Thing 18: Facebook and MySpace

Well I knew this was coming so I created a Facebook profile a few weeks ago. [at the strong urging from some of my co-workers that are actually doing the 23 Things in a more timely manor than myself]....anyway

WOW...what a blast from the past....I have people requesting to be my friend that I haven't seen or spoken to in 20 to 30 years (we moved around a lot when I was a kid!). The best part is adding my nephews since we haven't been emailing as much lately this is a great way to keep up with what is happening with them. Of course now I will have to remember to check my Facebook profile at least once a week from now on. I still haven't figured out some on the features yet but with time I will get there. I did join the Facebook group Librarians and Facebook.... I found the "12 Ways to Use Facebook Professionally" and "7 Things You Should Know About Facebook (pdf)" very interesting.

At one time our Library blocked MySpace so we could verify the person using it was over 17....what a pain that was constantly overriding the block to allow the old perverts to search for children who couldn't access their account at the library....what?!?!?! Never mind those days are over but I have noticed that some of the kids still watch for us over their shoulders to click onto a different screen as we walk by....makes you wonder what they are trying to get away with now! Anyway my impression of MySpace is forever tainted so I have no interest in creating a MySpace profile and since Facebook is the fastest growing social network I am happy to be a member.

Thing 17: Podcasts

Before this thing I had heard the term podcast but did not know the details.

First I went to Podcast.com and found an interview with one of my favorite authors:

http://podcast.com/episode/35886401/90144/

at Podcastalley.com I found a travel podcast video I liked:
http://podcasts.travelchannel.com/read/episode-8-samantha-browns-top-five-in-orlando

http://travel-ideas-podcast.travelchannel.com/feed.aspx?feedid=1828

Anyway I listened to a few other podcast some are way out there and others I might have hit on a boring day so I haven't added any RSS feed to my blog reader account yet....I will probably find some I like later.

Thing 16: YouTube

Here are some of my favorites from YouTube:











And last but not least ...you have to love the last line in the next clip:



As you can tell from my choices I like funny clips...especially these days I believe humor is very important for good mental health.

Youtube is very easy to search for videos and the directions to share the link with others could not have been easier.

Thing 15: Rollyo

I tried the Public Domain e-Books Search and the Rare Books Library Search rolls listed in Thing 15 without much luck. I got a lot returned on one search but nothing I was looking for. I had much better luck searching the Quick Quotes Roll...now that could definately come in handy. Many a time part of quote comes to mind and this search roll found every one I entered even if I was missing a word here or there....Impressive...I like it!

If all goes well my search roll is for books & textbooks.

Select...used book searchSearch The Web

Can you see a potential use for Rollyo in your library?
homework questions, science projects, quotes, coin prices....maybe?!?

Thing 14: Online Productivity Tools

I have been using My Yahoo for years....it is nice to have the news headlines, local weather, TV and local Movie listings and a few other favorites all at one glance. I know I have stated before I am just a yahoo knid of gal. I set up igoogle recently but I still tend to go back to yahoo. I like the Countdown widget but I am getting worried that I will not make the deadline. Oh well I am having fun and learning along the way.

Created by OnePlusYou

At work I use the Calendar with Outlook all the time, at home I use Yahoo calendar to help me keep track of all my important date stuff.

I looked at Ta da list and Backpack but I can't see me using them.

Thing 13: Library Thing

I really like Library Thing. It was so easy to set up an account. I think it would be great for the bookclubs that meet at the library to post reviews of the books they have read and maybe set up the list of upcoming books so potential new members would know what to get started reading. The Library could also involve the teens with reviews of summer reading books to help each other when they are offered a list of books to choose from. Book Lovers have the ability to help others find great books! For me personally I plan at some point to enter all the books I have at home and another list of all the library books I read. As for local events in Library Thing...there are none listed for this area I had to expand the search range to 100 miles to pick up some interesting events.

Thing 12: Wikis

Wiki Wiki Wiki - fast fast fast - hahaha
What Librarian doesn't wish Wikipedia would load faster...it never fails the more impatient the patron the longer it takes to come up with the answer....which is why most of us try not to use it as the 1st source of all information.
Anyway onto this "thing"
1. Watch this Common Craft video on Wikis. done...you have to love the hand gestures!
2. SJCPL Subject Guides - Very interesting ...wish we had one like this for our area!!!
Book Lovers Wiki - took a long long long time to load....I like the idea that patrons could add reviews for books they read.
Library Success - basic information ...didn't see anything interesting.
3. add or edit an entry in the NEFLIN 23 Things Wiki ....waiting waiting waiting ...It must be a bad day here at the library for the Internet. I went ahead and registered for PB Wiki so hopefully soon I will be able to add an entry to the NEFLIN 23 Things Wiki.

What did you find interesting about the wiki concept? My answer would be that it is great for groups to have the same information at the same time. What a novel concept that everyone in a group be up to date with the latest and greatest news....especially since we all work together...right?!?