Thing 6 August 11, 2008

I currently have 25 feeds on my bloglines–I want more, but it is always a question of how much time I am willing to allow myself. And once I allow myself to spend time with my Bloglines, the allotted one hour turns into multiple hours. I have found some great library related blogs along with some that interest me personally. I found the Google Blog Search and the Blogline’s Search tool to be most helpful in locating blogs that interest me both professionally and personally. Check out the following library related blogs:

• Free Range Librarian: K.G. Schneider’s blog on librarianship, writing, and everything else, since 2003
• A Chair, A Fireplace, & A Tea Cozy: A discussion of books, movies, and TV Shows; with an emphasis on books for children and teens.
• The PlanetEsme Plan: The Best New Children’s Books from Esme’s Shelf

 

And some unrelated library blogs/newsfeeds that just might interest you:

• 101 Cookbooks: A fabulous recipe journal
• Artsy-Crafty Babe: If you like yarn, cloth, buttons, and beads then you have to check out this gal’s blog
• Slow Food Nation: All things slow food related

 

Well, that is what I will share for now. I am excited to see the blogs other people have found!

Thing 5 July 31, 2008

I have been a member of the Innovations Team for a while, but I will be honest, I just opened my Bloglines account. Something I have been meaning to do, but somehow just never got around to doing it. But I love my Bloglines account! I wish I had done it sooner. I am still finding feeds, but I love what I have so far. I can go to one place and read the news, New York Times Book Reviews, reviews of new children’s books and music, along with crafty sewing project ideas!

I must say that I don’t think the interface is the easiest to use, but I realize that sometimes it is good to read the “Help” section. Once I read the “Help” section, I was able to easily search and subscribe to blogs, newsfeeds, etc. that appeal to me. I have found the Google Blog Search very helpful. Now I just have to remember to find the time to consistently check my Bloglines!

Thing 4 July 18, 2008

There is so much one could write about technology, but nothing has really appealed to me…I think there is just too much to choose from. But a (quick) phone conversation I had with my friend the other day piqued my interest. I called my friend on the West Coast and she answered her phone very covertly. I asked her what was going on and she said she had just crossed the Oregon/Washington border into Washington State. There was a pause and then she said it was no longer legal to talk on your cell phone while driving in Washington state. I told her I would not want to be an accessory to this crime and she agreed to call once she got to Seattle. This made me wonder about the specifics of cellular phone laws throughout the United States.

 

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “a jurisdiction-wide ban on driving while talking on a hand-held cellular phone is in place in six states.” These six states include: California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah, and Washington. Washington D.C. has also enforced a ban. To read more about the intricacies of this ban, click on my link to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. I think what is really interesting is that the ban is on hand held devices. So I am assuming people will still be able to converse if they are using a blue tooth or some other type of ear piece. Are people in accidents because of the fact that they are holding onto a phone or because they are just not concentrating? I suppose we will find out after these laws have been in place for a while. On a local note, North Olmsted and Walton Hills, OH have enacted cell phone restrictions.

Thing 3 July 14, 2008

So here goes my first post:

 

Question 1: What do you hope to learn from the program?

Well, yes, I am a member of the Innovations Team, but this does not mean that I have a comprehensive understanding of all the “things” we will be doing. I hope to broaden my knowledge of the Web 2.0 technologies I am already familiar with and I am really looking forward to gaining a knowledge of RSS Feeds, News Readers, and some of the newest Internet technologies out there. I can’t wait for play week.

 

Question 2: What Do You Think of Lifelong Learning?

I really like the concept of lifelong learning. However, putting it into practice is challenging! As a librarian, this is something I really try to embrace. And not always just with matters related to technology or Web 2.0. Sometimes I will get reference calls that blow me out of the water. My initial instinct is to completely seize up and freak out, which I usually do silently. But then the lifelong learner in me says, “Hey, this is an opportunity to learn something entirely new!” And then I am on my way to a very interesting learning experience (97% of the time).

 

Question 3: What other blogs have you discovered? What do you like about them?

I actually frequent several blogs that support me in my job as a Children’s Services Librarian. One of my favorite blogs is Warren Truitt’s blog, Children’s Music That Rocks. Mr. Truitt is a Children’s Librarian at the New York Public Library and this blog rocks. He has introduced me to some amazing music for children and myself for that matter. I also frequent, Big A little a, for all things related to children’s literature.

 

Question 4: Can You See a Use for Blogs Inside the Library?

Yes, I most definitely can–whether or not it is for our patrons or for the library staff. As you can see I already use blogs as a resource in my job. I also think there are many blogs that provide valuable and timely information on current affairs. These blogs could be resources for many of our patrons. And of course we now have some amazing Reader’s Advisory blogs here at the Heights Library that will hopefully be a great resource for many people. There are so many blogs out there, I think it is necessary to spend some time finding the one(s) that fit your needs professionally and personally.

 

And on a lighter note, my avatar:

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