D*P*C awards night!

... and the staff Christmas party. Great night with friends and seafood. Found out another colleague who used to live in Tooowoomba. After the fun of the learning 2.0 program Warren and Susan presented prizes. I got a participant's prize of a pebble mp3!! and have spent awhile downloading music onto it. So far: Garbage - Absolute Garbage, Robbie Williams Live at Knebworth Summer 2003, So Fresh 2009, Bridezilla and Triple J's Hottest 100 of all time. Love my prize, love my workplace, and love spell with flickr.

D*P*C #7 tagging

I couldn't find my D*P*C #7 anywhere!! so had to start over. I obviously hadn't tagged it very well if at all.
It's all about tagging.
What I like about LCSH 'tags' is that they are set in stone. For a previous course I had to construct a thesaurus and that was difficult but rewarding. Remembering which tags you used for something two months ago is hard. What if you feel differently about it now?

I like the use of the hashtag in twitter, especially to follow conferences or group things. Check #qpla09, and #infservice (what's happening on information service?). I've tried to use minimalist labels/tags on this site so things are easily found (like the tag D*P*C for this program).

This is the wordle I created using content from the D*P*C website, and this one is from a beautiful Robert Frost poem I discovered when I was impressionable and reading Susie Hinton's The Outsiders. After The Outsiders I then read Gone With the Wind. I still think of Rob Lowe as Sodapop from TO even though I've seen him most recently on Brothers and Sisters. Anyway, the poem is Nothing gold can stay, written in 1923. An earlier version did not include the Edenic reference. And the article in wikipedia includes a see also reference to The Outsiders. That Susie Hinton! She brought a whole new generation to American poetry and boy culture. And all at a very young age.


And for more visual tagged wordart, revisit this site: The Visual Dictionary, and my 'cafe' and 'library' images that used to be outside the Uni cafe in Hervey Bay and Nerang Library respectively. Here's their mashup of the visual dictionary and twitter.

D*P*C # 6 & #16 mashups and finale

Loved Caitlin's name in Spell with Flickr so much that I had to try too. That's so pretty.




That was so much fun! Thanks, Warren, Neal and everyone who set up the program.
I've learned a lot, and need to revisit many of the discoveries, like IM and I really should put more images into flickr. And refine my delicious account. But I'm just not that into Facebook.

I still like blogs as a 21C way to communicate industry information among colleagues, like Skerricks among TLs, and still my favourite information services librarian site: the swissarmy librarian. I want to investigate mashups with maps.

So, not the end - the beginning.

And here's a book I just found on the library returns shelf of interest -

The rough guide to blogging: navigate the blogosphere, by Jonathan Yang, published October 2006 (old, much?). 006.7 YANG at Flinders Street, or ISBN 978184353682X from your bookstore.

Am I done yet?

you will use IM you will use IM you will use IM

D*P*C #15 mobile phone information service

They say that young people don't email, don't twitter, don't blog, but they do IM and text. And for those of us who do twitter and blog we can text from our phones directly to our online sites. And with 22 million mobiles in Australia (*ABS) there is a huge potential audience for mobile phone information services (in some libraries, the service has been there for years).

Council's new TELL_TCC text service already includes the library - if people want to ask basic questions like 'when does Flinders library close?' or 'how many books can i borrow?'
More detailed texts requiring a response, like 'can you renew my books?' will be referred onto library staff to action. Text services are present in academic libraries around Australia, see James Cook University (overdue & recall notices sent), and in Brisbane libraries (a huge service of 33 branches).
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_1240: you can text Brisbane Square and the Hub libraries. And QUT.



One I'd like to see? Embed IM on the library front page for information services. A timely article from Nina today is 'How-to: working with campus marketing classes to improve reference service visibility'. Duke and MacDonald** note in their paper that 'the marketing students strongly advocated starting an instant messaging (IM) reference service... ultimately chose Meebo because of its ability to work with Yahoo, Google Talk and MSN chat software. ... the Meebo widget could be embedded into library webpages.. high visibility...' This occurred at The Ames Library at Illinois Wesleyan University, which then developed a stategy for promoting the IM service.
Of course, having the ability to access e-books, podcasts, etc will be amazing too.
As Bonnie said, Shan is already sending SMSs out to people who have booked in to events to confirm bookings.

* Australian Bureau of Statistics. Population Clock: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?OpenDocument (sourced via Warren at http://citylibrarieslearning.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/discovery-15-mobile-phones/)

** Duke, L.M. & MacDonald, J. B. (n.d.). How-to: Working with campus marketing classes to improve reference service visibility. Information Today Inc. Accessed online at http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov09/duke_MacDonald.shtml.


another image from oppersephone's fanpop gallery, just because.
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/edward-cullen/links/8813136

online databases = unsung resources D*P*C #14 & citations

This discovery has been up for six weeks and this is the first time I get to it? October/November have been full on.

I've used online databases extensively while researching for university assignments. For some I found information within, for others using the database was the assignment.
While working here I've had the wonderful opportunity to participate in and lead webinar training offered by the State Library of Queensland where we have explored NoveList, Library PressDisplay and Oxford Reference Online from the comfort of our own Learning Space with Smartboard.
Hooking into alerts from various databases is invaluable for professional development - select some from SLQ (or other state/national libraries), your local public library, and ALIA if you're a member.
I really like recommending database use to school students, and their parents, because it opens up a whole new world of information access. And some databases generate citations for each article, making a student's work easier.

I used the visual search feature on History Reference Centre and found this article in full text, with citation examples (this one APA style). Chosen because the MTQ is an amazing place for exploration, and they offer free entry to locals.

References
Menghetti, D. (2002). Museum of Tropical Queensland. Australian Historical Studies, 33(119), 194. Retrieved from History Reference Center database.

If you're a school student you should check out Your Tutor, but through your public library site.

I've just logged in to ProQuest through SLQ using my e-services card and searched on 'townsville'. Quite a few articles came up, including these:

Ocean Research; Research on ocean research published by scientists at James Cook UniversityAnonymous. Ecology, Environment & Conservation. Atlanta: Nov 27, 2009. p. 198
Biodiversity; Scientists at James Cook University target biodiversityAnonymous. Ecology, Environment & Conservation Business. Atlanta: Nov 21, 2009. p. 392

I used the 'create a web page' feature and emailed the selections to myself and James (what will he be thinking tomorrow morning?)

http://tinyurl.com/66awf2 - Visit Townsville CityLibraries online databases page to find some information for your needs.
Or SLQ: http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/find/articles
Or NLA: http://www.nla.gov.au/app/eresources/
A secondary school loving databases: http://www.jerichoschools.org/hs/Library/esources.html
and our favourite alma mater, CSU: http://www.csu.edu.au/division/library/find-info/databases/
Join ALIA and receive access to the ProQuest journal package: http://www.alia.org.au/LISjournals/.

Don't let online databases hide - show them to your community!

Why all this gathering of information and correct citing? To learn from others, to form your own understanding, and to create new information and knowledge. And producing a perfect reference list will get you good marks in university (and should be highlighted through intensive information literacy education in schools) - today's Courier Mail had an article about plagiarism in Queensland universities (see citation below).
The article stated that 'plagiarism was rife and most cases were a result of students not understanding attribution and referencing conventions'. (Wenham, 2009, p.3).

Wenham, M. Cheats on the rise at our unis: checks detect 2000. The Courier Mail. 23 November, 2009. p. 3.

A classic post on a discussion list earlier in the year reported a conversation between a parent and a TL where a senior student had obviously used a large chunk of someone's else's work without attribution. I've seen it happen in school myself where the teacher merely googled the student's phrases and found the ripped articles right at the top of the results list. Anyway, the indignant parent said to the TL that (paraphrasing) 'everyone knows that you're allowed to plagiarise up to 25% at university'. ??
There are so many things wrong with that statement that it really is not so amusing. As the article reports, plagiarism cases can be dealt with by marking down, 'receiving a zero mark, being stripped of all credit, or being suspended' (Wenham, 2009, p.3). You only have to visit any university's website to see warnings about plagiarism, and visit the library websites to see helpful articles on how to write essays, critical reviews, etc and compile reference lists according to whichever style, and many will also allow access to EndNote or ProCite to make the student's job easier.

So gather information, process it, acknowledge sources, create your own understandings and get your information out there. And then find yourself out there on Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text..

Lee, Robin. "Why you need an MBA." inCite 28, no. 1/2 (January 2007): 14. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed November 23, 2009).

Uthmann, Sharon. "Libraries are for everyone." inCite 29, no. 11 (November 2008): 13. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed November 23, 2009).

Love writing

D*P*C 13 Social networking

I joined the Library 2.0 ning this year, but have not yet gone to Facebook. Technology overload. That you can use video and other apps on Facebook, nings, etc, is useful as a community resource. In the past week I've seen three references to Facebook in the local newspaper. People have died and the paper reports that readers can leave messages on their Facebook sites. Virtual mourning? I explored Facebook v Myspace earlier here: some professional library usage.

Here's the Library 2.0 badge - go there. Actually, if someone can tell me how to make a badge I'd be happy. One for the new wordbox.


Visit Library 2.0

D*P*C 12 Web video

I would like to embed a Cure clip, Close to Me or Love Cats 'cause I was given Triple J's Hottest 100 of all time today, but a) that would breach copyright, and b) the videos have embedding disabled. So watch them yourselves and share the joy: Close to Me / Love Cats.
There is, however a range of library related tubes, some serious even. I posted about USQ's digital open day a while back. And I'm sure we can make some here, on our children's programs, about information services, about our author visits, etc. But I found this fun one, which would be great on the library's big screen:

And yes, they're simple to embed in a blog. Copy the code kindly provided on the youtube site, then paste it on your blog after clicking the 'edit html' code. If you were to embed in the sidebar you just have to go to layout, page elements, add a gadget, add html/java script and paste. You'd probably have to edit the width too: width="425" height="344".

Here's one I like: public art in an Arizona library:


I like that you can share the clip on twitter, facebook etc, viewers can comment and post clip responses which turns it all into a discussion. Viewers can rate it, link to it, embed it in their own blog, thereby sharing the love. Our library site definitely needs more interactivity, currency and visuals. Love the tube.
And since you mentioned 70s shows I was thinking of Welcome Back Kotter, but I found something funny - a parody of Kotter called Welcome Back Potter.

Okay, what do we need to make our own clips?

D*P*C roll call

For our Learning 2.0 program:
#1 blogs a # 2 twitter a#3 web 2.0 & library 2.0 a#4 rss a#5 flickr a
#6 mashups r
#7 tagging a#8 keeping track a#9 communicating online a#10 online collaboration - wikis a#11 online docs and more! a
Up to date again! Now, can someone grant me a parallel universe so I can get some of these applications into my work process?!
Hey everyone, there are prizes, focus groups with Dr Stephens, the #qpla09 tag at the conference, innovative colleagues... and so many more applications to discover, explore and connect with. Thanks Warren, and Neal, and other learning 2.0 adopters. I must talk with Keil about mashups.

update 26 September: #12 web video a #13 social networking a

D*P*C #11 online docs and more

Brilliant! Google Docs is what I need! or Zoho - so far I've only gone into GD. I am forever saving a half-done roster at work and emailing it to my home account so I can finish it there, or vice-versa. Now I can just save it to Google Docs. Less messing about!
There's no drama at work because we're all on a network so I can still access work documents as I work between branches, except for when I may have IT dramas.
I've saved an old doc as pdf - but I can't see where to follow this instruction:
Just click the Share drop-down menu on the top right and choose Publish as webpage. Then, click Publish now. Help!!
It's my submission to SRC last year that didn't get used afterall. When I do eventually provide access; if you're going to try the quiz, ignore the top section blatantly labelled 'answers'!

D*P*C #9 communicating online

SMS, IM and webinars...
I'll have to sign up for IM at work sometime - if enough people were on it may be a way of catching up in real time instead of playing telephone tag or email e-voidance.
SMS though - saves students big phone bills (and they're texting anyway) if library has an SMS information service where they can enquire about opening hours, extending their overdues, etc. I've seen it in use at QUT - very professional service.
Webinars - I recently participated in my first webinar (online tutorial) through SLQ's OPAL, and tomorrow will set up participants for another - on NoveList. We can participate by typing in the text box, or by using a microphone to speak. With Warren's instructions I taught myself how to use the smartboard, so will be able to enable audio for the training room, so participants shouldn't need headsets (fingers crossed).
An hour session is enough as a tutorial. The trainer presents information and allows participants to ask questions. Everything was clearly understandable.
It is beneficial afterwards to have a staff discussion period, and a suggestion for staff to on-train others.
I will gather participants' comments for the next FOCUS issue (our new information services bulletin).
I like that smartboard/whiteboard with add-ons... All the cool classrooms have them now. I'm so far behind!

D*P*C #10 wikis

I was reminded of the deadline approaching for our D*P*C program, because Dr Michael Stephens is coming for the QPLA/PLA conference in October and he will be working with focus groups on our Learning 2.0 program - and I haven't quite finished! However, I discovered that I have covered wikis in an earlier blog entry.
I've used a wiki since then for a work project - I invited colleagues to join the space as writers so they could submit information and links on information service. So far my writers are readers and I've moved on to other projects, but it's still alive, waiting for me to keep it alive. It would work better if it had a more structured content layout, but that's all part of web 2.0 - learn and grow.
I have seen some useful wikis, and I hope to contribute more.
So I've added a lot of content to our wiki - check.
In schools a wiki could be used as a subject information portal - students could contribute information they've found on Egyptian history, etc.
In a public library - a readers' advisory portal. A central space for reviews, suggestions, links, etc.
Some teachers may ban wikipedia as an information source, but what they really mean is that they don't want it used in a citation because the authority can't be checked. I support using wikipedia as an information springboard - launch from there to more authoritive sources once you've got a few more keywords and leads.
When people acknowledge 2.0 tools as a vital part of today's work fabric, they will devote more time to their utilisation. They're not just add-ons!
I still advocate Wikipedia is a good place to start for *some* information searches (see earlier post re film actors), but I did baulk when I saw a quote in our staff magazine attributed to 'wikipedia'. Someone needs a little citation education.
For a short list of library-related wikis, see OPAL's course notes online.
I like Princeton PL's BookLovers wiki as it is a specified-time project which should ensure people's active participation.

D*P*C #8 Keeping track

I like Delicious and I'm trying to get it to work as an information service tool across our branches. I downloaded all the favourites from the IS pc at one branch, but have to go through it to edit out the not necessaries and outdateds. Then I'd like a delicious account for clients' access. What I'd actually like is a delicious account that lists all my 2.0 tools so I don't have to open up ten different apps just to get somewhere. I hate waiting!
I'll try Digg next ... reminds me of Bob the Builder's rap song.

Plus you can access your online bookmarks from any internet computer, anywhere. - That's the most important point for me. It drives me crazy to get to work in any other branch and I can't access my favourites. Delicious makes it all simpler.

wordle revisited

Our D*P*C program captured on Wordle http://www.wordle.net/

D*P*C #3 Library 2.0 - what it means to me

My review of Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk's article, Library 2.0: Service for the next–generation library encompasses what library 2.0 meant to me last year. This year I am learning more, exploring more, so my idea of library 2.0 is still in development. It's not all about technology, but about engagement with clients, interaction, communication flows and providing a new service model.

Casey and Savastinuk’s article contains some key phrases that provide clear goals for Web 2.0 technology application in libraries. They present Library 2.0 as ‘service for the next-generation library’, ‘the new model for library service’ and as embracing ‘user-centred change’ (Casey and Savastinuk, 2006, p.1). The Library 2.0 model embraces users participating in and driving change. Web 2.0 developments have allowed the rapid creation and uptake of collaborative library services, including virtual reference (Ask-a-Librarian), versatile OPAC interfaces and bookclub blogs.

The authors are clearly well-versed in Web 2.0 technologies and Library 2.0 services, reporting their findings for the professional Library Journal audience, with many avenues for further investigation. Citations are used throughout the article to illustrate points made, while three key readings and seven blog links are supplied on the final page, along with fourteen links to Web 2.0 tools.

Of particular interest is the authors’ observation that libraries have generally focused their services on known clients because of the perception of library as physical space, as well as the constraints of funding and that physical space. Library 2.0 allows a widening of this focus to include virtual clients and not-yet clients. A combination of physical and virtual services will reach more people in the community, thus strengthening the client base and viability. Such services may include online request and home delivery of books, online database access (through State and public libraries) and library blogs. Libraries themselves rely on ‘high levels of user participation to expand the value of the product’ (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006, p.2). Libraries must then work with Web 2.0 tools to meet and extend client information needs, beginning with participation in a 23 Things program.

As clients (virtual and physical) assume a greater participatory role in library services, with Library 2.0 they are able to tailor services to best meet their needs. The authors note that to achieve this standard, librarians must routinely elicit client feedback, to ‘harness our customer’s knowledge to supplement and improve library services’ (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006, p.2). Spencer and Hughan (2008, p. 13) reinforce collaboration as they found 'the evidence base needs to be developed' because the development of podcasts in libraries appeared to have been 'based largely on assumptions', with little evidence gathered on users' evaluation of the service. Amery (2008) notes on forum, however, the changes made to Charles Sturt University libraries after consultation with clients through online surveys, including increasing hours for the 1800 help desk.

In a surprising twist for libraries struggling with limited budgets and IT staff, the delivery and utilisation of Web 2.0 technologies for the Library 2.0 model can be relatively inexpensive. Many libraries have embraced free sites like flickr, PBWiki and Google Maps on their websites to value add to their service. As more clients push the boundaries of the physical library, librarians must reconsider 'what works best in meeting new challenges in a changing... world' (Harris, 2006, p.53). Harris terms this the 'digitally reshifted ... library' (2006, p. 52).

This article successfully emphasises the key elements of a Library 2.0 model; a physical or virtual service ‘that successfully reaches users, is evaluated frequently, and makes use of customer input’. Client engagement with all aspects from feedback to data contribution (blog comments, catalogue reviews, flickr photographic images, database information, etc.) will confine the old image of library-as-physical-space to the archives and ensure the further growth of Library 2.0. Balling, Henrichsen and Skourig (2007, p. 63) suggest that the physical library desk 'has interfered with the dialogue'. They state (p. 62) that 'there is no desk on the web'.

As the authors conclude, ‘through collaboration with staff and users, (each library) will be able to develop a clear idea of how this model will work for (their) organisation’ (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006, p.5).

Reference:
Amery, K. (2008, 26 August). Why should I bother with the library survey? Does anything change? Message posted to CSU General Forum, archived online.

Balling, G., Henrichsen, L.A. & Skourig, L. (2007). Digital reading groups. New Library World. 109(1/2), 56-64. Retrieved 20 August, 2008 from Emerald Xtra database.

Casey, Michael E. & Savastinuk, Laura C. (2006, September). Library 2.0: Service for the next–generation library. Library Journal. Retrieved 27 June, 2008 from Library Journal website: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html?q=Library+2%2EO.

Harris, C. (2006). School library 2.0: Say good-bye to your mother's school library. School Library Journal. 52(5), 50-54. Retrieved 20 August, 2008 from EbscoHost database.

Spencer, A. & Hughan, C. (2008). Podcasting: A fad with a future? Proceedings of the Beyond the Hype: Web 2.0 symposium, Australian Library and Information Association, Brisbane, Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 1-2 February, 2008. Retrieved 26 August, 2008, from Australian Library and Information Association website: http://www.alia.org.au/groups/quill/papers/spencer.paper.pdf

L2TD#5 RSS feeds / D*P*C #4

I've added a feed from Read Alert (via SLV) to this blog (see way down). Just two entries at a time, no author required because they're mostly written by Mike Shuttleworth I believe.

I've subscribed to 11 feeds in Bloglines; those with an Arts focus, to our Learning 2.0 programs, colleagues' blogs and a whimsical inclusion (wish jar):
Articulate, Bloglines , CityLibrariesLearning - discover*play*connect, Dictionary.com Word of the Day, Kaptain Keil - Ponderer Extraordinaire,
Leftwinglibrarian's Blog, OPAL Training, Quilterjo Learns New Things...,
Skerricks, Unshelved and Keri Smith's wish jar.

The value of having relevant news pushed to your desktop is immeasurable today when we are overloaded with information delivery from all corners. As a ref. librarian I would compile a list of relevant feeds to keep current professionally, and to add to my toolkit. For my account I extracted URLs from my random Favourites list, from the participants' list on these 2.0 programs, and from suggestions (ABC blogs > Articulate).

Suggestions for follows: OPAL training and Unshelved (useful and so true, in turn).

D*P*C #6 mashups

This entry is going to take me a while. I've just revisited BigHugeLabs for their Warholizer (fond memories of seeing the Heinz cans in the Qld Art Gallery in the 80s). For other stunning sites, check BlockPosters, SaysIt and BeFunky.

discover*play*connect 2 update

Note to self: check with Warren - possibility of organised tweeters at TSV QPLA conference?

Update after our team meeting 25/6 - Warren brought this up. There will be a hash tag (#) promoted for the conference, and networking enabled. What a vibe.

D*P*C # 1,2

I'm working on two Learning 2.0 programs at the same time - OMG. I've covered blogging (1), so onto (2) twitter. I'm librarianalison over there and I'm following four twitterers so far. I love that you can only use 140 characters - I'm a fan of microfiction; the variations of which include writing a story in 150 or 100 words, or in 150 characters to send via SMS. It makes for snappy writing, and you can fit a few in a zine: Onefifty. Michael Gerard Bauer won an early 150 word comp. through BWF and it got printed on volunteers' t-shirts. I have a strange fascination for the Skin story too even though I haven't read the whole thing.
I'm supposed to be talking about twitter, right? I like it for short, sharp, immediate communication. And everyone's on it - the Qld Premier included. It's a great news dissemination service - what are you doing? says it all. People twitter at conferences, I twittered at my hotel - you can post on the run. It makes people feel included, and since it's interactive they can post back. I'm still figuring out how that works. Networking. Excellent tool. And it clarifies your thinking - what was important about today?
I want to use it in the library.

L2TD #2 and D*P*C #5 online photo sharing-flickr

I've signed up on flickr for test drive #2. My photostream here. Signup was easy, if labour-intensive - having to have another password, a screen name, etc. But posting was simple - and all my own photos, from trips to Brisbane and Surfers Paradise.
I was impressed with Mosman Library's guest list - Emily Rodda, Mem Fox, and a chocolate party! [Mary's suggested search from L2TD site].
I searched on the local area and found some beautiful images. Here are two of my favourites: soldier crabs and the banyan tree. Both images by the same photographer, walking around with his swish camera taking photos from surprising angles. The Banyan Tree is a local landmark, in the main park; the central meeting place a few years ago of the 'Back to the Banyan' reunion.

Flickr is fabulous for library service promotion. It's obvious. I like it. I'll have to get out with the camera more.
Late, late, late - just signed up for twitter (see sidebar). I'd like to use it for haiku and microfiction.
'night.