Thing 24 - Zamzar.com

Missy Williams told me to be sure to visit Zamzar.com. Since she's one of most tech- savvy people in IS, I did just that. Often our Computer Center patrons require file conversions for their work, and now I know how this website can assist them. I did convert a Word document to pdf. And then, be still my heart, I followed the steps that allowed me to take my YouTube video and insert it into a PowerPoint presentation. It was so easy ,and I am so impressed with this website.

Thing 23 - a postscript

After I posted my Thing 23 evaluation last week, I fielded two calls to IS asking if the Library currently sponsors computer classes. It is always with reluctance that I tell patrons that the Library does not, and these recent calls made me take time to reflect. Why? I had just taken advantage of a Library program that encouraged me to reach out and explore areas of technology, and I gained so much from it. Now I was hearing from people who wanted to do the same.


Many patrons need classes to teach them how to use the new technology, and they turn to the Library for assistance. And why not? Computers are present and available at all of our libraries, and libraries connect patrons to information. I think that it is terrific that people of all generations are willing to be beginners, willing to reach out and become empowered. I also think that it is time again for the Library to help with this process.

Thing 23

A few notes at the end of the trail that I’d like to begin with a thank you to Louisa Berger for initiating Library 2.0. Louisa, you have connected us to an educational experience that was all that learning should be…..a time to become informed, a time to grow, a time for reflection, and, for good measure, a time of fun. I hope that future programs like this will be offered to our staff. I’d like to reflect on this “learning journey”, as Helene labels Library 2.0, in two parts: Hannah before Library 2.0 and Hannah after Library 2.0

Hannah before Library 2.0....
I essentially found myself in a technology box that was created by the needs of my work. I worked comfortably with Word and Excel and was able to create PowerPoint presentations. The requests of Information Services Department patrons and KnowItNow patrons meant honing research skills from a wide variety of electronic sources. The technology skills that I acquired at the Library spilled over into my personal and volunteer lives, and I only occasionally ventured into new territory. Perhaps it was a lack of curiosity; it also was a lack of time. And then comes Library 2.0.

Hannah after Library 2.0...
Library 2.0 introduced me to new aspects of the world of technology and the Internet. What will change?
· I know that I’ll visit my Bloglines account for the RSS and podcasts links that I’ve selected.
· I use and value Del.icio.us.com, because it seamlessly allows me to save and tag important websites.
· I look forward to using NetLibrary’s audio offerings.
· Will I become a frequent visitor to You.tube? Don’t think so....curious, but too little time to explore. Will continue to use Flickr.
· Blogs and wikis? I’ll continue to add them to Del.icio.us.com, collecting them through general searches on topics of interest.

Library 2.0 also has impacted my work as a librarian. It has certainly opened new avenues for research, and I hope that the presence of the Business and Investment Center on the library’s homepage will in the future include a blog for this collection. I hope that the future will also see a wiki for PLYMC staff. We rarely have the opportunity to communicate with each other, and I see a wiki as a means for adding to our professional growth.

There is enough time to go beyond Thing 23 and I plan to do just that. In the meantime it’s good to say, "Mission accomplished."

Week 9 Thing 22

I enjoy books-on-CD while I’m traveling or on those sleepless in Seattle nights. Now I’ll be accessing downloadable audio books, a new step for me. Explored NetLIbrary.com and now have an account with them. I searched for titles based on recent publication date and was delighted to find the books available.

Week 9 - Thing 21

How did I explore podcasts.? I first used the three suggested podcast directories. On Podcastalley.com I discovered Jane Brody's (the NYT's health writer) podcast. The podcasts are brief audios from her weekly columns. I then tried a Google search for podcasts from museums, and one of the results is a terrific website that leads me directly to them (http://www.museumpods.com/). I saved RSSfeeds for two podcasts to my Bloglines account. I suspect that I'll return to the world of podcasts more often than the world of YouTube.

Week 9 - Thing 20

I've just visited YouTube for this assignment, and I came away overwhelmed at this universe. I had visited only once before Library 2.0 and I was overwhelmed during that first visit as well. I did a search for museums combined with the words New York and found many videos made by visitors to the Big Apple's museums. I then found this video via a Wall Street Journal search. It is by the newspaper and about their ad featuring the boxer, Oscar de la Hoya. I wasn't aware of this boxer, and I thought I'd share this video about his life and his good works.

Week 8 - Thing 19

I decided to do a right-brain activity for Thing 19 and chose to explore an award winning Visual Arts website. TheBroth.Com allows a registered (free) member to create a work of art. I have a "room" on the website (I prefer to call it my web studio) where I am currently working on a mosaic. The website provides virtual tiles and I've decided to create a Halloween mask as my project. If you visit this website you can see the works of some very truly gifted members. You will not see mine; it is not for public view for very obvious reasons.