So.... 5 months after CML's Learn & Play ended, I am still left with this blog. I originally intended to keep updating this blog with new technological articles and happenings, but as we can see, that didn't work out so well. And now I'm thinking, what can I do with this blog?
I'm considering keeping the overall theme of this page technologically oriented. (so I don't have to change the name of my blog!) Instead of technology articles, I am thinking about featuring and reviewing various online and electronic research databases, for both adult and children. Now, if I could only choose which one to start with first!
~T
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
23 Things Bonus: 10 Random Things
Aaaand, another post! This "extra credit" post is supposed to be 10 random things about me.
1. I grew up hating my name, mostly because it gets mispronounced all the time and I get tired of having to spell it for the people at Panera. But I actually like it now. It's unique, and I like not having the same name as everyone else. I know when someone says, "Hey Talia!", they're talking to me!
2. I have an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University, even though I grew up in Columbus and just came back here after graduation.
3. I met my husband in high school, although we were NOT high school sweethearts. We were both in orchestra together, I played the cello, he played the violin.
4. In college, I was a member of the Indiana University Speech Team, and we competed in competitive speaking contests. I loved it so much, I now help coach a local high school speech team!
5. I hate going to concerts, although I love music. I don't know, I hate crowds, and I don't see the point in paying money so people can bump into you and block your view.
6. My favorite food is lasagna, but no meat sauce, please!
7. I don't own an ipod. Well, that's not true, I have one, a gift, and it's an old ipod, but I just don't have a use for one in my life, so it's unused.
8. I went to Indiana U., and I am a IU basketball nut! So don't bother asking me about OSU football, I bleed cream and crimson!
9. When I was a kid, I didn't play with Barbies, I guess I didn't find them interesting. My favorite toy was a stuffed llama named "Llama" (I guess I couldn't think of a good llama name).
10. A stupid movie that I will never get tired of watching: Muppets Take Manhattan.
~T
1. I grew up hating my name, mostly because it gets mispronounced all the time and I get tired of having to spell it for the people at Panera. But I actually like it now. It's unique, and I like not having the same name as everyone else. I know when someone says, "Hey Talia!", they're talking to me!
2. I have an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University, even though I grew up in Columbus and just came back here after graduation.
3. I met my husband in high school, although we were NOT high school sweethearts. We were both in orchestra together, I played the cello, he played the violin.
4. In college, I was a member of the Indiana University Speech Team, and we competed in competitive speaking contests. I loved it so much, I now help coach a local high school speech team!
5. I hate going to concerts, although I love music. I don't know, I hate crowds, and I don't see the point in paying money so people can bump into you and block your view.
6. My favorite food is lasagna, but no meat sauce, please!
7. I don't own an ipod. Well, that's not true, I have one, a gift, and it's an old ipod, but I just don't have a use for one in my life, so it's unused.
8. I went to Indiana U., and I am a IU basketball nut! So don't bother asking me about OSU football, I bleed cream and crimson!
9. When I was a kid, I didn't play with Barbies, I guess I didn't find them interesting. My favorite toy was a stuffed llama named "Llama" (I guess I couldn't think of a good llama name).
10. A stupid movie that I will never get tired of watching: Muppets Take Manhattan.
~T
Thing #23
Oh hey! I'm done! And right in at the end of the program, too.
My fave "things" were flickr and the RSS feeds, both Web items that I knew about but hadn't had a whole lot of exposure to. I lurve my Bloglines account now!
All in all, Learn & Play @CML was informative and professionally enhancing. And it assisted my life-long learning goals by teaching me not to be afraid. I know, me? Afraid of Web 2.0? Well, in my last post, I mentioned my slight apprehension on working with MOLDI, but after taking a look at it and "learning and playing", I realized it's not as hard and crazy as I thought it was, and can actually be something to promote instead of just explaining what it is when people ask for it.
I would totally participate again in something like this, but I would like more of an outreach to non-CML folks. My coworkers were at least aware of this program, but maybe they were hesitant to get onboard with something that's not specifically "for them". I know, we can't get the free flashdrives or participate in prize drawings, but hey, I still got something out of this! I think I'm the only non-CML person who faux-registered and finished, and it's kinda lonely out on this limb! Also, a lot of idea sharing and a sense of belonging gets lost when you can't really talk to anyone about what you're doing.
But even though this program is over, I will continue learnin' and playin'! Because as it was said back in August, I am a life-long learner!
~T
My fave "things" were flickr and the RSS feeds, both Web items that I knew about but hadn't had a whole lot of exposure to. I lurve my Bloglines account now!
All in all, Learn & Play @CML was informative and professionally enhancing. And it assisted my life-long learning goals by teaching me not to be afraid. I know, me? Afraid of Web 2.0? Well, in my last post, I mentioned my slight apprehension on working with MOLDI, but after taking a look at it and "learning and playing", I realized it's not as hard and crazy as I thought it was, and can actually be something to promote instead of just explaining what it is when people ask for it.
I would totally participate again in something like this, but I would like more of an outreach to non-CML folks. My coworkers were at least aware of this program, but maybe they were hesitant to get onboard with something that's not specifically "for them". I know, we can't get the free flashdrives or participate in prize drawings, but hey, I still got something out of this! I think I'm the only non-CML person who faux-registered and finished, and it's kinda lonely out on this limb! Also, a lot of idea sharing and a sense of belonging gets lost when you can't really talk to anyone about what you're doing.
But even though this program is over, I will continue learnin' and playin'! Because as it was said back in August, I am a life-long learner!
~T
Thing #22: MOLDI
It happens every once in a while when I'm at the reference desk: someone comes up and asks me about downloading audio-books to their MP3 player. I break into a cold sweat, but I still smile and say "sure thing!" I think MOLDI (Mid-Ohio Library Digital Initiative) is something that library folk know about, as in they're aware of it, but few actually know it works. But after playing around with the site,...it's not so bad, not bad at all! MOLDI is great, but as far as the books available, go in with lowered expectations. No, they don't have every audiobook/ e-book in the universe. And not all audiobooks can be downloaded to ipods, although some can. And most can't be burned to CD due to licensing rights. But that being said, it's a great tool for finding audiobooks that certain libraries don't own. There were PLENTY of good items to choose from, although when there's a wait, ANY kind of wait, you know people get a little cranky over having to wait a day or 2. I put in a request for Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume, and I'm still a little disappointed I can't get it right this nanosecond. Oh well. patience is a virtue. And now I fear MOLDI no more!!!
~T
~T
Thing #21: Podcasts
In one of my MLIS classes, we had to search podcast directories and get to know them, and I never liked how any of the directories worked. I was much happier to get podcasts backwards, by having a beloved site that I already read on a daily basis and THEN finding out they have podcasts as well. That being said, Podcast Alley got me some good looking hits pretty easily. There are many examples of library-related podcasts, most being updates about programs or happenings at the library or book reviews. I love childrensbookradio.com, which is perfect to keep up with all of the great children's literature out there.Another example of podcasts is shown here at Salt Lake County Library, where they give a humorous look into how books are ordered and processed. One way I think podcasts would do very well in the youth services arena, where entire stories can be downloaded and listened to. Also, popular storytime songs can be recorded and made into a podcast. Want to sing the "Open Them, Shut Them" song with your toddler but don't remember all the words? It's only a click away on a library Web page.
The issue with podcasts in libraries is actually getting people to subscribe to them. We need to publicize the podcasts and show users that it's easy, worthwhile, and can even be fun!
~T
The issue with podcasts in libraries is actually getting people to subscribe to them. We need to publicize the podcasts and show users that it's easy, worthwhile, and can even be fun!
~T
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thing #20: YouTube!
Who doesn't love YouTube?? You can watch music videos, funny clips, and most importantly, it can be used at the library! YouTube has channels on it's site, so why can't libraries have "channels" of various author interviews, movie trailers that are based off of books, and even user reviews. YouTube also has a contest page of currently running contests you can enter by submitting an appropriate video. The library can participate in its own contests. For kids, maybe users can post videos on their favorite part of the library or their favorite book. Storytubes.info is an awesome site of kids talking about their favorite book. Simple, yet utilizing a Web 2.0 technology and getting users involved!
Also, as I'm showing here, videos can be embedded into library Web sites. This can be a good opportunity to promote the library in informational ways. My library's Web site had various programs (and a few storytime rhymes) taped and put on the site so users can watch and "visit" the library from home. Here's a video I participated in just a few months ago (I'm one of the gang members!) to promote Summer Reading Club. We put it on our Web site, and we have over 7,800 views so far!
~T
Also, as I'm showing here, videos can be embedded into library Web sites. This can be a good opportunity to promote the library in informational ways. My library's Web site had various programs (and a few storytime rhymes) taped and put on the site so users can watch and "visit" the library from home. Here's a video I participated in just a few months ago (I'm one of the gang members!) to promote Summer Reading Club. We put it on our Web site, and we have over 7,800 views so far!
~T
Thing #19: CML's Tool Box
CML has a downloadable toolbar for your Web browser which has some neat buttons on it. I like the "events" button and the "electronic media" button, but my favorite is the "new items" button! I really wish my library had something like that where users could find out what materials are coming soon to the library before the queue gets ridiculously long! But anyway, this toolbar is a great example of Library 2.0, where the library is coming to the user (instead of the user coming to the library!) and making their information accessible in a manner of the user's choosing.
~T
~T
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