Winston is Easily Fooled

Okay, I'm hoping this works. Love YouTube, but it is a huge time-waster. Still, there have been some great library uses, and I'd love to see some of our great programs there! Maybe have a childrens librarian demonstrate the craft from their program or tell a story?

I'm Cooked!

Okay, I'm going to have to spend more time on the Web!! I looked at the site called I'm Cooked - it is a site of cooking videos submitted by anyone - they actually show you how to cook - now anyone can have their own cooking show. Just glancing around, I saw several recipes I want to try, and I love being able to watch someone else go through the process! This is really awesome. Do think it might become a resource librarians could mention to people looking for cookbooks or cooking help!

Google Docs

I've tried Google Docs before in order to share spreadsheets, and I love the way it works. It really does make it so much easier when everyone can access and edit the data in one place, rather than everyone working on their own PC and then trying to compile the data! I don't see the same benefit in documents, but I'm sure it would also have its uses there.

One interesting thing might be that the use of these web-based apps would actually encourage people to collaborate when they might not have thought of doing that otherwise. If so, that would be an interesting change with all kinds of implications!

Since the first time I used Google Docs, I've thought of even more ways to use it, again, mostly the spreadsheets - we're capturing vendor information there now. However, with Microsoft SharePoint coming soon, I would expect most of my shared documents will move there - feels a bit safer to me.

Wikis, part 2

I did add my information to the TCCL wiki. I think the interesting thing about wikis is getting people to participate. You can either require it, as is the case here, or you can create a wiki that people will want to contribute to because they can see the benefit to themselves or others. I would love a floating collection wiki for all Innovative Interfaces libraries, to encourage posting of best practices, things gone right and wrong, and ideas and procedures.

Wikis!

I definitely love the idea of wikis, though I think people need to be careful. Wikis work best when you really do want lots of people to add, delete, and change information. For this reason, things like policies and procedures may be better off as regular ol' web pages. But wikis are great when you do want wider participation in a topic. I love the Floating Collection wiki we have set up, even though it isn't getting much use - I think that's the other tricky part, getting people to read and contribute.

I can think of lots of uses for wikis - am considering a cataloging wiki for TCCL where we can discuss various cataloging issues and work in a shared space to reach consensus.

Library 2.0

To me, Library 2.0 means using technology to try to keep libraries fresh, relevant, and useful. Library 2.0 is something that should happen in addition to 1.0 services like reference work, readers advisory, and story times. I also think that Library 2.0 needs to be constantly changing, letting go of old technologies when they're passe, and staying out front with new technologies. This means that librarians need the time to read about and learn to use new technologies and a willingness to open their mind to how those tools can improve customer experiences at our libraries. The most important thing seems to be that we need to become aware that technology is an incredible tool we can use to help connect our customers to the information and entertainment that they want and need. When the tools change, so must we!

Technorati

I think the unfortunate lesson here is that there are an awful lot of blogs out there that I have NO interest in reading ever. It is a good thing to be able to search for blogs though, as that is where a lot of interesting work is being written. This is particularly true about cataloging - I just don't think you can avoid the blogosphere anymore, even though you have to be so careful about accepting the information out there!