Clutter Queen

Finally, the End is in Sight

2008-07-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

Just when it felt that these exercises would go on forever, the end popped up right in front of me. I will admit that much of what I learned caused me to think outside my usual "practical" box, but I still will use only those tools that directly benefit the needs of the public. I believe the original 23 things were far more applicable to the majority of patrons who seek us out for assistance. I have NEVER had anyone ask me about online communities and the like. Those folks who are attracted to the Internet for social networking don't need us to show them the way. If staff members would now spend an equal amount of time exploring/promoting the many useful databases available through the SIL website--now that would be a step in the right direction for quality customer service.

2008-07-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah--I'm just a fuddy duddy, stick in the mud when it comes to online games and gaming in general, such as Guitar Hero etal. I do, however, understand the allure of online games and gaming for the younger crowd, but I also see a downside with regard to the way in which these formats appear to engender increased levels of competition, escalation of emotions (most frequently, anger) and flat-out defiance of parental guidance---and here I'm talking about the very youngest users on library computers. "Call them educational," bemoans more than one parent struggling to get their kid away from Dora, "but these computers and the games are not what we come to the library for. [the library] makes it hard for moms to get their kids excited about books."

As for how the gaming process might influence the future workplace---I shudder to think.

Google Maps Disappoints

2008-06-30T16:21:00.001-07:00

Having gotten less-than-expected results from searching on several house locations, I decided to hunt for the Marysville Library. The closer I zoomed in, the less familiar the territory became until a swimming pool appeared where the library should be. Well, I gotta tellya, there's no pool here--a nice staff patio--but no pool. But because I'm such a Google fan, I'm not giving up. I think I'll try Terry's Disney search and see if I can find that bench!

Been There--Done That

2008-06-23T14:52:00.000-07:00

I've had an avatar for years and I think it pretty much says a lot about me--that is, according to its definition as the incarnation of a higher being! I don't think I have a virtual self--what you see is what you get and I prefer interacting with people in the real world, thank you very much. SL is indeed an interesting place to visit, but I have absolutely no desire to set up residence there. On the other hand, I can see where it would be very popular for exploration and discovery via a virtual world---hence the presence of many universities in SL.

Go Google Docs

2008-06-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

Zoho Writer was in the original 23 Things and I was thrilled to be able to show it to patrons in a pickle--specifically those who needed to create a document, but needed flexibility to access it beyond the boundaries of Word. Most folks use GoogleDocs because of its versatility and because folks trust it as a search engine, it's not a leap to trust Google's other online tools.

. . . But My Heart Belongs to Google

2008-06-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

I remember the days when a search engine called Metacrawler was the fastest, best kid on the block. Then Yahoo came and went, in my opinion, to the dogs. Which is about when Dogpile plopped onto the search engine scene--not impressed. I've tried them all and always go back to Google.

Monopolize My Time

2008-06-17T15:36:00.000-07:00

Well I gotta say that it feels a leeeetle bit naughty (12 years of Catholic schools can do a number on one's view of right and wrong!) to be having so much fun while getting PAID. I could have created funny Monopoly cards all afternoon, but summer reading signup is at a brisk pace and many other tasks vie for my time, so I'll tuck these treasures away for future use with the public---especially the scrapbook generator, for all those patrons who can never find a scrapbooking book on the shelf!

Overdrive Indeed

2008-06-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

I think downloadables for the general public are one of the greatest library collection additions since sliced bread, as the saying goes. Myself, I'm not a candidate for this format, but I love being able to introduce the product to the people, answer their questions, show them the steps from getting started to kicking it into overdrive. I'm especially thrilled when an OD selection can provide reading material for a person when no other format is available and they can't wait. The fact that a 'book' remains checked out for the full period before disappearing is a common complaint that I hear, but on the whole, OD is a great hit.

2008-06-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

Because I'm one who is always on the lookout for practical, easy-to-use/navigate tools that have actual application in the library setting---let's face it, not everyone is a Facebook or My Space kind of Internet user--I was drawn to Learn Outloud, with its decidely more educational orientation.
I've listened to a lot of podcasts, just to splash in the waters a bit, and have found many of them to be of fairly poor recording quality and rather boring in content. The format does however, allow for creative exploration and just plain fun on the part of the podcaster.
I am rather proud to be one of the two Children's staff members who pioneered podcast recording for the SIL website.

Tag, You're It!

2008-06-12T17:15:00.000-07:00

Call me a stick in the mud party-pooper, but because of the highly subjective nature of tags, I find them to be generally less useful than a standardized lexicon for subject headings.

2008-05-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

The wiki exercise in the original 2.0 exercises featured pbwiki and I remember thinking at that time that it would be a great tool for reader's advisory. With such a large staff here at Marysville and so many different genre tastes, a wiki seemed a great way to share first-hand accounts of books read by staff with novel-seeking patrons.

Ho Hum Hulu--Fooey on Fancast--Hooray for YouTube

2008-05-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

Neither Hulu nor Fancast offer the sort of movies I would personally be interested in, but I can see the sites being of interest to many patrons who are looking for the type of movie that SIL no longer purchases (thankfully, in my opinion---long live foreign and independent films).
Still a fan of YouTube--sometimes the content is tasteless and crass, but that's the beauty of individual creativity (?!) and there's always something to like via YouTube. My favorite is still farting in the library. Pfffft.

Face to Face Instead

2008-04-22T16:46:00.001-07:00

I can see why these social networking sites are popular among certain age groups and types of personalities, but I prefer either face to face chatting, old fashioned letter writing or email for keeping in touch. I set up a Facebook account, but only to satisfy the 2.0 exercise requirement.

Aunty Em, Aunty Em!

2008-04-21T15:42:00.000-07:00

Being from the Midwest, I miss real weather. Yeah, yeah, you may think we have real weather in the PNW, but when's the last time you heard thunder, saw lightning and then had the poop scared out of you by one of these bearing down on you? Hmmm?

RSS Not So Simple If You Ask Me

2008-04-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

The RSS feeds concept may have been intended to be simple, but I had one heckuva time trying to follow the steps, add feeds and then actually find them later. Oh well, here's one more old dog desperately giving these new tricks my best shot. Rrruff.

A Great Little Pandora's Box

2008-04-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

Very easy to register and use---unlike RSS feeds.
Gives me my kind of music at my fingertips. Thanks Maggie :-)

Instant Messaging

2008-03-27T16:36:00.001-07:00

Look out SIL--you've opened a Pandora's Box :-) We're having WAY too much fun with this IMing. Hard to get back to the real work at hand. Hahaha.

YouTube Exercise

2008-03-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

I found the video a bit on the depressing side and think it would have been far more fun for us to view the YouTube video on farting in the library. It was done by some kids and their dad and the farting wasn't real, but the reactions of the people in the library were hysterical. Here's the link in case you're in for a gut-wrenching laugh.
http://www.truveo.com/Farting-in-the-Library/id/780749312

Lifelong Learning

2008-03-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

I completed the original 23 2.0 activities in 2007 and this Lifelong Learning activity was one of the first things to do/see. So--been there, done that. Now, what's my bonus prize?!? :-)

2.0

2007-04-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

I DID IT! Finished all 23 Things and still alive!

Daily Motion

2007-03-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

Being an independent film junkie, I'm interested in and fascinated by what non-Hollywood producers are creating. What a lot of fun to see what individuals are up to when it comes to short pieces.

WooHoo Zoho.com

2007-03-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Zoho.com---a little chip at the Microsoft word processing monopoly--well done Zoho, well done.

2.0

2007-03-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

What all of the articles under exercise 15 in Library 2.0 fail to acknowledge is that a balance must be struck between new and emerging technologies such as del.icio.us etc. and what might be considered more traditional library services, such as those that meet the needs of those not the least bit interested in online communities. In the rush to include those more well-versed in the web as platform, let's not forget or neglect the many parts that make up our community of users.

2007-03-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

Library Thing! Just the thing for the anally-retentive bookowner :0

2007-03-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

2007-03-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

Slogging my way through Library 2.0--would rather be knitting!

Avatars

2007-03-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

Wow--avatars for My Space and other online communities run the gamut from innocent to wildly sexy and can really cool down or spice up a personal page!