Wow! This is a terrific site. Great for library workers-no risk of copyright infringement. I'm likin' this a lot!
I wasn't very creative in my searches, but tried Google images and Flickr looking for photos of flowers and beaches. Then tried Blip.TV with the generic search of Music Videos and got interrupted. Searched jamendo for "light rock" and came up with an interesting variety. I liked Kaliedoscope's "Strange Lights" which was classified as: pop folk strange spiritual lights!
Put in audio books and was pleased to see a reference to LibriVox a site with 1,500 public domain titles that I was introduced to while studying. I can see this being a valuable site to know and will have to play with it a bit more to get comfortable using it.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Readers Rock! #7 Completed
I'd already explored LibraryThing and Shelfari for school, so was pretty familiar with them. Had also used LitLovers when looking for discussion questions for Kiva book club, but hadn't taken a close look at it until now. Goodreads and AllReaders were both new to me. These strike me as "fun" sites to keep track of my reading (and that of others) when I have extra time but not something I'm likely to keep up with.
LitLovers appeals most to me. I like the LitCourses they offer,the reading guides, discussion tips (how to lead a book club), and the book club menus! We've often prepared foods that mirror what we're reading in my personal book club, so this is a helpful resource. This is a site I'll really use both professionally and personally.
I'd like to see something like Boulder's GoodReads page accompany our own blog and yes, I would be willing to contribute!
LitLovers appeals most to me. I like the LitCourses they offer,the reading guides, discussion tips (how to lead a book club), and the book club menus! We've often prepared foods that mirror what we're reading in my personal book club, so this is a helpful resource. This is a site I'll really use both professionally and personally.
I'd like to see something like Boulder's GoodReads page accompany our own blog and yes, I would be willing to contribute!
Libraries are for Users! #6 Completed
Without them, we're out of business!
I found the "sure signs that you work in a public library" on the Ohio site to be spot on. Information from the 2008 Digital Future Project Report was not surprising, but rather provided confirmation of what we already know: patrons use computers and many come to the library to use computers/stay connected with their communities (family, friends, business)!
They also mentioned that: "Public libraries have been known to offer toys, tools, or art for circulation..." I have heard of libraries loaning cake pans. What if we loaned some of the board games we have?
I find that it's both easy and difficult giving patrons what they want. Easy if they TELL you (which they often do!), but often they just kind of "expect" the library to come up with events and programs. It's then a challenge to find the right day/time combination that will get them to attend!
I found these to be a great place to "review" how best to serve our patrons and how to listen to what they want.
I liked that the orientation started with talking about the library's mission and its overall importance to everything the library does and is. MCPLD has been very aware of this while working on our strategic plan, but I think every library needs to keep that at the forefront of all they are doing in their communities. I took my title from the "users" section which so very much reminds us that without our library users we have no purpose.
Customer Service 123 did a good job of defining the customer and what they want. Both sites also mentioned the statistics of "happy" vs "disappointed" customers and how devastating it can be to libraries who have unhappy patrons.
These are helpful sites to review!
I found the "sure signs that you work in a public library" on the Ohio site to be spot on. Information from the 2008 Digital Future Project Report was not surprising, but rather provided confirmation of what we already know: patrons use computers and many come to the library to use computers/stay connected with their communities (family, friends, business)!
They also mentioned that: "Public libraries have been known to offer toys, tools, or art for circulation..." I have heard of libraries loaning cake pans. What if we loaned some of the board games we have?
I find that it's both easy and difficult giving patrons what they want. Easy if they TELL you (which they often do!), but often they just kind of "expect" the library to come up with events and programs. It's then a challenge to find the right day/time combination that will get them to attend!
I found these to be a great place to "review" how best to serve our patrons and how to listen to what they want.
I liked that the orientation started with talking about the library's mission and its overall importance to everything the library does and is. MCPLD has been very aware of this while working on our strategic plan, but I think every library needs to keep that at the forefront of all they are doing in their communities. I took my title from the "users" section which so very much reminds us that without our library users we have no purpose.
Customer Service 123 did a good job of defining the customer and what they want. Both sites also mentioned the statistics of "happy" vs "disappointed" customers and how devastating it can be to libraries who have unhappy patrons.
These are helpful sites to review!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Spontaneity: a video
Listening to Sue Hanson yesterday brought this to mind.
I came across this video a few weeks ago and while the action is not spontaneous, it APPEARS so to those who "experience" it. I thought it a good example of "having fun." Watch people's reactions...I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (I couldn't get the video to download onto my blog, but hopefully the link will work!)
I came across this video a few weeks ago and while the action is not spontaneous, it APPEARS so to those who "experience" it. I thought it a good example of "having fun." Watch people's reactions...I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (I couldn't get the video to download onto my blog, but hopefully the link will work!)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Libraries are for Users! #6 Completed!
Without them, we're out of business!
I found the "sure signs that you work in a public library" on the Ohio site to be spot on. Information from the 2008 Digital Future Project Report was not surprising, but rather provided confirmation of what we already know: patrons use computers and many come to the library to use computers/stay connected with their communities (family, friends, business)!
They also mentioned that: "Public libraries have been known to offer toys, tools, or art for circulation..." I have heard of libraries loaning cake pans. What if we loaned some of the board games we have?
I find that it's both easy and difficult giving patrons what they want. Easy if they TELL you (which they often do!), but often they just kind of "expect" the library to come up with events and programs. It's then a challenge to find the right day/time combination that will get them to attend!
These are helpful sites to review!
I found the "sure signs that you work in a public library" on the Ohio site to be spot on. Information from the 2008 Digital Future Project Report was not surprising, but rather provided confirmation of what we already know: patrons use computers and many come to the library to use computers/stay connected with their communities (family, friends, business)!
They also mentioned that: "Public libraries have been known to offer toys, tools, or art for circulation..." I have heard of libraries loaning cake pans. What if we loaned some of the board games we have?
I find that it's both easy and difficult giving patrons what they want. Easy if they TELL you (which they often do!), but often they just kind of "expect" the library to come up with events and programs. It's then a challenge to find the right day/time combination that will get them to attend!
These are helpful sites to review!
Monday, August 17, 2009
OPAC Holds #5 Completed
I tried both methods from home although I hadn't used the Book Bag method for holds before. With practice, I imagine that would be just as easy to use. If you normally pick up all your materials at one location, I feel the first option is fine. Did not know about the "View" and "Public Display" option that Betsey mentioned and had fun playing around with that too.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Let's face it-like it or not, Facebook is BIG! #4 Completed
Explored Coca Cola and while I like a nice cold bottle (or can) of coke, I'm not likely to visit their site again; a waste of time if ever there was one. I have checked out CAL, ALA and PLA and found good information there (voted on the pins for next year's Summer Library Program). I do think it's important to know about Facebook, My Space and LinkedIn since so many of our patrons use these networks; they expect us to have some familiarity with them.
I also see the value in connecting with family and friends, sharing photos and whatnot, but cannot see having friends numbering in the hundreds....too much chattering for me. Nice to keep in touch with friends out of the state and in other countries (though China is now blocking Facebook).
I also see the value in connecting with family and friends, sharing photos and whatnot, but cannot see having friends numbering in the hundreds....too much chattering for me. Nice to keep in touch with friends out of the state and in other countries (though China is now blocking Facebook).
A Treasure Trove! #3 Completed@100%
Fairly easy to find all the information, however I thought it might be appropriate for the book store hours to be listed under "For Readers" too. I was embarrassed that I didn't know we were now offering IM Chat with Meebo, but glad to see it.
Pandora and Last FM #2 Completed
Pandora I've known about for a long time and have several playlists. I like the variety of their choices and the layout of their page. I'm also a big Greek Mythology fan, so find the name very appropriate.
I'd not heard of Last FM, so had fun playing around here. Did find some glitches. I typed in Accapella and while it did come up with a group by that name, it was not acknowledged as a type of music. I was impressed that it did find Kitaro and from there found other musicians/groups (such as Karunesh) of whom I was unaware. I particularly liked Zen Breakfast. If you like Celtic music, check out Medwyn Goodall.
I'd not heard of Last FM, so had fun playing around here. Did find some glitches. I typed in Accapella and while it did come up with a group by that name, it was not acknowledged as a type of music. I was impressed that it did find Kitaro and from there found other musicians/groups (such as Karunesh) of whom I was unaware. I particularly liked Zen Breakfast. If you like Celtic music, check out Medwyn Goodall.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
And the beat goes on...#1 Completed
Nice to be blogging again! It was interesting trying to guess who everyone was. Here's to more technological exploring with Webolution 3.0!
P.S. Can anyone name the artist associated with the title above?
P.S. Can anyone name the artist associated with the title above?
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