Dum dum da da dum dum da da dum dum

I have figured out how to post my google URL..let's eat cake!!

#11 Summary-The end or just the beginning?

-The most important thing I learned from this was the de-mystifying for me of "new" web technology. It is not that hard, I can do it and it it pretty neat stuff. My aha moment came during the Flickr assignment when the enormity of the possibilities of blogs sunk in. I always thought blogging was just people rambling on about their thoughts, but it is so much more.
-The most challenging thing for me, I'm embarrassed to say is posting those darn URL's on my blog. Something hasn't clicked for me here yet. I am going back to read from the beginning and wait for the light to turn on.
-It seems to me that the Library can use web technology to reach the masses, particularly the young people. We have to learn to communicate and speak in their world, and this is where they are, it is second nature to them. The possibilities are exciting...we need to add blogs and YouTube links to our site.We are going to need more people devoted to doing this in the future I can see. Maybe Library Lady can figure out how to clone herself.
-I loved this self-directed model of learning. To begin with, it was put together brilliantly. It was like LibraryLady was standing there talking to me. I also find that I am a hands-on learner. It is the only way for it to sink in for me. Doing things on my own time is also a plus for me. Sometimes I work best at 5 in the morning, sometimes at 11 at night and I did this at all hours of the day.
For me, this is a wonderful way of encouraging staff development.
I'm ready for the next one. Bring it on LL.

#10 Facebook

I have been a member of Facebook since I joined our OBOB group. I am keeping my original email address so you will have to guess who I am if you want to find me.
Another social media that my kids seem to live by. It is rather neat to be able to go in and see other members photo's. Yet somehow I feel creepy when I do this. I feel like a spy. On the other hand, it is a great method of connecting with someone you know/have known whom you might not otherwise contact.

Chris?

Game on Chris!
"heheheh...I'm winning."

A conundrum wrapped in a riddle.

Well, I have come so far and now the confusion has set in. Having major troubles with LibraryThing. Took me along time to post my book covers, and for the life of me I can't get the URL link to come up. But I must carry on as Mr. Jones is hot on my little heels. (size 9 is little right?) Oh Library Lady...where are you...who are you...zyxwvuts..is this ringing any bells LL? URL's maybe my downfall yet it should be so easy. What part of my brain is not firing now!

powered by LibraryThing close
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/canihaveanap

LibraryThing

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/canihaveanap
Here is the link to my LibraryThing personal catologue.
What a great way to see what your co-workers are reading, particularly the selection team. Keeps me up to date with new and hot reads. Of course this would only work if we all were responsible for keeping our blogs and personal library's up to date. If the library had a public viewed log, it could post a link to top 5 book recommdations of the month using a link to it's centrally managed LibraryThing. I'm not sure yet all the places we could go with this...I need to spend a few more months playing with these things to fully appreciate their implications. Exciting stuff.

Wikis -Stress Relief

This is fascinating. Where have I been? Hiding under a rock that this is all new to me? I love Wikis. The posting that I added to our stress relief page was doing something nice for a fellow worker-with humour of course.
Wikis would certainly simplify organizing social activities in the workplace.
Potluck dinners, washing of linens schedule, sign up for the Christmas party, even filling in holes on next months work schedule. What a simplistic way to do it efficiently, and I think the more efficient things are the less stressful they will be.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc78s7kc_1fhjk68

28 Stories of Aids in Africa

Stephanie Nolen is Bureau Chief with the Globe and Mail in Africa.

In this very readable book, she gives us 28 personal views of living with aids in Africa, one for every million people in Africa suffering from this disease. Nolen puts a personal face to a rampant disease. This is not a book to be avoided because it sounds like heavy reading. The stories can be heartbreaking, but they are also courageous, inspiring and thought provoking. For fear of being ostracized, some of the profiled people won't even admit to having the disease while others become champions for better medical care and the rights of those afflicted. Interwoven in the individual stories are facts on the disease itself and why it has become such a plague in Africa. Years of political conflict and the never ending cycle of poverty all play a part, and the author manages to insert this history subtly, yet with great impact.

Recommended reading for anyone over the age of 13, a must read for anyone who has ever complained about something as simple as a hangnail.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc78s7kc_1fhjk68

Streaming

Youtube is pretty much apart of my daily life. I use it to listen to alot of music. Whatever you want, it is there. The library could certainly use this application for training. A perfect place to have used it was when we introduce our self-check units. But could be used for staff for Sirsi "Quick-tips". Or...how about a daily "inspirational moment" which could be comedy, uplifting or touching.
The above link is one that moves me and I believe is an effective social consciousness tool.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNV5bgsv984

Very short dramatic video clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHjFxJVeCQs

Posting photo's from Flickr.

I just killed 90 min. browsing pictures. You have to love the internet..everything at your fingertips.

The library could use Flickr for sharing photo's both with staff and patrons. Great way to save bandwidth and share large groups of photo's. I can envision the day when the library has a popular blog, (separate for staff and patrons) that becomes a "must check daily" site to generate interest in programs (post pics so people can see what they are missing), share staff activities with pics. I'm having an "aha" moment....I think you are on to something big here. Depending on the goals for the blog, you could even have different staff contributing to the blog once in a while..i.e staff book pics, staff "Why I love the library", staff interesting photo's of Burlington. I could go on, but I will stop as some poor shlep "ahem" probably has to read alot of these blogs. I think you have unleashed a blog monster.

Why I am taking this training.

You mean other than the fact that they told me to?
Seriously, I would have done it even if it wasn't expected. I love a new challenge and this gives me the opportunity to keep up with technology. This is one of the reasons I love the library...constant opportunity and expectation of learning. Working in an information based setting, I think it's essential that we keep up with the newest and various methods people gather and process information these days.
Kudo's to the "ahem" Library Lady for managing to create written instructions that read as if she is talking to me.

"I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup?"
- Jerry Seinfeld

I have added some feeds. Took me some time...got confused..which is a totally new feeling for me..hehe. Still not sure if I appreciate the purpose of feeds, but time will tell. Feeds added are Word of the Day - I maintain a firm belief that you should learn one new word every day, Library Stuff, The Shifted Librarian and About Contemporary Literature. These last three feeds should help me keep up to date and informed on all things library and books which makes canihaveanap a better and more intelligent employee.

training

Awwwww..apparantly all my posts are in Afghanistan time...hmmmm.
Best change my profile to Canada now.

My head is spinning

Okay guys..alot of address's to keep track of. Maybe 4 in the morning isn't the best time to do this. Though it would go alot faster, but alot of reading and comprehending for someone who usually just says "Pete...can you come do this on the computer for me."

Day 1 of training.

Well....this is my first blog.
Apparantly my nightside clock is wrong and I got up at 4a.m this morning. I was so engrossed in my web 2.0 training that I didn't notice.