey, Wired, Australian/Arts. I added the Library one The Shifted Librarian which had an interesting article about the link between literacy and net games. I just went back to look at the article and it had "gone" - things are shifting at the speed of byte just as they said.  (Found it when I reset to all articles) The recommended Powerhouse site suits this format. RSS seems to be a good way to highlight 1 item daily from a collection.

I'll have a go at adding the Crikey feed.