My ihcpl learning journal

Module #30

2008-04-11T14:47:00.001-07:00

Cleaning up the hard drives:

I have previously placed and deleted files from the "S" drive.

I looked through the "P" drive - but since we have such a large staff, I hesitate to remove any files. I will ask someone from each department to clean out the appropriate files.

I went through my "Z" drive and deleted some old timesheets, pictures and documents that I don't need. I created a new folder for timesheets, but I will just keep a few in the file.

The oldest file I had was a 2005 Branch Profile. I really haven't kept too much on my Z drive that I don't need, but I think I could use folders for speedier retrieval of the documents I do have in storage there.

Module #29

2008-04-11T14:41:00.001-07:00

E-Mail:

I already have a personal google e-mail account.

I cleaned out my inbox of e-mails. I have been keeping 30 days of e-mails in my inbox, but now I plan to just keep a few days worth, and put important ones that I need to keep in folders.

I deleted my "trash can" e-mails, and my "sent" e-mails.

More folders for my e-mails could be helpful, and if I need to take action, I can print them out to study them further.

Module #28

2008-04-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

I read the Wikipedia article on Getting Things Done. I like the idea of a framework with 6 different levels of focus - 1. current actions, 2. current projects, 3. areas of responsibility, 4. yearly goals, 5. 5 year vision and 6. life goals. Most of the time I work on the first three areas.

I also found the core principles of GTD to be helpful. Collecting, processing (2 minutes - just do it rule), delegating or defer it. Then, lists of next actions, projects, waiting for, and someday...
I plan to organize my "in" baskets to be more defined according to these categories.

I tried the google online calendar, and it could be helpful since I often check my google e-mail at home too.

Week 10 #23 The End of One Journey is the beginning of another

2007-11-30T09:11:00.001-08:00

My favorite discoveries? I must say that I have enjoyed ihcpl more than I imagined that I would. I enjoyed learning about Library Elf and Library Thing the most. I have Library Elf going to my home e-mail account now and I find it very helpful. My Blog and the RSS feeds I put on it are fun for me, and I sometimes access it from home just for fun. I hope to learn to do more with FlickR and the HCPL digital media catalog since they are both so important in the new technology. The new media can save me money and time - all very valuable!

How have I been affected for my lifelong learning goals? I know that I will use the library more fully all my life, and I know it is important to keep learning about every new technology as it comes along. I am pleased that the library has Technology Training assistants and staff who enjoy keeping up to date, so even after I retire, I will be able to learn about all the new tools to stay connected and informed. Certainly, this course is not the end, but the beginning and it empowers us to stay up to date. I hope to download more classical music since our media catalog has many more listings than I imagined. It's just great.

Surprises? I was surprised that I knew more about avatars than my son did. He uses them in games, but hadn't created a unique one. And I was surprised to learn that some companies are screening applicants via their avatars. I now feel more current and knowledgeable. I now better understand the technology section of the Houston Chronicle - and I am surprised at that. I was hoping to be more knowledgeable - but the ihcpl really moved me forward on the computer technology learning curve to an extent that surprised me. Thanks!

Ideas for Harris County: I think we could use podcasts and short videos to train our customers and staff on new services or features on our webpage. Teens in some other library systems are making podcasts of their book reviews and poetry readings. I'm sure they enjoy it and feel that it is really quite the thing to do.

What else am I interested in? I would like to know more about making videos at our branch level. Since the websites now give the news as a streaming video option, I think our branch might like to try this, too. We could make a video inviting kids to come to a special program at the library - or have a staff member describe a new service through a streaming video. I think our customers would enjoy the extra media outlets.

Week 10 #22

2007-11-30T08:53:00.000-08:00

I was reminded by this lesson that I really would like to get a MP3 player - maybe in my Christmas stocking, ha. HCPL's digital media catalog seems to have a lot more entries and variety than it did when it was first introduced. I am especially interested in the music downloads I could get from home.

Librovox looks OK for audiobooks but not as useful to me personally. The only books that can be included must be in the public domain (probably published before 1923.) A lot of times, I would want to listen to a new book. However, it could be very helpful to students wanting to hear inflections in the language. I was surprised to see that items may be podcast through LibroVox. The readings are all done by volunteers, so I imagine there are some mistakes (they admit there are) and some readers are probably more dramatic than others.

Wowio looked more like amazon.com for e-books. I liked the look of the opening page with the latest releases with cover pictures, the Top Books, Book of the Month, Staff Favorites, Featured publisher, Featured books and the top comics.

Our HCPL site has it all - e-books read by professional readers, audiobooks, music by professional musicians and even videos. I would like to learn how to use all this from my home computer since the library computers don't accept the files.
It looks very good now.

Week 9 #21

2007-11-27T09:59:00.000-08:00

I looked at podcast.net and Podcastalley.com and I was surprised to see how many podcasts are available out there. I really didn't know that sites were organizing the podcasts, and that one could listen to podcasts that were broadcast several years ago. I listened a bit to several podcasts - the Kankakee Public Library had a teen poetry slam on May 10, 2006 still available as a podcast. I imagine the teens were pretty excited to read the poetry and have it saved in this way. I also listened to an interview with VOYA editor Cathi Dunn MacRae and how learned how small VOYA really is. I struggled to add the RSS feed for a podcast to my blogline. I finally figured out that I would go to my bloglines account and found the place to type in the URL for a podcast. I don't know if this is the easiest way but it worked. I listened for a few minutes to a Exploring Media LIteracy talk about social knowledge. It seems that is definitely what podcasts are all about. There is a lot more than just rap music and other teen-appealing music available on podcasts. It can be much more educational that I ever imagined.

Week 9 #20

2007-11-27T08:02:00.001-08:00

Well, I am pretty amazed by what I saw on YouTube. I was bored with the Evolution of the Dance after a couple of minutes, though. I really laughed at the piano playing cat. How talented she was!

I put in the keyword "cellist" just to see what came up. There was an incredible video of an 11 year old boy playing "The Swan." He was adorable and so very talented. It is titled "Nathan Boy Cellist." I might actually look at YouTube for fun sometimes. The comments were interesting and varied. I think the library might ask for comments from the public about our virtual tours and any videos we make for the public. We might be surprised at the questions and comments - such as questions about our vending machines will probably come up - yes, we can eat and drink in the library!

If you cannot see the video, click here.

I watched the "Your LIfe Work: The Librarian" in its entirety. It was amazing to see and except for the technology seemed very up to date. I think we have forgotten the 2 components needed to be a librarian: love of books and learning - and enjoyment of people. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the new technology and forget the great stories in literature and the joy of sharing information and the literature with everyone. I really enjoyed watching this video.

Week 8 #19

2007-11-09T11:34:00.001-08:00

Hello to Zoho writer. I am wondering what this will look like on my blog. If I can get it there!

I'll see if I can put a few pictures on it for fun.

Well, I did that. Now I will change the color font. Well, that's pretty good.

LibrarianLearningLots

I found that Zoho writer was pretty easy to use, and really easy to post to my blog. I can see how bloggers would enjoy it. It seems pretty intuitive, and having so many options available on the toolbar make it seem accessible. I think the sharing aspects of it make it very useful if several people want to create a document in a short amount of time and don't have time to all meet together. All the participants could see it at the same time. Pretty neat. Like a conference call online.

Week 8 #18

2007-11-08T14:53:00.001-08:00

Well now, facebook and myspace are a little friendlier than I thought. I still don't like to have to put in my birth date. It is really not any of their business.
I have to confess that I made up a birth date, because I have been advised by the Harris County Constables office to not include that information anywhere unless I absolutely have to. It helps identity thieves get access to one's important information. For myspace, I had to try 3 times to create an account. I don't know what was causing by application to be forwarded to the myspace technical group. Then, somehow I had an account. I immediately didn't like it anyway. I went into the classmates section, and found that it cost 2.46 to $5 per month. I did not want to leave any messages; I just wanted to browse my classmates' lists. It didn't seem to like that very well, and counseled me that classmates wanted to hear from me. I got out.

facebook was nicer. I had forgotten that I already had a facebook account so I had to get my password e-mailed to me. I again gave a fake DOB. I did find my son was listed in there, and I'llhave to wait to see if we wants me on his Friends list. Ha. Maybe not.

Rate my space looked more interesting to me, since I live in a 30 year old home, and am trying to update it. I always like to see real life transformations. I liked that I could look at the spaces and not have to sign up for anything!!

I don't think I will be using these accounts, but it is possible that I could to find some friends that I have lost touch with since high school. It is pretty cool actually.

Week 7 #17

2007-10-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

I also posted 2 comments to fellow hcpl staffers. I like the library pictures posted on mewmew2 (?) and I also commented to another blog about the authority of blogs and how it is determined. That is scary.

Week 7 #17

2007-10-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Blog on Technology. Well, I have been asked to give a 20 minute talk about the libraries in the twenty first century. I will definitely need to talk about technology. I will need to include a lot of what I have learned so far in ihcpl - so I have until November 2nd to get ready for this! I will talk about FlickR, blogging, wikis, RSS feeds, myspace, technorati, our new Aquabrowser catalog that is coming, laptop and desktop computers, wireless access at the library and technology training classes offered at the library. Reader's advisory has definitely taken a back seat at our branch to questions about how to use Microsoft applications, e-mail problems, saving work to various places and getting time on our computers. Gaming time is counted as precious by the children and teens. We have changed so much in the past 10 years that it in difficult to imagine how we survived with microfiche catalogs and no Internet access. The World Wide Web has certainly helped make Internet use possible. I mentioned gopher and Archie and Veronica to our Technology Training Assistant, and he looked at me very questioningly, and without comprehension. Luckily those archaic and difficult to use web access tools are not our only choices. I don't even know if they exist anymore. Our online databases are just great as is our Net Library. I will definitely mention those in my talk. I will mention Web 2.0 and then Library 2.0 to show how we are changing the way we interact with the public online. Thanks for giving me fodder for my short talk!

Week 7 #16

2007-10-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I looked at all the library wikis that are listed by iSTAR.
I liked several of them. The SJCPL subject guide was interesting. I searched under Antiques and found clubs, books and I especially liked that they linked their magazines holdings to the wiki. This makes the wiki seem more authoritative and useful. I think the subject guides would be useful for any potential library browser. It seemed arranged the way a bookstore would be arranged. Some of the library customers are still befuddled by the Dewey Decimal system, so a more intuitive approach to locating our items besides LC cataloging is welcome (and really revolutionary!) I was surprised to see several caveats on the Library Success wiki that the pages had been corrupted. I always like to think that librarians wouldn't do this to each other. Hopefully, it is someone outside our profession. What a shame. Some wikis are creating limited registration to of participants who are allowed to edit their wikis. I read about a young entrepreneur who was designing a special screening device to discover who had edited particular wiki entries - like ENRON might have a former executive edit it. His device tracked what computer the editing came from. Of course, the executive could go home and edit from there too.

I think customers rating books like the Princeton Public Library is a great idea. People always want a recommendation on a good book to read. It is more personal than Novelist that the librarians like to use. I also like the subject guides very much.

Week 6 #15

2007-10-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

Well, I am actually very interested in Library 2.0 and Web 2.0. One main reason is that I have been asked to give a 20 minutes talk about libraries in the 21st century.
I have read several articles already, and appreciate especially "Web 2.0: Where will it takes Libraries?" For one thing, it makes sense to a public librarian. The "Just in case" collection is rapidly disappearing here. Even at a large branch, we just don't have shelf space for anything that is not used quite often. And even though we have a Technology Training Lab, we are not reaching even a small fraction of our customers, so I agree that our services should be so easy to use that almost no one will need training. The self check machines are a good example. Everyone loves them. And we know people don't want to have to drive and park to use the library and want it to be open 24 hours to download everything they need. NetLibrary, overdrive, licensed databases etc. are all helping us get out to the people.

Week 6 #14

2007-10-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been looking at Technorati. I don't think it is very helpful to me. I searched Learning 2.0 (I didn't put it in quotes) and got so many hits that I don't know what to do. It is just as bad as Google this way, probably worse. It could become so cumbersome that it will be useless. The tags will not be inclusive for sure.

When I put "Learning 2.0" in the Posts I found 560 hits; in Tags only I got 129 hits. I wasn't sure what the Blog Directory was. The advanced search got 6931 hits with Learning 2.0 (not in quotes.) It was interesting to see the top blog searches - one was about a Spanish soap opera star, and another one about a new Nokia camera. I liked the "blog mentions" in the past 30 days. Interesting to see if your subject is a hot topic.

Week 6 #13

2007-10-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I looked at our ihcpl account for Del.icio.us that was linked from our homepage. This really would be useful for reference work, since it is websites that other staff members found useful (and evidently they felt they were authoritative) to assist with reference questions. The tags are just a quick way to organize the information, and make sense to me.

I looked up "cello" just to see what was there - I found a lot of interesting websites and links that would not be so easy to find using google. I think they would be buried too far down the hit list. I definitely think Del.icio.us will be handy as I become more familiar with it. It is an easy way to make bookmarks that can be accessed anywhere, but it is more powerful than that. It is the aggregated "favorites" list from our HCPL staff. I looked up "Karenina" to see what links there would be to Tolstoy's novel. There were some comments about some of the sites which would help a stuent pose questions and strive to understand the novel. How very useful!

Week 5 #12

2007-10-12T06:49:00.001-07:00

Well, I tried Library Elf early this morning - at 8:30 a.m. - and lo and behold, I could get in. It is really neat. I signed up my card, and could see all my transactions and requests on one page. It is so easy. If I had library cards at several libraries, it would be extraordinarly helpful.

Week 5 #12

2007-10-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I tried off and on for a day to get to Library elf, but with no success.
I'll try again later. So Sorry.

Week 5 #11

2007-10-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

Well, moving right along. I really like Library Thing. How creative.
I made a little library with tags of a few books I have read lately. For people that want the library staff to keep track of what they hae read, we could try to point them to Library Thing. (Although just a paper and pencil list would work, but couln't be searched in so many ways.)

I enjoyed seeing the ratings that other readers gave the books that I just read. I pretty much agreed with them. But I guess if we chose to read those books, we were expecting to enjoy them, and so, the ratings are quite high. There could be some bias here, but that's OK.

My link to my library catalog is www.librarything.com/catalog/kakkerman.

Week 5 #10 Image Generators

2007-10-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I looked at Avatars from Yahoo. I liked it because it was easy to create a new character. The tabs were easy to figure out, and there were so many variations that you could stay busy for a long time. It reminds me of playing paper dolls. Just try a new dress on the the paper cutout for a whole new look. But we couldn't change skin color etc. back then. I think there is a game on our website for kids about dressing Barbie. It seems very similar to an Avatar to me. I heard on TV that a corporation is considering interviewing applicants by questioning their avatars. Hopefully, they will meet the applicant eventually.

I also customized a comic strip, but found it a little difficult to get the text in the balloon. I finally cut short my comments.

The Smiley generator at http://www.happyfacegenerator.com was pretty fun. I never saw so many variation of the Happy Face. Actually, most are not so happy. I think one could have a good time creating signs with the generator.

Week 4: #9

2007-10-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I looked at my blogline to see what was new. It actually worked. I can see how a person could just look at what feeds pop up on the blogline and skip looking for other news sites. It can be very convenient.

I went into bloglines.com to see if I can add even more feeds to my blogline. I found dictionary.com which gives a new work every day. I thought, in my line of work, maybe I can dazzle people with my supersized vocabulary. That should be fun to look at every day. I also saw Salon which I had stumbled over at various times on the Internet and subscribed to it.

I also went to Feedster and put in "libraries." The first entry was about the "Unshelved" authors and their "Unshelved Store." Makes me want to read more of their funny cartoons. I'm glad bloglines were included in ihcpl, because I had heard of them, but did not really see how I would use it. Now I have a better idea!

Week 4: #8

2007-10-04T13:05:00.001-07:00

Well, I set up a blogline for the first time. I hope I have time to look at some of it. I think I will enjoy the daily Dilbert cartoons. We all need a good laugh sometimes. The directions from the Bloglines tutorial were very confusing to me, so I just went ahead and followed the directions on the screen and added 10 feeds...news, NYT book review and the Shifted Librarian. I added a few ihcpl participants (iknowimcrazy especially caught my eye) to my list because they seemed to know what they are doing, and I thought it would be fun to see check out their blogs for fun.

ihcpl Week 3 #6

2007-10-03T13:17:00.001-07:00

I also tried the Trip Planner. I really liked how it gave options for sightseeing in the 3 cities that I included. It gave me some ideas for a vacation. I think it could be very helpful. If I had more time, I would add some pictures to it to help me remember where I want to go.

LibrarianLearningLots

ihcpl Week 3 #6

2007-10-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

My creation

2007-10-03T13:16:00.001-07:00

My creation, originally uploaded by LibrarianLearningLots.

Well, I think I uploaded this picture from the Flickr toys. At least it says I did. Week 3 #6. I found this actually quite easy to use, and pretty fun. I think if I keep experimenting, it mich actually look good. Ha!

Statue picture1

2007-10-01T08:15:00.001-07:00

Statue picture1, originally uploaded by LibrarianLearningLots.

Week 3 #5

Don't think I improved on this picture at all - but it was fun to see how I could change it so much.
ihcpl Week 3 #7

"Once upon a time..."

2007-09-28T12:48:00.001-07:00

Statue picture, originally uploaded by LibrarianLearningLots.

My favorite art piece at the library

My comfort level

2007-09-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,

I am really not very comfortable telling you much on line. You're just not as secure as my diary.

Internet safety

2007-09-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

I really don't think the Internet is safe at all. If I don't want the general public to know something, I don't plan to put in my blog - even if I have it password protected. It's just too easy for info to go beyond where I want it to go.

3rd try

2007-09-18T12:50:00.001-07:00

well, now we have it.

Second try

2007-09-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

HEllo out there.