# 23 Is this really the end? Or just the beginning ...

Well I've come to the end of the garden path, and while I may have stumbled once or twice, I've made it through the technological jungle without falling!! I've discovered many interesting things along the way, some I intend to learn more about and use, while others may go by the wayside. I have also discovered that not all bugs bite! I'm not going to get a virus trying something new - adventure is great (except when my computer keeps throwing up security alerts!)

Now the things I've found most interesting and useful were Blogs, Flickr, RSS feeds and Bloglines, Del.ic.ious and Wikis. If I had more time I'd put my personal library on LibraryThing (maybe one day), and YouTube is a great place to have fun and waste time!! (Oh yes, and I must get back to that Suduko generator).

This has been a great opportunity to learn and try things that I would probably not have done on my own, and while it has been quite time consuming, it has been very worthwhile. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Signing off Sunshine Daisy

# 22 Audiobooks (or "The end is in sight")

Had a look at the Netlibrary and Overdrive services. Don't know how much influence the library would have on the borrowing limits but maybe a problem if no flexibility. Looked at the Memphis Public Library service who have "Overdrive" and downloads are $5.00 each - sounds rather expensive. Also once the ebook is downloaded on one device it can't be transferred(copied) to another, and you may not be able to download it onto your ipod.
On a positive note, the variety of material in the "other collections" of the World EBook fair site is extensive and diverse from music scores to text in other languages, classical material to technical manuals, and fiction for children and adults. An extremely valuable reference collection. Certainly some of those works would be worth the $5.00 download fee. (Subscription to the service seems pretty cheap?) Listened to some of the free downloads from the Gutenberg Audio e-Book Collection. Easy to download and, on some, there was a huge selection of formats available.

# 21 Podcasts, Smodcasts

Well, lots of frustration here. Checked out all three suggested podcasts directories, only Yahoo allowed me to view podcasts without downloading software. I did try downloading podcast software but it proved too frustrating and I gave up. I did however listen to the online radio stations through Podcast.net which was great fun (and very educational!). Some interesting podcasts on Library 2.0 and book reviews on Yahoo index. I have chosen the NPR (National Public Radio) site for its program on books as my example RSS feed to add to my bloglines.
I could see podcasts as a way to extend our audience for library programs. Children could listen to a podcast storytime at home. Special library activities, author visits, etc, could also be podcast for those who couldn't make it to the event. A library could also have book reviews podcast, a useful alternative for those with poor eyesight perhaps.

# 20 You too can YouTube

No cookies in the library

I viewed lots of videos I liked but decided on this one as I felt I should at least have something library related (but still fun!) This one could be used in a library training session for some light relief. I don't think there was anything I disliked about YouTube apart from the fact that you could waste an awful lot of time playing around. The "Help" section, arranged in A & Q style, was very helpful with clear instructions. (I easily embedded this video). The 'history' function was useful and searching was easy using keyword or browsing categories. Another site with social networking capabilities. Videos of Library activities on the Library Website? Could be interesting. Links to videos regarding particular books in the library's collection, ie Book Club reviews, another idea?

# 19 Discovering Web 2.0 tools

Started checking out the "City guides & reviews" category from the Web 2.0 awards list, but was disappointed to find that all winners were U.S. based - only American cities. Even the honorable sites were restrictive - nothing European, Afrian, Asian, - though there was something on Australia. So abandoned them and tried the "Travel" category. Looked at realtravel.com which was much more interesting. Has all the usual accommodation, flights, etc info, plus travel guides, blogs, maps, pictures and forums covering a wide range of destinations. Love checking out what other travellers think about the places you're going to and getting travel tips. You can write your own travel blog and use their trip planner. They also provide links to other applications such as del.icio.us. So when you don't have a particular travel guide on the shelf this is a good website to direct your library user to. Easy to join, I'll be using this one in the future.

# 18 Web-based Apps...

Joined "Zoho" and checked out Zoho writer (the results follow) and Zoho planner. Easy to switch between applications. With planner I would have to remember to log in each day. Have put in an appointment with reminder. It will be interesting to see how that works - must remember to check tomorrow!

The following was posted from Zoho Writer to my blog.

Well Zoho certainly looks really interesting - so many applications! Typing this has been fun. I love the idea of organising your documents under tags instead of folders, so much easier to find documents and get the most out of them.

Going to try and import a picture now.....

....mmm that didn't quite work. Imported a picture but went to a new document.

OK I've worked that out now. You have to 'insert' not 'import'!

# 17 Playing with PBWiki

Took the PBWiki tour, then added by blog to Favorite Blogs in PBwiki Learning 2.0. Checked out favorite movies and books, where I added my "two bobs worth". Looking through the different favourites, I see the "sandbox" gets very crowded, you would have to do something different if you wanted to make your contribution stand out!

# 16 So what's in a wiki?

Can see lots of applications for wiki's at work. Like the idea of a wiki as an alternative to emails between a group. Great idea for meetings and minutes of such, allows contributions by all members of a group, extra information not available at the time of a meeting could be added later. Great for sharing resources, could see a wiki for specialised areas, ie youth services, local history librarians, etc. Restricted to own library or a collection of libraries.
Checking out some library wikis, noted comments about spam and what a hassle it is. Restricted access necessary at times and in certain situations.

# 15 On Library 2.0 & Web 2.0

After reading the five perspectives, and some discussions as well, here are my comments.

Firstly I like Sarah Houghton's definition of Library 2.0,

“[L2] simply means making your library’s space (virtual and physical) more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs.. The basic drive is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives" Blyberg, John. (2006). 11 reasons why Library 2.0 exists and matters

Free email and internet access is getting people back into the library. We just have to grab their attention, show them what else we have to offer, once they get through those library doors! Seeing the library online may capture the interest of the library non-user, while providing easy access 24/7 to up-to-date information will help keep the interest of our current users.

However important as it is to keep up with our users who are techno savvy, we can't neglect the needs of our non-techno's. Learning to cater for both is a balancing act. There certainly has been a change from just in case collections, but we still need those books for pleasure! With a growth in online social networking the library needs to make it's presence felt. Forums and comments - blogs with comments everyone can see and learn from. Users can add value, staff can add value too. Staff need time to play, to feel comfortable with new technology, before they can successfully use and encourage the use of it. Staff and users, a collaboration - definitely the way of the future.

#14 Technorati

This exercise reinforced the importance of entering your search terms to maximum effect! While a number of blogs about "learning 2.0" those actually tagged with this term were more informative. Interesting arrangement of videos on 2.0 (and I learnt about paperclip sculpture!)

The contents of the "popular" section were insightful, a way to keep up with the latest? While you could also look at blogs covering a number of broad topics. Under the "entertainment" section I discovered that Bindi Irwin refuses to move to Hollywood!

# 13 Tagging ... and del.icio.us

Much more than the average "bookmark", you can get really indepth with your research. What catagories you might forget, someone else has thought of. What a great tool for the serious researcher or hobby fanatic! Lots of information on hand, with lots of ways of viewing it.
I signed up with del.iicio.us, then following the clear instructions, I moved some of my bookmarks onto del.icio.us - easy!! Immediately I find that others have already bookmarked the sites I have and a whole new world opens to explore!!

# 12 Rolling with Rollyo

Rollyo, a great portable device for all those favourite websites you have saved on your browser's 'favorites" function. Easy and fun to do, as well as being very useful. Interesting to check out what others have saved to their rollyos. Great sharing facilities makes for great information sharing. Something that can be setup at work with collegues contributing their findings, or their specialist areas, for all to use.