Week 10 -- iHCPL experience summary

I knew most the topics prior to the iHCPL exercises. It is still a good learning experience. The instructions were clear and the topics were not that hard to pick up. If I have to name one thing of my favorite, it has to be the Wowie free ebooks. I am a big ebook fan. Instant accessing to the content not only helped me answer many hard reference questions, it also satisfied my own needs like everyone else -- I want it now.

I think it helps a lot for staff to have current technological skills. They will not be intimidated by questions that were very technical to them before. At least they have something to recommend if something didn't work out for the patron.

Thanks for providing the learning experience.

Week 9 -- downloadable Media

LibiVox is a free ebook site. Most of the titles are classics in public domain. It would be a good alternative when the library copy is not available. At least you have a copy to work with. It has 1035 titles. You can browse alphabetically or search by title author or subject. Subject or genre browse is not available.

Wowio has an attractive homepage displaying the latest releases with book jacket. The top book and staff's favorite list are also nice features to promote titles. The The site uses commercial sponsorships to compensate authors and publishers so the coverage is more diverse and not limiting to public domain titles. You can even request titles that are not on the list. I created account and downloaded a game book in PDF format. Fast connection is needed for 10MB books. Kudos to WOWio.

Week 9 -- Podcasts Smodcasts

For the three suggested podcast directories and finding tools, I found the Podcast.net is the easiest one to use and does not require downloading additional files to play. The directory type is intuitive but I wish the coverage could be little more comprehensive. Podcastalley.com is similar but requires downloading. For a lot of people who have their own tools to manage feeds, blogs, etc. this is definitely a drawback. Yahoo podcast is the least favorable. It is searching all audio files and the result does not limit to podcast. Searching "craft" returned bunch of audio files with artist name "craft". Some of them requires fee to download the piece.

I found the best way to search library related podcast is simply type "library podcast" in any search engine. Denver Public library had a clever idea. They podcast their storytime. I added their site to my blogline and listened to one of the story time story. The teller sounded very professional. Kudos to Denver Pubic library.

Week 9 -- YouTube

Libraries have been taking the ride using it to promote their services and collections. Texas State Library And Archive commission has couple clips to promote the Texshare database at. But the champion goes to UC Berkley. http://www.youtube.com/profile_play_list?user=ucberkeley provides you the top quality of college education.

My 9th grade daughter is taking biology class. At the open house, the teacher said that he only uses textbook and all the students need to do to get a good grade is reading the textbook and memorize the terminology. I would think that with new technology and flashing web resources, biology class could really wow the students. What a shame. (The school hired a new teacher not becase he is bad. Fortunately, my daughter was moved to the new class. ) I found this site from one of the blogs I subscribe to. Professor Marian Diamond, a charming lady truly wowed me. I actually went through her first class. I went to many first classes in college. It was never like this. Watch how this profession carried herself through the first class.

I watched it when it was first posted and now it was viewed more than 76,000. The comments are fantastic as one said "Lol. Some people said she's a gem. You got that right. Of course she's a gem, then why would her last name be Diamond? XD"

See for yourself.

Week 8 -- Web Application -- Zoho

I love Zoho. I am a big Office user but this is as good as you can get for free. The introduction welcome letter was very effective to demonstrate what format Zoho can do. While I was typing using zoho, I was wondering if I can export it to my desktop and reopen with Word or other application.

The answer is YES. Not only I can export it to my desktop, it also gives me options of exporting it as Word, SXW, PDF, ODT, RTF, TXT and HTML.

It has great potentials.

Week 8 -- Social networking -- Ning and others

I am no so familiar with Ning, so I tested it out by creating a new account. It appeared to be normal stuff that need to be filled out. However, once I started editing my page, I had trouble changing the settings. First I selected a theme and I got "Error on page" and it stopped working no matter where I clicked. I still could move the mouse up and down but simply wouldn’t do anything at that point. I had to get out the edit of MY Page. The rest of the editing and set up were fine, and the interface is intuitive. However, I could not locate the log out button after I was done.

Face book and my space are easier to manage.

Week 7 -- Technology -- How library professionals are using the technology

In the editorial of Library Journal October issue, it says that in 1994 keeping up with technological change was the biggest job concern for library professionals and nearly seven out of ten found technology daunting. Now, only three out ten do. It is a positive sign that the library professions are actively embracing the technology.

Here is another interesting article about the age and the use of technological tools by library staff.

Techie generation
Predictably, nearly all (99.9 percent) of those responding to the survey use email. While 65.2 percent read blogs, academic library workers are more likely to be blog regulars (70.8 percent) than those in public libraries (64.6 percent).
Of course, the biggest differences in the use of digital technology and especially social software correlate with the library worker’s generation. A hefty 86.9 percent of those under 30 read blogs; 69.1 percent IM each other, 56.4 percent post pictures online, and 58.2 percent have a MySpace or similar page. These percentages drop dramatically among older library workers. As the march of digital technology continues, older librarians will have to find new, more effective ways to keep up.

Read the complete article. http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6483878.html

Week 7 -- Wiki

The wiki exercise is easy. I think we should learn how to create one.
The following links take you to free wiki hosts if you are interested.
http://wikihost.org/
http://www.wikidot.com/
http://atwiki.com/

Week 6: Library 2.0 & Web 2.0

I think that Library 2.0 is a concept or a philosophy of how the library should provide the services. Web 2.0 reality will continue to emerge and develop, and the services that our library provides will have to follow up otherwise we will be out of the touch with our users.

Rick Anderson, the Director of Resource Acquisition at the University of Nevada, Reno Libraries, believes that we need to focus our efforts not on teaching research skills but on eliminating the barriers that exist between patrons and the information they need. If our services can’t be used without training, then it’s the services that need to be fixed—not our patrons. I do not agree with this. It sounds idea and it might be true in the academic environment where students and faculties have the basic computer literacy skills and are exposed to the latest technology. This is not the case for pubic library patrons. The foundation and basic have to be built first. That is what we are doing at our branches -- teaching the basic computer classes, providing trainings, creating instructional guides and demos, etc. Once they have the foundation or the basic skill, they will know what to do when they use the easy to use programs such as Flickr's "Blog This". Otherwise, they will be looking at "Blog This" and say "Ah?"

Site: http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/2.htm

Week 6 -- Technorati

The advanced searching gives you many options. You may search by post or blog. The searching results are conveniently grouped by quick view, posts, blogs, vidoes and photos.

The popular search helps you keep up with the current hot topics. Can be fun to browse when you have the time.

Week 6 -- Del.icio.us

Del.icio.us can be a very good reference tool. Your bookmarks are stored on a webserver and are accessible through the Internet anytime and anywhere. The mobility if offered is less important to me since I have Netvibes to serve as a personal portal that allows me to have direct access to the bookmarks on my del.icio.us account. I can also make any changes directly onto my del.icio.us from there. However, there is one big advantage of having a del.icio.us account. As a web 2.0 social network tool, it allows you to search other people's bookmarks. You still have to evaluate the site before using it but at least it has been used and evaluated by someone else. The number of people who have saved that site also gives you some hint.

Week 5 -- Library Elf

This is the service I have recommended to my friends and users. It is free and takes only a few minutes to set up. You can set up one Elf account to manage the whole family's library accounts, even from different library systems. If your regular email server blocks the incoming emails sent from the library, this is the best alternative.

Week 5 -- Library Things

Library thing is making a sweep among library community. I am using it to keep track of the popular items I have read.

Here is my profile and find out what I am reading.
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/pliu

Week 5 -- Image generator-- create a calendar for iHCPL

October Calendar for iHCPL
Originally uploaded by busy_bee

I used fd's Flickr's Toys to create calendar. First, you upload the picture you want and specify where you want it to display --center, left or right. Next, you select the month and year. I am wondering how it will look like when I print this out

Week 5 -- Image generator-- Add a grame for iHCPL

Frame a picture
Originally uploaded by busy_bee

Use the same picture, I have added a frame. It looks not bad.

Week4 -- Finding Feeds

I use a free Web 2.o tool called Netvibes. You can create your own portal. It took me couple hours to set up. I have added my bookmarks that I use daily. It provides many widgets and feeds. I can access my own Blogline feeds. I have also added the HCPL de.li.cious there. It allows me to add and edit the de.li.cious directly without going to HCPL account. It is a great convenient tool offering one stop accessing to your bookmarks, feeds, and numerous widgets. Give it a try.

Week4 -- Add RSS feed on my blog

I used Feedburner to create a RSS feed widget. Users now can clearly see RSS feed icon when reading my blog.

Feedburner is fairly easy to use, you just need to follow the instructions. Once you picked the icon and it will add it to your blog. You can rearrange the icon and display it where you want.

Week 3 -- Editing pictures using online tools

Practice picture
Originally uploaded by busy_bee

I found that the features offered by free online tools are just basic stuff and the results are not impressive at all. The picture here was edited using Snipshot. Pixer is similar and not much better. I haven't tried Picnik.

Week 3--Fun with Flickr tools -- Creating a Flickrs Slide

I downloaded the code and created a flicker slide show. I don't have many pictures in my acount.

Week 3 -- Flickr -- more pic -- Why do librarians blog

Sedate Table
Originally uploaded by mstephens7

The result is a little supprise. Fun would be my first choice and followed by expressing my perspective. To learn more about this topic, read the dissertation "Blogging and its impact on libraries and librarians" by Leslie Crang.

Week 3 -- Add a blog to Flickr pic -- Hire a librarian to do your computer work

Hire a librarian to do your computer work
Originally uploaded by Travelin' Librarian

Wow! Found this picture on Flickr. Unbelievable. $5 for 1/2 hour for helping patron? I am wondering why they deserve to be pay when they are NOT helping patrons.

View other interesting library signage.

Week 3 -- Load pic to Flickr -- Tan your mind and body on the beach

beachgoers
Originally uploaded by busy_bee

Just read this on Pubic Libraries July/August 2007 issue. (Sorry, no electronic copy available. The picture was scanned and placed on Flickr.) An Australia library has launched its "Wheelbarrow Library " to promote reading, relaxation and library services to visitors and residents.

Couple times a week, depending on the availability of staff, sunscreen, and hats, library staff can be seen on the beach pushing a bright orange wheelbarrow full of withdrawn books. All beachgoers are invited to rummage through the barrow and select a book to read while they enjoy the beautiful summer weather. They believe people are able to improve their mind as well as their tans!

Week 2 -- Help a six year old find her sense of Humor?

My two kids have had the benefit of their mom being a librarian since they were born. They always grab books wherever they go. One summer morning on their way to their summer school, my six year old daughter picked up one of the books on her seat and started reading. It was a beautiful morning and the moving clouds in different shapes in the blue sky caught my eyes. "Look at the sky and tell me what you see?" It was a game that I used to play when I was little girl. Deep in her reading, my daughter replied,” I am sorry Mommy; I have lost my sense of humor." A six year old girl tries to use big words to explain that she lost her humor! Busy looking at the beautiful sky and not realizing that the green light had turned red, I slammed on the brakes; books falling off the seats. My three year old son eagerly volunteered. "Where is it? Let me help you find it." He was thinking his sister had lost some books. "No thanks!” my daughter said, “You can't find it." “Yes, I can” said my son. I laughed so hard because my three year old son did find his sister’s sense of humor that had lost her sense of IMAGINATION.

Week 2 Blog -- Wisdom Tea

Have a cup of tea -- When you are feeling down and blaming anybody for everything;
Have a cup of tea -- When you ate too much greasy stuff and your tummy is complaining;
Have a cup of tea -- When you see your weight is shooting up like ...
Have a cup of tea -- When your high cholesterol seems out of control;
Have a cup of tea -- When your blood pressure is going higher and higher;
Have a cup of tea -- When your constipation gives you more than discomfort;
Have a cup of tea -- When you desperately want to impress someone with a beautiful smile with no decayed teeth.

Do it now, otherwise it will be too late.

Stay health is easy as sitting back and relax. Have a book and a cup of tea, without sugar or any other strange flavor added of cause.

It is called -- The wisdom tea, not teeth.

Week 1 -- Internet Safety

Six months ago, my car was hit by a stolen car chased by the police on my way home. I was very upset. I moved to Houston not long ago and was trying my best not to be sentimental about the place where I have called home for the past 17 years.
"Why did you drive there? It is not safe to go there. Didn't you know there are quite some police reports recently?"
Am I taking another route? Absolutely not. I am still taking this shortcut that is less congested and plus I don't have to crawl on the toll road. More importantly, I do not want to be victimized twice by taken away my right of driving on that road. Most but not the least, I do want to lose my sense of security in general that I believe is very important to me. I am more alert and driving more carefully.
SO, what analogy am I making? Internet is not safe. You have heard enough bad things reported in the media. You probably have been in the discuss of whether library should block MySpace website because of the bad incidents happened to children who used that site. Guess what, who would know that musicians, politicians, and even libraries are making their present on My Space. The rule of thumb is using the same judgment as if you are in the real world.