Web 2.0

After reading several articles, I thought that library customers have not changed that much in the last 30 years. They want what they want the way they want it and they want it now. I agree that we do not have the time to train every customer on how to do it our way and they usually are not interested in being trained. We do have to integrate simple straightforward information that they can access in their own environment. Customers want to spend more time on content and less time on antiquated search methods.

Technorati

When I think of all of the blogs available, I get a headache. Technorati seems to give some order to the chaos for a beginner like me. I like the idea that you can separate news and blogs so you can view the original news source and then refer to public opinion. I also like the authority ranking so you can determine popular topics. Searching is very flexible and simple.

Del.ico.us

I went through and looked at the things other librarians have bookmarked. I did find that many of the links were outdated or the sites have become subscriber only, making it often less than useful. I also got alot of unrelated hits when I did a search for certain topics. I also think that it would be difficult to weigh the authority or accuracy of the information found.

Search Gadget

I added the search gadget to my blog and my iGoogle page. I did have to read the instructions twice, but it may be advancing age. I can see how customers might find it to be convenient, although I don't think I would necessarily use it myself.

Library Thing

I had fun playing with this, but I don't think I will use this beyond keeping a record of books I have read. My biggest problem is finding that I have already read the book after I start it. When I have more time, I may explore other possibilities.

Image Generators

I played around with quite a few, but only saved something from YouWild.org on morphing images between humans and animals. Besides this site discusses endangered animals.

Watch me turn into a
Hyena at YouWild.org

Newsfeeds

Newsfeeds
Feeds As I'm sure everyone has indicated, Feedster was not accessable. Topix.net was user friendly, but when it takes you to the Jacksonville area, I became frightened after reading some local public opinion. I wish some opinions were not out there for people to see from other places. I didn't particularly like Syndic8.com, but I enjoyed Technorati for ease of use. I found an interesting feed in Topix.net about a man in Denver who got 10 years for stealing and selling library books online. A customer alerted the police.I still think that I just like to go out there and discover my own feeds. I encountered alot of information that was not relevant on these sites.

RSS feeds

RSS feeds I found this useful because there are several sites that I visit regularly to keep up with current topics such as Urban Legends and who died and when. I think this is a great tool for just being aware of current events from the mainstream to the bizarre. I can see how having too many feeds may become overwhelming and possibly hard to keep up with. I added blogs of some of my co-workers and it gives insights about them that we don't discuss on a daily basis.

7/9/08
by erica

Library Services to Baby Boomers and Older Adults

I was interested in a blog I read regarding trends toward "Senior Spaces" in the library. Most of these projects involve continuing education for Boomers and Older Adults. We must plan ahead to decide what services 50ish people will need over the next 20 years in order to keep up with technology and also what library services are at hand. It should be tailored to the community that is being served.

I also liked the comment that this generation is not likely to retire early like previous generations. For a variety of reasons, they will go on working and traveling well into old age. We must look at a different approach to serve this population. This blog is:
http://www.libraryolderadults.blogspot.com

Flickr

More Flickr fun convinced me that I may have to back up on saying that I enjoy play. I did start to get frustrated as others mentioned and I didn't feel comfortable taking the time I required to get it right.

Our Staff

This is a picture of the San Marco staff on the odd day that we were all here at the same time. We had just finished with a Holiday celebration near Christmastime and had a great time. I posted this because it reminds me that a good team needs time to unwind and enjoy each other.