Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed this program. I've learned so much from both the exercises and from our great guest speakers. I would like to learn more about the social websites as I think this is the new trend and sooner or later EVERYONE will be using.

I really enjoyed the Online Software and think that this is something that our patrons would enjoy learning more about. I've already shared it with a few of our teens and they loved it about as much as I did.

I loved that our 2.0 Advocates at Burien, I'll throw a shout out to Valerie and Toni, were so energetic about getting us started and encouraging us along the way. It helped A TON....

It would be great if someone kept us current on new library-relevant technologies. Could we add it to the Intranet???

I'm really glad I did this and I would sooooo do it again.

Podcasts

Okay I searched and searched and only found one that I liked. It was about gaming in the library and it was great. I found it on Yahoo Podcasts and I added the RSS feed to my Bloglines account. The speaker had great ideas, alot of which we are starting or already have started doing in our branches. Way to go KCLS.

YouTube

So I must admit I knew about YouTube before this exercise and am probably an addict (should I even admit that). YouTube is fascinating with all the random videoclips. There are tons of ways the libraries could use YouTube, advertising storytimes, GameOn, Computer classes, etc....But what about virtual tours or how to's???

Choose Your Own Adventure

So this exercise was a bit overwhelming. I would've liked to look at them more in depth and probably will when I have more time. I chose Webware and went to "Education and Reference". There were some great sites listed her. I think Zoho notebook is a great idea which will be extremely useful to students. The capabilities of storing videos and pictures is FABULOUS. I also looked at Fixya which is an online tech support site for virtually everything. Super Great and I've already used it for myself and my stupid printer at home...lol

Google Labs

These were pretty interesting. I loved Google Transit. I can totally plan my bus ride without looking at the bus schedules which I'm still unable to read. Google Mars was cool....you could spend awhile on that site checking out all the geography. Google Trends was a great recommendation. I loved that soccer is only second to football in the US. WOO HOO go soccer go soccer...okay that's enough. Most of the others I couldn't figure my way around in or I needed to download something so those were a no. Okay enough rambling.

Online Applications

I loved this exercise! I'm not sure if I liked Google or Zoho more as they both had things I liked about them. Google was much more simple and straight forward, whereas Zoho had alot of options. These are both sites that I think would benefit our patrons especially with all the insanity we've been having trying to save documents to disks. What a great idea for those group projects or meeting minutes.

Web 2.0

I loved these articles. Though I love books and understand how important it is to have print copies of information, technology is the way of the future. Technology is changing lives including the intellectual aspects. One articles states:
What are libraries? Libraries are not just collections of documents and books, they are conversations, they are convocations of people, ideas, and artifacts in dynamic exchange. Libraries are not merely in communities, they are communities: they preserve and promote community memories; they provide mentors not only for the exploration of stored memory, but also for the creation of new artifacts of memory. What was the library of the past? A symbol of a society that cared about its attainments, that treasured ideas, that looked ahead multiple generations. Librarians were stewards, trainers, intimate with the knowledge base and the minds who produced it. Librarians today are not just inventory management biobots: they are people with a unique understanding of the documents they compile and catalog, and the relationships among those documents.

It says it all.

Custom Search Engines

I used google to create my custom search engine because I didn't like how Rollyo showed their search results. Google was more cut and dry and I need simple. When I search for something I want results immediately. It was cool, I wish that the sites you add to your site would directly link to the website. Here's the link to my search engine http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=001408121415156109408%3Abue6krar6dw&hl=en.

Wiki (and it's not a Star Wars character)

I looked at all of the links on the kcls27things blog and all but the Book Lovers Wiki were pretty intimidating. Everything was text based and I, apparently, am a picture type of girl. It seemed that there was maybe too much information and you had to go deeper into each subject to find out what you were looking for. However, I think Wiki's would be great for reader's advisory. It seems like we're always getting question about "what should I read next". If anyone had access to the wiki it would be full of great recommendations.

Library Thing

Okay so doing this made me realize it's been a really really long time since I've read a book for me. Don't get much mommy reading time with 3 little girls. It was so easy and it was neat to see how many other people had the same books on their "Library Thing" too. I'll definitely be adding books as I get time to read them..........maybe this summer ; ). http://www.librarything.com/catalog/seekymlearn

del.icio.us

This is great. I can see how it can/could be extremely useful in a library setting. Not only as a great research tool for those dreaded Assignment alerts, current events, etc but also as a great tool to educate library staff. What if a cluster/library created an account where they posted new and interesting aritcles, book alerts, new and critical information, etc??? How great would that be???? I'm going to share this with my middle schooler so she can bookmark her favorite homework sites and access them anywhere there's an internet connection.

My Space

It seemes everyone has a MySpace even my father in law (kinda crazy). I already had one, but I made another one just for work because...well I don't know if y'all could handle me outside of work. I love it!!!! Great to see KCLS has a MySpace maybe we can start one up that's a bit more interactive to draw in more of the teen population.

RSS Feeds

It took me forever to finish this one. Though it was super easy starting a bloglines account it wasn't so easy finding the RSS icon on the websites I was looking up. I totally love the idea of RSS feeds though. Like my co-worker Val said it's like having a traveling favorites list.

Mashups -- wow how genius

How cool is this!!! Spent a ton of time with Retrievr...found out apparently I'm not so good at drawing but how awesome. My girls think it's the coolest and it's now marked in their favorites. Also Mappr was great. I love photography and there some truly talented folks out there.

Meaghan

meaghan
Originally uploaded by kimberk@kcls.

Here's Meag, always posing for the camera. She's my go getter who will try anything. Soccer, Ballet, Track, Softball....you name it she wants to do it. Watch out world there's no stopping this one.

marissa

marissa
Originally uploaded by kimberk@kcls.

Here's Rissy B. Her smile can light up a room. She's my little helper always wanting to lend a hand. She's the reader of the family....several books at a time (don't know how she does it). She also sings like an angel. I've been truly blessed.

Maki - soccer star

maki
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/7320319@N07/.

This is where I'm at when I'm not working. Maki's soccer (her passion) has taken up alot of our free time. Thank goodness her little sisters love watching her play.

I uploaded this picture using Flickr, which I love. What an easy way to share pics with your friends, family and co-workers. I will definetly be using this alot more.

March 12, 2007

Okay this is my first post and only because Chee-hoo is making me. I set up my blog and it wasn't as easy as I anticipated. I actually had to sit and focus and for those who know me know that it was no easy task. So I tried to register my blog and of course there's some error and it won't let me. Guess I'll keep trying.