Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Sorry to see it end!

As I contemplate the end of the Webolution, my first thought was: Wow, this has been a terrific way to learn; not only about Web 2.0 (which has been very enlightening) but also about one another. We have incredibly literate, talented, amusing (too many positive adjectives to continue on here) staff at this library! I have looked forward to other's postings and will miss wondering "what's next" from them and the projects Nancy put together for us.

Favorite discoveries: Inserting pictures, hyperlinks, sound and video clips.
Most practical: Wikis and Del.icio.us which I use almost daily in ATS and my RSS feeds which I consult usually on a weekly basis (lots of good information for school there too!)
Disliked/Struggled with: Downloadable Audio books-I am hoping to spend my Best Buy GC on a MP3 player similar to the ones we practiced with (in ATS) so that I can confidently and honestly explain the process to patrons who are as confused as I have been.

Perseverance Pays (w/Podcast)!

I did it!!!!

After discovering that the reason I had so much trouble was because the particular podcast I wanted was no longer viable, it was much easier. Therefore, let me apologize profusely to those other bloggers on whose sites I made impassioned pleas for help (you know who you are!).

I won't,however, share with you what I decided to download as it is for my spiritual betterment and probably of no interest to anyone else!

I will be using this service again. So much to explore!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

...and SNAP! The job's a game....


Tasks #20 & #21

In ev'ry job that must be done
There is an element of fun
you find the fun and snap!
The job's a game
from: A Spoonful of Sugar (Mary Poppins)

This is what downloadable books do for me; I usually listen as I'm weeding or cleaning house!

Okay, Nancy knows I've already traveled down this road a couple of months ago. I was testing out one of the ATS MP3 players and downloaded Ill Wind by Nevada Barr and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Managed to listen to both of them (mainly while gardening), but had a time of it getting them downloaded and then finding them on the itty bitty MP3 player (I evidently downloaded them into a music file!).

I tried each of the Overdrive tutorials tonight, but (Phyllis is my witness) none of the three would come up! It said they were done loading, but there was a blank screen. I have looked at the FAQs and am vaguely familiar with the compatible devices (my iPod, of course, is NOT one of them!).

Haven't yet tried burning to a CD....and am not sure I will!

Saturday, July 21, 2007

MySpace and YouTube

Task #19

Wow, did I ever have fun with this assignment!

I did notice that several libraries used these sites to do virtual tours or to focus on particular activities they were promoting. Good idea to get "out there" where people are searching!

There were so many videos I would like to share with you! But the winner was.....Mac

In case you're interested, these are the "runners' up:"

YouTube:
Library Blonde

Metacafe:
Fake Toyota

MySpace:
Tattered Cover virtual tour of the Lodo store (one of the two locations where I worked)

Hope you enjoy these as much as I did! I can't wait to see what everyone else finds out there!

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Celebrating 100 years of AL

Found this while reading one of my blogs, and thought you might enjoy it. Be sure to click on it to start it playing. :)

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Wandering through Wikis

Tasks #17 & #18

Looking at all the Wiki links (sounds kind of Hawaiian if you say it fast!) that Nancy provided and navigating our ATS Wiki, I can certainly see the benefits to us here. I found Library Success interesting. Looked at "Reading Group Guides" which had a good list of current titles and "Leading Book Groups" under Reader's Advisory but there wasn't much there. A good place to ADD more information!

Having said that, however, I can't see much use for it on a personal level. When I thought about what on earth I should add (to the wiki) to demonstrate my perusal and consequent understanding of Wikis, I fell back on "liberry stuff."

I'm looking forward to what you "creative types" come up with!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

"O teach me how I should forget to think"

Unfortunately I don't need to learn this!! I can do it quite well on my own thank you very much.

Know the source of the above quote? Be the first to reply and you'll receive a robust round of applause!

If you haven't checked out my link (at right) to the Shakespearean Insult Generator, you're really missing out!

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Library 2.0

This comes from the April 15th Library Journal. Be sure to turn your speakers up as the words to the music reinforce the messages on the screen. Credit is given in the final slide.

Tasks #14, #15, #16

What a good way to introduce us to new databases! I found an interesting video on "When is a Headache a Migraine?" which detailed the characteristics of a migraine, possible triggers and medicines that may help.

The articles I found in the Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection from the Plateau Voice were FUN! I typed in the keyword "library" (so original) and found two interesting articles:

October 29, 1915
Titled "Our Library," this article discussed the need for more books! The gist of it was if money can be raised for ball teams and such, it shouldn't be difficult to have a fund raiser for the library (some things never change)!!!

May 16, 1924
Titled "Vaudeville Show for Library Benefit," was a hoot! Detailed each of the seven "acts" and mentioned that at the hefty price of .50 each, the house was nearly full and the library would be able to purchase quite a few fiction titles with the proceeds.

I'm wondering if I might include the link to the EBSCO Host tutorial in an email to my classmates (learning to use databases for class)?

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Beyond the Conference...

Tasks #11 & #12

While I was already familiar with most of these sites (they're on our staff web page after all!), I discovered a few things that were personally interesting. I had already blogged about WebJunction (on another site) and how terrific it is (I like all the Spanish resources that are available), but found a few other "tidbits" I could see using sometime in the future.

ALA helped me find the MLS program best suited for me!
The PLA Blog had "Internet Safety Bookmarks" for Teens,
CAL's Interest groups look like a good place to explore (especially Adult Services and Readers' Advisory)
CliC's tutorials and blog have some practical information, and
Colorado State Library surprised me by listing Mesa County Public Libraries as "Metro-Plus" size!

Conferences are great to experience, but our access to them will always be limited. Sites such as these are easy and inexpensive ways to supplement our professional development!

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

TWO in a Row!!!!

Okay,
This doesn't have a thing to do with our assignments, but wanted to let everyone know (if you couldn't already guess who writes this) that Mark won racing Tortuga in Caliente, NV last weekend. Not only is this two in a row, but he now leads the points race for his class, which means he's seriously considering another race at the end of next month. Guess we'll have to get serious about finding a permanent co-driver (not me) and some sponsorship!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

You're "it!"

Task #9 and #10: Tagging

I found the Del.icio.us tutorial easy to follow and use. Sharon Morris had loads of interesting sites. I spent some time (at home) looking over what she had and even added one of her interests to my own list. Though my list is limited, it certainly highlights several areas close to my heart!

Monday, May 14, 2007

Technology for Country Folk

While this is probably appropriate for the entire staff, I thought it MOST appropriate for those of us (struggling?) taking on the Webolution challenge. Got a favorite???
It's been pointed out, that this link is not working! SO....I'll try including the URL which you can copy and paste into your browser. Sorry, 'bout that, it worked fine the first time I did it! Check it out and let me know if you have a favorite definition!

http://carcino.gen.nz/images/index.php/4745ed0f/5e36c194

Showdown!

And it's Liberry Lady vs. Flickr....
Liberry Lady is losing steam as Flickr continues to confound.
But wait! With the help of Wonder Woman Librarian, Library (Cook) Cop, and Ego Genome Man (How many library workers does it take to post a picture?) it looks like Flickr is out numbered. A picture has been found, saved and correctly added to the "About Me" section and once again the power of The Public Library has triumphed.

Friday, May 11, 2007

RSS feeds via Bloglines

Tasks #7 & #8

Every time I think I'm getting a grip on new technology, I stumble up against something that makes me humble again. In this case, I figured I'd just make a screen shot of my RSS feeds and paste it into this blog. Sounds simple, and I've done screen shots before, but for some reason now I'm missing something. (What, you make ask? Who knows...if YOU do, please let me in on it!)

So instead, here's a link that will show you what I'm looking at these days. The censorship sites came in handy when we were developing our new display policy and I like expanding my vocabulary, hence the "word a day." (Yup, I'm a geek, but I'm okay with that.)

And now it appears, that unless I happen to be logged in to my feeds, you won't be able to see them! Always learning something.....

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Flickr Photos




I haven't tried this before and hope it turns out okay. One disadvantage I'm finding with this technology so far is that each site requires you to "sign up" with them. I had hoped that having a Gmail account would be sufficient for Flickr, but had to set up through Yahoo. I now have two blog sites, email for home, work, and school, AND a Flickr account. Too much to keep track of!

Florida vacation, Racing in Baja, Mr. Spock and Miss Jewel

Tasks #5 & #6

NetLibrary II

Hey,
Life is good! (Do I need to put some kind of copyright acknowledgment here?) The problems I had with NetLibrary had nothing to do with ME, but with my computer! When the computer guru's did their magical techno thing, all was well with my world and I successfully downloaded and can listen to my book! Try it....if I can do it, you can too!

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Webolution blogging

Tasks #3 & #4

I'm excited at the prospect of learning 23 things at MCPLD. I've read quite a bit about it for one of my MLS classes and am looking forward to integrating what I've learned into our library operations here. Thanks, Nancy, for setting this up and getting us all going on this important Library 2.0 technology!

Monday, May 7, 2007

Super Librarian Comic Book and Video!

There's a new Super Hero(ine?) that is a force to be reckoned with....

Forget Superman! Forget Spiderman! Here comes Super Librarian!!

Spiderman may be in the movie theaters this weekend, but Super Librarian has been and will be here long after "Spidey" has dropped out of sight.

Take a look at this "Super Librarian" video!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

NetLibrary

Downloading audio books...
How many of you have done this already? I was all set to try it out today when I came in to find an MP3 player at my desk with a note that I'd been chosen as one of the people to test them on our downloadable databases. I conscientiously followed the directions both for downloading the software included with the MP3 player AND downloading the book but although it IS now checked out to me I can't seem to find the file to put it onto the MP3 player! And I wonder why our patrons are frustrated with the system!!! Guess I'll try again tomorrow...
:)

Friday, April 20, 2007

"Cars" a smashing success!

Thanks to all of you who showed up for our viewing of Disney's "Cars" last night. About 75 came with blankets and others in their favorite PJs (many sporting their favorite "Cars" characters) and all ready to have some fun. If you missed out, keep any eye out here for our next movie.... Hope to see you then!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

National Library Week!

Join us at Texcolla Public Library for National Library Week!

We're celebrating our Patrons,
Library Staff and the Library all week with displays, book talks, puppet shows, programs, prizes and refreshments!

Have your picture taken with Clifford the Big Red Dog or the Little Critter!
They will be here from 2-4 in the Children's center for story time featuring our Spellbinders.

For a look at Little Critter in action, check out this video.

Teens join our active group for a lively discussion about their library wiki, blog and MySpace accounts. Don't miss our special Gaming night on Tuesdays from 7-9 in the Computer Lab (reserved just for Teens)!

Hourly drawings for new books, Texcolla book bags and mugs, Bookstore Gift Cards and MP3 players!

Book talks and other Exciting Programs:
Tuesday, April 16 12-1:00 pm Marley and Me John Grogan

Wednesday, April 17 3:30-4:30 pm What's New in Graphic Novels?
Thursday, April 18 7-9:00 pm Family Movie Night featuring: Disney's Cars
Friday, April 19 9-10:00 am Social Networking Class (in the Computer Lab)

Hope to see you this week at TPL: The People's Library!