Well, it took me a while, but finally I was able to upload a picture from Flickr to the blog.
yum
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Social networks
I'm interested in the concept of "Second Life", where people have created their own virtual world. It was mentioned on the Second Life Library Project that, for example, an area has been set up in the teenage demographic of second life. In this teenagers can access librarians and libraries in their normal life and their virtual life.
Social networks could also be used to advertise a library and its services. By setting up an account in the library's name, people can "make friends" with the library, and keep up-to-date with what the library is doing. Really, it's just another way to get more people aware of and involved with the library.
If it ended up being a successful social network, with lots of contacts to the library, it would also be a new way for informal book recommendations between different borrowers.
Social networks could also be used to advertise a library and its services. By setting up an account in the library's name, people can "make friends" with the library, and keep up-to-date with what the library is doing. Really, it's just another way to get more people aware of and involved with the library.
If it ended up being a successful social network, with lots of contacts to the library, it would also be a new way for informal book recommendations between different borrowers.
Google docs
I've been playing around with Google Docs presentations and I can see that this is easier than using, for example, powerpoint for a simple presentation, if several people are to be contributing to the presentation.
This could be used in libraries when library staff need to work together on a document, although it is very dependent on having fast internet connection that doesn't drop out. I really like that it keeps track of the changes that different people make, and when they make them. It makes it easier to go back to an earlier version and look at new changes.
This could be used in libraries when library staff need to work together on a document, although it is very dependent on having fast internet connection that doesn't drop out. I really like that it keeps track of the changes that different people make, and when they make them. It makes it easier to go back to an earlier version and look at new changes.
Mashups
I confess that I was dreading this week's activity- not at all in line with the fourth of the 7 1/2 Effective Habits of Lifelong Learners (identified by Helene Blowers) which is "Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner". I was utterly surprised how simple it can be.
So much empty white space- I feel like a holiday.
How to make use of this technology in a library? Well, many of these would make fun activities for children- the badge-makers, jigsaws, make-your-own-movie-posters etc. Library calendars would be great to give out, with different library events publicised (although it would be difficult to know library events a whole year in advance).
Podcasts
How could podcasts be used in a library? Well, the most obvious way would be to make a podcast of programs such as booktalks, visiting author talks and even storytimes. Although it doesn't offer the same community involvement, it makes the library programs open to more people. For example, author talks might always take place at lunchtime on a Thursday. This excludes people who are busy at that time from hearing the talk, even though they might be very interested. By podcasting, more people could hear the talk.
I'm not sure about podcasting storytimes. Although it would be possible, I don't think it offers the same benefits as storytime in person for children. While it mightn't be a substitute, children might still quite enjoy being "read a story" over the computer- at whatever time of day their schedule allows.
I'm not sure about podcasting storytimes. Although it would be possible, I don't think it offers the same benefits as storytime in person for children. While it mightn't be a substitute, children might still quite enjoy being "read a story" over the computer- at whatever time of day their schedule allows.
Answer boards
Answer boards do seem a good idea. People who regularly use libraries are already able to get help from librarians, but isn't it great that people who don't use libraries also have a chance to get the information they need in their lives.
Of course, the answer boards aren't always accurate or useful. "slamming the boards" is such a good idea! If librarians became involved, then there would be a possibility for people to receive helpful answers to their questions. It's also (as others have pointed out) a great opportunity to promote the value of librarians to the wider community.
Of course, the answer boards aren't always accurate or useful. "slamming the boards" is such a good idea! If librarians became involved, then there would be a possibility for people to receive helpful answers to their questions. It's also (as others have pointed out) a great opportunity to promote the value of librarians to the wider community.
del.icio.us
Well, I've joined the del.icio.us website. The link is http://del.icio.us/abcdetc I haven't tagged many websites yet, as I would have to spend a lot of time on the website to be sufficiently comfortable with it.
From looking at the more developed networks, I can see the benefits. While it is too big a task to catalogue websites, by having this informal folksonomy one gets many of the same benefits. I can see the potential benefits for research. When one website has been found, it is easy to look at other people's networks and tags and therefore find related websites. While I would use this type of searching for things like comics, I wouldn't want to do formal literature reviews through this type of folksonomy.
From looking at the more developed networks, I can see the benefits. While it is too big a task to catalogue websites, by having this informal folksonomy one gets many of the same benefits. I can see the potential benefits for research. When one website has been found, it is easy to look at other people's networks and tags and therefore find related websites. While I would use this type of searching for things like comics, I wouldn't want to do formal literature reviews through this type of folksonomy.
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