L2TD

Thanks Mary. I've finished my L2TD program, part one, covering blog setup, online photosharing, wikis, social networking, RSS and folksonomies and tagging. I've explored blogger, flickr, technorati, librarything, rss, wetpaint, myspace, facebook, ning and delicious. My brain's exhausted, but I'm feeling positive about the many interactive client-friendly applications we can utilise in the public library service. Yaybles.

Next I'll be exploring animoto mashups with D*P*C, Townsville City Libraries Learning 2.0 program.

L2TD #6 folksonomies & tagging

First, revisiting LibraryThing; another similar tool is GoodReads. I like Noosa's frontpage - talk about face out shelving.
Within Spydus and Aurora LMS, library members can submit reviews online for the catalogue so that function within LT is not so necessary for me. The fact that they link it to the catalogue at Kingston, though, allows them to provide members with access to virtual lists of similar books, books by the same author, etc. I've added the widget (easy, peasy), but only with my current read of the moment. I might have a look at Shelfari and the others too.
Especially Del.icio.us. My favourites list is just way out of hand at my desk.

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Reference:
Blowers, H. (2006, 3 September). #11: A thing about LibraryThing. Entry posted to PLCMC Learning 2.0 blog. Retrieved 26 August, 2008 from blog: http://plcmclearning.blogspot.com/2006/09/11-thing-about-librarything.html.

So, I'm in delicious and I found that a handful of others had already saved wordbox to their delicious favourites. Stunning. I've tried to add the network badge but am having trouble. Work on that. I'm librarianalison over there too.
I have a lot more favourites to add, but this is going to be extremely useful because of its portability.

Started exploring Technorati. Interesting. Searching on 'bookmobile' elicits some 203 random results, whereas an advanced search using 'libraries' as a search term narrowed results to 3 more relevant articles.

You will find ways to implement 2.0 technologies and applications into your library service.

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).

L2TD #4 social networking

I use Twitter for its accessibility and usability to post a snapshop of my day in a short time frame, and its medium to promote our library service. I am developing my objectives in the use of social networking in the library service, but have found some positive examples of libraries using twitter to promote new books, to alert people to closures or program times, etc. Twitter's ability to gather an audience should be utilised to personalise the library's blog. Post positive messages and show your wares, and potential clients and industry members will come to understand your direction. It's a great medium to show what you value. Love visiting authors? Twitter about those who've been and who else you have programmed in. Specialise in rare medical texts? Twitter about special finds and applications. Refurbishing your school library with government money? Twitter about the effects and student benefits. And you can twitter from your phone - even more portability.

I've found bands do well on MySpace, check Bridezilla. And Operator Please, discovered via their MySpace weren't they? - are in both places. It's a place of promotion, so you'd have to utilise it in a library somehow. I've seen too many media articles recently using someone's Facebook site as a source of information, like their relationship status or whatever. Certain magazines could do a double spread derived from that status inf. But then, I've found a more sophisticated Facebook site: Deakin. I have a lot of exploring to do. And yes, I found here that Boroondarra and Deakin were two early adopters of Facebook.
Boomerang Books is on Facebook, with author William Kostakis as moderator.
Use FB to keep current on conference discussions: IFLA 2010.
I like Facebook over MySpace aesthetically. The page looks cleaner. Lots more exploration required to determine applicability and ability for outreach.



....

L2TD #3 wikis

I've not had a lot to do with wikis - my previous workplace was not very 2.0. I have explored use of wetpaint wikis and find them, along with nings, potentially useful in a professional capacity (businesses, services, etc). Teachers were always warning students against use of wikipedia, but I believe you should embrace it if you understand its limitations. It's a ready reference tool. For instance, if you find yourself wondering 'what ever happened to Matt Dillon?' because you loved The Outsiders as a highschooler, then you'd just go here, which would lead you to the IMDB, both of which offer you total indulgence on the subject. And if you can dig yourself out of that timewarp you can follow leads to cross check facts. Check out Unshelved today!
I've used The Outsiders to teach the concept of autobiographical writing. Reading the novel led me to read Gone With The Wind and seek out Robert Frost's poetry.

I like Antioch Uni's model for staff procedures because you can track changes which is essential for recordkeeping.
The wikipedia entry for this geographical region is comprehensive and accurate with good links to respected sites, and I suspect was written by someone in Council.

First wiki on Mary's list I revisited was SLQ's Library 2.0 site - an incredibly comprehensive compilation of information from the Emerging Technology and New Media sessions. Following a link within I was led to two sites which provided information I can use for a work project.

SJCPL's subject guide wiki is attractive and thoughtfully compiled. A great ref. guide for browsers in so many areas. It combines weblinks, info text, collection suggestions with images and community information.

Library Success: A best practices wiki is too heavily text based in comparison, but is packed with practical information and guidance. It's still a work in progress but contains useful suggestions on job hunting and self-promotion.

I like SLQ's 2.0 wiki most of the three. For extensive subjects you could have one whole wiki for each one (like the SLQ's), linked to the head wiki.

I've contributed to threads on the above website - a sample here:

• I think it would be useful to have workplace post-program analysis of 2.0 programs so that staff can reflect on what direction their service will then take. What worked, what didn't? Which applications can you develop to support the service for clients. Or build a demo into the program - guide other staff on what you can use a particular application for.
• Remember it's not something you're doing for you per se. It's something you're learning so that you can enhance your service to clients - thus it's a must do.

Adding was incredibly simple. Yes, I can see a definite place for wikis at work - readers' and researchers' advisory, subject guides, procedure manuals, service promotion...

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.

licence 2 test drive SLQ

Just surfing around today and I came across a new online program from Mary Kajewski at SLQ, so I signed up.
Licence 2 Test Drive is the State Library of Queensland's online program to learn more about emerging technologies on the web that are changing the way people, society and libraries access information and communicate with each other. It's open to all SLQ, Qld public library, Indigenous Knowledge Centre and Queensland government library staff - register before May 16. For school librarians and library staff, Syba Signs has The How 2 of Web 2.0: Online Learning Program commencing May 4.

Okay, so I started on blogs a few years ago and created one for my CSU subject Information Technology in Libraries last year. For L2TD, Mary invited us to respond to the questions in bold.

What do you think about lifelong learning?
Now I've finally got my degree is that the end of my professional learning? No way. It's another beginning. The process has to be continual and ... lifelong... because the world and the people in it are constantly changing, growing, developing and workers (particularly information professionals) must as well. There are many professions where CPD is compulsory. I have long participated in formal and informal CPD; this is one in a continuing list, and I know Mary K's programs to be useful and engaging (Emerging Technologies 2006). As an information professional I am committed to enabling others to participate in lifelong learning.

On Learning 2.0 - CPD programs where staff teams can work together or concurrently to explore new concepts and technologies. You get innovation, discussion, networking... it's all good. I celebrate Helene Blowers who started the 23 Things (which is what I was searching for earlier).
What do you hope to learn from the program?
By participating in licence 2 test drive I want to learn more about 2.0 applications that I don't generally use in my daily work - but WILL. I mean, my final CSU report The twenty-first century TAFE Library: Creating learning possibilities by bringing together people, information and technology was all about that.

What other blogs have you discovered? What do you like about them?
One of my favourite librarian blogs is Brian's Swiss Army Librarian on reference services. Favourite school librarian blog: Ruth's Skerricks. I have spent part of my CPD reading and contributing to industry blogs. Actual library blogs of note: SLQ's Exhibitions blog, and Wired 4 Teens. I'd like to find more Australian public libraries using blogs interactively. I like these blogs because they're inspirational, and provided for the purpose of information sharing. Love that.

Can you see a use for blogs inside the library? and How about a blog for a client audience?
I absolutely support libraries using 2.0 platforms to share information with clients and the wider community and to inject the library into other communities. It's a great platform to upload clients' reviews, photos from events to aid promotion, an interactive online bookclub or community space. As Andrew said recently, infiltrate other online communities, be the resident librarian and engage with others in that community. He suggests sites with local relevance like a local band's MySpace or a political site, and I would add - the CWA, Arts Council, Writers Centres, Authors' sites, local car clubs, sports clubs, school blogs, etc. Excellent point. Librarians need to be seen to be outside the physical boundaries of 'The Library'. Our expertise can be applied anywhere at anytime.

So I'll slap on my 'L' plates now and head on down the highway...

You will meet many fellow travellers along the way.