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).

booktrailers 4 libraries

Thanks for the trigger, Judith. Book trailers on screens at public libraries for reader advisory service. Love the idea. Which publishers are making trailers?

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.

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.



....

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.

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...

wordbox spotted

wordbox spotted in great places:
QWC and Fremantle Children's Literature Centre.
Both organisations supporting young Australian readers and writers.