Search Engines

I tried all three alternate search engines plus Google with the search "library cats". I had just read the book "Dewey" and wanted to find out more on cats in residence at libraries. All four came up with most of the same results in slightly different orders. Most of the first sites that came up were selling something but Google gave more pages of results with better sites as I went deeper. I think all four search engines would work but Google will still be my first choice.

Podcast

Well, I succesfully subscribed to several podcasts with rss feed and it looks like the possibilities for podcasting are endless. It can be used for news, learning new things, and entertainment. The library podcast I visited was the Denver Public Library and it offered stories read out loud for children. I also found lectures from Oxford University on Old English and travel podcasts from Rick Steves. He has put together an incredible series of podcasts that can be downloaded to an mp3, taken on your trip, and used as tour guides. Imagine standing in St. Mark's in Venice and listening to Rick Steves while looking at all the wonderful architecture and art. I did have some difficulty, once again, with listening to some of these because of the computer specifications but I got a real good idea of what is possible with this tool.

Online Image Generators

I didn't spend too much time with this right now but I will come back to this. Here is my Monopoly card image.

Overdrive

I had difficulty downloading anything from Overdrive until Walter helped me. The problem was the computer didn't have a current edition of streaming audio and it wouldn't accept the download. I was then able to download Alice in Wonderland from the always available list and listened for a few minutes while playing with the buttons. I liked the tour of Overdrive. It was very complete and I felt comfortable with the whole idea after watching most of the subjects. For a library Overdrdive is wonderful because it connects technologically savvy people with books. Anything to get someone to read is great. For someone like me who loves lounging with a book I wouldn't use this as my main source of reading. Give me a hard copy of a book any day and I am happy. I would use this if the title could be downloaded to my mp3 though. Then I could take it on trips or just for walking.

Social Bookmarking

Social Bookmarking was something I didn't even know existed. I am learning so many new things it is getting challenging to let anything sink in. Anyway, I can see the advantages to making what is, essentially, a personal tool like bookmarking and making it public. If someone else in your field has already gone through the work of finding great sites why should you have to do the same work when you could benefit from their suggestions and visa versa. This is a natural advantage for Librarians who do research on a daily basis. On a personal level, I like being able to go from one computer to the next and keep my own bookmarks intact. Thanks Web 2.0 for introducing me to this.

You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TchjHQM40jM

This is a link to my dad's You Tube song. My mom is the soloist.



I think I could become addicted to watching You Tube. I don't have the desire to post anything but the possibilities are endless for seeing new and interesting things. While searching for library related posts I came across a Japanese game show set in a library where everything was silent and in the background was what looked like real library patrons and staff going about their business. The point I think was not to make any noise while the loser of each round had to endure certain tasks like getting a nose hair plucked or eating a wasabi filled sushi roll. I couldn't decide if this was funny or cruel.



Here is another library related post I came across:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3808figJoBM

P.S. Check out my dad's other You Tube postings. Search for Mike Lynch and find the ones posted by Music Teacher2009.

Facebook

Well, I am officially on Facebook now. I have four friends already and I don't know what to do with them yet. But really, this is going to be great as a tool to keep up with people I already know, get in touch with friends from the past, and maybe meet new people. I looked up one friend from high school who I had lost contact with. She accepted my invitation and I can't wait to catch up with her. I also invited one cousin who is going to school in Chicago. I know I won't be able to keep up with the high speed of her site but at least I can still feel connected to her now. As far as library use of Facebook, there are many advantages to having a presence online. First of all, as online social networking replaces traditional networking methods, libraries will be able to keep in the loop as a resource for information and connecting to other people and resources. Also, library employees can connect with other employees both in their own system and outside to compare notes and combine forces. I found Facebook pretty easy to set up but kind of intimidating to navigate. I'm sure once I spend more time with it I will get used to how it works.