"Those who are clever, who have a Brain, never understand anything."
Wikis have been talked about a lot recently and it has been assumed that we all know all about this tool and we were never given any training or explainations about it. Well, at least not to me. I have watched HQ personnel get excited about it and supply us with this great tool to assist us in doing our job better. That is all wonderful and I do appreciate it, but I really wanted someone to take the time and explain how this tool is going to better me and my work performance. Am I going to just start playing around with this tool and see what I can do and see what all that it has to offer? No. That is not how I am made. I need for a one-on-one approach to explain what the tool is, what it can do, what are the benefits, what are the downfalls, how I can incorporate it in my work, and the list goes on.
I am happy that this is one of the topics being discussed. Finally, I am starting to understand a little what this Wiki phenomenon is all about. I am discovering what this tool has to offer. Is it something that I will immediately start using? Probably not. If I were working with a small group of individuals that really liked this tool and got me excited about how we were going to use it, then I could easily change my opinion. The video is great on giving it a practical application. There is a program that I really want to incorporate and I can see that this tool could be a bonus. We will see.
I did enjoy checking out the Wikis that are selected as examples. I really liked the book list on the Book Lovers Wiki, which was developed by the Princeton Public Library. I decided that I wanted to see which books had a 5 star review. I am really not a non-fiction reader. I have to live in the real world. Books are my escape. I just want to live in a fictional world for awhile each day. (For those who know me, I am sure that this comes as no surprise.) A book from the list that caught my attention was The Tender Bar: A Memoir by J. R. Moehringer. So, I searched our catalog and found that we had the book on CD and I checked it out. The book is being read by the author. I put the first disc in and was not for sure what to expect. It immediately starts out with, “We went there for everything we needed,” and then lists all that this bar has to offer from the necessities of quenching your thirst to developing a friendship that can last you a lifetime. It made me smile because it is very comforting to find a place that gives you what you need, and most importantly, a sense of comfort. He continues and states, “While I fear that we’re drawn to what abandons us, and to what seems most likely to abandon us, in the end we’re defined by what embraces us.” I found myself intrigued by just the prologue and was ready to let the story evolve. So far, I believe that The Tender Bar was a wise choice and would not have been made aware of it, if it hadn't been for this Wiki.
I hope that after this course is finished, I will continue to watch for the various Wikis available and will continue to discover and learn.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Photo Sharing
"Wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing."
I feel that I had an early start with this tool by creating the slide show that I placed on my blog when I initially set it up. For this exercise, I decided that I wanted to post the pictures with my copy.
For those who know me, I can not explain anything with just a couple of words or a sentence or two. I have to tell a story, whether you want to hear it or not. (I get this trait from my mother, so blame her!)
While finishing up library school, I changed jobs. I had been working for an advertising agency, and then I started working for The Richmond Forum. If you are not familiar with this organization, each season there are five program, each program with a theme. The Richmond Forum has a very highly respected reputation and are known for the celebrities they attract. This was a wonderful job to have because you get to meet many famous people. For each program, it starts with a dinner, which includes the guest speaker(s), the staff and high-dollar contributors. The speaker is always asked to say a few words before the dinner. After dinner everyone is bussed to The Landmark Theatre for the presentation. After the program, there is a reception held, where invited guests are able to talk with the speaker, get their autograph and/or have your picture taken with the guest. For the speakers that I was very excited about, I HAD to have my picture taken with them. For example, here I am with Tom Brokaw.
Being from Ohio, I had to meet John Glenn. I was very impressed that he knew all about my hometown of Gallipolis.
I had finished library school and still worked at The Forum, while watching for library positions to become available. At Catholic University, I took the School Media track, so I was paying close attention to what was being advertised in the school system, specifically in Henrico County. I got the job at Holladay Elementary School. That season, Frank McCourt spoke and I had to have a picture taken with him.
My first year at Holladay, I was school librarian all day and then late afternoon, I went to The Forum to take care of my responsibilities there. Friends knew where I worked. They wanted to meet the speakers as well, and maybe... just maybe, they too would have their picture taken with the speaker. Case in point, maybe you might know one of the ladies with Mr. McCourt.
I also got to meet and speak with Lily Tomlin, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Julie Andrews, to name a few. Yes, I am name dropping. Tim Russert was a regular at the Forum with the question/answer portion and he is greatly missed.
I have to now take the time to thank Katherine Harrison with helping me by answering all my many questions with the use of this tool.
I feel that I had an early start with this tool by creating the slide show that I placed on my blog when I initially set it up. For this exercise, I decided that I wanted to post the pictures with my copy.
For those who know me, I can not explain anything with just a couple of words or a sentence or two. I have to tell a story, whether you want to hear it or not. (I get this trait from my mother, so blame her!)
While finishing up library school, I changed jobs. I had been working for an advertising agency, and then I started working for The Richmond Forum. If you are not familiar with this organization, each season there are five program, each program with a theme. The Richmond Forum has a very highly respected reputation and are known for the celebrities they attract. This was a wonderful job to have because you get to meet many famous people. For each program, it starts with a dinner, which includes the guest speaker(s), the staff and high-dollar contributors. The speaker is always asked to say a few words before the dinner. After dinner everyone is bussed to The Landmark Theatre for the presentation. After the program, there is a reception held, where invited guests are able to talk with the speaker, get their autograph and/or have your picture taken with the guest. For the speakers that I was very excited about, I HAD to have my picture taken with them. For example, here I am with Tom Brokaw.
Being from Ohio, I had to meet John Glenn. I was very impressed that he knew all about my hometown of Gallipolis.
I had finished library school and still worked at The Forum, while watching for library positions to become available. At Catholic University, I took the School Media track, so I was paying close attention to what was being advertised in the school system, specifically in Henrico County. I got the job at Holladay Elementary School. That season, Frank McCourt spoke and I had to have a picture taken with him.
My first year at Holladay, I was school librarian all day and then late afternoon, I went to The Forum to take care of my responsibilities there. Friends knew where I worked. They wanted to meet the speakers as well, and maybe... just maybe, they too would have their picture taken with the speaker. Case in point, maybe you might know one of the ladies with Mr. McCourt.
I also got to meet and speak with Lily Tomlin, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Julie Andrews, to name a few. Yes, I am name dropping. Tim Russert was a regular at the Forum with the question/answer portion and he is greatly missed.
I have to now take the time to thank Katherine Harrison with helping me by answering all my many questions with the use of this tool.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Podcasts
"Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is to go where they can find you."
This was the first time that I started my adventure into exploring Podcasts. I will admit that I was a bit confused at the beginning. Luckily, I have an expert in the building and went directly to "Boss Lady Debbie" and started asking questions. I do have to say that it is comforting to have her tell me that she had confusion at the beginning of this exercise as well. She even went back to our directions and made the verbiage clearer. I thank her for that.
I started searching around and was amazed at all the variety of options of Podcasts that are available. I found a Podcast on TruMix.com that really made my evening. Recently, Stephen Sondheim was in Richmond at the Landmark Theatre talking about his book, "The Story So Far." Unfortunately, I was not able to attend. On TruMix, I found that the forum discussion about his book had been recorded, just not necessarily recorded in Richmond. I just wanted to hear what he had to say about his triumphs and failures in his career in theatre.
I am glad that this topic was covered in our training. I don't think that I would have been aware of this feature offered.
This was the first time that I started my adventure into exploring Podcasts. I will admit that I was a bit confused at the beginning. Luckily, I have an expert in the building and went directly to "Boss Lady Debbie" and started asking questions. I do have to say that it is comforting to have her tell me that she had confusion at the beginning of this exercise as well. She even went back to our directions and made the verbiage clearer. I thank her for that.
I started searching around and was amazed at all the variety of options of Podcasts that are available. I found a Podcast on TruMix.com that really made my evening. Recently, Stephen Sondheim was in Richmond at the Landmark Theatre talking about his book, "The Story So Far." Unfortunately, I was not able to attend. On TruMix, I found that the forum discussion about his book had been recorded, just not necessarily recorded in Richmond. I just wanted to hear what he had to say about his triumphs and failures in his career in theatre.
I am glad that this topic was covered in our training. I don't think that I would have been aware of this feature offered.
Monday, March 16, 2009
"It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy worlds like 'What about lunch?'''
I have been intrigued with Twitter, because I have heard many people talk about it and was interested in finding out what it was all about. The first thing that sort of threw me for a loop was that you could only post 140 character updates. That for me would be a challenge. I tried to come up with ideas as to why I personally would be using this tool and decided that I don’t believe that I am a person that would actually use this tool very often. I can understand why people use and like Twitter, but it is not part of my personality (and I am sure that there are many who would strongly agree with this!).
This week’s class gave me a better understanding of this tool, which is good. I can see the library system using this tool as a way to let people know that their “Holds” are available. It could also be used to let Patrons know their “Pin”. Maybe even announce “New Books” that have been added to the collection. Announcements of special programs could work very nicely, as well. With the character count restriction, it would not work for most e-Ref questions.
I have been intrigued with Twitter, because I have heard many people talk about it and was interested in finding out what it was all about. The first thing that sort of threw me for a loop was that you could only post 140 character updates. That for me would be a challenge. I tried to come up with ideas as to why I personally would be using this tool and decided that I don’t believe that I am a person that would actually use this tool very often. I can understand why people use and like Twitter, but it is not part of my personality (and I am sure that there are many who would strongly agree with this!).
This week’s class gave me a better understanding of this tool, which is good. I can see the library system using this tool as a way to let people know that their “Holds” are available. It could also be used to let Patrons know their “Pin”. Maybe even announce “New Books” that have been added to the collection. Announcements of special programs could work very nicely, as well. With the character count restriction, it would not work for most e-Ref questions.
Monday, March 9, 2009
RSS Feed
"Before beginning a Hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it.”
I am a little bit behind with my Discovery Excerices, due to the fact that the flu got in my way last week. I did read and watch the video last week, but did not have time to really get started. So, that is the goal for today. I have decided that I am not a fan of the RSS Feed. I set up my account and then only had confusion trying to place my subsciptions. I do not find it easy and I am looking forward to having Katherine back in the office to answer my questions. I do not feel as if this will be a tool I will use very often, even though I understand how it is a great way to consolidate information into one place opposed to always going in and typing the web address of the different newspapers that I like to peruse every day. I will continue to play with it some more and maybe I will change my opinion of this tool.
I am a little bit behind with my Discovery Excerices, due to the fact that the flu got in my way last week. I did read and watch the video last week, but did not have time to really get started. So, that is the goal for today. I have decided that I am not a fan of the RSS Feed. I set up my account and then only had confusion trying to place my subsciptions. I do not find it easy and I am looking forward to having Katherine back in the office to answer my questions. I do not feel as if this will be a tool I will use very often, even though I understand how it is a great way to consolidate information into one place opposed to always going in and typing the web address of the different newspapers that I like to peruse every day. I will continue to play with it some more and maybe I will change my opinion of this tool.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
