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.