I say! I just recently read about paperspine.com. It's supposed to be like Netflix, only with books. I think that's going to give the library a run for its money, at least with a certain segment of the population. No overdue fees, keep the item as long as you want, order online, deliveries to you door - what's not to like? Well, it's not free of course, but I think it will attract folks in any case.
If I were not already spending most of my time at the library, I would probably be a convert, I have to say.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thing #11 - Take a look at Library Thing and catalog some of your favorite books
Whoa! Where did November and December go? Infernal holidays....
I've had a Library Thing account since 9/25/07, and I have 29 books in my library. However, it's only now that I have gotten around to Thing 11 of the 23 Things (only 12 more to go!)
I love Library Thing, it's fun and addictive to add books to your library, and arrange them this way and that. I have only now started adding tags, which it seems to me is a big part of the point of Library Thing. After the initial infatuation with Library Thing, I have not found myself to be terribly interested. I think that Library Thing would be indispensable if I did not work at a library. However, working 40 hours a week in the Grand Book Smörgåsbord, I find I am rarely at a loss for what to read next. Nevertheless, I do like having the ability to make up a term that describes what I like about a certain book, and then find other books that have been described the same way. As yet, though, I am the only one on Library Thing to use the tag "bunloaf". In Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series, those quaint British children are forever eating bunloaf. I don't know what it is, but it sounds delicious.
I don't know that I have the time or inclination to join a group. I think if I had loads more time, I would spend a lot of it on Library Thing. However, as things stand, it just seems like time I could be reading one of those books piling up next to my bed.
I looked briefly at Library Thing for Libraries. Seems mildly interesting. I think there's a good size group of people who would use it. I never really seem to look at these Things through Library Eyes, but only from my own selfish perspective. I must remember that I am both a patron and staff, so my selfish perspective may come in handy some day.
One thing that disappointed me about Library Thing was the Unsuggester. I love the idea - it will suggest a book that you won't like at all, based on the books you have entered. But I couldn't get it to work - it kept suggesting things I would like. I wonder if I am using it incorrectly. It looks awfully simple though, I don't quite know how I could have gone wrong.
I've had a Library Thing account since 9/25/07, and I have 29 books in my library. However, it's only now that I have gotten around to Thing 11 of the 23 Things (only 12 more to go!)
I love Library Thing, it's fun and addictive to add books to your library, and arrange them this way and that. I have only now started adding tags, which it seems to me is a big part of the point of Library Thing. After the initial infatuation with Library Thing, I have not found myself to be terribly interested. I think that Library Thing would be indispensable if I did not work at a library. However, working 40 hours a week in the Grand Book Smörgåsbord, I find I am rarely at a loss for what to read next. Nevertheless, I do like having the ability to make up a term that describes what I like about a certain book, and then find other books that have been described the same way. As yet, though, I am the only one on Library Thing to use the tag "bunloaf". In Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series, those quaint British children are forever eating bunloaf. I don't know what it is, but it sounds delicious.
I don't know that I have the time or inclination to join a group. I think if I had loads more time, I would spend a lot of it on Library Thing. However, as things stand, it just seems like time I could be reading one of those books piling up next to my bed.
I looked briefly at Library Thing for Libraries. Seems mildly interesting. I think there's a good size group of people who would use it. I never really seem to look at these Things through Library Eyes, but only from my own selfish perspective. I must remember that I am both a patron and staff, so my selfish perspective may come in handy some day.
One thing that disappointed me about Library Thing was the Unsuggester. I love the idea - it will suggest a book that you won't like at all, based on the books you have entered. But I couldn't get it to work - it kept suggesting things I would like. I wonder if I am using it incorrectly. It looks awfully simple though, I don't quite know how I could have gone wrong.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Thing #10a - another randomness generator
I like this random image generator too. Design your own Delft plate! http://www.royaldelft.com/index.cfm? For some reason, though, my plate border did not show up on my blog, only the text. There's probably a way around this, but how often am I going to be pasting delft plates into my blog? I guess we'll find out. I love that you can send a delft plate e-card. How random is that? Sometimes I worry that I worship too much at the altar of randomness.
The Generator blog (http://generatorblog.blogspot.com), from the Learning 2.0 resource list, is a nifty resource for all kinds of excellent time wasting. I'm almost afraid to check out the Star Trek related ones.
Great Delft Plate! My plate post is taking over my blog! Don't know how to fix it, don't know if I care to invest the time. I'm going to keep moving, and hope it doesn't eat New York.
I am sorry to say that the Delft Plate ultimately had to be removed. It was covering up the newly added picture of Asta, and that was not acceptable. Asta! - ed. 12/6/07
The Generator blog (http://generatorblog.blogspot.com), from the Learning 2.0 resource list, is a nifty resource for all kinds of excellent time wasting. I'm almost afraid to check out the Star Trek related ones.
Great Delft Plate! My plate post is taking over my blog! Don't know how to fix it, don't know if I care to invest the time. I'm going to keep moving, and hope it doesn't eat New York.
I am sorry to say that the Delft Plate ultimately had to be removed. It was covering up the newly added picture of Asta, and that was not acceptable. Asta! - ed. 12/6/07
Thing #10 - play around with an online image generator
Ok, this isn't an image generator, it's a Random German Name generator. I love it for its relative uselessness and randomness, and because German names are fun! Hartmut Willert, for example! The German name you see at the bottom changes each and every time you visit this blog. If that's not incentive, I don't know what is!
Check it out at http://realnamecreator.alexjonas.de/
Check it out at http://realnamecreator.alexjonas.de/
Friday, November 2, 2007
Thing #9 - Locate a few useful library-related blogs and/or newsfeeds
I was not tremendously impressed with the search tools designed to help find blog posts and other feeds. Seemed like the usual heap of junk that you find with any search, or maybe worse. Perhaps I was not specific enough. Just dawdling around, looking for something as general as "library-related" may not be the best approach. Anyhow, using these tools, I did not find any useful library-related blogs and/or newsfeeds. Maybe I just need to play with them a little more.
On a positive note, I like Feedster's homepage, with that nice green background. Also, of all the things we have explored so far, I think RSS is the thing I am most likely to continue using. Pretty handy.
On a positive note, I like Feedster's homepage, with that nice green background. Also, of all the things we have explored so far, I think RSS is the thing I am most likely to continue using. Pretty handy.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Thing #8 - Learn about RSS feeds and setup your own Bloglines newsreader account.
I think it might be easier to setup your own Bloglines newsreader account, and then learn about RSS feeds while experiencing them. It was pretty easy to get things set up, but a lot harder trying to learn what it was without having done it.
In any case, I do rather like having a Bloglines account, and RSS is pretty neat. I don't really read blogs much, nor news online, though, so it's not simplifying my life that much. However, it is quite useful for keeping track of other 23 things blogs, so that's fairly helpful.
When SCPL introduced RSS for tracking new items to the collection, I set up a live bookmark for J Fiction. However, I had forgotten about it for many months, and only now, that we are doing 23 things, have I returned to checking it.
There's probably all sorts of neat things that the library could do with RSS, but I'm not feeling tremendously visionary. All I can say is that I'm less ignorant than before, so that's something.
In any case, I do rather like having a Bloglines account, and RSS is pretty neat. I don't really read blogs much, nor news online, though, so it's not simplifying my life that much. However, it is quite useful for keeping track of other 23 things blogs, so that's fairly helpful.
When SCPL introduced RSS for tracking new items to the collection, I set up a live bookmark for J Fiction. However, I had forgotten about it for many months, and only now, that we are doing 23 things, have I returned to checking it.
There's probably all sorts of neat things that the library could do with RSS, but I'm not feeling tremendously visionary. All I can say is that I'm less ignorant than before, so that's something.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Addendum to #6 & #7
Delivr Digital Postcards:
http://www.delivr.net/
Enemybook:
http://www.enemybook.info/
http://www.delivr.net/
Enemybook:
http://www.enemybook.info/
Thing #7 - Anything Technology Related that Interests You
Now here's a mashup I can really enjoy. It's for Facebook and it's called Enemybook:
"Enemybook is an antisocial utility that disconnects you
"Enemybook is an antisocial utility that disconnects you
to the so-called friends around you.
Enemybook is a Facebook app that allows you to manage your enemies as well as your friends. With Enemybook you can add people as facebook enemies, specify why they are your enemies, notify your enemies, see who lists you as an enemy, and even become friends with the enemies of your enemies. Ever wanted to "enemy" somebody instead of friend them? Finally you can. This app remedies the one-sided perspective of Facebook.
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer...
Get Enemybook! (facebook account required)"
Excellent, excellent....
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Thing #6 - Discover some Flickr Mashups
Mashups are very cool! What a great opportunity for creative new things. The one I really liked was Delivr Digital Postcards. Much like an e-card, but cooler, I think. The photos are really great. I have used it several times since finding it.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Thing #5 - Explore Flickr
Flickr has lots and lots of pictures of squirrels, and this I like. I was practically beside myself over the squirrel pics, but ultimately the excitement faded. After all, I would much rather spend my time out looking for squirrels in real life, instead of taking pictures of them, posting them on Flickr, and looking at other people's posts.
Work-wise, I was not initially too inspired. There are lots of great ideas about how the library can reach out to people using Flickr (see http://jessicatwopointoh.blogspot.com/ for a fine example), but they seemed a world away from my daily library existence. How could I incorporate Flickr into my duties in the circulation department? Then it came to me! Take pictures of the various damaged items that come in, post them on Flickr, and include the URL on the damage notice we send the patron. It would save a little time for the patron; they could view the damage from the comfort of home. It could also serve as sort of a cautionary gallery for the world at large. And perhaps a sort of morbid hobby for those involved in the damages trade. We could try to outdo each other, a la "my patrons are more negligent than your patrons".
I am freshly inspired, and plan to get right on this as soon as I dig myself out from the current pile of filthy, warped, underlined, highlighted, sticky, burned, and torn items that await me.
Work-wise, I was not initially too inspired. There are lots of great ideas about how the library can reach out to people using Flickr (see http://jessicatwopointoh.blogspot.com/ for a fine example), but they seemed a world away from my daily library existence. How could I incorporate Flickr into my duties in the circulation department? Then it came to me! Take pictures of the various damaged items that come in, post them on Flickr, and include the URL on the damage notice we send the patron. It would save a little time for the patron; they could view the damage from the comfort of home. It could also serve as sort of a cautionary gallery for the world at large. And perhaps a sort of morbid hobby for those involved in the damages trade. We could try to outdo each other, a la "my patrons are more negligent than your patrons".
I am freshly inspired, and plan to get right on this as soon as I dig myself out from the current pile of filthy, warped, underlined, highlighted, sticky, burned, and torn items that await me.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Thing #4 - Register your Blog with Tracker
Some of these Things are a little less inspiring than others. Ok, I've registered my blog on the tracker. Or at least I think I have. This one was deceptively simple. Seems like there was supposed to be more to it. Did I miss something?
Oh, yes, begin my learning 2.0 journey. I'll get back to you on that one. I sometimes wonder if I'm too misanthropic for 2.0. For instance, I recently created a Second Life account. I enjoyed learning how to get around in Second Life and whatnot, but I'm terrified of all the other people around me. What if the talk to me, or something? Social networking is not really my thing. I'd rather sit in the corner and glower.
Oh, yes, begin my learning 2.0 journey. I'll get back to you on that one. I sometimes wonder if I'm too misanthropic for 2.0. For instance, I recently created a Second Life account. I enjoyed learning how to get around in Second Life and whatnot, but I'm terrified of all the other people around me. What if the talk to me, or something? Social networking is not really my thing. I'd rather sit in the corner and glower.
Thing #3 - Set up your own blog
Holy Cats and Dogs! Who knew that setting up a blog could be so easy? I am quite amazed - I thought it would be a bit more involved. Now I can effortlessly blather on all day. If only I cared to blather on all day, this would be great! Perhaps I will start another blog and devote it to the trials and tribulations of Live Oak. Everyone thinks we are living high on the hog out there, but all I can say is you have no idea.
The astute reader will notice that I'm writing on a Sunday, my day off. Yes, who really has the time at work for play? That's the sad truth most days. All work and no play makes Rachel a crazed basket case. But it is a testament to these 23 things that I am interested enough to do them at home.
The astute reader will notice that I'm writing on a Sunday, my day off. Yes, who really has the time at work for play? That's the sad truth most days. All work and no play makes Rachel a crazed basket case. But it is a testament to these 23 things that I am interested enough to do them at home.
Thing #2 - Lifelong Learners
I rather enjoyed 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners, despite the irritating name. It was somewhat obvious, but I found it useful anyhow. Often useful truths are obvious.
I think I find habit #1 hardest. I've never been much of a goal setter, and I am quite indecisive. I find this sort of program useful, because it focuses me somewhat. What to learn next doesn't have to go through my byzantine and tortured thought process. Thank heavens.
Habit #5 is probably easiest. Working in a library makes one's learning toolbox very accessible.
I like habit 71/2 as well, because it's easy to forget to play. Perhaps #1 is hard because I take it too seriously.
Incidentally, I haven't filled out a learning contract yet, due to my issues with #1. Maybe I can just leave the goal part blank, and fill out the rest?
I think I find habit #1 hardest. I've never been much of a goal setter, and I am quite indecisive. I find this sort of program useful, because it focuses me somewhat. What to learn next doesn't have to go through my byzantine and tortured thought process. Thank heavens.
Habit #5 is probably easiest. Working in a library makes one's learning toolbox very accessible.
I like habit 71/2 as well, because it's easy to forget to play. Perhaps #1 is hard because I take it too seriously.
Incidentally, I haven't filled out a learning contract yet, due to my issues with #1. Maybe I can just leave the goal part blank, and fill out the rest?
Thing #1 - Find out about the Program
Not too much to say about thing #1, actually, since it only really involved reading and listening. A fine introduction, I reckon.
See? Dull.
See? Dull.
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