LIS 635 Final Project

For my final project I chose to find free online alternatives to James Rettig's Distinguished Classics of Reference Publishing. As I was searching, though, I found tons of other awesome sources that weren't perfect matches to the Rettig selections, but that I didn't want to discard, so I kept bookmarking and ideas kept percolating.

While reading some library listserv (I subscribe to so many, I can't remember which), a librarian from a small, non-automated library commented that they are able to have an online presence by cataloging their collection in Library Thing and having a blog hosted by Blogger with Flikr pictures and other free online applications.

All of this came together in Free Library, my final project which I plan to continue beyond this course. Check it out! If you have any ideas for content, shoot me an email or post a comment here. I am specifically looking for less well-known links for the free links categories.

And a note on formatting: The Rettig selections are supposed to be in two neat columns. I have spent hours with the html of this and can get everything to look perfect in an online html editor, in the compose function and the preview. Then I publish and it looks all wonky! Frustrating!!!! So I will be working on that. . . .any suggestions are appreciated. . .

#23 Summarize

Click on the Wordle above to see a word cloud of this blog!

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I liked all of them in one way or another. Even those that were not my favorites were good because they expanded my awareness or appreciation of various applications. My favorite part of this exercise was the blog itself. I really enjoy this format. It is both practical and fun.

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

I feel like I have more tools at my disposal for solving patron inquiries, offering more relevant library services, improving patron/librarian interactions and being generally more up-to-date.

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

I think one of the over-arching themes I see from this program is that technology can be both friend and foe. When harnessed correctly, it can be a useful tool that enables users to be more productive. Other times, however, technology can be a huge time-sucking vortex. This exercise enabled me to find those things which will enable me to do my job better and gave me an opportunity to weed out some items from my list of things to do. "Been there, done that, don't need it (for now . . .)" That's valuable too!

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?

While this program was designed for a specific group of people within a certain time period (of which we were not a part), since so many others use this concept, keep the links up-to-date. I think adding some exercises to increase awareness of more sites for free (legal!) music, television, movies and open access software would be great. An additional "thing" could also be Google with all of its capabilities and aspects, such as scholar, government, book digitization project, etc.

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

Woo hoo! Ich bin fertig!

Aloha

Since I posted about Hulu the other day, I have been thinking about the proliferation of Hawaiian words in technological circles. Is it all part of a grand scheme for Hawaii to take over the world?! To wit:

As noted in the post on wikis, "wiki" comes from the Hawaiian phrase "wiki wiki" meaning "fast." The newer search engine Mahalo takes its name from the word for "thank you." An Internet infrastructure building company Akamai takes it name from the word "smart" in Hawaiian. And now there is Hulu which can mean either "feather, quill, plumage" or "esteemed, choice, precious. (Of course, this is in HAWAIIAN. Had the they looked up the meaning of Hulu, the folks over at Hulu may have chosen a different moniker. Not to get scatological, but Hulu means "butt" in both Malay and Indonesian. Aahh, live and learn.)

So if you are thinking of an entrepreneurial venture, bust out your Hawaiian phrase book. Just watch out. There may soon be an army of hula dancers marching down a street near you!

#22 NetLibrary

OK, in case you haven't noticed over the course of reading this blog, I am a VISUAL learner. Shocking, I know. So I did explore both Net Library and My Media Mall, two applications that are supported by my library, but I did not start accounts. While My Media Mall offers video applications, ebooks (print online) and audio downloads (books), Net Library is audiobooks. I don't do audiobooks and don't need yet another Internet presence complete with unique user name and password!

I totally understand the appeal of audiobooks, especially with the ubiquity of MP3 players, but I need to see the text in order for it to penetrate my brain. I am also going through a personal phase of trying to "unplug" as much as possible in my personal life. Don't get me wrong. I love, appreciate and use technology (especially at work), but I hate the ever-present cell phone and seeing people talking or taking pictures on them instead of living in and experiencing the very moment they are attempting to capture. Same with MP3s. Everyone is plugged in, listening to their own personal soundtrack and ignoring everyone around them. Major pet peeve. Honestly, while it sounds judgemental, I'm actually not judging anyone else. This is just a decision for myself. And I like it. I like being able to ramble around a store and not be buzzed by a cell phone or to have a cup of coffee in the "silence" of the white noise in a public space or to people watch or just observe the world as it passes by. So, I am stepping down off the soapbox and getting back on topic -- NET LIBRARY:

NetLibrary, as a division of OCLC, is an excellent and reliable source for audiobooks. Obvious benefits to online audiobooks is availability, durability (no scratches or broken tape!) and portability. A library doesn't have to find shelf space or spend staff time cataloging, processing or shelving the items. Patrons have 24/7 access with perhaps a greater selection than their home library might be able to provide otherwise. For folks into audiobooks, Net Library is an awesome resource. For those of us, not into audiobooks, we can admire from afar. (But I really do GET IT and our library subscribes and has good feedback regarding this product.)

#21 Podcasts

I have read some of my classmates' posts on this topic and they all rave at how easy this podcasting thing is. Well, can one of them please help me? I did not find this easy at all! Two of the three links at the Library 2.0 site did not work. Also audioblogger.com where one can create podcasts is now defunct. So I was left with Podcast Alley which was OK, but not great.

First off, I listen to talk radio and news almost all day, so while I am more of a visual learner, my brain can adjust to auditory input, but I find listening to podcasts difficult and tedious, because I don't like being tied to the computer. If I had an MP3, they might be good, but I don't even have a cell phone, so an MP3 is not forthcoming!

Second, my experience with podcasts previously was limited to listening to my pastor's sermons if I missed church (I know, I know, what a total nerd!) and which I did not find "difficult and tedious." I have never had any problems with listening to these, just click the link and listen. Everything I tried to listen to from Podcast Alley wanted me to download software in order to listen to it, but since none of the options were rated very highly, I was reluctant to do so. Many had only one or two stars out of five, so I was not real keen on putting junk on my computer!

As others have pointed out, the experience with podcasts is enlightening in the sheer volume of them available. And I like the idea of Podcast Alley's slogan "free the airwaves." I like anything that gives voice to people and is open access and FREE! Hence my love of Hulu, Google Docs, Open Office, GHOST, blogger and affection (not love) for You Tube. Podcasts fall into that same category. Anyone may create a podcast -- the ultimate free speech.

For library application, I suppose podcasts could be useful, but I think that blogs, websites, even videos might be more appropriate and appreciated by patrons. I think that people tend to be more visual than auditory, so the use of podcasts in library settings may be limited. Making patrons aware of them and giving easy access, however, could never hurt.

Hulu?! Anybody out there?

Since the "economic downturn" seems to be on everyone's minds lately, I ran across a nifty site that might be of interest to classmates and patrons.

Hulu is a website that contains free television content and movies. We are having more and more patrons coming in to the library saying that they no longer have cable because they cannot afford it, so our DVD circulation stats must be through the roof. My own family is thinking of doing the same. However, a lot of these same people have wireless Internet or keep their Internet access (we would since I am in school), so Hulu would be a great site. The selection is limited but growing and pretty impressive considering it's free. Combined with library subscription services such as My Media Mall and network sites which offer free episodes of some shows, a person could get along quite nicely without cable and still have some viewing pleasure options. That said, it would also be nice to ditch the television all together, but there would be major mutiny at our house!!

#20 You Tube

First, I just have to say that I love Arthur! I love the books, the PBS cartoon show, just the name "Arthur" is great! Even if I didn't have kids who watched Arthur, I would still watch it occasionally because the plots actually have several layers of depth to them with humor and literary allusions for adults (education-wise, not content-wise!). And I hate to admit how many times my three kids and I have danced in our living room to "Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card!" But, on to You Tube . . .

The name You Tube is clearly a pun on the slang term "Boob Tube" and no more apt a moniker was ever coined. You Tube is at the center of the Internet time-sucking vortex and is filled with tons of narcissistic garbage. That said, it is also home to a lot of great content including humorous, educational and moving videos. I like searching favorite songs and seeing the videos other people have created (usually photo montages). You Tube is also a great space for family and friends to share video long distance. WE have numerous friends and family who post binkie's first steps or tot's first drum set and then send us a link. It's a nice way to stay in touch.

Does You Tube have any serious applications for library use? I struggle to come up with anything truly earth-shattering! It would be fun for a teen group at the library to create videos for other teens telling what they love about the library and then post it on the teen spot on the library website. Or how about a several session teen program where they create a murder mystery mini movie (m4!) set in the library? Staff training videos could be created or some sort of fun video that is on the library's website that welcomes patrons and sets the tone for an interactive, enjoyable library experience? You know, because HAVING FUN ISN'T HARD, WHEN YOU'VE GOT A LIBRARY CARD!!!