Podcasting and Internet Video

For the podcasting part, I tried out a few different sites that had podcasts and listened to some NPR book casts. I also viewed a few instructional casts on various library services.

For the internet video part, I went to YouTube and searched around for library videos. Some were informational and some like the following for entertaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qk0R0dpzmI

I can see these podcasts being useful in giving out information or training. They also are entertaining and put a human side to the library world, but Im not sure if I would ever use podcasting routinely at work.

Flickr

Free To Use
Originally uploaded by Becky F

I picked this picture because it is not only exceptionally pretty but it was created by another Becky F.

As for using Flickr- it is surprisingly easy and once I had a Flickr account- it took no time in connecting Flickr with my Blogger blog. The internet as a whole is becoming a smaller place with all the connectivity capabilities which increases functionality. I think using Flickr could prove very useful in library settings, helping patrons stay on top of events and happenings.

RSS Feeds

As someone who likes to browse many news and information sites, rss feeds save time opening each up individually. It streamlines information to your reader. The plus is you get the kind of news you want at your fingertips- the downside is that you may miss a headline that catches the eye because you didnt have that section of the news setup in an rss feed.

It would also be highly effective in managing the information pulled from blogs that are followed. New blog posts would feed into the individual reader without having to pull up each blog to browse for new information.

In a library setting, I can see myself feeding the information I read from various library blogs and wikis into one reader for easier and faster browsing. I could see patrons adding the libraries feed to their own readers so they can keep up with any new events or news.

Twitter and Libraries

Twitter might prove to be a very useful tool for libraries. Patrons could follow library tweets about upcoming events, new books, and programs. It would be a way to keep patrons up-to-date and informed.

Blog Creating

It is easy to create blogs, what I find challenging is thinking of "important" information to share in one.

I have a student employee blog that is used rarely for events, ect- but I do wish it would be more interactive. I hope in the future students and staff can share experiences with each other in an effort to improve skills and abilities.

71/2 Habits

I think Habit #4 is the hardest one for me. There is so much technology and information out there, that it can be overwhelming at times when trying to learn and master all of it. The lack of confidence comes into play, when I spend alot of time learning a new technology only to discover upon mastering it, that there is an even newer greater one available.

Habit #2 would have to be one of the easier for me because, I'm usually looking for the next new thing sometimes before mastering the old. I believe there are always new things to learn and new ways of doing. If you are not open to looking for or discovering new ideas, technologies ect, then you cant grow or learn.