Leave it to Colbert!

I never knew public libraries were communistic. It's a good thing to be so educated about my own profession!

Lists

I have never been a big fan of making lists of things that need doing and checking things off when they are completed...until recently. I have created a to-do list for the Smart Investing project I'm working on to help keep track of all the little details that need to be looked at and/or completed. It is really helping me get things done and remember what still needs to be done.

The main reason I'm finding it to be so helpful, is that there are 8-9 different parts of my job that I'm working on at once. And each part (webpage development, promotions, library programs, etc.) has many tasks associated with it. I was going to learn how to use some project management software to help track all these subtasks, but didn't want to spend the time to do so. This list is much easier to use, & I'm able to update it at will.

One thing I have learned to do since creating it initially - do not delete things when they're done. Instead I'm striking them out to show completion. This way, I will still have a record of everything I've done for this grant to make the final report easier to write. Thank you Amy for this idea!!

Less & less privacy

I just read a very interesting article from Top Tech News - "New Web Sites Make It Easier to Spy on Friends" by Vauhini Vara. I recommend it to everyone who spends time on the internet (that means everyone reading this post!), since it really opened my eyes to how much people can find out about you for free online. It definitely proves that you are not anonymous online like many thought in the late 90s when I worked at an ISP.

The article goes into detail about some websites that allow people to search the dark recesses of the internet - the areas that don't necessarily come up in a simple Google or Yahoo search. Of course, the information this article talks about people being able to search is all in the public domain, but it still raises warning flags to me about my own personal privacy. I have come to the conclusion that there really is no such thing as privacy in the 21st Century - especially when it comes to your interactions on the internet.

One specific search engine is mentioned in the article that allows you to enter anyone's street address and find out if that person has donated to any political campaigns. While this may be information in the public domain, it makes me a bit mroe leery of donating to any campaigns. Can you imagine a possible employer looking at this search engine (that allows you to look at contributions from 2004 & 2008 presidential campaigns) and deciding they don't like my political views so they pass over me for the position? Ack! No good in my book.

There is such a thing as too much transparency. And I've now found it.

Free books!

John Lithgow and the Book Donation Challenge

I just ran across this wonderful challenge online this morning, and think it's a wonderful way to promote books & literacy. I challenge everyone reading this post to also particpate in this challenge. It's free and you're answering questions about John Lithgow's childrens books. It is ok if you haven't read them...you have a 1/3 chance of guessing correctly! Info from their website:

The Cheerios Book Donation Challenge gives individuals the power to help decide where the books will be donated by answering trivia questions based on children’s books, from now until Sunday, June 15, 2008. For every correct answer, individuals can cast one vote. Cheerios will donate 20,000 children books, written by John Lithgow to the five states with the most votes.

Del.icio.us

*sigh* I just tried getting into my bookmarks at del.icio.us, and the site appears to be down. Major bummer that.

Thing 23 - Looking back

I really enjoyed going through this program & getting more information on the variety of Web & Library 2.0 products out there for people to use. When I started on this journey, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I learned a lot and had a good time doing it.

This 23 Things program was well thought-out & planned, but there were a couple of other things I'd have liked to see, including:

1. Survey Tools
   
2. Diagramming & mind mapping
   
3. Music sites

That said, I know that not every topic can be covered in one program...otherwise we'd have "TONS of Things on a Stick"! I hope to participate in a follow-up program some day that may cover more Web 2.0 programs.

Thing 22 - Keeping current with 2.0

I resolve to:

1. Post to this blog at least once every two weeks information, tidbits I find interesting, fun library news/stories or other professionally related stuff.
   
2. Continue to explore new technologies - especially those that are applicable to libraries &/or their users.
   
3. Read & keep up with a couple library-related blogs.
   
4. Encourage others to learn about & use Library 2.0 applications.
   

Thing 21 - Other Social Networks

I used to have an account on Ning. I was quite hopefully that it would be a good & fun place to meet other librarians since they have a librarian group on the network. I'm sure it would have met and exceeded my expectations had I not gotten sucked into LiveJournal at the same time. I had a couple beefs about it, mostly because the group was brand new when I joined it. It seemed like no-one was posting anything, and just like MySpace & facebook people were requesting me to be friends that I didn't know anything about and they didn't introduce themselves.

Sorry about a slight rant, but I really don't like this. If I'm going to befriend someone (even online), I want to know a bit about them. I do not see the point of having lots of "friends" just for the sake of having lots of friends. I'd rather have a couple really good contacts then a bunch of people I have no connection with.

There are just so many online social networks these days, that it is hard for me to check in with a lot during the course of a day...or even a week. And if I only have time for a quick peek in to see if anyone's posted before I have to do something else, I'm not really going to have time to post to my blog there or do the other things you're supposed to do in these sites. I'd rather have 1 spot to meet and greet others - and this blog is it for me professionally. I still have an account on LiveJournal to connect with my friends. These 2 blogs are enough to keep me busy, so I do not see myself joining any other networks right now.

More on SecondLife

I played around a bit more in SecondLife yesterday, and found Info Island. This is a great presentation of libraries!! This isn't an empty virtual world shell of a library, instead it is a staffed facility that answers all kinds of questions. The librarians are all identified as such with a "Librarian" title before their name, which makes it very easy to ask them questions. And they're happy to answer both reference questions and inquiries on SecondLife.

I highly recommend people visit this wonderful "library" if they get the chance.

Thing 20 - MySpace

Once upon a time, a long time ago I created a MySpace account because a lot of my friends had one. Unfortunately, I haven't touched it in quite a while. (Boy, this sounds very familiar to a couple of these other things!)

For this thing, I popped back in and poked around a bit. I found myself a pretty layout that a commercial site created and applied it to my page. I also found a couple more friends to befriend on the site which is cool. BUT...I don't really see myself using this social network much at all in the future. I am very interconnected and enjoying LiveJournal, that I do almost all my personal networking & blogging there.

The last library I was at (MN School of Business) has a MySpace account in an attempt to reach their clients better, since college students of all ages seem to be the most active facebookers and MySpacers out there. Our online librarian was in charge of it, so I really do not know how successful it was in reaching our students. The idea is a good one, and I'm sure many school libraries & YA librarians are able to reach more people online than they would be if they counted on their young clients coming into the actual library building.

Thing 19 - Podcasting

"I drink your milkshake!! *slurp*"

I visited Podcast.com and did a search for movie reviews. I found in this search National Public Radio's Movies podcast. This podcast compiles movie reviews each week from it's many daily shows, including Fresh Air & Day to Day. This last week's podcast was just over 30 minutes, and included clips from six shows from 2/22-2/29.

I really like having these compiled together and having them in one easy to listen to file. The thing I dislike about it, is there is no way to easily forward to the next show's review. Instead, I had to just grab the status bar and fast forward the clip, hoping I didn't go too far. Also, there was a lot of overlap in what movies were being reviewed. The big one was The Other Boleyn Girl - 3 different reviews were on it, and they all pretty much lambasted the film; they all said the same things and maked similar observations.

When I listened to this podcast, I did so right from the Podcast.com search engine, but once it was over, I followed the link to the NPR: Movies website. I am happy to see there that I can listen to individual reviews here! I have subscribed to this podcast, & look forward to hearing more about film from it.

(In case you're wondering...the quote that opened this post is from Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood. It was discussed in one of the reviews in this week's podcast!)

Thing 19 - YouTube

I've been a fan of YouTube for quite a while already, & am overjoyed at this being a thing we are playing with for this project. The embedded video in this thing's post is one I've already seen & shared with fellow librarians, along with many other library-related videos on this wonderful site. I also use YouTube during the day as a jukebox if there is a song or singer I am in the mood for hearing. I have queue up a list of videos and let the run in the backround so I can listen while I work.

For this assignment, I decided to look for an old favorite bit from Sesame Street & Mr. Rogers. I loved this short documentary on how crayons are made, and in watching it again this morning, it still has the zing and fun it had when I was a kid. I especially like that it doesn't have a narrator, but instead just guides you through the steps without words. Here it is:

Thing 17 - EBSCO's Page Composer

I have just played around with EBSCO's Page Composer after doing a search on the history of timekeeping and pieces for a friend. It makes it very easy to share searches and knowledge with others. I emailed her, and am waiting to see if this helps her out in her research needs. *grin*

I was a bit disappointed in that I couldn't get the Search Box to work for just the articles I had selected. I was hoping to be able to search them alone - not all of EBSCO. But this was a very minor drawback for me.

A very cool tool, and one I'll use again!

Thing 16 - Assignment Calculator

I wish I'd paid more attention to this when I was working at MSB and when I was giving bibliographic instruction to students. I can see this being very helpful to help prevent procrastination & to encourage them to get their research done BEFORE they wrote their papers! It's good to have intermediate due dates to get parts of their research papers done.

I'm sure this if helpful for teachers as well, in that they have a very easy way to decide when each section of their assignment should be due. This is a very nifty tool, and I wish it was around when I was in college!

Thing 15 - Puzzle Pirates

I love Puzzle Pirates. I've played it before and loved this opportunity to explore this great game for WORK! How cool is that. I've made some good connections and played with some very good folks from around the world. Most of the people who play PP are nice...although they can be on the young side. Such is life in an online game community.

I tried getting into Second Life as well - but all I have to say about this community is ARRRG! It's not as user-friendly as PP, nor is controlling your person as easy. This is probable due to the 3D nature of the environment & the added processing this site needs because of it. I will try it again sometime, because I know there are libraries who do reference work out of SecondLife, & I am interesting in exploring them some more.

Using LibraryThing

OK...so there I was...I had just posted my observations on LibraryThing, and went to look at my email. A friend was wondering about where he might find a certain book to borrow from someone, since he wasn't sure about paying the $75 for it (the cheapest price he found for it online). I looked at WorldCat for the title - UW Madison had it, but it was lost in 2005 and the next closest were in Illinois - but they were both checked out. Hmmmm. I then thought - hey, let's just see if anyone has it cataloged on LibraryThing! So I did. Turns out a mutual acquantance had it listed. How cool is that? :)

Thing 14 - LibraryThing

I have had an account on LibraryThing since December 2006...and haven't looked at it really since. I am so ashamed!! But this is a wonderful reminder that it is available, & I will try and make better use of it from here on out. I had been using it for books that related to my participation in the SCA, and do not see this changing.

As to using LibraryThing in as library tool, I can see setting up a network of accounts that each have a different topic. So you can have a Thing for books related to wizards & witches to relate to a Harry Potter event your library is holding. Or you can have an exhibit about landscaping, and you can have a Thing highlighting the titles in this subject. I suggest having more than 1 account so you do not have to deal with the 200 title limit, but if your library has money for the paid-account, I could also see having all these & more under 1 account as well.

Thing 13 - Ta-da!

Since I have already set up online calendars, Google & Yahoo start pages, & the like, I decided to start an online to-do list with Ta-Da. It was very easy to do, but I worry that I will not remember to check this site and make sure I'm on track and getting things on the list done. This is why Microsoft Outlook's Tasks has been helpful for me in the past. As long as I remember to add new items that need doing - I am automatically reminded of them since I keep my Outlook email program open all day at work.

I see this and other Web 2.0 babies to be helpful to some, but forgetable by most. It requires an extra step to view them, and as much as I'd like to be Microsoft independent, Outlook covers calendars, tasks, address books & more in the same location as my email. It just doesn't make sense for me to NOT use these features in the one program.

Thing 12 - I've Reddit

I took a look at the four sites included in this thing, and decided to register and play with Redditn today. What an interesting way to get my daily news fix.

I can really see how this kind of site would appeal to the populists out there. Everyone who registers is able to help or hinder a news article, image, website or YouTube video's ability to be seen by more people. It's really easy to select the up or down arrow if I like or dislike something that's been posted. This will be a fun site for me to play with, but unfortunately I do not really see a use for this in the library world for the following reasons:

• Librarians like to select what they present to their patrons. Reddit doesn't really allow for this kind of professional filter.
  
• The articles & other postings I saw were for funny or political in nature. The articles did not include any real serious or pressing news.
  

I did post an article from MPR on the arrest and charging in the school bus crash tragedy from earlier this week in Cottonwood, MN. It hasn't gotten any points from others in the 33 minutes it's been available on Reddit. I'm not really surprised since the other postings on the list are much more fun and upbeat.

Thing 11.1 - Ma.gnolia.com

There is another website that allows you to save links in a social setting - Ma.gnolia. It works a lot like Del.icio.us in that it allows you to save URLs (with tags) and share them with the world. I have an account here as well that I am using for the research project I am working on with investing.

I think Del.icio.us is a little easier to use, but I really like printing Ma.gnolia since it will include the URL for the websites in my list. I've not been able to figure out how to do this with Del.icio.us, so I was VERY happy that Ma.gnolia has this feature. :)

Thing 11 - Del.icio.us & tags

I have used del.icio.us for about a year now, and have found it to be a very helpful & useful way to organize & share URLs I run across. I use it almost exclusively for my Medieval Recreation activities. My del.icio.us account.

The neatest thing about this tool is when people ask me for information on a specific topic & I can pull it right up. For example - a friend of mine asked me if I had information or links on Jewish illumination/manuscripts. I remembered tagging a webpage I had happened across, and was able to pop it right over to her within a couple minutes. Had I kept the link in a traditional bookmark list, it would have taken much longer to locate. (In case you'd like to see this link for yourself - Special Treasures from the Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary. I have it tagged with three tags - jewish illumination manuscripts.)

I can see this tool being used in a library setting as well. Librarians can find resources online for their patrons, and add them to a "We Recommend" website list on del.icio.us.

Thing 10 - Wikis

Let me say this again...I love the Common Craft videos! They are such fun and are informative at the same time. :)

I have used a wiki before with other librarians at my old job. It was a good place to share ideas for library instruction, and also to have a place for fun and funny links for our breaks. The issue I saw with it was that it was well-used at its inception, but this dropped off steadily as time went on. We all enjoyed it for a while, but then only 1 or 2 people actually added to it or visited it. So it was under-utilized.

I see Wikipedia as a wonderful place to get research started. Most articles have bibliographies so people can look to reliable (hopefully!) sources on the topic. When I was working in an academic library, I steered most students away from Wikipedia, since they were not willing to go the extra mile & check the info they got here against other resources. This is the key to using this open encyclopedia in my book. Users need to be prepared to verify the information they get here in other places, since ANYONE can make changes to any article.

Thing 9 - Collaboration tools

What an interesting way to do things! I haven't used Google docs before, but I think I will be in the future. What an interactive way to have many people look & edit one document! (I wish this was around when I was getting my MLIS!) I did not have time to look at Zoho, but am very happy with the ability to see what changes have been made, and who made them. It looks like Google docs has just about all its bases covered in that you have options for adding images, tables, and also in having the ability to export the document in a variety of formats. Very cool Thing!!

I didn't include all my corrections to the Google doc, but here is my new edition of page 1:

Sometimes, in the course of history, it becomes necessary for a group of people to end the political ties which have connected them with each other and to become a separate and equal body to which the laws of nature and God entitle them. When this happens, it is necessary that they should express the reasons which make it necessary for them to become individuals.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, regardless of race, gender, or religion, that they are endowed with God given rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights, governments are instituted, and derive their powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of those so governed to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that the governed are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right and duty to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the United States is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

Thing 8 - Lazybase

What a great way to track things! I am a member of a group the does Middle Ages & Rennaissance recreation (kind of like Civil War Re-enactment - only we cover 600-1600 Europe). Here is a database I've created to keep track of projects I've worked on and put out for disply or competion.



I can see this coming in handy for libraries, for MANY things - upcoming events, book club selections, new books, librarian contact info, etc. Very cool tool!!

Thing 7 - Web 2.0 Communication

Email - I've been using email for nearly 15 years now, and I am very impressed by the improvements that have been produced in this time. The spam filters are wonderful as are the rules that direct email directly into predesignated folders. I love having folders to organize my incoming mail, and have vowed that I wil not use my inbox for storage. I WILL read, reply & file them right away. And so far, so good.

IM - In my years online, I have used many different instant messanger services including AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Google Talk, and others I don't remember. (I currently use Yahoo {screen name rlgray001} & Google {screen name rlgray01}.) I love IMing and chatting real time with friends from around the country and also with co-workers just down the hall. It is quicker and less formal that calling or emailing, and I also like being able to send files quickly & easily.

Text Messaging - I am not a fan of texting, and have never sent a text message. I know if may seem odd since I do so much IMing ont he computer, but I feel that if I can send a text message on my cell phone, I can call the person much easier.

Web Conferencing - I have been a part of a couple webinars via SirsiDynix. They offer free webinars on a wide variety of library-related topics and the best thing about them is they archive their confrences so people can get the info long after the session is completed. I have also attended web confrences through my past employer, Minnesota School of Business. The online librarian holds basic library instruction sessions each quarter to teach students about using the matierals available to them on their webpage. The power of web confrences & webinars is in their ability to connect people from anywhere together at one time and teach them the same thing. A very powerful tool!

Thing 6 - Online Image Generators

I've enjoyed playing with graphics for quite a few years, and never imagined the number of templates out there these days to make our lives easier! The templates on ImageChef were helpful, easy and best of all they look great. I can see myself using these for library programs and my blogs on a regular basis. Here's one I created...

Thing 5 - Flickr Fun

My creation, originally uploaded by Lib Gray.

I took this self portrait in December at Barnes & Nobel, not even realizing that the reference sign was behind me...what fate! For this thing, I Warholizer-ed it. What a fun tool!

For using this in libraries, I could really see this tool being used for program promotion. This tool is a lot of fun, and the resulting image can be used for postcards, posters & bookmarks for popular (or young adult) programs.

This kind of tool could be a very fun way to have staff pictures on a l ibrary's website. Each staff member can pick one of these Flickr toys and create the way they want to introduce themselves to their public. A good way to say "See, we're really NOT stuffy!" :)

Thing 4 - Flickr

OK...I just want to say that I LOVE that video introduction of "Online Photosharing in Plain English." What a great way to communicate this information!

I have used Flickr and other online photosharing in the past, and will share those images from that experience here. Here is my Flickr account: msblibrary.

Here is a coworker of mine when I worked for Minnesota School of Business - Dave Stevenson. We nicknamed him Super Dave, since we had lots of Daves on staff, and this one could fix just about anything!

Thing 3 - RSS Feeds

I just did Thing 3 without meaning to! :) I wanted to see all my coworker's 23 Things blogs quickly and easily, and setup Google Reader to do this. And ZAP! Thing 3 was completed. I only know I did it because the first post that appeared in my reader screen was on Thing 3. Hehe

I've used this compiler in the past, but to be honest I haven't paid much attention to it before. I hope to peek in each morning when I get to work here at SELCO to see what everyone is up to.

Thing 2- What is Library 2.0 anyways?

Library 2.0 is the library community's response to all the exciting and interactive things that have been developed for Web 2.0. I am really looking forward to exploring in-depth things like Facebook and Flickr and Wikis, and seeing how they can be applied to my professional life as a librarian. I am lucky that working at SELCO, I am given the time for exploring these new ideas through-out the work week.

Even though I am well versed in many aspects of the web and web developing )I worked for an ISP for 3 years in the late 1990s), many parts of Library 2.0 & Web 2.0 ellude me. I've used social networking sites in the past like MySpace, but have allowed my accounts to languish since I do not have time to maintain them, and in all honesty, I don't see their attraction to so many people. I hope that with participating in 23 Things on a Stick I will see the usage of all these applications as they relate to libraries and serving our publics. This is what I ultimately hope to gain from this experience.

Open ID

I got this from Unshelved Blog. Quite interesting, but I'm not sure of if I like it or not yet. Basically, Open ID is there to let you have a site so you only need to remember your password for one site (the one you pick for Open ID of course!). Once you're connected to it, it automatically signs you in to your other accounts online, like LiveJournal. I'll explore it, and post again later.

Thing #1 - blog updated!

I'm registered, I've created an avatar, I'm ready to go... I've started my 23 Things! Stay tuned for the next 22. :)

MS Walk - May 4

Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. That's why I registered for Walk MS: Christopher & Banks Walk 2008 presented by Anchor Bank and that's why I'm asking you to support my fund raising efforts with a tax-deductible donation.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a collective of passionate individuals, moving together to create a world free of multiple sclerosis. But they can't do it alone. It's faster and easier than ever to support this cause that's so important to me. Simply click on the link at the bottom of this message. If you prefer, you can send your contribution to the address listed below.

Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. I appreciate your support and look forward to letting you know how I do.

P.S. If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from Walk MS are used, or the other ways you can get involved in the fight against MS, please visit nationalmssociety.org.

Click here to visit my personal page.

Click here to view the team page for Silfren Mere for Dana!

Click here to view the company page for Society for Creative Anacronism.

New Challenges

Today is my last day at Minnesota School of Business as their campus librarian, and my feelings are very bittersweet in leaving. I have learned so much here from faculty, staff, students & other librarians, & I've really enjoyed my job. Unfortunately for MSB, I wasn't really challenged in this position, which is why I applied for the position at SELCO that I start on Monday.

I begin at SELCO on Monday, February 4, & am taking on the roll of Project Librarian for a Smart Investing @ Your Library grant they received. This means for the next 16 months or so, I'll be doing research & reference work for investing programs for both local libraries, AND the local public TV station. Should be very exciting & challenging, & totally different from what I've been doing in an academic setting over the last 2 years.

23 things...

I am participating in 23 Things on a Stick. It is a program for Minnesota librarians to improve their Web 2.0 skills - Flickr, blogs and the like. I'm looking forward to seeing all the things this will have to offer. :)