Wrap-Up

Wow! I cannot believe the challenge is over already. How am I going to keep up with all the 2.0 tools? Well, I use bloglines everyday now, so that is very cool! I also am using Delicious to bookmark all the websites I use. Wikis are something I have been using for awhile, and I also use Google Docs on a regular basis. I have connected with a number of librarians on Facebook, so I will probably stay active with that. The one 2.0 tool that I probably will not use very often is Flickr. I can see a real use for Flickr, but I don't take pictures.

This has been so much fun. I hope everyone else has enjoyed the challenge as much as I have.

Wikis

I really like the wiki that SDLA created for the annual conference. I referred to it all the time as I prepared for conference. A wiki would be one way that your library could have a web presence. I do know that there is a cost involved if you want access to all the bells and whistles. A continuing education group that I belong to uses a wiki to communicate information about the annual conference, to post a current membership roll, and to provide a means of communication. I also am part of a group that is using a wiki to write a grant. We can all view the grant application, make comments, and also make changes as needed. It is a private wiki, and only the four of us have access. I have found a variety of uses for wikis. I really like the notification feature, so when someone posts to the wiki, I receive an email. Too cool!

Tagging

I use Delicious all the time. When I bookmark something at work Delicious asks if I also want to add the bookmark to my Delicious account. I like being able to access my bookmarks from anywhere. I find this very useful with the work I do as a librarian. In some libraries there may be several workstations from which librarians assist patrons. By using Delicious all of your bookmarks are available, not matter which workstation you are at.

Social Networking

I am behind on posting and I thought that would be my biggest obstacle in using social networks. I never seem to have enough time. However, I created an account in Facebook and I have found that there are a lot of librarians that use Facebook. It has been nice to meet new people and to reconnect with people that I had lost touch with. I probably do not spend as much time on Facebook as other people do, but I have found that I like the idea of being connected to others.

I think that librarians need to realize that social networks are one way that kids communicate and that blocking kids from using social networks only hurts the library. A report from OCLC shows that people support libraries mainly because of how they percieve libraries, not necessarily because they use libraries. If kids have bad experiences with libraries, how do you think they are going to perceive those libraries once they are adults? Just a thought.

Facebook - LibrarianInBlack

The LibrarianInBlack just posted this. See, patrons think it is cool when their library has a presence in social networks.

My local library, the San Rafael Public Library, now has a Facebook page. A kind tech-savvy patron created it for the library and is maintaining it for them as well. The page has been up for a couple of months now and is going strong. They have photos, links to key services, and upcoming events listed on the site. It's a great way to stay up to date with what's happening there.

It was featured in our local newspaper, the Marin Independent Journal: "San Rafael Library joins social networking site Facebook." The story was even picked up by Business Week!

Interestingly, the writer contacted several of us who were fans of SRPL through Facebook's messaging system asking for comments for the article. I thought that was pretty darn neat. I was quoted briefly as were others. I am thrilled my small local library has a page. They have over 50 fans already with minimal publicity until this article. So cool!

Home on the Range

Home on the Range
Originally uploaded by SD Book Woman

Heavenly Days! With help from a colleague I was able to post this trading card. The problem was that I was using a different Yahoo login for flickr. Once I used the same login it worked. This is where I use to live. I think it is what is called a fixer-upper.

Office 2.0

I have decided that I like Google Docs best. I looked at Zoho, but did not like the features as well as in Google Docs. I can think of numerous uses for Google Docs.
1. Working on a presentation with a colleague
2. An address list for my 36 cousins that they can update as needed
3. Working on a grant application with colleagues
4. Sharing a calendar
5. Helping my niece with her homework



I think that is a good start.