Having spent more than half my life validating information, I have an innate distrust of wikis. Their very appeal and ease of use and contribution makes them vulnerable to what we might call "hacking" if the same material were on some other kind of website. What's to stop me from adding my name to a wiki list of great mystery authors? Sure, others may see my name and, recognizing it for that of a reader, but not author, of mysteries, delete it. They may even possibly have a few choice words to say about my self-inclusion. In the meantime though, some poor souls will be out there seeking my wonderful (and non-existent) mysterious utterings.
The value of this section for me was seeing what some libraries are doing in the area of wikis. In addition to the ones mentioned in the 23 Things article, the current issue of "American Libraries" includes the Biz Wiki, developed by an Ohio University business librarian. www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/bizwiki This same article addresses one of my own concerns about inaccurate content being added to wikis by mentioning that wikis can be restricted to a select group of contributors. I think these people might have grown up validating information . . .
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Web 2.0 & Libraries 2.0
That the web is evolving and that libraries evolve as a corollary activity is a given for those of us in the field. If you are reading this in a library building, look around. How many people do you see at computers? How many people are reading something in a print format? My own count: 3 people reading, and all 23 of our public computers in use. Customers routinely use the phrase "can you look in your computer and find out . . . ". Strictly speaking, if I looked into my computer, I would find circuits, boards, and other tangible objects. I will not find information. For that I need to USE the computer. I need to avail myself of the software written by others much more technologically savvy than myself. Using the computer, taking advantage of the many technological advances about which we have been learning, I can play (love that bookworm game), find out something I need to know (what time does the Howard County Pow-wow start on Saturday?), or just explore (hmm, what's this?). As what is available expands, so will my horizons.
One of the commentaries I read said ". . . our patrons will expect access to everything – digital collections of journals, books, blogs, podcasts, etc.". That same commentary also indicated that print collections need to be stringently evaluated to determine if they are cost-effective. Does this migration to electronic methods of receiving information herald the death knell for libraries? As another commentary said ". . . libraries have always been 2.0: collaborative, customer friendly and welcoming." As long as that continues, and I expect it to be a long time, libraries will be relevant. If our customers had the technology at home, they'd probably be there. At least 23 of my customers don't have access to a computer elsewhere that suits their needs. Since I started writing this blog post, I've helped 8 people find the right path to get where they wanted to go using a computer. Web 2.0/Library 2.0, here we go.
One of the commentaries I read said ". . . our patrons will expect access to everything – digital collections of journals, books, blogs, podcasts, etc.". That same commentary also indicated that print collections need to be stringently evaluated to determine if they are cost-effective. Does this migration to electronic methods of receiving information herald the death knell for libraries? As another commentary said ". . . libraries have always been 2.0: collaborative, customer friendly and welcoming." As long as that continues, and I expect it to be a long time, libraries will be relevant. If our customers had the technology at home, they'd probably be there. At least 23 of my customers don't have access to a computer elsewhere that suits their needs. Since I started writing this blog post, I've helped 8 people find the right path to get where they wanted to go using a computer. Web 2.0/Library 2.0, here we go.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Technorati
Looking at the Blog Directory, I randomly chose a page (page 5) and there was our own John Krivak's blog!
In Blog Posts I was suprised to see "hits" in languages other than English. I didn't know how global this learning experience had become.
I was interrupted several times while looking at the blogs that had "Learning 2.0" in them. As I would rerun the search, I noticed that a few new "hits" appeared. Maybe my colleagues all over the place are hitting the same assignment in this Learning 2.0 venture.
As an aside, I was searching Amazon.com for a title and noticed that that site gives you the opportunity to tag titles you're looking at.
While exploring tags has been interesting, librarians are used to more of a "controlled environment" (at least those of us who have been around for a while are used to it!). Users who hope to find all on a topic using taps will need to keep a thesaurus close at hand!
In Blog Posts I was suprised to see "hits" in languages other than English. I didn't know how global this learning experience had become.
I was interrupted several times while looking at the blogs that had "Learning 2.0" in them. As I would rerun the search, I noticed that a few new "hits" appeared. Maybe my colleagues all over the place are hitting the same assignment in this Learning 2.0 venture.
As an aside, I was searching Amazon.com for a title and noticed that that site gives you the opportunity to tag titles you're looking at.
While exploring tags has been interesting, librarians are used to more of a "controlled environment" (at least those of us who have been around for a while are used to it!). Users who hope to find all on a topic using taps will need to keep a thesaurus close at hand!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Thing 13 - Tagging/Delicious
The most interesting thing about this exercise was to see who else had saved the same bookmaks as I did, and then to look at THEIR bookmarks. I searched for information about the C-5, a military cargo aircraft. Not a terribly popular topic, at least for Delicious users, as there were only a handful of users who had also saved bookmarks that pointed to information on the C-5. But this little journey led me to more websites on a topic of interest.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
#12 - Rollyo
Discovery exercises, #3 - "Create a post in your blog about your experience and link to your search roll. Can you see a potential use for tools like this?"
I did a search roll called "Adopt Us". I put in websites of adoption "agencies" for cats and dogs, mostly in Maryland. I have no idea how to link to it - if you, dear reader, can figure it out, kindly enlighten me. I logged in as c5mxmgr and I already told you the name of my roll.
Can I see a potential use for tools like this - NO! Except for a few that I know, I used Goggle to get other sites to add. Why bother? Why not go ahead and just use Google in the first place? In addition, when I tried to seach my own roll, I put in "german", since I had specifically included Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue (MAGSR). The first site I got, which I had NOT included in my roll, was a Tampa German Shepherd rescue organization. While I am pleased that Tampa has such a rescue, I didn't have it in my roll. MAGSR came up, but only on page two. Shouldn't it have been the first website returned, since it was in my roll?
Total waste of time, in my opinion.
I did a search roll called "Adopt Us". I put in websites of adoption "agencies" for cats and dogs, mostly in Maryland. I have no idea how to link to it - if you, dear reader, can figure it out, kindly enlighten me. I logged in as c5mxmgr and I already told you the name of my roll.
Can I see a potential use for tools like this - NO! Except for a few that I know, I used Goggle to get other sites to add. Why bother? Why not go ahead and just use Google in the first place? In addition, when I tried to seach my own roll, I put in "german", since I had specifically included Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue (MAGSR). The first site I got, which I had NOT included in my roll, was a Tampa German Shepherd rescue organization. While I am pleased that Tampa has such a rescue, I didn't have it in my roll. MAGSR came up, but only on page two. Shouldn't it have been the first website returned, since it was in my roll?
Total waste of time, in my opinion.
#11 - Library Thing
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/akc5c17
I can't really get into this. That's the link of my created library, if YOU want to get into this. I think it comes down to - I have no desire to be part of some global discussion group. I'm far more apt to discuss a book I've read with friends or colleagues than I am to post about it on a blog. I can easily use Novelist to find other titles with the same themes of books I've read. So, while this may be a lark for those interested in blogging or engaging in an email discussion about a book, it's not for me.
I can't really get into this. That's the link of my created library, if YOU want to get into this. I think it comes down to - I have no desire to be part of some global discussion group. I'm far more apt to discuss a book I've read with friends or colleagues than I am to post about it on a blog. I can easily use Novelist to find other titles with the same themes of books I've read. So, while this may be a lark for those interested in blogging or engaging in an email discussion about a book, it's not for me.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Badge Generator
This is my creation from the Badge Generator. It was fun to do. It comes from the reminiscences of my friend Lanie Warren. She was at an Alan Jackson concert at the MCI Center with her son and his friend. The inconsiderates in front of her were passing a "cigarette" back and forth and constantly standing, blocking Lanie's view and those of her charges. Lanie leaned forward and quietly said, "You shouldn't be doing that. I'm a cop." The smokers mysteriously found seats elsewhere.
So here ya go, Lanie - I made you legit!
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