It was fun trying out several of these sites. You can tell many of them are still in their "infancy" - they are waiting for more input. As far as the library is concerned, I might use these sites for information or recommendations. I don't think any of them would replace our premium resources.
The sites I tried were Urbanspoon, MyHeritage, Standout Jobs and Biblio. Once Urbanspoon has more reviews, it will be more useful. At present, the resturants by neighborhood is pretty neat. The genealogy site looks like it would be easy to use. I have used both Heritage Quest and Ancestry Plus - at some point I'll have to compare this new site to those. Standout Jobs has some interesting software that looks like it would be useful in searching for employees. As for Biblio, I've used them in the past to find the value of old titles. That was really interesting.
All in all, I'd enjoy trying more of these sites if I had the time.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Documenting Google Docs
I have been using Google docs for almost a year. I find them very handy when I need to create a document or presentation when I'm away from my personal computer. It certainly is handier than carrying a flash drive or a floppy disc. In fact, I have taken to recommending them to customers who need to create something (usually for school) and have no way to save it. I know we have been talking about adding space for our customers to save through their CML account. Until we decide to do something similar, Google docs fills the bill.
That being said, one has to remember that these documents are not under our control. If Google should decide that we need to pay to have access, I'm certain that somewhere in the fine print of all those user agreements there is language to the effect that Google is the ultimate owner.
That being said, one has to remember that these documents are not under our control. If Google should decide that we need to pay to have access, I'm certain that somewhere in the fine print of all those user agreements there is language to the effect that Google is the ultimate owner.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Learn & Play Wiki finally gave up
its struggle to keep me from editing it. Once I got in, it was surprisingly easy to work with. Looking at blogs, and del.icio.us and now, wikis, I think the wikis may be the way to go with setting up a reader's advisory site for CML. I can envision each person having their own page within the wiki for their favorites, as well as having genre and/or media type pages. Hmmmm. I'll have to consider this some more.
Monday, September 22, 2008
I think I like WIKIs!
After looking at Grand Rapids Public Library's wiki , I am sooooo envious! I really am impressed with all their Readers' Resources. I think this is what I've been hoping to set up at CML for my coworkers. Now that I've seen an example, I want to have my own reader's wiki. So cool!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Library 2.OH NO!
Or rather, Oh Yes!
Rick Anderson's article, "Away from the 'Icebergs'" is right on point. Slowly, our collections are moving away from a "just in case" plan. As I remove last copies that have circulated 5 times since 1983 (and earlier), part of me is sad to see a title someone obviously felt a need to keep, being thrown on the discard heap. At the same time, what does it say that in over 20 years, only 5 people found this title - and then checked it out. Perhaps easily discovered digital copies will end up finding greater readership than print copies. We cannot warehouse every copy, just in case.
Anderson's point about training is also very dear to my heart. While I know that we will always have customers for whom even the most simple web page is a challenge, we certainly do not need to add to their woes or ours by making things needlessly complicated - just because we can.
And then I read Wendy Schultz's article "To a temporary place in time...." Boy, Library 4.0 sounds really cool. It also sounds costly. She mentions partnering with private sponsors who will provide sensory treats. I just hope private partners won't take the public out of the public library.
Rick Anderson's article, "Away from the 'Icebergs'" is right on point. Slowly, our collections are moving away from a "just in case" plan. As I remove last copies that have circulated 5 times since 1983 (and earlier), part of me is sad to see a title someone obviously felt a need to keep, being thrown on the discard heap. At the same time, what does it say that in over 20 years, only 5 people found this title - and then checked it out. Perhaps easily discovered digital copies will end up finding greater readership than print copies. We cannot warehouse every copy, just in case.
Anderson's point about training is also very dear to my heart. While I know that we will always have customers for whom even the most simple web page is a challenge, we certainly do not need to add to their woes or ours by making things needlessly complicated - just because we can.
And then I read Wendy Schultz's article "To a temporary place in time...." Boy, Library 4.0 sounds really cool. It also sounds costly. She mentions partnering with private sponsors who will provide sensory treats. I just hope private partners won't take the public out of the public library.
How Del.Icio.Us!!
This LandP @ CML thing may well be one of the more important sites to explore. I can see it replacing the favorites/links at our Info computers. For reader's advisory alone, this would be a boon to the info staff.
On a personal level, I try to have as few sites to visit as possible. I have too many books to read and I don't need to get sidetracked here. I'm already years behind in my reading.
(Does anyone else think that 'folksonomy' sounds like an economy based on arts and crafts - or maybe folk music?) Just wondering.
On a personal level, I try to have as few sites to visit as possible. I have too many books to read and I don't need to get sidetracked here. I'm already years behind in my reading.
(Does anyone else think that 'folksonomy' sounds like an economy based on arts and crafts - or maybe folk music?) Just wondering.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Don't Get All Twitter-pated
I've signed up for Twitter (as radnor17). I can't decide whether this is more exhibitionistic or voyeuristic. I guess it depends on whether I'm being followed or I'm doing the following. It also feels a little like stalking. (I know, I know, I've read too many Deaver and Saul novels.)
As far as CML goes, I guess Twitter would be one way for our supervisors to know what we're doing. Of course, they could just look around the branch.
As far as CML goes, I guess Twitter would be one way for our supervisors to know what we're doing. Of course, they could just look around the branch.
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