Thing 23: One Last Thing:

This has been a personal challenge for me! I definately think this program is worthwhile for libraries. It has been a great learning experience setting things up and will continue to be a learning experience for me. I learned a lot from this program amd it gave me an excuse to find out about things I didn't even know were out there and to learn more about things I had a limited knowledge of. There are many of the tools that I will continue to use.

My frustrations came from not having the time or space to experiment. My challenge was completing each "Thing" while at the circulation desk, servicing customers, and working on other projects. Often it took me the better part of my work day to complete the "Thing" I was working on. I do not have access to a private, quiet place to work at the library. I just did not have the time to spend on each segment or to comment at length on my blogspot.

On the other hand, I've come away with some very valuable knowledge. I do know that learning each of these tools was not the primary point of the challenge. The point really was to expand the way we think and interact. Thank you for that opportunity!

Thing 22: What Did I Learn Today?:

It is important to keep on top of ever-changing technology and for some of we "older folk" it isn't always easy! Learning the new tools was a real challenge! But I do plan to incorporate these tools, and what I've learned, into library services and for my own personal use.

It IS fun to know about and use these tools. A few I was familiar with and some not so familiar. But the more I use them, the easier it will be to make them work for me. Some of these tools I will have need for and some not so much but I now am aware of them. And now, perhaps, I won't be so intimidated to learn something new!

I also need to become more aware of our patrons needs and, I'm certain, I can make good use of 23 Things on a Stick.

Thing 21: Beyond Myspace: Other Social Networks:

I joined 23 Things On a Stick Ning and left a "Good Luck" comment for Ann Campbell of Bemdiji on working with her 23 Things On a Stick. I added the Ning badge to my blog page.

I explored a few of the social network sites I found at Wikipedia. Most appealing to me are the ones with members having interests similar to mine to chat with, email, discussion groups, etc.

Social Networking is being used by millions of people everyday and has become a part of everyday life. It can be helpful and fun. These social networks appeal more to me than myspace and facebook. I think they seem more adult based.

The resource My Guide to Social Networks is amusing and pretty much sums up my opinion of some of the networks. I do understand, however, there are many good examples and uses for this type of networking.

Thing 20: Libraries and Social Networks:

I have had more difficulty manuevering around this web site than any of the others and this is suppose to be so easy! For starters, our Library has myspace.com blocked so I could not log onto that at all. My difficulty with facebook is that after I registered, I was asked for a new password everytime I logged on and then more problems pursued! It is taking up too much time at work so I'll have to work this one out on my home computer.

I have some concerns about these sites. Facebook is used to keep up with friends, upload unlimited numbers of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about people. It is open to anyone with a valid email address. It is such a public forum. People don't always profile their true selves or know how and when to separate private from public information. When it comes to social networking, it's wise to put your best face forward!

From information that I have read, as of 2007, this website has the largest number of registered users among college-focused sites. Students will continue to think of ways to share information....private and public! A way to get to know each other.

I will log on to myspace from my home computer but I don't really know if this site is one I will be using often. I've heard about it many times but haven't had an interest in it. I do now! There is probably as much bad news/information on these sites as good news/information. And, could one ever really know if what he/she is reading is true?

At our library, my access to these sites is very limited and I am completing these Things from the Circulation Desk. Limited time and limited space!

Thing 19: Podcasts:

I checked out the local poscasts listed under Resources (I liked the music ones best) and also some of the podcast directories, which I found to be the most popular places for finding podcasts. Podcasting is rapidly becoming a popular way for people to share audio shows and they can be listened to at your convenience. Coolest of all is that if you've got a great idea for a podcast, you can probably do it!

On our Kasson Library blogspot, we posted AccuRadio a few months ago. AccuRadio is the world's leading independant multichannel Internet radio station, featuring over 300 music channels and subchannels of really cool music. Plus, you can customize each channel to your tastes. And, best of all, it's free!

If you have a microphone, a computer and Internet connection you can publish audio shows that can be listened to by people anywhere in the world. Amazing!

Thing 18: YouTube & Other Online Video:

I've logged on to YouTube a few times previously when someone would mention a certain video I should watch but I am not an avid fan.

I did some research online to get some extra information about YouTube and now I know more than I need to! Millions of videos are being watched every day and thousands are added per day. This is a powerful media platform and one of the world's most popular services for video entertainment.

I watched several videos.......some cute, some not. I posted a couple of cute kitten videos to my blog just because I have a cute kitten! I didn't have a lot of time at work to view many of them but it is an entertaining site and I will enjoy viewing more at home.

Thing 17: ELM Productivity Tools:

I created an account in NetLibrary and found this site to be very interesting. I love books and what a collection of e-books to be found here! I viewed books, searched their contents, and added notes to my "Favorites and Notes". What a great way to preview new books and to find those not avaliable in our local libraries. I researched EBSCO Page Composer site and started to create and customize a web page. When time allows, I will complete that. Great features!

These data-bases are a valuable resource for libraries and schools.

Thing 16: Student 2.0 Tools:

This is great! I tried the online calculator and was impressed with the schedule it gave me. It gave several steps to follow and helps to plan the amount of time it will take to complete a research project. What a great benefit to students. I see it also sends email reminders. This is good for a project needing to be done on time and for keeping the student on track. I will recommend it to students/patrons who come in looking for information on school projects/reports.

In the library, this willl help to get to the patrons the information they are seeking. I see it being most beneficial in a school library, however because the site gives both student and teacher ideas and recomendations.

I will be giving this site information to my grandchildren and find ways to use it myself. A very cool tool!

Thing 15: Online Games and Libraries:

I spent some time exploring and checking out the videos of the different things one could do in Second Life without actually downloading it. I just don't have the time at work to create a place to "get away from it all!" I think it could get pretty complex. Second Life is an appropriate title for a game where people can log in and create just that.......a second life, a second place to live, a second community of people to live it with. Change your appearance and be someone totally different. You can be anything and do anything. Could be habit forming!

I started Puzzle Pirates but I guess the pirate world is just not my thing!

Thing 14: LibraryThing:

Social networking for book lovers! Creating a personal catalog is surprisingly easy, can be sorted by author or title -- or viewed as a colorful collection of book covers and the first 200 titles are free!

It is a wonderful site which provides book lovers with a way to catalog book collections and make connections with other readers who might have similar interests.

I like it a lot!

Thing 13: Online Productivity Tools:

So many time saving tools to work with! I wish I had the time to explore tham all! I did create a home page in iGoogle.

I often get emails containing a " Countdown" and now I know how they are created. I checked out the calendar sites, the Ta da list site and many others. A lot of these tools are similar to ones I worked with at my last job so I was familiar with many. Those, however, were company based but similar all the same. Great time savers at home and on the job. I did tryout Backpack and thought it very useful. I will work with that site much more.

Thing 12: Do You Digg?:

I viewed a lot of different articles and videos......some worthy, some not! I can understand reading and seeing what people in your community find interesting and are passionate about. This changes the way people get information online and you'll always find something interesting and unique.

I would think, however, that Digg's frontpage content could be controlled by a per centage of users who have too much control over content and could possibly cause misinformation to thrive.

Any one of these sites is definately the way to check out what is popular on social media sites. You could also build a network of friends enabling you to find news together and they can see what you are Digging and you can see what they Digg as well.