Sum It All Up

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?

I was especially interested in audio books. So many of the older titles are no longer accessible, and when reading in a series, the correct succession makes a big difference in the enjoyment.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

This blog is the start of a great continuing education tool

3. Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

The number of ways the library could benefit by using podcasts and wiki's.

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?And last but not least…

Please try to avoid using unfamiliar technical terms.

5. If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?

Absolutely.

6. How would you describe your learning experience in a few words or a few sentences, so we can share our successes and promote this program?

While it was challenging at times to discover exactly how to accomplish some of the tasks, it was definitely rewarding. Great tool to impart a lot of knowledge, without being daunting. Thank you for this experience.

Audiobooks

My family is absolutely addicted to audio books. We play the books out loud and hold family discussions of our favorite titles. We listen to fantasy, suspense, mystery, biography, whatever is out there. Downloadable audio books provides access to older titles that have disappeared off library shelves. They don't scratch, get lost, or tangle up the tape player.

I've accessed Laura Lippman's "Baltimore Blues." This is the first title in a series, and we don't own it as a CD or cassette. Since it's set in our hometown, I know this one will be a big hit.

Libraries and Podcasts

This tool has enormous potential. We could podcast our book talks and they could be accessed at the school's convenience. This would reduce the number of hours staff has to be in the school, and create more time for other duties. We could podcast author visits, Horizon programs, and children's classes. We could reach the homebound with all kinds of services.

Check out this library's use of podcast:

Mom Overture

Working evenings and weekends, we can't always be there with the kids. Here's a handy tool in case you get tired, would like to take a break, or just can't be at home right now. Miss Mom

Pandora's Box

Just found Pandora.com. Can't wait to tell teens - I actually discovered something they don't know about. Pandora.com can create your own personal radio station based on your favorite music. Unlike the radio, they actually tell you the name of the artist and song, so if you like similar music, it's easy to request or buy.

Totally cool ...

Collaboration

What a simple way to produce minutes of meetings. Instead of e-mailing everyone an attachment, I can send the minutes to Google docs, ask for any additions or corrections, and receive one altered document. This tool will save lots of time collaborating with other teen specialists.

Playing in the Sandbox

Check out my wiki at Click Here

Wiki Wiki

All tools in human hands have the power of good or evil. We used a Wiki the summer of 2007 to start an on-line bookclub, so our A+ Chat N Chew could continue all year round. This was a perfect purpose for a wiki.

However, poor John Seigenthaler, former administrative assistant to Robert Kennedy, was slandered in Wikipedia. His biography was altered to include a false accusation that he was a suspect in the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy. A long-time friend of the Kennedy family, Seigenthaler was devastated. The claims were posted anonymously on the encyclopedia, and while he was able to trace the author's IP address to a customer of BellSouth Internet, the company said it would not disclose the name without a subpoena. The charges remained posted for months, as Seigenthaler fought to remove them.

Food for thought when exploring Wikipedia.

The Relevance of Libraries Web 2.0

While most people immediately consider libraries as access to information, a library serves a subtle, underlying purpose. Libraries build community. Libraries provide a safe, pleasant, central location for neighbors, friends, and students. Every time we hold a class, host an author, provide a meeting room, or any number of other services, we are providing the underpinning that holds together a neighborhood. We are the village.

As we consider the role of the internet in providing library services, let us also consider the vital role we play in a democracy. Benjamin Franklin said, "Let the people know the truth, and the country will be safe." Our democracy is as strong as it's weakest link. Every time we provide a book to someone who cannot afford Barnes and Noble and Starbucks coffee, every time we provide free access to computers and databases, every time we provide free services to struggling students, or provide a safe, free, quiet place for them to collaborate on a homework assignment, we are strengthening our democracy.

No computer can ever take that place.

Technorati Tags

In library school, we had to create all of our own code. Since web page creation was new to me, I learned "from the ground up." About half my class had used software that assisted with the creation of web pages, so they had more experience. It's easy to see, now, that it must have been more difficult for them to backtrack and learn basic code, than it was to start fresh. Now, I can copy the code below from a website to include my blog on a Technorti Tag page.mdlearn2

Delicious

This is a great tool to make the computer work for me, instead of me working for the computer. Instead of searching endlessly through Google, I can search through my favorite booktalking, book discussion, and craft websites to save a lot time and effort. Opening a Delicious account is fast and easy.

Discussion Guides

Why reinvent the wheel? With so many book clubs, and so little time, take advantage of discussion guides created by professionals.

Library Thing

What a great tool! I've read so many mysteries, I'm running out of authors. With the suggester, I can find new titles and see what other people are reading.

Welcome! Have seat, and make yourself comfortable.

Merlin

Merlin has great social networking tips for Young Adult librarians. Librarians can show teens how to "Pimp MySpace" and personalize their MySpace page.

RSS feeds

I've added an RSS feed to my Google account for MSNBC.com Now, I can be updated without having to constantly check the site.

Technology

Gee, it's a lot more fun when you know what you're doing. I could really get into this. It's also a lot more fun to share the experience with a friend.

Flickr Toy

Hurry! The "Source" deadline is coming up soon!

Our teen area looks like an extension of the adult area. But we've got big plans ...

In the meantime, cool displays about upcoming events and topics of teen interest help to identify the teen area.

Thing 3

I've used other photo sharing sites, but didn't realize there was such an easy way to share with so many people, and keep it private as well. Great tool. Photo forthcoming.

Thing 2

Life-long learning is not new to me - since I went to college for 11 years before completing a bachelors program in history, and 18 months to complete a master's in history. Life-long learning is a commitment; whether it's to achieve a long-term goal despite the obstacles, or a day-long seminar to increase professional skills.

Thing 1

I learn best in a traditional setting, with a lecturer. So this hands-on learning experience is brand new for me.

I'm pretty sure Dr. Seus thought up Thing 1 and Thing 2 long before we did ...