VBPL Reader's Advisory Wiki

This wiki is great. It was easy to use - just edit and type away! I was fascinated while reading other reviews from my fellow library people. I have added a few more books to my To Read List also. This is a great way to use a wiki. People can add whatever they wish and it makes for interesting reading.
I also really liked the libsuccess.org site while reading through Thing 13. This wiki was full of information pertaining to libraries in general. It contained everything ranging from how to weed the collection to ideas for programming for adult, youth and little ones. This is a great way to get ideas on things that could be tried out at our library and it's a great way to offer ideas that we may have to others.
The more I learn about wiki's and the more I see them at work, so to speak, the more I like them. I look forward to periodically checking our Reader's Advisory wiki to add comments or just browse!

A Thing Called Wiki

This is my first experience with wiki's. I have used Wikipedia numerous times and only now have a realized that it's all wiki's! I know , I know - wikipedia - but knowing nothing of what a wiki was, I just thought it was some fancy term. I feel a little foolish now but I've learned something in the process. Speaking of wikipedia, it's a wonderful web site full of useful information but being that anyone can add to it, the credibility of the information is always in question.

While working on Thing 13, I checked out the different examples of library wiki's and found that I really enjoyed the Book Lovers Wiki. What a fantastic idea! I'm always searching for reviews of different books and I love to hear other opinions. This is really a great way to find that perfect book. Some of my favorite books were recommended to me by others. I think this is a super way to to put a wiki into action!

IM and VBPL

One of the things that I think is great about Ask VBPL is that anyone can access it. You don't have to have a personal IM account. Some people might not be really into IM, but love the convenience of using it once in a while to get information. As for how it's going for VBPL, I think it may still be too early to tell. I was speaking to one of our Information Specialists regarding IM and she said that at the most she'll have 2 people IM her. Usually it's someone from within the library system. That's not necessarily a bad thing - at least people are using IM.

There are pros and cons to this as there is with anything. It takes our info people off the desk to sit at a computer where they would be lucky to help 1 or 2 people with a question. Still, it's a great outlet that I think will become more and more popular with time and awareness.

IM and Libraries

I think the use of Instant Messaging in libraries is another great way to be there for our patrons when they can't actually get to the library to find the information they need. It's incredibly convenient and well, instant! Unlike e-mails, it's real-time interaction between people and you can IM through text, video or audio.

So far, I don't believe our particular library has been very busy using IM. Maybe that's because word hasn't spread that IM is now available at the libraries. I definitely believe that the more people who know this service is available, the more popular it will be become.

Feed Searching

I was surprised to see that so many of my favorite sites have the RSS option. Bloglines also offers a helpful way of searching for feeds. As for the ones mentioned in Thing 10, I never could access Feedster. I'll keep trying because I've heard the most about this particular site. I enjoyed searching on Topix which had good information but was a little difficult trying to navigate through. The one thing I like the most about Topix were the chat groups about current events and many other points of interest. It's fascinating to hear the ideas of others and I learned a lot!
Technorati was similar to Topix but was definitely easier to navigate. Sometimes too much information is just a bad thing. I must say that I spent the most time on Topix. There was so much to see and read about.

RSS Mania

This RSS thing is pretty neat-o. It saves a lot of time and it's nice having everything of interest in one place. I created a blogline at Bloglines.com but I just might check out the google site to compare the differences and see which I'd prefer.
It was fascinating going to my favorite web sites and for the first time noticing the RSS feeds on the page. It's really a great idea and being the organized person that I am, it fits perfectly into my busy day! I don't need to check my e-mail anymore. Everything comes directly to me instead of me searching it out!

7 1/2 Habits

My hardest habit was actually really easy to pick. Using technology to my own advantage is by far the most difficult for me. When I first heard about Library 2.0 I felt a little nervous because I feel I'm technologically impaired. The idea of learning something new is very exciting but I think I'm a little behind in the technology world. I don't own an MP3 player nor do I have a MySpace account. Ultimately, I don't know a whole lot but I'm ready to learn.
As for my easiest habit, it would have to be teaching and mentoring others. I learn the most by helping others and it gives me pleasure to make someone else a little more confident. That in return is a confidence boost for me!

Library 2.0

This has been quite an adventure. I've never been interested in blogging before but I see how beneficial it can be, especially in the library system. The most important aspect of blogging for libraries would be promoting the awareness of services and programs that the library provides for its patrons. I feel like a learned a lot in Thing 6. The information that Evan Williams provided helped me to better understand what blogging is all about and why it can be a useful thing. There's a whole world out there (technologically speaking) that I feel I'm ready to explore!