Method 12 - I Graduated! Woohoo!!

Thank you, TSLAC, for giving us an opportunity to learn new Web 2.0 technologies to better assist and reach our patrons. I learned a whole sleuth of web services that I wasn't quite familar with that I am confident now in navigating through and showing patrons how to use. My favorites were Flickr, YouTube, Delicious, and Facebook. My least favs were IM, Wiki, and Podcasting, although I liked storytelling through Podcast. All in all, I feel that whether libraries use these different technologies or not, they should at least be familiar with them in order to keep up with what their patrons are using and to provide information. Libraries are the information stations of the world and, therefore, should be well informed. I really enjoyed learning about these services through the "In Plain English" tutorials because they were fast, fun, and easy. If you decide to do anymore of these Dozen Steps programs, I think you should definitly implement those tutorials. I learned the most from them. Also, I would be interested in participating in other future programs like this one. Thank you again for the learning experience! Toodles!

Method 11 - Podding Around

At first I didn't like Podcasting. It reminded me of Talk Radio which gets boring real fast (especially if you're not in your car and just staring at your computer) because most people are visual. I didn't like any of the libraries' podcasts about How-To's, or "listening" tours of the library. If I want to take a virtual tour of a library, I want to see what's being described to me. I didn't really see how our library could successfully use podcasts until I came across the Denver Library's podcasts. They are podcasts of children's stories being read aloud. The one I listened to was just over 4 mins so not too long. I can see mother's with children at home going to the library's website and allowing their young children to listen to stories. This is great for days when the library isn't doing a storytime and Mom needs a few minutes of rest. It's like an audio CD with the click of a mouse and there's nothing to download. Patrons can even subscribe to the podcasts to be notified when new ones are posted. This is the only aspect of Podcasting for libraries I liked.

Method 10 - Wiki Who?

This is my least favorite technology. I don't really see a point for using Wikis. I guess it makes people feel important contributing information and superior editing others info? I don't see a use for our library using Wikis and I don't like that others can edit and change info. I must be a snob. And I'm ok with that. I really don't have much to say to Wikis except, I'm just not that into you.

Method 9 - Chatterbox

I have been using Instant Message since Jr. High but the technology has changed since then. Back then, I used AOL IM and could only sign in to it on my family's computer where it was set up. When I moved out to go to college, I didn't IM anymore but instead sent texts through my cell phone. Later, I got a Myspace and a Facebook and was able to chat with people in real time. Through this exercise, I tried to IM through my Yahoo account which I've, up until now, have never utilized. And with good reason...no one is ever available to chat! One person in my contacts showed up as available eventually. It was my sister and when I IMed her she completely ignored me! Not very sisterly in my opinion. So then I tried to chat with TSLACDL using Meebo and they are still unavailable! Most people I know just text or use a social networking site to chat so I doubt I'll be using Chat or IM. And my Momma taught me not to talk to strangers so I don't go to Chatrooms. As for libraries, I think using Meebo for answering reference questions is a good idea as long as a staff member can be available to answer questions readily. Because take it from me, it's very frustrating waiting around for someone to become available to talk.

Method 8 - Socializing Libraries

I'm very aware of the social networking sites as I have a Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter account. These are all personal accounts that are private and only people I know and add as my friend are able to view. I think if a Library wants to utilize these sites, it should be a professional account seperate from their personal account. Our library recently created a Facebook page and we currently have 58 fans. Staff added the library's fan page to their page and then suggested it to their friends. Who then may have suggested it to their friends and so on. We had a few patrons ask questions via Facebook about our events that we posted. At one particualer event, a staff member overheard a participant say he found out about the event from our Facebook page! But promoting our events is not the only way we can use these sites. We can promote materials of interest, add a popular topic for discussion, or add links to fun websites or videos to get people thinking about our library. Also, Myspace and Facebook can be set up to where your updates are automatically updated to your Twitter account so you could essentially update two social sites at once. That saves time which is valuable to librarians. I think libraries should keep up with the times and utilize what their patrons are already using and in turn reach a new audience and potential patrons. It's fun to be social! =)

Method 7 - Delicious and Nutritious

I have heard of Delicious bookmarking but never tried it out before until now. I am now a Delicious addict. I love it! It's super easy and I only have to go to one website where all my bookmarks are kept and I can use any computer to get to them. Amazing. I seriously had websites written on scaps of paper all over the place but not anymore! They are all organized with tags and now other people can find and use them. I think libraries can use Delicious in many ways. If anyone has worked in a library, they have come across the dreaded MSDS sheets for Workplace Chemicals. UGH! I am in charge of finding these MSDS sheets online and printing them out for our records once a year for any new products we get that contain chemicals. It is tedious looking for the good, dependable websites that have lists of chemical products, but with Delicious, I can bookmark all the ones I use. That way I only have to go to one place to get to them. That is just one example of many librarians can use Delicious in the workplace. After adding a bunch of websites to my Delicious page at work, I went home and thought of some more to add and did so right on my laptop. It is very convenient. I just wish I would have been using it sooner!

Method 6 - Lights, Camera, YouTube!

I've always been a fan of Youtube. I don't even have to have an account to search and watch videos on the site. I've watched other people's hilarious home videos and whole TV shows. My husband's cousin frequently posts videos of her cute daughter, and even though we haven't met her daughter, we feel like we know her. I think libraries could use YouTube to showcase their many services to the public. We can upload a video of our Storytime we do once a week. We can broadcast a tour of the library and what we have to offer. We can do How-To skits from how to get a library card to how to request an Interlibrary Loan and the process involved. The possibilities are endless. This world is an instant gratification world that loves to get information with a click of the mouse and libraries should take advantage of this technology. Why read about the library in a newsletter or blog when you can watch it in action? The Youtube video I posted is of my favorite commercial that cracks me up every time!