Google Documents

I've played around with Google docs several times before. This time, I found it useful to copy some recipes from my OWH RSS feeds so I can access them wherever I am. I also decided to start my son's "groom guest list" since he also uses gmail and this would be a convenient place for both of us to check and add to the list. March is definitely getting closer.

I've recommended Google docs to several patrons that don't bring removable storage media to the library. They can save documents they create here, using Google Documents to start out with or upload the documents they have created using our office software. The only problem is that Google docs can't upload docx file formats that Word 2007 creates. Since we have Office 2007, that makes it less convenient. Obviously, we can save documents so they open in older versions, but we have discovered that there is enough difference that the page layout can change when we save the 2007 documents that way. To avoid that problem, I've encouraged some people to save their document right away as a Word 97-2003 document. Of course, you lose some of the bells and whistles of the Office version.

Maybe as our library budgets get tighter, we will all have to use online applications and not pay for Microsoft licenses. Who knows!

Family barndance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Elf Yourself

Our family have become elves! We received an e-mail with family member "elves" doing a barn dance. After watching the little video, we decided that we, too, could become elves and dance! After creating our own video, the site gave me the option to embed the video. I e-mailed the first video and played with a few others, then accidently embedded the wrong one on my blog. I recreated the one with five of us, but the original kept embedding instead of my new one. So I deleted both, but on blogs, the post still remains, saying I deleted the video. Oh well, try and try again. I did learn that I could edit out the image section. Some day I will be a blogging "pro". Ha!

PBwiki favorites

Again, our city firewall doesn't like social networking. We currently don't have control over what it is blocking. It also likes to confuse us. In PBwiki, it said it couldn't connect when I was trying to edit pages, but when I logged in at home to try again, my original attempt was there. Hmmmm..

With our current firewall situation, I will probably not use a wiki as a work tool. I like the idea of it and will enjoy reading the one created by the particpants in Nebraska Learns 2.0. I can envision using wikis for making family plans. It would be great to have everyone's thoughts in one place instead of sifting through multiple e-mails.

I think the idea of adding a travel review page could be fun. I'll ponder that over the holidays.

Wiki Wiki

I think I should really do this blog quickly because of the meaning of the word Wiki. The concept of wikis sounds great and a simple way to share and collaborate information. Hmm..maybe this would be the easiest way for exchanging thoughts with my son and fiancee about March wedding rehearsal plans. We could do a wiki.! The Wikis in Plain English made it look so easy, but when I look at the examples of existing wikis I feel intimidated by all of the information listed. Wow! I think the ALA example was a good example for a Wiki for a limited use-one location to find out all sorts of information about the conference but again, there was all sorts of information to go through.

I think I will feel more comfortable if I actually try using a wiki. I'm the new secretary/treasurer for the NLA Para section and we have exchanged lots of ideas using e-mails. I was told that it was part of my job to keep track of the discussions that go on between meetings and I felt that moment of panic, especially learning about it after we had already done bunches of e-mails. Having all of it in a wiki could be a better idea but we would all have to remember to constantly check the wiki. I already check my e-mail. This will definitely take more thought.

Thinking about Library 2.0 and beyond

After reading the the different perspectives on Library 2.0, I feel that the term definitely should not just be just applied to technology. I think our libraries need to be constantly adapting to the changing needs of our consumers, as well as the continuing needs of our consumers which really vary from one consumer to another. Not all of our consumers want to be online, but many do, even though they don't have computers or Internet access in their homes. We have our savvy computer users but many of our computer users still need some "hand-holding" to use the services online and I'm glad our library keeps our computer center staffed for that purpose.

I like the idea that our library is friendly to social networking, whether that is on the web, or simply friendly areas for seating and conversation in the physical library. We need to keep materials available for consumers that like having a written book in their hands and also accomodate those who want a book on their MP3 player. I would love to see a cataloging system where readers could add their own tags to our collection.

As far as Internet social networking, I like knowing what's out there, although I doubt if I will utilize all of the sites myself-not enough time in a day! I will however, make suggestions to other people about using them, now that I know they are out there.