As a fall participant, it was more than frustrating not to have been given enough time to ensure that we finished the program on time. We didn’t get extra staff to give us time to focus on the 25 Things, and we often ended up using time that was set aside for Programming and Branch Duties to try and accomplish the training.

I found a couple of new applications of interest, and I finally took time to learn how to use the Net Library E-Books. I can see how some of the applications can be used in a library setting. However, we’ve used some of these Internet tools before and were never given the go ahead from Administration to set up the Forums for our Teens.

I can honestly say that some of the technologies are already outdated and newer ones are coming in. It’s the nature of the beast. Change happens fast and frequently on the Internet.

Web 2.0 was interesting, however, more time was needed to actually explore and learn some of the technologies offered. I’m glad to have finally finished the program. It was something hanging over me that I felt necessary to finish. There are some tools I’ll continue to use, however, there are many that I won’t use. I have tools that already do the things they do. I have to pick and choose what is viable for the time we have available at work and at home.

Technology was supposed to create more leisure time…and yet we spend more time online, more time keeping up, and less time relaxing. When someone can find a tool that will truly give us more time to relax, I’m in!

I created an account with Netlibrary and searched for a couple of books that I’d like to listen to. I found neither.

So, being resourceful, I tried searching the titles they do have available and chose to try Artemis Fowl. I downloaded only the radio quality onto the work desktop and am listening to the first chapter as I type.

It was an easy enough process, and I think if I can find my MP3 player at home, I’ll give it a go for a book I might listen to while walking.

I’d also like to show my guys how to use the process. Currently they use their IPods for videos and music…I think they’d get a kick out of being able to listen to some of their favourite books (or books for english class) while they are walking about or just lazing at home.

Cool tool. I’ll be using this one more, and promoting it to more patrons now that I have a better grasp of how it works.

I’ve finally subscribed to the Denver Public Library Podcast only because it didn’t need me to download an application to use it. However, it too has not been updated or added to since May 2009.

I’m curious as to what might have happened to those podcasting.

I signed up for Mevio, however, when I tried to log in, it wouldn’t take my login or password. I’m not sure why.

Again, I can see how this might be used for keeping people informed, however, it once again comes to the number of choices out there, and which any library would have time to continue on a regular basis.

I probably won’t be podcasting any time soon.

It’s been a long journey of learning together, and it was fun to read the posts of co-workers. I loved the pet pics that were posted, but my own photos are in an album at home.

These are many of the questions that have arisen over the last couple of decades, since the Internet was made public. Things have changed so much since I first became an Internet User in 1995. I’ve seen the change, I’ve watched the technology, software and applications being created to allow the public more access, more use, more information, more of everything.

As a librarian, it’s always been nice to slide back through the doors of a small library and realize that things here have not accepted every change, every technology, every last little bit of information on the Internet. As usual, Librarians validate a resource first before accepting it.

To be left in the current of change, libraries without logic and planning would be swept along as quickly as change happens, and yet, we are still viable, we still offer traditional services…but we have managed to keep up, and compete in a market where we once worried we might lose ourselves.

We have accomplished this because first and foremost, we are libraries, we are librarians…our customer always comes first.
It would be nice to say the budgets were available to keep up with the tides, but by being forced to pick and choose and to be accountable, we have taken the best of what the web has offered and made it relevant to Libraries.

Will we ever be obsolete? Never.
Will we be able to continue to compete. Yes.
Our secret is not so much a secret…it’s in almost every name of every library all over the country. Whitby Public Library. Toronto Public Library. Oshawa Public Library.

We are a public service, and no matter how big Amazon’s Kindle gets, or Apple’s IPad becomes…they are still consumer products that are not free. Libraries will survive, we can be Web 2.0 friendly, Library 2.0 friendly, however we still offer services without a direct price tag to our customers.

Sketched

I tried and liked Dumpr. There are so many graphics available, however, to change something to make it unique or relevant, there are some great ideas to try with Dumpr.

I may have to play with this application more in the future. I use a couple of graphics programs at home for personal use, however, it’s nice to have options when I’m not at home.

Since we reconnected to Cable and a new laptop at home, YouTube has become a favourite place to relisten to music I love and don’t have, to watch funny commercials and check some of the news clips of interest.

I spent one afternoon recently on YouTube…four hours of following links and trails through a forest of Videos, only to look up as the doorbell rang to announce the arrival of a child home from school. Where did the time go? YouTube can be a great escape, it can be a tool for learning, or just plain old fun and entertainment.

I can see how this application might be useful in a library setting; videos can be created to train patrons on various services offered by the library. How to search the catalogue, how to place a hold, how to use the databases, how to add a comment to our website, how to find upcoming programs…and so on and so on.

It can be used as a marketing tool as well…Whitby Public Library…Doorway to Discovery. On YouTube.

I like this application, however, I can see how time may be lost when one is caught up in videos and the next link, and the next link, and the next link.

It can also be a drain on our servers and computers are more and more of our public internet computer users access more and more videos strictly for entertainment. There are also many inappropriate videos out there that push our Terms of Use Agreement…and yet, because it’s there on the internet, some people will feel they should be able to access it.

I like this application.

I can see the benefits of a Wiki in a small group, but as a resource, it can be daunting to find anything of use amongst the numerous Wikis available.

We planned, often successfully, camping trips sans Wikis, Google Documents, Twitter, Emails, Texts, Facebook and all the many other applications out there. I know I have…and I have rarely forgotten anything on my list! It’s another tool…and it can be useful…however, one has to choose which tool they are going to use and stick to it. It is not possible to use all the applications we have learned so far.

The collaborative aspect of this particular application could have far reaching positive effects for libraries, however, that opportunity has been there all along since the birth of the Internet, and still we are isolated for the most from all the other libraries out there because we prefer to keep our own websites and information to ourselves.

Wikis are subject to spam, attacks, or mischief…and even the largest, Wikipedia has had to enforce their own rules on editing because of the immature, rude, insane acts of others.

I have signed up for an account, only to see if I might be able to use it for my online book group. However, and once again…we have a tool that we use…I’m not sure we need another.

Not being a blogger, or a blog reader, I will probably not use this again.