Method 12: Reflection and Evaluation

Whew! Here we are!
My favorite exercises were Photos and Images, RSS, and Wiki. All of the exercises would be useful for the library at some point in our development, but these appealed as being presently helpful both for the staff and personally.
As far as my learning goals, I feel that I have rushed through some of the methods and would like to go back, take time to explore, experiment and feel more confident than I do now.
Most of the exercises were well presented, some amplifications of the 23Things, some new.
If a program were offered in the future it would probably be a requirement, not an option, but personally I feel on overload and would just like to ruminate and work through what has been presented already.
Thank you for your work in presenting the Methods.

Method 11:The Wide World of Podcasting

This is my first experience with podcasting. I went to a number of sites, BBC, CNN as well as some library options. Our library is interested in any form of communication that would benefit our patrons and staff, therefore at some point in the future we may set up podcasts. I imagine the limiting factor would be the required staff time.
Personally, I find that searching for the sites, even if set up on my favorite collection requires a fair amount of time and the podcasts are generally short so that I probably would not use those often. With the longer podcasts it would be worth taking the time to download them and listen in the car.

Method 10:This Wiki World

This was good, it pushed me beyond just the search and investigate of Wiki on 23 Things.
On the SJCPL Subject Guides the information was well presented, had multiple subject headings which were clear, but not overwhelming. Checked out the mystery section and liked some of the subheadings. On Library Success there were more interesting areas than I could explore on the spot...interesting Work Like a Patron Day would be a great exercise for our group.
It was interesting after setting up an account (using a pseudonym) to find that some of our library people had just contributed to the favorite blog site, so I added a bit as well.
I'm fascinated with all the interest and contributions to the various blogs that librarians find time to make, much appreciated!

Method 9: Chat and Instant Messaging

I've had AIM for some time and find it useful, but not many of my contacts are keen on long or frequent conversations. It isn't difficult to use, just coordinating the times.
For libraries the more contacts the better if one has the time to sort out the useful from the verbose and inappropriate.
I plan to try Skype for some of my international contacts and I have heard that it works well.
I tried tslacdl twice and didn't get any answer. Maybe I didn't wait long enough. Will try it at another time.
At present our library does not have chat/IM, but it is in the plans for the future.

Method 8: Social Networking

I appreciated all the articles and information which presented Social Networking pro and con.
When doing the 23 Things I set up accounts with a pseudonym as I am not comfortable giving out personal information.
Working from an objective site like the library I am more than willing to contribute information and share, but not with my personal details. There have been so many warnings lately on TV, in articles and on the net of the phenomenal success of hackers that I would prefer not to take the risk. Identity theft has invaded the life of a couple of people close to me; so I have taken the warning.
I look forward to the spreading use of Social Networking for our own library which is beginning to enjoy contact with other libraries, both locally in Texas and the great systems like LOC .

Method 7:Tagging, folksonomies & social bookmarking in Del.icio.us

The new information and videos on Two Step are a great addition to what was presented in 23 Things. I set up a Delicious account previously and have referred to it on occasion. I think it is necessary to add more bookmarks in additional fields for it to be a daily hit.
As most of our staff is exploring Delicious it will be useful as our information sites expand. Also I like being able to see the popularity of some of my favorite sites.

Method #6:You too can Youtube

Teachertube is a good resource for some of our patrons who are teachers or teachers in training. The videos were interesting, but some had technical problems in that they stopped frequently and then restarted. Youtube worked well and offered some great ideas. One was a library tour in Britain, another a progression from Manchester to Oxford which was well presented and coordinated the music with the labeled photos.
I can see the value of using videos in our publications, since I am always arrested in surfing the net by movement rather than a static photo. One problem was that I was unable to embed a video in the blog. I did not find the icon. Another member of our library had the same difficulty. We will try to work out what happened and try again.

Method #5 Photos and Images

Photo sharing from the library was not something that I had done before with Blogger so it took a lot of time to set up various identifications.

I feel like I really accomplished something, even if it was frustrating on the way.

Obviously photo sharing is wonderful for libraries; no matter how well one can describe a display or arrangement, a photo does wonders.

Method 4: RSS

During 23 Things I did an RSS set up and have used it to follow several of the sites. I particularly am interested in some of the UK sport information as some of my family memebers live in England and are changing jobs, so it is good to get the most recent information. I saw in the information page that there was to be a little link to Discover however it did not appear, so Browse worked well.
I had not tried bundles before and subscribed to Guardian UK, to get a different slant on the UK news from London Times, Treehugger and What is Hot in Google Reader. Will try them for a while and see if I stay subscribed.
I know I will use most of the new sites...not sure about Treehugger.

Method 3: Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a bit of plus and minus for me at the moment. We have been using Google-Docs, which have been great for surveys in the library, and of course loads of other tools, Wiki has been a boon. Zoho is a new introduction and the writer part with templates is one that should become one that we access a lot. I especially liked Sakura as I have a background in Japan so was drawn to that in its artistry.
I appreciate that some of the sites attempt to be not only functional, eye catching but artistic as well.
The decisions as to how much of the cloud is used for our library is of course in the hands of those who are in charge. Personally I am not willing to trust all of my own data to one huge conglomerate...walking a bit slowly to see how this works out for objective versus personal information. I am one who will use backup and encourage others to do the same, at least for a time.
The idea of user generated material being available, by our patrons, for them to see, share and use is bound to appeal to our young crowd.
Thanks for the introductions and for the opinions and articles on both sides.

Method 1 and 2

Winston Churchill once said that he loved learning, but didn't like to be taught. He was a genius so he could afford the attitude. I on the other hand will enjoy all the help I can get. Thanks.

I appreciate the effort which 2.0 is exerting to train, expose and share the areas of technology and the view to its use socially. Some of the websites mentioned in the article by Stephen Abram and in previous training have been very helpful and I am already looking forward to exploring some that are coming up.

The article by Stephen Abram shows the magnitude of the enthusiasm which the author has for his subject. It is more than slightly overwhelming in the suggestions of the Huxlian Brave New World which he envisions is to be the province of the librarian. He uses the image of a Renaissance mode which of course moves one from the old concept of information availability to the social dimensions. The use of the words human, social, visionary, transformational, decentralization of authority, and the last paragraph of "Librarians have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invent the future. Librarian 2.0 is the guru of the information age".

The magnitude of the statements requires some time to assimilate and ponder. "Libariarin 2.0 understands users at a deep level not just as pointers and clickers, but in terms of their goals and aspirations, workflows, social and content needs and more." WOW!! This is a huge responsibility, is it not, encompassing the skills of parent, sage, mentor, seer.........

As both a librarian and teacher I do not underestimate the influence of the librarian in our world, however, I trust that others will be able to assume a role in the phenomenon as well.

Our library has a large student population as well as those in the business community and the skills presented in 2.0 will be valuable for them as well as for us as a staff as we network within the library and with other sharing sites.

like learning

Thanks for setting up more learning exercises.