Social Networking.

Technology is really amazing. Week 12 left me a bit "gobb-smacked!" It is endless what a library can acheive. The free on-line resources are available. It is a shame that working at a busy Branch Library with limited Staff (two of us) that there is little time available to explore everything.
The public library that has a dedicated Community programs/marketing section will benefit from everything that has been revealed to us in this course. I have enjoyed it and am glad I made it through to Week 12. I thought I'd never make it, having started in March 2008.
For client interaction, marketing and networking aspects, the library would be able to reach more people internationally as the physical barriers are broken down. A person does not have to be in the library or in the same country. Interactions, meetings, confrences is done in real time.
It is interesting how, on a single website, there can exist a variety of interactive resources/activities. A good example was the Teen Secondlife http://www.plcmc.org/teens/secondlife.asp

Google Docs

On-Line Application Tools.

There are things the library has to record and do on a monthly basis such as recording the end of the month statistics, write up new procedures, list programs on a calendar of events, produce promotional pamphlets for "What's on", etc.
The organisation could make great use of these tools where Staff can work on the same projects collaboratively and documents are kept up-to-date by the minute.

The "Love-Heart Bunnies".

I originally selected this picture for my first mashup. I kept on trying and finally got it in the warhol style.
One great way my library can use Mashups is by providing library locations, addresses, opening times, pictures and even voice-threads through an interactive map-site,like goolemap, making information quick and easy to access/available to potential new library users/members to find. Another good way is to mashup a calander with picture of up and coming events at the library. This would help further promote library services.

Mashup - Warhol style.

It took me some time to work out how to create a mashup but with a little help from others I managed to come up with this.

Podcasts

It was very interesting to listen to the various podcasts that are available. I really thought the podcast at http://libvibe.blogspot.com/ (posted 03/06/08)was intersting especially the one that discussed problems of "the library has turned into a shelter for the homeless" as the homeless seek shelter in public libraries and there is nothing libraries can do as it is a public place for all.
The "library a-Go-Go" was also interseting where books are dispenced to customers via a machine.
I think podcasts can be used in libraries to communicate services, news, events and further promote services to all. It is a great service for the visual impaired.
I like the way podcasts have been used for storytelling by the Denver Public Library. Others have used it for book reviews and listening to author interviews. Just think minutes may even be replaced by podcasts for those who missed meetings. Would you prefer to have the option of listening to a meeting that happened at work rather then reading the minutes?

Slamming the board! Go for it.

I answered the following in Yahoo Answers.

How old do you have to be to get a job at Wendy's?
• 16 years old. This is the age you are identified as an Adult. You will be on a low hourly rate at first because you are still considered a junior. Part-time work, usually on weekends or evenings will be offered. This is best to gain some pocket money while you complete your HSC.

At the library where I work this would be a great service. I can see it being used for book reviews/staff picks, new services/on-line tutoring, library surveys/customer feedback. Slamming the board is simmilar to FAQ and Blogs. People can look up ready referenced answers and add comments. I noticed that my local Council actually posted customer comments at the end of the final report when they introduced the Pets Companion Act 2005 Management Plan. I found it quite novel to read responses, concerns and issues and how Council then tried to address them.
Of course there was no best response ratings.

Delicious-Technology is great when it works properly.

I cannot complete Week 7. Access to the delicious website is denied at work. IT section is looking into it but it is a low priority as Council is busy upgrading their own homepage. The Internet is also slow as the library I work for is changing over from Horizon to Symphony(Sirsi-DynisX)Library Management System. I'm going to skip over to week 8 now or I'll never finish this course.

My library of books

http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?view=HeyMicky39&shelf=list&sort=commentsREV

My Library of books.

POOR QUALITY LIBRARY SERVICE. A frustrated state employee gives a spacey girl a hard time..

I watched this video clip on You-Tube and had to sigh at viewing such bad customer service. I have experienced such behaviour and negative attitudes in my life of studies that hindered my "information seeking". Good help can be hard to find. What the librarian does in this clip is exactly what I have seen some library staff do to customers. Through creating a non user friendly environment it discourages customers from returning to the library. Some staff like to work in a boring, slow and quiet work place with no challenges or passion for libraries/library work. I just wish staff like that would leave as it creates a negative impact on the organisation.

Wiki lesson- My thoughts.

Recently I used a Wiki at work to quickly help me find a list of the "Where's Wally" publications. I was able to help identify the exact title a customer wanted to place an order. I just completed the week 5 lesson and have discovered that the Wiki is a great tool to use for supporting Readers Advisory work. Libraries can use it to access and record book reviews and promote recent aquisitions. I like the idea of the virtual tour. This is a great way to showcase exisiting libraries, especially ones that have been refurbished like the one I work at or to show new branches that have opened. Looking at a Heritage Wiki where people can add and edit information is great for libraries as it allows the community to record local history that would otherwise be lost. These are some of the benefits a library service can gain from using Wikis.

RSS - Read all about It by ChangesChanges.

I like RSS and newsreaders as they save me time searching for articles on topics that I am interested in because articles are automatically delivered to my g-mail account. I basically selected sites that would assist me at work with any Readers Advisory work such as book reviews, with displays, and Book Club discussions at the library. I was impressed by Sutherland Shire Libraries News and Mosman Library Teen Zone blogs. I did several searches for other public libraries with no results. Hopefully more libraries will create their own blogs in the future after learning 2.0 is completed. It would be good to see what other libraries have done and what plans they have in the future such as activities. I think this technology is a great way of networking and sharing ideas.

Cat Conspiracy

Cat Conspiracy
Originally uploaded by Tjflex2

I love cats, especailly this one is full of cats.

ChangesChanges first blog ever!

Wow what an experience. I'm glad I made it to the land of blogging. I hope to learn more about this way of communication. Information Computer Technology is ever changing, hence my first ever blog title. I think people need to keep abreast with technology and keep their skills up to date. New technology is emerging in all our lives at home and at work. In the current work environment people need to be trained and exposed to all learning opportunities such as NSWPL Learning 2.0 program to perform well in their job, especially in libraries and information centres. This is one great example of Lifelong Learning. What is good about the program is one can manage to complete it at one's pace. Time is always short, rushing around here and there. I like looking at other blogs, especially all the fun photos people have posted. The best blogs are work related. Some excellent public library blogs out there allowing the institution to communicate it's services and allowing customer feedback to be posted for all to read too. I think the library I work for could make great use of this technology. The IT/Systems section need to implement this but are still struggling to create a great homepage and navigation links to services. Signing off for now.