del.icio.us Thing 17

I created a del.icio.us account and thing it is great to be able to bookmark my favorite websites in one place. We need this tool when helping customers with research and for our own personal use!

Thing 16 MySpace

I created a My Space account and added some friends. When I tried to add photos each time I got to the uploading step it froze! I can see why kids like this but I'm not sure it is for me.

Thing 15 Social Networking

After reading some eye opening articles on social networking I will be very careful with the personal information that i post and will also talk to my young friends about the pitfalls.

Even with the pitfalls the OSN's offer so much especially to kids who have limited resources and can't get out to network except in the virtual world.

I feel this is yet another tool that libraries can use in creative ways to be a part of the virtual world.

Thing 14 VBPL's Reader's Advisory Wiki

This wiki was very easy to post to. I posted a comment about my favorite book, and previewed and saved it with no problems.
I think Wiki's can be used in many areas of our Library. The Teen groups love them and even volunteers will find them easy to post to.

Wiki Wiki Thing13

I love Wikis but I am still a little nervous about anyone being able to add or edit the articles. I can see a lot of potential for them in libraries and enjoyed seeing how they are being used. I look forward to using them in VBPL.

Thing 12 Instant Messaging The Fun Continues

I have been involved with the IM project here at VBPL and find it quite interesting! We get the typical questions that we would get over the phone, but the customers language tells me they are much more relaxed about asking a question. Being anonymous gives them the freedom to say whatever they want! This can be quite interesting and challenging! I try to be professional yet relaxed when responding to their questions. This is definitely a new way of offering service to our customers and I think we will reach people who normally would not approach a Reference desk or even phone! I have observed several staff members when they were offering assistance and found some to be like me ... a little nervous about quick response time. After you have a little practice with this method of working with the customer it really becomes very easy and it is fun!

Thing 11 Instant Messaging

After reading the articles about Instant Messaging and how kids and now even more adults are using this technology to communicate and get their information it makes me realize that libraries in the 21st century don't have a choice. We have to keep up with the ever changing ways to get information to our customers. For those of us who actually remember and used the card catalog this can be a scary feeling. Things are changing so rapidly that we barely get used to one new technology and there are four or five new things out there. Talk about a generation gap! We used to have to only worry about keeping up with the kids music and slang, but now every aspect of our life is touched by new technology!
I have participated in the IM project for the VBPL, and I enjoy learning about this new way of offering reference service. Just think before you know it this will be obsolete and something else will take it's place. When I was a kid I thought the cartoon "The Jetsons" was so cool but so far fetched...but not today!

Thing 10

For Thing 10 I looked at several search tools to find feeds. I couldn't access Feedster. I found Topix.net very confusing. I likedSyndic8.com but really enjoyed Technorati. I found this tool easy to use, informative, and eye appealing. I will most likely use Technorati to locate feeds.