Thing 23.3 Final Thoughts -------- Mind the Path

Thing 23.2 Final Thoughts Sweeping Up

"Traditionally we've locked up our resources behind passwords and barcodes, keeping things in catalogs and databases no one else can access except by using our sites...while we were busying burying and hiding our content and resources, the rest of the world decided to share -- openly. As a result, libraries are not in that mix and we are not where the users are."
Jenny Levine "What is New about Library 2.0"

"Interactivity is another design feature of Web 2.0. The intent is to give users a rich experience within the system, allowing them to explore on their own and providing many pathways to the end results."
David Tyckoson "That Thing You Do"

"I believe that this program is worthy of our notice. Please feel free to experiment with this site on work time, as the pressure of other work allows."
Marlene Moulton Janssen, Director, Anoka County Library, Email to staff, Subject: 23 Things on a Stick

"In simplest terms, 2.0 is a new way of thinking about libraries. First and foremost, it follows one underlying golden rule: to dynamically interact with and listen to your users to create more user-centered services, both physical and technology-related. Fundamentally, 2.0 is the willingess to enhance library services through collaboration."
"Young adults ask for sites they can use to interact with other teens and library staff, take quizzes, submit reviews, play games, look up information, chat with library staff for assistance, post messages and comments....."
Kimberly Bolan, Meg Canada, Rob Cullin "Web, Library, and Teen Services 2.0"

"Instead of trying to build the best destination, build the best network. The kind of network I'm refering to is a web of interconnections -- links between content and people...The goal: to make your Web site a network hub that connects content and conversations."
Rich Gordan "Get Smart About Your Readers: Ideas & Insights"

Thing 23.1 Final Thoughts

There are so many questions posed in this final thing. Yes! I would participate in another program like this. Unexpected outcomes? Well, I really did get wrapped up in the whole thing - the rest of the family had a hard time getting computer time. I had a blast meeting up with old friends on Facebook and writing on young friends' walls. I resolved a couple of years ago to say things to young people when I have the opportunity - to let them know they have a friend. I've been able to do that on Facebook. That has been pure good. Improvements? -- I only noticed two little glitches and I commented on them. I do miss the personal contact with the "teacher" but I know you are there. Not everyone is as enthusiastic as they could be - some are downright negative. Well, I guess there is always a negative voice -- or maybe we are all negative from time to time. OK I am going for one more random post. I have this stack of articles with highlighted quotes -- I will throw them down in Thing 23.2

Thing 23. Final Thoughts

I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment right now. When I first read about this challenge I was so excited and I have thrived on each and every thing. Remember thriving is a substantial word. I took the online survey before writing up this final post. I had a bit of the old "test anxiety" but got through. What has changed? Me, of course. I have been places and learned stuff. I am an enriched librarian. I am so fortunate to have this for my daily work. So fortunate. And the present is so good and the fact that everything is changing is so good. There is no denying this evolution/revolution... There is no virtue in doing anything a certain way just for traditions sake. Let us respectfully speak and discuss and dare to try. Respect for others has been a component of this class. Respect for the developers of these sites and methods. Respect for the leadership of libraries. The bonds that have formed and strengthen between co-workers in our building as we have laughed and shared about a thing has been a powerful experience. Thank you to the leaders that opened this door for us. Now we all have to deal with the fact that the door has been opened and there is no going back.

Thing 22.2 What Did I Learn Today?

It was inevitable that the thing monkey would appear one last time in the 23 Things on a Stick. I am accountable to her so she knows about the resolution and will keep me honest. Thanks Thing Monkey. I will continue to read the blogs that I have set up on Bloglines. I will probably even offer comments of my own. I will respond to the journal alerts read the wealth of articles and discussions that are taking place. I will participant heartily in discussions in my home workplace with my co-workers and colleagues. I recommend these paths to others. I will remember that I cannot possibly read it all.

Thing 22.1 What Did I Learn Today?

Here are my responses to the specific questions: I do resolve to maintain my blog -- the avatar has got to go however and a few other razzle-dazzle. So it will "evolve" as well. Perhaps it will be more candid. Hmmm. I will ask myself "What did I learn today?" and record some of the answers. I always have more questions than answers -- more curiosity than conclusions.

Thing 22. What Did I Learn Today?

What a big question. What did I learn today? That my profession is like everything else -- always changing. The rate of change and the components that are impacting and driving the changes are many. Some routines go on in a timeless way other routines fall away. All change changes us. Sometimes I am so ready other times resistant and reluctant. In one of my early blogs (Thing 2.1) I wondered about definitions and Library 2.0 --Evolution? Revolution? Transformation? Mutation? Now at Thing 22 I can say all of those are true. Start a conversation about Library 2.0 Or Web 2.0 -- or any of the buzzwords I've read over and over again in this seminar and the conversation will veer to all of those descriptions. The 23 Things lesson uses "evolve". It's hard to argue with "evolve". For me anyway. I've seen it happening -- growth toward potential -- progress.

Thing 21.2 BMSOSN Blog Prompts

Here's to the richness of the mix. I have joined more groups in the last month than I have in the 57 years preceding... Some I am sure I will revisit and work out a place to inhabit, others I will revisit long enough to delete my account. All the traveling has been worth it. I am hoping that the network building will enrich us all and strengthen our libraries - personally, professionally and for the public.

Thing 21.1 Beyond MySpace:Other Social Networks

FYI -- I think this is the MySpace for Books in Publisher's Weekly article. The link was not functional when I tried in the 23 Things instructions. I posted a comment on the Thing 21 page.
Gather is described in this article dated 12/12/05 (the date could be a problem - over 2 years is a LONG time ago in techtime) as a "mix between a lifestyle portal and a content aggregator...". This is a good description I think. Both Gather and Ning are multitasking sites that offer groups, blogs, photoshare, tagging... They add another layer to the opportunities the web offers. In the article "Building a Social Networking Environment at the Library" the statement is made that the social web "represents a cultural shift towards expression, collaboration and interaction...users are not satisfied with simply reading web pages. They are beginning to expect the opportunity to interact online with...(why not?) their library." This is another of the topics that opens boxes for people who think and talk about librarians of tomorrow. Clearly all aspects of social networking are available to the library --- but which ones are useful? From user/patron/open tagging to collection direction and selection -- some of these areas are still considered sacred by many in the profession. Folksonomy can be a very controversial topic. Collaborating has always required studied awareness of dynamics mixed with grace and tact. Think committees. Campion's article suggests three steps toward becoming interactive libraries: education, application, endorsement. The advocates of Library 2.0 agree that this direction is progress, the detractors have many arguments against. Some of the conversation stoppers use words like "fad" and "hype". So here we are at a Step 1: education=23 Things on a Stick. These 23 Things have, I'm sure, set ideas spinning through the our heads. Will we be able to move on to application? Will our supervisors and directors - after opening these doors and windows to us be able to collaborate with us toward the library of the future?

Thing 21. Beyond MySpace: Other Social Networks

I am walking around in Gather. It is user-friendly and straightforward. I joined so I could look at everything I wanted to see. After about 45 minutes there, I headed over to WebJunction and joined up there. This format is easier on the eyes; the ads in Gather were distracting and alien for me. I found my way to the Minnesota content and the 23 Things on a Stick page, then wandered into the PLA 2008 Virtual Conference which led me over to the ALA site. Yikes, it's a maze and a time sucker. This site is one I'll put on my favorites, the resources will expand my knowledge of my profession. Now over to Ning. I'm a member of Ning and the 23 Things on a Stick group. I uploaded by profile picture. This is my page. I commented on another librarian's post about 23 Things and invited a co-worker/23Thinger to contact me when she gets to #21. I created a group -- Mock Newbery. Adding the widget took some looking around for me -- I got a bit frustrated but finally found it! Look for it in the right hand column. I realize this was Question 2 of "For this Thing" so the next post will discuss the articles in Question 1.

Thing 20.1 Libraries and Social Networks

After the last tangent post I'll start a new one to stick to the assignment. I joined MySpace and hung around for about an hour exploring, then deleted my account. Too many ads and junk everywhere for me. Maybe that is an age thing. I'll stay on Facebook. I have friends there now and have been a participant for about a month. I have family and work friends. I've written on walls and my wall has been written on, I've even received gifts! I am a fan of Hennepin County Library. I joined a group CCS Blaine -- the school where I worked before the library. Wrote notes to many of my former students. It will be fun to hear back. Finding that group was fun for me - to see their grownup photos and remember them from six+ years ago. I am also a member of the "Library 2.0 Interest Group" and "Librarians and Facebook". The HCL Facebook page offers catalog search, fan photos and chat with a librarian.

Thing 20. Libraries and Social Networks

I opened this post with a hot cup of coffee and this photo of a child looking at the face of another child... Now it is 9:30 and I am nearly done with the assignment and it is time to blog my experience and conclusions...
Since I had set up a Facebook membership a couple of weeks ago in preparation for 23 Things I thought this thing would be a fast one. However, the first stop was the enormous Teens and Social Media Report from the PEW/Internet & American Life Project. I read through most of the 44 pages and printed out the Summary of Findings (pages 1-6) for my file. (Yes, I have a file for 23 Things.) The insights and statistics for the appeal of social networks is a revisiting of human development. The Maslow Hierarchy of Needs is a blueprint for the how and why of this appeal. The social need for belonging/love/affection/acceptance=groups,
the need for esteem/confidence/achievement/respect=offering and receiving friendship, the need for self-actualization/making and presenting the self/spontaneity/creativity=posting, sharing photos, exposure. This is life -- today made visible in social networks -- moments of understanding and happpiness alone and yet part of the world. These social networks, for all their quirks, are a sign of the culture's positive mental health.

Thing 19 Podcasts

I added a podcast to my blog a while ago. It is down the right hand side - it is Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac. Also look for Comedy Clip of the Week Podcast, down a little bit farther.

Review and Relect---------5 Things to Go

5 chairs. 5 Things to go. I was a Luddite for a long time. I got a computer so that the children in my house would be able to function with the technology that was defining the world around us. We don't own a television and haven't had one for almost 20 years. I don't own a cell phone and really don't know how to place a call using one; I've talked on one, I don't know how to hang it up. Some days I am pretty excited about this technology and the boggling aspects of it. But, well, I have a computer in my house, with a DSL modem. And English is my first language and I know how to read. I have had many educational opportunities -- as a librarian and teacher -- information literacy is familiar territory for me. But, I see the patrons who come in everyday to use the computers at the library. There is way more demand than there is supply... To offer this enriched content without the hardware to use it? We have to have enough computers in the buildings and be open enough hours to give patrons time to explore... We have this obligation. Speaking of obligation, I am obliged and honored to thank the Creative Commons artists who have shared their photographs with me for use in this blog. Thank You all.

Thing 18.1 YouTube ETC Blog Prompts

I've gotten pretty obsessed/preoccupied with these things. I work for hours, trying things out, failing, reworking, reading the instructions, researching, responding to prods and prompts. Now here on 18 I see a little light ahead -- the end? the beginning? I think it is time to sit in the reflection chair...First I'll finish this YouTube exploration. Truthfully, I can handle very little of YouTube. I can enjoy one now and again but I feel frittered away by watching one after another. The way I viewed them in Thing 18. Flickr is easier. The pace might be the key. Of course there are possibilities for the library web site. I have some idea sort of floating around about making a video about the library as an activity for teen summer programming -- the old standby, the bookmark, could use a little lively competition. I don't know exactly how I feel about that.

talking about a revolution (tracy chapman)

Thing 18. YouTube & Other Online Video

Our youngest son told me about this one the other day and it brings back such memories of having little boys around the house...Charlie bit me! He said it was on YouTube so I searched for it on Google Video and sure enough it was there too. I watched all the other videos in the lesson. I did not see any one I knew in March of the Librarians. I enjoyed the "library dominos" -- The "Library Musical" was pretty funny. I have mixed feelings actually. Here's a video of ours that I uploaded. It's Casey and Joe dancing - yes, there is sound.

Thing 17 ELM Productivity Tools Blog Prompts

A good working knowlege of the databases is an essential aspect of my work in children's reference. There is such a wealth of good information available in the databases. To be able to guide the patron to it or, better yet, put a stack in their hands is certainly the best use of these resources. Many patrons are completely unaware of what is available and/or overwhelmed at the prospect of extracting it themselves.

Thing 17.4 ELM Productivity Tools NetLibrary

I checked both Anoka and Hennepin County for the suggested eBook 101 Ways to Promote Your Web Site -- I could not find it. If you found it there, let me know how... I went to Amazon and read several excerpts there. Quite interesting, I would read more if it was in NetLibrary. Instead I selected another title Internet World TM Guide to One-to-One Web Marketing and searched the eContent for "branding". I read several pages, clicked on the "notes" tab and created notes. This all works quite well and is convenient to have it all there in front of you on the desktop. I went back a few minutes later and went directly to "Favorites & Notes" to view my work. Then I went back to Amazon to read the rest of the available content online.

Thing 17.3 ELM Productivity ProQuest

I sincerely hope there is not a written test over the 23 Things....
#3 ProQuest -- This one actually went quite well. I think the simple instructions were the key. The instructions followed the sequence of the options so that made sense. I could not, however, find a "radio button" but clicked on something else that led to suggested topics. And then on "view" web sites and social networks. I clicked 2007, full-text, and Washington Post. Then right straight on through the rest of the instructions. I emailed the resulting webpage to my colleague Sheila and to me. I am going to followup now with the Challenge for another practice...

Thing 17.2 ELM Productivity Tools EBSCO

This is such a great Thing. The Challenges are a slow brain-battering struggle (coffee is cold again...) but I am having some success. I made a folder and clicked on "web pages" and then on to "page composer". I made an extremely simple page, included an EBSCO search box, previewed it and saved the file. Then I couldn't find it! I searched using the general search and found several savings -- OK, I tried the save/save as several times... I found the list, moved it to a file on my desktop where it resides now. But where is it really? I found it later at work when I logged in to EBSCO. So it lives there. I guess. I also emailed it to myself -- the page arrives as an attachment which opens into a functioning page. Still in EBSCO I created a search alert and a journal alert.

Thing 17.1 ELM Productivity Tools

Anoka County does not offer InfoTrac Student Edition on its list of databases. I went (online) to Hennepin County and located it there. My card is registered there so I attempted to access it but had difficulty. I returned to an earlier page and IM-ed with an online librarian for help. That was a first and was very successful! I then search the database for "youth smoking" and saved several articles. There is an option for email but I could not find a RSS feed for tracking. I clicked on Collections on the bottom left of the Student Edition page and went to the Gale/Cengage list page and chose Student Resource Center Gold. There was information there about Managing the Information You Find -- using a tool they call InfoMark and another managing tool called "breadcrumb trail" but it also did not include setting up an RSS feed. Next I navigated into the EBSCO database and created a personal folder/account. I saw an RSS feed option there and attempted it but consistently got this message from Bloglines when I pasted the URL in. No feeds were found. Please verify that the website publishes an RSS feed. I am going to reheat my coffee and back-up a little bit.

Thing 17. ELM Productivity Tools

I never saw this ELM Portal before. I chose the MasterFile Premier and used the research term Library 2.0. Here's one of the articles I found. When I read the sentence "Every Minnesotan is entitled access to these resources" -- I thought about how many library patrons have no idea that those resources are there. So very many times I have helped people looking for information and they have asked how to find articles on their topic and they had no clue about these databases. Seems like almost a one-to-one description and introduction is necessary to make this resources real to patrons.

Thing 16 Student 2.0 Tools

If there is one thing I know about students that come into the library with work to do it is this : They are in a hurry! Usually the parents are in a hurry too. Or we see the parent or grandparent here to get materials for the child's project. How can we best help? We can ask the right questions, understand the scope of the assignment and put the right materials in the patron's hand. Understanding how assignments are structured, what research is expected, and the given timeline is very helpful to guide us to filling the patron's request. This assignment calculator is amazing in its depth and helpfulness but it is definately a planning tool for planners. This isn't going to help a second grader with two days left to do a report on an insect found only in the Belize rainforest. Hmmm. When I worked as a K-8 Media Specialist I had a special place in my heart for the Big Six. It has K-2, 3-6 and 7-12 strategies for almost any kind of a task -- from how to buy a present for someone to doing a research paper. It asks questions that all ages of student understand -- parents too, it can really be helpful to ask questions in such a way that we assist in the process of learning. These planners empower the learner and organize the process and the materials. Do not underestimate the empathy and helpfulness we exhibit to students simply by understanding their questions and giving them materials that will be most helpful to them. In this way we encourage and support learning. In this way we will give patron's satisfactory service.

Thing 15.3 Online Games and Libraries

See how the monkey's mouth is closed? Nothing more to say about Online Games and Libraries. OK, here's the plan. This weekend I'll ask the youngest son, age 15, to help me on Second Life and Pirate Puzzle. What else can I do? Now the monkey is thinking about GAMES and the Library. HMMMM. When television was new, did all the libraries put in TV lounges? Or when PONG hit the culture did all the libraries put in machines for playing PONG? GameBoys in the children's room? Something to think about...

Thing 15.2 Online Games and Libraries

"The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it." - James M. Barrie

Here is Library Journal's review of Second Life: The Official Guide

Although not a game in the strictest sense of the word, the increasingly popular virtual world of Second Life shares many commonalities with online gaming environments. Libraries interested in Second Life Library 2.0 (http://infoisland.org/) and those serving populations active in virtual environments should pick up a copy of this official, thorough full-color guide. The book walks beginners through getting started in Second Life and customizing their avatars; tells them where to go, what to see, and how to define their virtual existence; and ends with a discussion of the future and impact of Second Life. Its CD contains textures, templates, Avimator animation software, sample animations, videos, and a code for exclusive in-world content. Recommended. (Library Journal, January 15, 2007)

Thing 15.1 Online Games and Libraries

This morning I am thinking, again, of the richness community offers -- in this instance -- the "classroom" of learners along for the Things. I am reading and pondering others' musings about Second Life. I do not personally (in This Life) know anyone who plays/lives in Second Life so I am asking online. There are many blogs and articles to read. Speaking of the community/classroom of learners working on 23 Things -- the small group at my workplace, Northtown Library, Anoka County, are enthusiastic about our assignments and sharing questions and discoveries daily. We read each other's blogs and discuss our frustrations as well as the many possible applications for our particular system. We are finding that we all have strenghs and weaknesses as we tackle each Thing -- some Things are easier than others, some are inspirational for all, others are confusing.

Thing 15 Online Games and Libraries

Big Zero for me here. Both Puzzle Pirates and Second Life were completely baffling to me. I did not comprehend anything beyond starting the downloads and then refusing to shut everything down for Pirates and signing up and choosing a name and an avatar (you can change it later!!) for Second Life. I struggled along for about 2 hours and decided to write this post admitting my failure. There goes my grade in 23 Things on a Stick...... I suspected it might be like this. Even though I have four children I have never comprehended games on the computer. I do have a helicopter (CRASHING !) game that I can do for a few seconds and there have been a few others that I've had very limited success plus those avatars are creepy! I mean it. Creepy.

All Things....

Here are two of my favorite patrons, Jessica and Brandon, at home. No, they are not my grandchildren but I do love them as if they were...

Thing 14.1 LibraryThing Blog Prompts

LibraryThing is basic, like bread and books. Stay alive and read. And connect. If you have access to the internet and are a reader -- this is a fit. Simple and grand. This is the booklist we've all tried to share forever. LibraryThing makes it easy. Invite patrons to join. Share the wealth. Bon Appetit!!