Week 7 - Microblogging and Twitter

I have been signed up for Twitter for quite some time but have not used it because I really did not know how to use it. But after taking time to actually watch some training video's, I now understand it better (such as http://mashable.com/guidebook/twitter/. I really learned a lot about other Twitter type resource sites that will enhance and make Twitter really useful. Take time and watch Zebolsen's video on many resources for Twitter (http://mashable.com/2009/05/31/twitter-tutorials-youtube). Having watched it I will probably sign up for Tweetdeck.com to manage and use Twitter more fully. Another exciting thing is Twitterlocal.net. If you live in an area or want to find people who tweet in your area, you can view tweeter's and send them a follow message.

If I can use these sites to use Twitter, I know it will help me feel like I have a better grasp of the technology. I loved that at Tweetdeck.com. A person can add a 12 second video, make links smaller, and send messages to your Facebook followers also. This really helps a person get better use of time and sharing.

A basic Twitter account seems less than easy to learn. It's like the screen just looks at you and expects you to know how to do something. So I'm going to go to a site that is more powerful and creates learning experiences a little easier.

I have begun following 23things kansas and othe librarians, plus friends I have already been signed up to follow. As I get more active, I know that I will find messages from techy type persons helping me grow and also help them grow as we share together. If you want to share with me, just look up . I say share, because I think having a following is a bit inflated, but if we share and communicate together, then we do follow each other. Almost like a mutual admiration society.

I think Twittering could be really fun to push news and information out to local residents for a library. We can also create fun Twitter contacts with those in the community we serve. Libraries are finding that people want experiences and community, well we are situated just right to see this happen. This way libraries will be seen as relevant to those in the community.

Week 3 - Webcast: Twenty Five Technologies to Watch and How

Wow!

If you want to be pushed a bit on technology uses in libraries,
view the SirsiDynix Event Archives,"Twenty Five Technologies to Watch and How,"
by Stephen Abram —VP of Innovation, SirsiDynix.

I definitely need to take his challenge and just take time, have fun and learn about different tech areas. I need to learn more about scrapbooking and tagging, as well as putting together custom searches and microfederation abilities to better provide subject wisdom. It seems that these could help use such old things as "paths" for the modern age.

I am hopeful that over time e-readers will become more reasonable for libraries to provide for patrons. The new IPAD looks really interesting for those of us who might enjoy having a magazine, newspaper or book to use, while also having things at hand via the net. Will this become more the standard, versus the use of mp3's, ipods and phones?

Cloud software seems to be the next stage for libraries if we can keep our computers safe from attacks. We will have to learn this so we can help patrons be able to use the software. The expansion however, will help those with the information gap be able to compete more fully.

Some of what Abrams talks about integrating into libraries makes me understand that we really need to be moving to hiring and training more librarians who are tech able and savvy. Discussing such things as local dominance through geocoding was a bit father ahead than our library is ready for. It will take time to assimilate all this information.

I'd love to learn how to bring our websites to personal sites, Facebook pages, etc. I do think this is very important for the social network. It would not just be pushing information to them via a message sent, but a presence.

If you have not seen this web cast, please watch it at: http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/archive.php

This site also provides a down loadable copy of his PowerPoint presentation he used.

In retrospect however, don't let him overpower you, his presentation was done through a simple PowerPoint presentation and audio presence. While he talked about technologies, I did find it interesting however, that he did not use a more techno-savvy way to share his information through maybe a video conference or recording. Maybe he's still learning too!