Wednesday, July 23, 2008

23 +2: Use VuFind to search a library catalogue

I used the VuFind to look for copies of a nonfiction book about the great fire of London "The dreadful judgement." Sadly, VuFind could not locate that title. It did however bring up some facsimilies of old documents listed in the TDJ's bibliography.

My second search was for any item with the key terms "multiple personality disorder" - that was more successful, yielding 250 items, but the specific level of detail wasn't sufficient to get full bibliographic data.

While I see the potential for this product, I didn't feel satisfied with the results of my search. It may take more playing with to get the full value of the product, but I'm afraid I don't have that time right now.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

23 + 1: Connect with colleagues using LinkedIn

Today I created my LinkedIn account and imported some contacts from the Groupwise address book. Lea's instructions on the 23 things page were very helpful for that. Now I wait to see if any of the invitations I sent out get accepted.

I've had five acceptances - thank you to those who were kind enough to reply to my request.

I can see the potential for this resource, but like many things it will require a time investment to reach its full benefits.

Melinda

Friday, March 7, 2008

did I miss task 18?

I think I posted about Library 2.0, but just in case, here's some of my thoughts:

There's a lot of discussion about outreach from libraries to students, but not a lot that has become practically applicable from my perspective. I attended a reference librarians staff development session in the city last year, and it was said by several of the attendees that the library staff might be able to use the new technologies to reach out to students (FaceBook, Second Life, news feeders, YouTube), but the question was: do our clients want us to do so? Or are we seen as intruding into their social setting?

The service philosophy of integrating clients into the design and delivery of library services isn't new. The technology for providing such integrating is ever-changing. But I keep coming back to the issue that many of our clients don't care how we provide the service - they just want what they want, when they want it. How much feedback and input they're willing to provide in aid of that... is a whole other issue. We do get some feedback via the notice board and the occasional request for comment, but both of those offer a tangible reward... the notice board hopefully gets you a positive answer, the request for feedback is often accompanied by a bribe (maybe win a prize, or get a food voucher.)

I wonder how many people bother to read our library blog?
Tony has mentioned that we may try library tours via MP3, much like many tourist sites and museums. I'll be interested to see what the take-up is on that service.

All we can do is try new options, advertise them and see if the patrons choose to participate.

Sorry if I sound bah-humbug.

Giving feedback about the 23 things program

I think I can, I think I can, I did it! Thank goodness for the extended cut-off date for the 23 things project.

It’s been a very interesting project but I had to do a lot of it in my own time. Working two days a week and having 2.5 days of work to cover doesn’t leave any spare time on campus. I don’t begrudge the time though – I like to learn new things, especially with regard to making computers work.

23 Things has helped me to connect with colleagues from other campuses whom I’ve not had a chance to meet in person. The shared tasks have given me insight into those I might not otherwise get to know.

I’m not likely to get into using FaceBook. I don’t see it being applicable for my current work duties and the few of my writing colleagues who subscribe haven’t found it useful for their networking.

Some of the resources were terrible time-vortices (I'm looking at YOU, Second Life and YouTube *g*) and I will keep away from them during workhours, but del.icio.us and
igoogle have found their way into my work practices.

I feel more comfortable with some of the technology and social projects that I had not yet explored. I already had a personal account for Flickr and a basic feed reader, but it’s good to expand my knowledge of other resources. I also feel more knowledgable about the Library 2.0 movement.

My 23 things blog will go into hiatus now, as I have a regular LiveJournal. I wish everyone who has participated in 23 things an online farewell, and thank you to those who have administrated this intriguing staff development project.

Poddling along in the last gasping moments

I chose Podcast Alley as my provider, but was not able to download the aggregate software to my home computer. Instead I went directly to the blogtalkradio.com website and did a direct RSS feed to my Yahoo feed reader.
Or at least I thought I did. Although the feed was added to my Yahoo personal page, the screen was blue and I couldn't click on the links. When I tried to reload the page, the feed wasn't there. Not quite dummy proof.
I did in the end manage to download a podcast from
www.blogtalkradio.com/flylady/feed
I've found the Flylady site useful in trying to instill some calm into my chaotic home and thought it would be fun to listen to a podcast.

I also listened to an Enough Rope podcast of Andrew Denton interviewing Philip Nitschke
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/audio/ep157/PHILIPNITSCHKE.mp3

I can see how this could be useed in library settings. You could do audio tours of the library (with supplied mp3 players.)

Monday, January 28, 2008

Several someones I love are currently overseas. Where once I had to wait for postcards and the rare crackly phone call, I can now check their blog daily, look at photos from and read about today's adventures.
It's wonderful to have that sense of immediacy; reduces the loneliness.

Has anyone else seen the Anonymous Youtube postings attacking the Church of Scientology? It's an amazing case of viral marketing that has stirred up mass media comment and a hornets nest on the internet. Whether this is indeed a coordinated campaign, or simply one person stirring the meme-world to see what it happening, it shows how quickly a snappy catch-cry and funky visuals can grab the Web 2.0 world's attention. Puts a whole new spin on the idea of rabble rousing.
While I don't see library-related issues being presented in such a stirring way, it is an interesting study of how new media and forms of narrative develop.

Friday, January 11, 2008

del.icio.us

I did a search for multiple personalities, a condition I've researched in the past for a novel. I'm aware that the current terminology for the condition is dissociative identity disorder, but I wondered what I would find. Most of the del.icio.us (those periods are a pest!) links were about managing multiple online personalities and all the associated passwords, which I found very amusing indeed.

The few terms I picked didn't seem to be popular. Wonder what would have happened if I looked up a pop-star?

In the end I looked up a favorite speculative fiction author and found some useful links.

I can see how this could lead you to contact with other people who share your interests, and that you could gather your bookmarks if you travel between sites/computers, but am not sure how it would be relevant in terms of libraries presenting information/relevence to students. Perhaps as an alternative to our subject starter pages? With students able to add other items they find of use?