I looked at some of the Power Tools on the CML site and spent some time playing with Stumble Upon. It was interesting. I felt that the search was a little broader than I had hoped but I found some interesting information.
I think it's great that the library has the Power Tools blog and gets feedback from our web-savvy patrons. I think we could do a better job of promoting that in our branches.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Fun with Web 2.0 Tools
In searching through the Web 2.0 award winners, I stumbled upon two tools that will help me enjoy two of my greatest loves - food and music.
First I went to UrbanSpoon and found the UrbanSpoon Columbus with details on hundreds of Columbus restaurants. The site features reviews from critics and regular folks but what I really love is that the site shows a percentage of UrbanSpoon folks who like the place. Plus - you can search by neighborhood or ranking. I can see myself use this tool every few weeks or so when my husband and I can't decide where to dine.
I also played around with Pandora radio. You type in an artist or song you like and they play songs and artists like your selection. I tried to trip it up by entering "Joni Mitchell" and I'm listening to a CSN&Y song that I forgot existed (but love!). I think I'll be coming back to Pandora Radio. Hey ... now it's Norah Jones. Nice!
First I went to UrbanSpoon and found the UrbanSpoon Columbus with details on hundreds of Columbus restaurants. The site features reviews from critics and regular folks but what I really love is that the site shows a percentage of UrbanSpoon folks who like the place. Plus - you can search by neighborhood or ranking. I can see myself use this tool every few weeks or so when my husband and I can't decide where to dine.
I also played around with Pandora radio. You type in an artist or song you like and they play songs and artists like your selection. I tried to trip it up by entering "Joni Mitchell" and I'm listening to a CSN&Y song that I forgot existed (but love!). I think I'll be coming back to Pandora Radio. Hey ... now it's Norah Jones. Nice!
Google Docs
I wish we had Google Docs when I was in high school and college. How easy it would have been to finish those arduous group projects!
In the professional world, I can also see many applications. In my past jobs, I could have sent out press releases and radio copy to all the managers for proofing and revisions. We could have created one spreadsheet to track statewide revenue and allowed each region's manager to update the information. Great!
We could use this tool in our libraries to maintain staff or community calendars. Our supervisors could send us all Google Docs to read and return in place of paper memos that circulate.
This is one of the coolest 23 Things I've seen.
In the professional world, I can also see many applications. In my past jobs, I could have sent out press releases and radio copy to all the managers for proofing and revisions. We could have created one spreadsheet to track statewide revenue and allowed each region's manager to update the information. Great!
We could use this tool in our libraries to maintain staff or community calendars. Our supervisors could send us all Google Docs to read and return in place of paper memos that circulate.
This is one of the coolest 23 Things I've seen.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Who doesn't love a wiki?
I love wiki. I have for some time, but now that I'm aware of what a wiki can do ... I'm all in.
I think it's a great idea to allow patrons to comment on books like customers can at Amazon. And we could set up wiki pages for tax information, voter registration information, FOL, etc.
And image how much bigger our programs could be if we set up wiki pages for Parents with schedules, book recommendations and more.
Of all the things we've learned about, I see wiki as one of the most useful of our #23 Things.
I think it's a great idea to allow patrons to comment on books like customers can at Amazon. And we could set up wiki pages for tax information, voter registration information, FOL, etc.
And image how much bigger our programs could be if we set up wiki pages for Parents with schedules, book recommendations and more.
Of all the things we've learned about, I see wiki as one of the most useful of our #23 Things.
Library 2.0
Sure, new technologies will be great for the library. More access to information. More methods to communicate with our patrons. Better and easier for everyone, right?
Our challenge will be to make the transition a smooth one for our patrons. When we upgraded the catalog, we knew that lots of people used it successfully. We liked the word webs and the places where the new catalog led us. But ... some of our patrons missed the old catalog - the one to which they had grown accustomed.
How do we introduce this customer to a library wiki? How can we coerce him to dive into the wonders of Google when he's afraid to put his toe in the water?
On the bright side, we should be able to reach more users - and maybe even the techno-sophisticates who have stayed away from the Old-School library model.
Our challenge will be to make the transition a smooth one for our patrons. When we upgraded the catalog, we knew that lots of people used it successfully. We liked the word webs and the places where the new catalog led us. But ... some of our patrons missed the old catalog - the one to which they had grown accustomed.
How do we introduce this customer to a library wiki? How can we coerce him to dive into the wonders of Google when he's afraid to put his toe in the water?
On the bright side, we should be able to reach more users - and maybe even the techno-sophisticates who have stayed away from the Old-School library model.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
del.icio.us
I think del.icio.us and other bookmarking sites are a GREAT idea. I have a heavy hand when it comes to bookmarking and having access to all of my bookmarks from any computer - GENIUS!
I don't know if I really need to share my list or that I would peruse the bookmarks of others but overall, I'm happy to learn about this site.
I don't know if I really need to share my list or that I would peruse the bookmarks of others but overall, I'm happy to learn about this site.
I don't know what to think about Twitter.
I think it could be a fun way to keep up with friends ... raising the level of familiarity with distant buddies. I like that it can create a weird sort of dialogue.
BUT ... I think it borders on TMI - Too Much Information. I think that we all want to be important so we dump all of our information out into cyberspace with the hope that someone else will care about our in's and out's as much as we do. Blame it on Reality TV or Andy Warhol or just our inherent need for validation.
If I'm going to broadcast information, I feel like it should be important to someone other than myself. Twitter may not be for me.
I think it could be a fun way to keep up with friends ... raising the level of familiarity with distant buddies. I like that it can create a weird sort of dialogue.
BUT ... I think it borders on TMI - Too Much Information. I think that we all want to be important so we dump all of our information out into cyberspace with the hope that someone else will care about our in's and out's as much as we do. Blame it on Reality TV or Andy Warhol or just our inherent need for validation.
If I'm going to broadcast information, I feel like it should be important to someone other than myself. Twitter may not be for me.
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