Thing #40: Mashup the Web

I had fun exploring this. I looked at a few mash-ups in all the categories. I enjoyed looking with BookTour, Lunchbox, CrimeReports, and Walkable, in particular. I already knew the restaurants listed on Lunchbox, but it was fun to see them on a map. And I found out that my neighborhood is indeed as walkable as I already knew it was. :)

I could imagine using the Lunchbox mash-up to find good eats in an unfamiliar place.

Here I tried BubblR to put a caption with a photo. I was attracted to this kitty, who looks just like my long-haired guy at home! This was easy and fun.

Thing #39: Digital Storytelling

I used VoiceThread for yet another version of my DCTC Library virtual tour. I found VoiceThread really easy to use. I could see polishing this up, adding voice (which I didn't this time as I'm at a public desk with no microphone) and more links. It also meshed really well with my Flickr account.

Thing #38: Screencasting

For this Thing, I used Jing. I was eager to try this Thing, because we do want to produce some screencasts for our Web page and for our distance learners. I'd heard Jing was really easy and worked well, so that's the one I chose.

I found it a little tricky, but that may just be me and my clunky tech skills. For example, it took me a while to figure out how to use the arrow, because I was trying to "drag" it. I never did figure out how to get the Text feature to work. I'm sure it's something simple that I'm neglecting to do.

It looks like you can't edit screens once you save them, which is unfortunate, but oh, well.

I produced this two-screen image capture demonstrating 1) the way to find the DCTC Library page from the main DCTC page, and 2) where to find the useful links (MnPALS catalog, Ebsco for articles, chat screen.)

It's a start! I wanted to start off simply, with images. But in the future I'm going to try a video.

P.S. Uh-oh -- in viewing my published post, I see the screens are too big. I'm sure there's a way to resize them, and at some point, I'll figure out how to do that. But I've spent a long time on this Thing and must move along.

Thing #37: Photo Tales

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.

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.

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!

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!