Runs with Scissors

#9 Library Podcasting

2007-08-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

Surfing the directories for library related podcasts that would be of interest to me was somewhat unsatisfying until I found the NPR "...book reviews, news and author interviews -- for people who love to read. The best of Morning Edition, All Things Considered and other award-winning NPR programs."

Society has been so spoiled with professional newscasting it is difficult for me to really listen to anything that is not on the same level of professionalism as NPR.

This may or may not be an issue for students, although with the amount of information that surrounds them I tend to think it may be.

Week #7 Wikis

2007-08-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

The BookLovers Wiki is a great way of dispersing information for recreational reading. Although I work everyday at a library, I rarely have time to browse for books that may be of interest to me. Anymore, I rely on suggestions from friends and family as well as the occasional book review.

In an academic environment, a BookLoves Wiki could easily be adapted to include suggested titles by bibliographers and faculty members.

Reflections Upon My Journey Through Learning 2.0:

2007-08-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

I am the type of individual who totally enjoys learning new things, especially technology- related items. At times while I was watching a You Tube video or listening to music on a podcast I would think, “I can’t believe I am getting paid to do this.”

I had a great time playing this summer, I wish it could have continued…but like all good things, it had to come to an end.

Early on, I would occasionally get a bit frustrated when I was unable to navigate through a website; for whatever reason a fundamental link was missing to me. The pre-set workshops were a wonderful bonus to the discovery process because when this occurred, I would just walk downstairs with my problem and within an hour all glitches were worked out. (The key here was to stay up-to-date on your discovery exercises.)

I would have liked to have had more in-depth exercises on working with Podcasting and You Tube (how to create and post) and would enjoy having the opportunity to attend a hands-on workshop to become competent with creating and developing the two mediums.

If another discovery program was developed, I would most definitely participate.

Creating another learning blog similar to the one just completed would be great, I would be glad to participate in the development if this turns into a reality.

Kudos to the Learning 2.0 Team.

Social Networking

2007-08-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

After reviewing the suggested sites, a single thought kept recurring to me--do I really want to share my personal thoughts, interests etc. with complete strangers? Social Networking may be advantageous for a single work environment where the topic deals with work-related issues, but I have little interest for connecting with someone who knows someone who may know someone...

I personally enjoy communicating with friends and family in person.

Podcast

2007-08-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

Subscribe Free
Add to my PageI wanted to add this to my sidebar, but the Detailed Instructions from gcast.com explaining how to add your podcast to Blogger just didn't match up--anyone else have any success with this?

I had fun making this music podcast, makes me want to create a voice text over a music background.

You Tube

2007-08-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

Great comment on how I often feel while trying to create a document. How many times have pop-up bubbles asked me for Help, and in fact insisted upon it? How many times have I had to find a back door out of the Help mode?

I wonder how many hours are wasting trying to escape from Help?

As I mentioned in my previous post, I believe You Tube has great potential as an informational tool in any area or for any topic.

Web 2.0 Awards

2007-07-31T12:04:00.000-07:00

After linking to Web 2.0 Shortlist the video category caught my eye and of course, there was You Tube again. I could easily get addicted to some of the great animation out there.

What a good way of reaching out to students--a library You Tube site. A wonderful way to have fun and learn at the same time.

How does one create a You Tube document?

2007-07-31T11:31:00.000-07:00

Google Docs & Spreadsheets:

Using formats accessible to all types of computers is a distinct advantage when using a draft document that needs edited, reviewed or updated. Unlike a PDF file, it possesses the capability to revise the text.

Nice to see it does basic formatting for html also--not sure, at this point, how I am able to take full advantage of this right now.

Very easy to send to your blog however.

PBWikis

2007-07-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

For folks trying to follow the directions in the Learning 2.0 website, please note that after completing step 2 (Edit page) it is necessary to click on the Link icon on the toolbar which brings up a second window---then follow the updated steps 4-7. At this point you can then say, “…yup, it’s as easy as that!”

1. Click on Favorite Blogs (Sidebar)
2. Then Edit page
3. In Edit page window: click on Link located on the toolbar
4. Use the drop down arrow and select URL for linking to your blog
5. Enter your blog web address (runs-with-scissors.blogspot.com)
6. Type your blog name (runs with scissors)
7. Click Save

Wikis

2007-07-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Book Lovers Wiki, developed by the Princeton Public Library is a great way for locating leisure reading material. So often, I wander around a library browsing the shelves for new authors to read. It is similar to asking a librarian for best picks; as well as providing me the opportunity of telling others about a great book I just read.

Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki, although a bit visually unappealing, it is a good example of how a member of a Wiki are able to produce very informational data without the worry of finding the appropriate person to place it on the web. Very different from “…a conventional encyclopedia, where editors have to find experts for different subject areas, and nothing gets published without their say-so, anybody can write a wikipedia entry.”

Having an interface which enables staff members access to a wiki account, owned by the entire library, will help increase communication between staff.

Technorati

2007-07-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

What a delightful tidbit to share with others located on the favorites page.

Library 2.0 and Web 2.0

2007-07-18T08:22:00.002-07:00

As with all new technologies, we always have two ends on the discussion poles, one side takes us into a world most of us have a difficult time conceiving and the opposite side allows little change or acknowledgement of innovative technologies.

I tend to fall into a middle group--collaboration of new ideas with traditional ways to create a third vision. I agree when Dr. Wendy Schultz writes, “…Library 4.0 revives the old image of a country house library and renovates it …” to incorporate “… a retreat from technohustle with comfortable chairs, quiet, good light, coffee and single malt…”

Yes, libraries will continue to adapt and incorporate technology but it will always keep its core, a refuge from our high paced environment and a retreat into our imaginations created through the simple activity of reading.

Del-icio-us

2007-07-17T12:29:00.001-07:00

My thoughts about using this as a reference tool range from “Oh no, not another account” to-- “Hmm, this could be useful”. However at this point, I believe I am experiencing a new burnout phenomenon called, "creating another new account" syndrome.

LibraryThing

2007-07-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Image Generator

2007-07-09T12:38:00.001-07:00

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Check out this website:
http://www.aniboom.com/player.aspx?v=12694&e=1&ser=20-0-24

RSS feed

2007-07-05T11:48:00.001-07:00

Morning
Originally uploaded by J.H.C.

Returning to work after a few days off, I was a bit apprehensive about starting late on my “assignment” since last week clearly took some time on my part to accomplish. However, setting up my Bloglines account was fairly easy.

Follow your dreams

Librarian Trading Cards

2007-06-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

As you can see, I decided to add a challenge to the exercise and discovered how much fun it was in creating a Librarian trading card.

My first attempt on Monday, however, was disastrous. After I filled in all the blanks and clicked into the create card tab, it shot my data into the ether world.

This went on for several attempts and I began thinking that the possible problem may be that I needed to purchase the card first--the usual stop gap method online right?

Working with Diana during Tuesday’s workshop, it became apparent my problem stemmed from an incomplete registration process. So after my Google account finished talking with my email account and then to my Flickr account ….and so on, I was up and flying.

Tapestry

2007-06-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are unfamiliar these images, they were derived from the tapestry which hangs in the Dean’s conference room on the fifth floor. It is approximately 180 inches long and 2 ½ feet wide. The challenge was to capture the essence rather than the entire image.

My first attempt was to shoot section by section, but the result was rather unappealing, so I began looking closer at the image and realized each section was a miniature “story”. I decided to select unusual images as well as images which had movement, beauty and exquisite needlework. These are my results. Hope it entices you to take a closer look at the craftsmanship and detail that surrounds this piece.

Responding to Lifelong Learning:

2007-06-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

One line that sticks in my mind, after reviewing the PowerPoint presentation, and is very appropriate for lifelong learning is, “…think how much you learned so far by the curve balls life has thrown at you.”

How very true this statement is, the times in my life when I struggled most with difficult situations and tenaciously kept working on the problem until I overcame the obstacles, are the lessons I most value today.

Pursuing one’s dreams and overcoming the “…curve balls life has thrown at you…” is the secret, in my opinion, to maintaining a healthy outlook on life.