#22 Net Library

All those times you have a yen to read a particular book and it is unavailable at the library, no copies are available at you local book store. You have even scoured the shelves of Goodwill and leave empty-handed. E-books is an easy-access to many book titles offered through NetLibrary. The snag I discovered with NetLibrary is one out of four titles I entered came up. Hmmmm....bit of a drag that. But when you DO find titles you want to read or listen to you can save them under "favorites" for future use. It seems that most current and popular titles and classics are listed. I searched for:

1. "Oliver Twist"
2. "The Witches of Eastwick"
3. "Farewell to Manzanar"
4. "Hoot"
5. "The Lovely Bones"

Only 1 and 5 were found. #3 was Cliff Notes edition.

#21 Podcasts

Podcasting is the Internet answer to radio shows only listened to online. Accessing podcast directories is a one-stop search for topics that may interest you and beyond. In fact, you have a wider range of subjects to listen to than scrolling up and down the radio bandwidth. For example, I looked for something from BBC and discovered an antiques show "The Antiques Man". This podcast is a professional production but there are podcasts available created by amateurs who also have something to share.

Week 13 - #20 Here's Looking at You(Tube) Kid

A scene from "Casablanca" is my chosen YouTube download. This is a wonderful film and I never tire of watching it. Another reason why it was chosen was because back in 1992, a friend of mine who worked at Apple showed me a short film clip on his computer from "Casablanca". This was the first time ever I had seen anything like this at all displayed on a computer. This was still the era of "dummy" computers mind you. Though the clip was small in size on the screen the preview was embedded in my memory. I was fortunate as a sample of what the future in computer technology would bring.

Of all the gin joints in all the world...I so love You Tube. Browse and look for clips pertaining to events in recent filmed history, old commercials, film clips, videos you saw on MTV, etc. I am one who enjoys looking for various topics to see if it has been posted to YouTube. It is surprising how many clips are transferred from home video tapes and are archived. Reminisce watching Jim McKay at the Olympics or Miss Monroe singing happy birthday to President Kennedy. Recently, I watched home movies of a group of Santa Cruzans who did knee-boarding during the 1960's. It was great watching. Many people download from their cell phone cameras so we get personal views of incidents like for instance the fires in southern from October (see my blog on Malibu fires).

Week 11 - #19

Pandora - found at http://www.pandora.com/- is a personal disc jockey tool. By selecting a type of music or artist, Pandora will then select artists that match or are similar to your original choice. This is a fun way to learn about musicians and music you are not familiar with. Also, you can select from the choices and save for future listening. As a listener of music, I am always open to discover new artists and music I have never heard of and appreciate the ability to broaden my music-listening horizons.

For a library environment, this would serve a helpful learning tool for a selection librarian who orders music. The librarian can use Pandora to learn about music the community requests/borrows at the library that they themselves may be unfamiliar with. It can be a learning tool for students to discover all types of music and may encourage them to learn more about the subject.

Week 11 - #18 web-based applications & Zoho

I like the idea that people can do so much more with the Internet. Zoho and Google Doc are just two examples of online applications compatibile with any PC. People can become like "Computer gypsies". Accessing their documents saved on Zoho or any online documant application from an Internet Cafe in Paris, France to their local library Internet computer. This may be the answer to people who do not want to invest in a computer but still want the ability to use one. All you need is your username, password, jump drive (optional) and there you are. It enables the user's ability to create, collect, and share information online.

Weeks 9& 10 Wiki: a community meeting place

Three of the sites I would like to talk about for exercise #16: Booklover's wiki, the Bull Run Library wiki and SJCPL Subject Guide. One major observation each site had in common was incorporating their library services and resources and had recommended outside links. Each wiki highlighted their collection and provided a link to the online catalog, provided a discussion tab for wiki users, displayed link to reference assistance,displayed recommended titles in the collection and listed new items. I did find some areas that did not appear to be updated for a year which I found to be a concern.

Bull Run was informative but I found their layout with bullets a bit too much when browsing. Simplify is the key word for browsing in my opinion. Booklovers Wiki contained titles by subject complete with a critque. They offered outside links on books and reading.

The wiki is a great way to connect the library with its users. I like the idea of critiquing book titles that are in the collection. This is a way for the community to share their ideas and offering a chat site can bring people together. An online chat group is another way for the community to work with its local library. I think book reviews by the younger crowd entices the young reader to express themselves through what they have read. They could even do a personal favorites list for public viewing.

The downside of wiki is that in order for it to be successful for the library community, the librarian(s) must understand that monitoring is a key rule. I noticed some of the wiki sites had not been update for quite some time and that I consider a turn-off for a browser. To me it shows the wiki page has either been abandoned and is not in use or that it is a page that is not popular thus not worth using. Updating and monitoring is what makes the library wiki useful and popular. It must be monitored by the library so to keep the friendly atmosphere and eliminate any inappropriate contributions(if any. This must be considered when building a library wiki to ensure a safe, online community meeting place for all. If you do not have the time to commit to creating and being a co-collaborator, then it is not the right tool for you.

23 Things : week #12

The tool I selected to review is "Google Docs". This is a wonderful tool you can use to create a document or spreadsheet, store your work, and have multi-user access to. It is all done in one place called Google Docs. Google Docs allows you to give permission to select outside users to view or edit your work.

This tool is perfect for school group projects or for use as a central work area for group collaboration. It gives you the convenience of group collaboration by virtual use. This tool is accessible on any computer so you can work on your document, spreadsheets, presentations at your convenience and at any time. Google Doc has virtual chat site for you to work on your projects, discuss, and edit your contents with fellow collaborators all at the same time. Your work is stored in files in Google Docs. Presentations can be created and accessed from your Google Docs too. I also like the idea that a draft of your work is automatically saved.

The Google Docs tool would be very useful on the SCPL Home site as part of the homework page for students. We offer electronic resources and links to assist with school assignments so why not add this useful tool? I think this would be a good addition and would be used on a regular basis for papers, group assignments, etc.