DCTC Library Tour, using Flckr, Picnik and FlickrSLiDR:
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
In Flickr and Picnik, I wrote captions for these photos that would function as the verbal accompaniment to this "tour." But they didn't show up on the FlckrSldr slideshow. Not sure if there's a way to make that happen. Picnik was fun and worked smoothly with Flickr. I'll have to investigate it further.
I can definitely see uses for this on our Library page, and it would be fun for home use, as well.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thing #36: Comic Relief
As a college librarian, this one really speaks to me!
From Stripgenerator, by mupfather
And on the loneliness of reference desks, now that everyone is Googling instead:
From Stripgenerator, by mupfather
And now my very first comic strip...
Not hilarious, but who knew I could be a comic strip author?? What a feeling of empowerment! This has possibilities.
For this Thing, I also explored ToonDo and Comeeko. ToonDo looks really nice, and I liked the colors, which I don't think Stripgenerator has. But the day I actually set out to do this Thing, the site kept hanging up, so I went to Stripgenerator instead. (Today I see ToonDo is working.) Comeeko would be fun in that it works with your photos. So you could create comics with photos of actual library staff saying things. Ah, the creative possibilities.
I got a kick out of the Obamaconme and Warholizing sites. I've seen these in people's profiles but never knew how they did it.
Yes, I could imagine a use for a library comic strip. As with the other tools we've learned, it's one more thing to throw in the toolbox and good to know it's there.
From Stripgenerator, by mupfather
And on the loneliness of reference desks, now that everyone is Googling instead:
From Stripgenerator, by mupfather
And now my very first comic strip...
Not hilarious, but who knew I could be a comic strip author?? What a feeling of empowerment! This has possibilities.
For this Thing, I also explored ToonDo and Comeeko. ToonDo looks really nice, and I liked the colors, which I don't think Stripgenerator has. But the day I actually set out to do this Thing, the site kept hanging up, so I went to Stripgenerator instead. (Today I see ToonDo is working.) Comeeko would be fun in that it works with your photos. So you could create comics with photos of actual library staff saying things. Ah, the creative possibilities.
I got a kick out of the Obamaconme and Warholizing sites. I've seen these in people's profiles but never knew how they did it.
Yes, I could imagine a use for a library comic strip. As with the other tools we've learned, it's one more thing to throw in the toolbox and good to know it's there.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thing #35: Books 2.0
I'm observing that students seem to go to the Internet first for research -- usually to Google, unless they've had a library orientation. But when they want books, it's hard-copy books they're looking for. We have a collection of e-books through NetLibrary, and we tout them as being great for 24/7 access from home. But students are usually reluctant to use them.
I think the Books 2.0 tools generally enhance the reading experience. In fact, the new version of our catalog, MnPals Plus, is a 2.0 product, allowing for reviews and comments. I think they allow for a social experience and also allow people to find other suggested reading they probably wouldn't have run across otherwise.
I looked at most of the links that were posted with this Thing. In our library, we use LibraryThing to highlight certain subject areas that we feature on our home page. It makes a nice attractive rotating display. We've also just put up a Facebook page. There are a lot of good Books applications for Facebook, as listed in this Thing. It took us a while to locate a good Books application that would work with a Page rather than a personal profile. By asking another library, I located one called Bookshare. Hoping to generate some visits to the library and some discussion with it!
I think the Books 2.0 tools generally enhance the reading experience. In fact, the new version of our catalog, MnPals Plus, is a 2.0 product, allowing for reviews and comments. I think they allow for a social experience and also allow people to find other suggested reading they probably wouldn't have run across otherwise.
I looked at most of the links that were posted with this Thing. In our library, we use LibraryThing to highlight certain subject areas that we feature on our home page. It makes a nice attractive rotating display. We've also just put up a Facebook page. There are a lot of good Books applications for Facebook, as listed in this Thing. It took us a while to locate a good Books application that would work with a Page rather than a personal profile. By asking another library, I located one called Bookshare. Hoping to generate some visits to the library and some discussion with it!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Thing #34: Online Answer Sites
I can totally see why these online answer sites are appealing. People can get quick answers in an unintimidating way, without having to leave home. Also, lots of people use forums and various types of social networking. These sites have a similar feel, so they'd be comfortable for people.
The questions I saw ran the gamut: Some were academic, like "I need to know about WWI and WWII for a history assignment." Many were from people seeking answers for practical questions regarding needs in their lives: "How do I refinish a table?" And then some were opinion questions from people looking to start -- or provoke -- a conversation: "Is anyone else tired of hearing about Barack Obama?" and "Am I considered a racist if I don't like Barack Obama?"
The academic questions -- like the first one mentioned -- especially broad, open-ended questions like that one -- would best be asked by asking a librarian for help. The practical sort of questions, like the one re: wood finishing, would also be a good library question but could also be answered by other folks who have knowledge of the field. So that one could go either way, the caveat being that if you ask the question of the general public, you can either get excellent or very poor answers. As for the final question, those people are just looking for a chat group!
Some of these folks on the answer sites may be aware of the library but may be thinking of it primarily as a place to pick up books, CDs and DVDs. Sadly, I'm not sure how many people know what a reference librarian is these days or would think to ask one. They also probably don't know that you can reach your librarian via email or chat. So they go with what they know and what's easiest.
The Slam the Boards events sound like a good idea for getting the word out about librarians. I checked out their wiki, but I don't think I would participate, mainly for lack of time. For the same reason, I didn't answer any questions -- mainly because it would have involved signing in and, I presume, creating a profile, etc. Maybe someday!
The questions I saw ran the gamut: Some were academic, like "I need to know about WWI and WWII for a history assignment." Many were from people seeking answers for practical questions regarding needs in their lives: "How do I refinish a table?" And then some were opinion questions from people looking to start -- or provoke -- a conversation: "Is anyone else tired of hearing about Barack Obama?" and "Am I considered a racist if I don't like Barack Obama?"
The academic questions -- like the first one mentioned -- especially broad, open-ended questions like that one -- would best be asked by asking a librarian for help. The practical sort of questions, like the one re: wood finishing, would also be a good library question but could also be answered by other folks who have knowledge of the field. So that one could go either way, the caveat being that if you ask the question of the general public, you can either get excellent or very poor answers. As for the final question, those people are just looking for a chat group!
Some of these folks on the answer sites may be aware of the library but may be thinking of it primarily as a place to pick up books, CDs and DVDs. Sadly, I'm not sure how many people know what a reference librarian is these days or would think to ask one. They also probably don't know that you can reach your librarian via email or chat. So they go with what they know and what's easiest.
The Slam the Boards events sound like a good idea for getting the word out about librarians. I checked out their wiki, but I don't think I would participate, mainly for lack of time. For the same reason, I didn't answer any questions -- mainly because it would have involved signing in and, I presume, creating a profile, etc. Maybe someday!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Thing #33: Travel 2.0
As I'm a fan of travel, these were fun to look at. In fact, I clicked on every one of the links, if only to give it a quick look. And I added "My Kugehopf" to my personal Delicious list because it is... well, delicious :)
These are really useful sites, though in my case, probably more for personal use than professional. I could see where these would be terrific resources in public libraries, where you get questions from people who are planning trips. We get the occasional question from someone planning a trip or doing an expository paper on a country. And since many of our travel books are dated (that not being a big area of collection for us), these sites are good to know about.
I enjoyed some of the travel "journals," like the aforementioned "My Kugelhopf" and also "The Lost Girls." Also poked around Tripadvisor and enjoyed that.
These are really useful sites, though in my case, probably more for personal use than professional. I could see where these would be terrific resources in public libraries, where you get questions from people who are planning trips. We get the occasional question from someone planning a trip or doing an expository paper on a country. And since many of our travel books are dated (that not being a big area of collection for us), these sites are good to know about.
I enjoyed some of the travel "journals," like the aforementioned "My Kugelhopf" and also "The Lost Girls." Also poked around Tripadvisor and enjoyed that.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thing #32: Google Maps & Mash-Ups
I created a Google map/mash-up of one of my favorite areas: Lake Calhoun. I put markers at a couple of spots: the Tin Fish, the lakeside seafood restaurant that's open seasonally, and the Bakken Museum.
I didn't find it as easy to use as the tutorial promised, but then this is all new to me. If I had time, I'd really enjoy trying out the different mash-ups that are available. I'm not sure I see a use for this in our library right now, but maybe I'll come up with something at some point. As with so many of these things, it's good to know they're there and to have them in the "toolbox," so to speak. This is a fun one.
Now, let's see if I can embed the site:
View Lake Calhoun area in a larger map
Hmm, I tried to zoom it in better, but it defaulted to this more far-away few. I'll post for now, but it's something to tinker with later...
I didn't find it as easy to use as the tutorial promised, but then this is all new to me. If I had time, I'd really enjoy trying out the different mash-ups that are available. I'm not sure I see a use for this in our library right now, but maybe I'll come up with something at some point. As with so many of these things, it's good to know they're there and to have them in the "toolbox," so to speak. This is a fun one.
Now, let's see if I can embed the site:
View Lake Calhoun area in a larger map
Hmm, I tried to zoom it in better, but it defaulted to this more far-away few. I'll post for now, but it's something to tinker with later...
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