Thing 7

I find the webinars fantastic. I have attended a couple of the minitex webinars already. I was able to communicate with people through the phone and see the demonstrations and presentation on the computer, it is a very needed tool for people who are not able to take time off from their work in order to travel to a conference. It saves time. It is efficient. And is a good way to keep informed and connected with people in far off libraries.

At my work everyone uses instant messaging through Microsoft. If I have a question, or need help with something I am able to see who is signed on, communicate with them and in no time at all I have an answer or a direction to turn to.

Email, well somedays I can do without it (most days really). Often times email is not used efficiently and I find it tiresome to have to scroll down past a whole lot of forwards. I also think people are able to put off making a decision or an action through email, verses an in person conversation, it is just too easy for people to ignore emails or put it on tomorrow's to do list.

I think all the options should be considered, use depends on the people you work and their communication styles. Whichever is used the most, keep.

Thing 6

ImageChef.com Poetry Blender


The trading cards would be great to hand out to students at orientation, or to have during library week. That way students have the basic information they need plus some interesting facts about the librarians and library. And hopefully they would feel welcome using the library and asking for help because of the fun nature of the cards.

Thing 5

There are so many fun features out there, I spent a lot more time playing around with the different options than I thought I would. The puzzle and the calendar stand out in my mind as fun handouts or prizes for a library. It seems that for all of the options, each one could be used somehow in a library, I think it will really get the creative juices flowing.

I have some photos set to public, but mostly set to private. I think sharing with friends and family will be good, but not with the general public. It does feel like a small sense of invasion to me, pictures are very personal. I was happy to have the option available.

Thing 4 Pt. 2

This is a picture of the Minnesota School of Business Richfield Campus Library where I work. Currently the library is in the process of expanding, we will be adding two more set of shelves within the next couple of weeks. Now, the shelves are so crowded in places we are unable to add new additions. Our collection development librarians are busy.

Thing 4

Books, originally uploaded by ms.mceathron.

This is a picture of books of a personal library I found on the Internet, the creator of this picture is unknown. Setting up the flicker account was fast and simple. I can see myself using this account in the future, and especially for work because it seems like a great way to market the library and collection. I don't foresee myself using it too much for personal photos, the advertisements are a total turn off. There are some other photo sites I will make use of. Also, I use iphoto at home and enjoy that.

Thing 3

I have had a blog reader set up for quite a while now (in fact I think I have three). However, I do not use them. They fill up quite fast when you don’t check them often, and well, I never was an avid reader of blogs to begin with. I enjoy the feeds for news and for entertainment, such as the Comedy Channel. I now have a few library related blogs and will do my best to create a habit of going to my reader account. If the content helps me to stay up to date and informed, then I think I will use more often. For those who do use RSS feeds, it is very important to have that feature on library websites. An RSS icon on the library events page or new books page will be a great marketing tool for libraries, because the patron will automatically be updated and informed.

Thing 2

I am always pleased to see libraries using web 2.0. I have some very sad experiences with librarians and support staff completely intimated and distraught over new technology and change. Each time I was very confused as to why, are we not supposed to be the go to people for information literacy? It seems to me continual learning and adaptation is an integral part of being an information literate librarian. The Internet has changed the way people consume, need and create information, it is only natural the library run right along side with this change, just as any other company in any other market must keep up with “the times” in order to succeed. I am looking forward to continuing this program and very excited to see what ideas other librarians come up with.