Week 6, Thing 15

Apparently I have an old soul at a young age. Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely thrilled that I am getting an Ipod to consolidate my music collection and enjoy using the computer, but I still have a hard time thinking of a library in the 2.0 sense. I like the idea of reading real books, and understand the value and accessibility of audiobooks and downloaded varieties, but prefer for as long as my eyes can take it to read page to page. I also understand that in a world of limited space it is silly to have encyclopedias that are probably outdated as soon as they hit our shelves, much like the technology that is brand "new." I like printed things, and I guess that is why I am taking to papercrafting like so many other people at my branch, maybe trying to hold onto the past and quality of using quality papers for various projects like mix cd covers, jewelry, and scrapbooking. As I say this, I am also too lazy to search my University library for educational journals, when I can look them up in the databases available all over campus, so I see where that is helpful.

I agree with Library 2.0 in making the library a more accessible and helpful for patrons and making it more user friendly with updated information and helping people get the most out of our databases, (which I feel I could always be advised on, our webpage is pretty handy when you check it out). I just really like the idea of the Pratt Central library with brass railings, wooden bookshelves, marble floors, etc. etc. much like the Beauty and the Beast library. But unfortunately that may not be the best way serve the public anymore, and like any institution change must always occur so that it is the best for the population it serves.

By the Way

I love bcpl.info (our homepage) because it has a wealth of information that is helpful for me to share with patrons when I am working on the Information Desk, like using our Research Databases for finding the Maryland Library for the Blind phone number, as well as using for other things like when patrons need information about the local community.

So great job to the people who make our little homepage!

Week 6, Thing 14

Technorati sounds like it should be the title of a Red Hot Chilli Peppers song, or was somehow slipped into Anthony Kiedas lyrics' sheet, I think.

Anyway, in order to really connect with other blogs on this big thing called the World Wide Web, this seems like a great way to do it, especially if you are seeking an audience and looking for people to read your blog. I liked how the information was organized and the website was visually appealing for me, and pretty easy to navigate. I liked reading other blogs outside of 23 Things category for a change, like the Harry Potter spoilers, since we are all waiting for the book tonight at Midnight. Some of the other bloggers out there are pretty funny, however I doubt I would look to a blog for medical advice, religion, or politics. However, if I was reading other blogs for pleasure, I definitely would use Technorati to search and read.

I do not know if I really want to jump on the bandwagon however for the 23 Things Project and signing up for HTML tags and Technorati though, because I do not think many people outside of the branch I work at look at this humble little blog. Maybe I will make tags and change my "old fashioned" ways eventually.

Anyway... Happy Harry Potter Release Eve!!!

Week 6, Thing 13

Okay, I've looked at del.icio.us. and I can say openly that I am confused. When I went to view the 12 minute tutorial on Maryland 23 things... I found that there was an error http://www.library2.0.ottergroup.com/blog/_archives/2006/2/19/1772390.html saying that it could not be found, so needless to say, the tutorial was not very helpful.

I like the idea of tagging, don't get me wrong, and Blogger seems to make it very simple, but frankly I just am too lazy to go back and tag all of my previous entries. But I probably will one rainy day.

From my understanding it appears that you can use programs like del.icio.us for saving your "favorites" list of web pages and access it on any computer which is handy, but as far as me checking out what other people look at, frankly I do not have enough interest or time to do so... maybe if I was completely bored I would be "wow... cyber_guy likes to look at this too! what a great person I can Instant Message and discuss our love for..." But maybe I'm misunderstanding the whole point.

Anyway... I do not feel like a fan of this program.

Week 5, Thing 12

Rollyo seems like a simple enough device to use to create a search engine that will provide easier access to things you are looking for. I did mine based on shopping so I would not have to go to each individual site anymore to find a cardigan sweater. The only thing I did not like about Rollyo was that there were basically no directions so you just had to jump into the deep end, which by week 5, was okay, but I would have liked a bit more guidance. I hope to go back and create more search engines and hope that mine will help others who love to shop! Let me know if you have any suggestions for sites and I will gladly add them.


Here is the link to my Rollyo! Check it out!
http://rollyo.com/katems/found_it/

Week 5, Thing 11

I officially love Librarything! It is great to be able to catalogue books I have read and record them somewhere because normally, I never remember the titles... or the authors to recommend to someone. I also appreciate how it matches up with Amazon so I can recall the books by the cover as well since I am a visual learner. This is a really neat site and I cannot wait to go back and add more books to my "shelf."

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/katems

Week 5, Thing 10

From Yahoo Avatars... I picked the dress because it reminds me of Lucy Ricardo.