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.)