Thing 12 Not so instant messaging

This week we are exploring Instant Message Reference services. I tried out the VBPL site which was supposed to be available Thursdays from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Service started late--it was offline until after 3:37 p.m. Then my question took almost ten minutes for the librarian to answer. I found the answer myself by googling in the first three minutes. So...while impressed with the concept, I was disappointed with the reality.

Thing 2: Lifelong Learning

The library where I work has embarked on a program called Learning 2.0, an online exploration of Web 2.0 technology. We have 30 Things to complete by January 21st. Thing number 2 involved watching a video on Life Long Learning, then determining which of the 7 1/2 traits of a life long learner we most and least identify with. The first trait was straight from Steven Covey's Seven Habits, "Begin with the end it mind." Identify your goals, but even more importantly, the reason behind the goals. I always liked that and try to keep it in mind whenever I am trying to make a hard decision or resolve a conflict. I am not sure if it is the easiest or the hardest....just the one I know I revert to the most.

Though that 1/2 at the end, "have fun", is important to me too. : )

Thing 5: Am I thinking differently after talking with a co-worker and reading more?

Nope, I stand by my earlier posting.

Library 2.0 Thing 4--what do I think Library 2.0 is?

Library 2.0 is the adaptation of libraries to the Web 2.0 environment...so what does that mean? My take on it is that in Web 2.0 content is user driven--designed for maximum user input. Users personalize their information feeds, provide input, and write/create content. When that information is shared with other users, it becomes a form of social networking. As a society we are still learning/experimenting with this content. Libraries are trying to recreate services and programs so that users can personalize them and share their experiences/thoughts with others.

One of my goals this fall/winter is to read Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software by Steven Johnson which is about the emergence of goup intelligence. I heard him talking on NPR this summer about how group intelligence can make better predictions than the individuals in the group. One example he cited is the guess the number of jelly beans in a jar contest. When the average guess is determined, it is frequently closer to correct than any individual guess. (This violated one of my core beliefs that mobs/groups always act more stupidly than most individuals. There is no thinking involved. ) Johnson goes on to draw connections between group think and the software that drives search engines. I will let you know what other nuggets I glean from this book and how it relates to Library 2.0.

Pimping my blog

Today Sara Norman, a co-worker, is teaching us to add widgets and spruce up our blogs. So far I have added a link to my Shelfari reading list--which I realize is out of date, played with alternative templates, fonts, and colors, added a photo, and added some library related links. A good morning's work, I think.

Thing 8: Creating & registering my blog

I have successfully created a blog. Now I have to think of something to say. Sigh.