Thing 23: Final Thoughts

I just finished filling out the survey for "23 things on a stick". I think this is one of the most rewarding things I could of done, for my library, for my library system, and just for my life. I have allowed myself the time to explore all the online items that I wanted to...but didn't think I should take the time to do it..and also to explore some things that I just didn't know were out there. I want to thank all the people that have made the "23 things on a stick" possible. I hope they offer this again and again for those who were unable to finish, and for those that were hesitant and now we can say to them....GO FOR IT!

Thing 22: What did I learn today?

I am almost there. I can almost taste it! I have learned so very much in this 23 things exercise. I wish that all librarians were able to do this. There is just so much information packed into the 23 exercises. My hope is that this website is maintained for awhile. I have staff that may not finish in time to get a prize...but truly the prize is learning all this information. Learning makes us better...better librarians, better parents, better friends, just better all around. I plan to take time each and every week to explore in the many new things that I have signed up for. I know that I am more interested in some of them than others. I guess that is just human nature.

Thing 21: Beyond MySpace and other Social Networks

Social Networking is just incredible! You can find a social network for just about anything and everything. I think I have been social networking before...and didn't even realize it. What is interesting is that social networking via the web seems to be replacing human networking. Then you say...how is this really any different? Well, you either get together with friends in person or on the web. The web just increases who you can count as a friend...as the web does not have any boundaries..say for example distance. I could be social networking with someone in China or in my hometown..it really doesn't matter. I looked at bakespace, whats on my bookshelf, and goodreads to name a few social networks that I browsed. All in all it just depends on what you are looking for. Sky is the limit here too.

Thing 20: Library Social Networks

Whew....social networks...I guess I shouldn't of been surprised that 55% of all teenagers use social networks ..which has surpassed land line telephone use. Really social networks are one stop shopping. They have it all, pictures, video, IM, networking on all levels. I found this very fascinating. Now I will understand a bit more when my teenager is talking about all of this. I did register for a facebook account. I hope to link up with some former classmates or others with some similar interests. Facebook to me was a bit more user friendly than MySpace. Of course I spent a bit more time with Facebook than I did MySpace...but it just seemed easier to navigate and understand. I viewed a couple of library sites in MySpace. I can really see how this would be a great thing to tap into for teen library use. I imagine teens would communicate more this way than the usual Internet options....I mean the numbers certainly support this theory. I would love to see us...Pioneerland, Plum Creek, and Sammie do something with this...create a MySpace account that would link our catalogs and many other things. Teens might just love it too.

Thing 19: Podcasts

If there is one thing that I have learned...it is that anyone can podcast. I mean if all you have to do is pick up a phone...how much easier can it possibly be. One can almost compare it to the radio. Think about it...generations ago...not that many...the radio was something that people sat around and listened to. So, pod casting is the next best thing. You can pick and choose what you want to listen to...via a podcast. I tooled around in a few different ones...podcast. com..was alright..yahoo podcast was pretty user friendly, podcast.net..I wasn't even able to access, and the one I liked the best was podcastally.com. It was very user friendly. Is this something that I am interested in doing...you know..setting up my own podcast? I would have to think about it. It would be pretty cool to set up one for summer reading. You could have students doing book reviews. So, I guess with pod casting...the sky is the limit.

Thing 18: YouTube and Other Online Video

I found this "Thing" quite entertaining. I could get lost looking at all the online videos available. Viewing all of this makes me understand what all the kids are talking about. I don't know why I have been so reluctant at taking the time to browse all of this, but I guess I have been. I think that there are many uses for Google Video and YouTube that I never realized before. I am glad that I have taken the time to explore these online video options. I wonder where I am going to post the next online video that interests me?
I am a fan of Diet Coke..so, I loved the Diet Coke and Mentos experiments. They were so funny and we don't always take the time to laugh..at ourselves, at each other, or just giggle about something in life. I thought that this was something nonsensical and humorous and wanted to share it.

Thing 17: Elm Production tools

WE LOVE ELM IN THE PUBLIC LIBRARY WORLD! We use elm all of the time for our students and adults alike. We are always showing people this wonderful resource that we all have available to us. It is one of the greatest things! Our entire staff has has some elm training at the library. It is a very cool thing.
On another note..this "thing" gave me an opportunity to review RSS. I think I needed it. When I got to my assignment for thing 17...I thought this is a snap. I went to the site, found what I needed, only each time I tried to try this feed to my RSS site...it said it was not a RSS site. So, after about 5 tries...I am going to go back and try and link them together later. Maybe it is a high traffic day or something..so, wish me luck tomorrow. I may need it.

Thing 16: Student 2.0 tools

I really loved the Assignment calculator and the Research Project Calendar. They are both tools that virtually anyone could use both children and adults that are working on assignments or projects. The Assignment calculator is a more simple approach and the Research Project Calendar is a bit more complex. I liked the fact that you could choose to print or e-mail the results to yourself. It allows people a choice, and some would prefer holding a piece of paper in their hands as to viewing something online. I also liked the positive feedback that you got with the Research Project Calendar...Good luck... is being supportive and positive when for some students doing research is more of a chore and they need something positive. Looking at the Teacher guide there was allot of information on how to teach others on the use. I especially liked the section called "Before you begin". It was simple yet practical advice and inspiration for both the teacher and the student..."Make 'em curious...is something as a teacher, librarian, parent, or whoever is demonstrating or teaching anything should always consider. It is one more thing that makes life that much more interesting...curiosity just might inspire more creativity and learning.

Thing 15: Online Games and Libraries

Working in a public library with public Internet access makes you very much aware of how gaming has become a very important aspect of peoples lives. I have a husband that simply cannot go through his day without playing spider solitaire online. I on the other hand couldn't even get into pacman in my days of youth. I asked my husband the other day...if there was some gaming gene that must of missed me or something..and he laughed. I took the 2nd life tour and enjoyed the music, the surreal world was interesting, library lingo and info everywhere was good too. I hate to say this, but I still think gaming eludes me. I do value it for other people and want to make sure I am informed on this or that, but I just don't think gaming is something that I personally am interested in now. Maybe in the future I will think differently, who knows?

Thing 14: Librarything

WOW! I plan on sharing this with not only patrons of the library, but some of my closest friends who are always trying to keep track of all their lists. This is so very easy to manage and the hardest part of registering..is making sure you write down your user name and password. Ha! Sometimes that can really be a challenge though. I like the idea of organizing my book lists and networking with others. You never know when there is a new book out there...or old one..that I really should read...because it is just what I am looking for. I can see using this for a variety of purposes in the public library format with patrons, for programming, and of course for myself. Thanks again for one more great thing in my life.

Thing 13: Online Productivity Tools

I really learned a few things here. I have had a yahoo account forever and have used quite a few things in it, but I think I will really use more and more after learning about all the other productivity tools that are out there. It is interesting to view different calendars, ta da lists, and organizations tools. I loved Backpack! I mean that tool does it all...photos, notes, calendar, and whatever else you are looking for. Then the pdf converter option and zamzar. I can think of a million uses for either of those tools for all types of students as well as businesses. This was one very big packed "thing" to look at.

Thing 12: Do you Digg?

This "Thing" was very interesting. If I had to rate the 4 different options presented I would put them in this order of preference for me...Mix, Newsvine, Digg, and Reddit. I think on a day to day use I would use Mix. There is allot of variety there and it is very easy to maneuver. For News...obviously I would choose Newsvine. The article I took a look at was "Clinton's Persistence Could Help Obama." It is from the New York Times. That is the article I choose to "share" as well. I can really see how we can use this as a tool for reference.

Thing 11: Tagging on Del.icio.us

Tagging on Del.icio.us. is a very interesting concept. I could see using this as a reference tool to very quickly at my fingertips find some answers for adults, students, college students, or whoever wants any information..quickly. I really like the idea of "folksonomy" or connecting and sharing resources with others and their i.d. tags. I am really looking forward to using my del.icio.us account.

Thing 10: Wikis

WOW! Wikis were kind of fun. I think that most people can edit, write, and save. Ha! When looking at some of the recommended Wikis...I noticed that some are more detailed than others. I also noticed on one particular site that there was some vandalism to the site, so it was password protected for the sites safety. I liked the MN150 site where they had a discussion option button. I guess you can add whatever you need for your wiki. I went to the 23 things on a stick Wiki and posted a comment on that one. It was so easy and I could really see so many library uses for wikis.

Thing 9: Online Collaboration

I could really see how we could make better use of the Internet for our library system. If we would post something on either Zoho Writer or Google Doc's...we would be able to collaborate more as a system. That would mean that people would have to be trained on how to use all of this. Some people would pick it up..but most people like to have some concrete form of instructions and directions. I really liked this idea and could see myself using this over and over again.

Public Library Association Conference 2008 @ Minneapolis

The Public Library Association Conference was exactly what it advertised..."A BREATH OF FRESH AIR" and "THE BEST CONFERENCE FOR THE PUBLIC LIBRARY WORLD." I simply enjoyed everything!
Opening up the Conference with John Wood was very inspirational. I think he made each and every one of us feel that one person can truly make a difference. The Luncheon speakers were tough to choose from. The Frommers' were fabulous! Imagine sitting next to one of them on an airplane. You would certainly need a notebook or allot of napkins for all of their tips. Nancy Pearl, was both informational and entertaining. Then we have the Exhibits. I don't believe that anything could of prepared me for that many exhibitors. I was able to view products and visit with exhibitors for some future business opportunities. I am so glad that someone told me to bring a rolly bag. It was a life saver and a fabulous place for me to store all of my author signed books, materials, handouts, and many freebies that I was able to pick up at the conference. The program choices were many. Most of the time I was hard pressed to decide between sessions. I enjoyed going to a couple different author presentations. One was authors reading aloud some of their books and the other was more of a question and answer session. Understanding the mind of an author and how they come up with their many different plots, stories, ideas, etc.. is fascinating to me. One of the children's authors came up with a book idea by listening in on a conversation at a public library between two children. I guess inspiration comes in many forms. I was able to go to sessions on "Reinventing 5" to "Handing Upset Patrons: From the Irate to the Insane". PLA organized all the sessions on a chart with ideas of who should attend these sessions...and I was all over the charts. In a library our size, I wear many hats, so this shouldn't be too surprising. A big Thank you goes to SAMMIE for this wonderful Scholarship opportunity. I would love to go again, do you think we could talk PLA into having the next one in say...St. Paul?
Many Thanks
Cindy Hendrickx