Ghosthunters Live: A Guilty Pleasure For the Whole Family

It's all Gavin's fault. I blame him. And now Devin and I always have to tune into Ghosthunters. Yeah, sometimes it's a bit cheesey, but there have a been some episodes where really weird stuff happens, so it's definately worth a watch. Especially when they DON'T find anything...and then they explain what the "ghosts" might be. I think this shows that they aren't always out for the ratings and for the shock factor and that's what makes this show fun to watch and not a total joke.

ETA: Wow this sure was a let-down this year! Supposedly last year's program was really interesting, but watching some of it this year on Halloween night, I didn't see anything interesting at all. If anything, the most entertainment we all got from this program was laughing at how bad the Sci-Fi channel's live team was at transmitting the show.

Thing 19 Web 2.0 Awards

According to the Web 2.0 Awards site, del.icio.us was voted the #1 bookmarking site. I can totally understand why.

It was hands down my favorite bookmarking resource that we used during our lessons. I have been using it almost every day now, especially for down times when I am simply bored and want to find something interesting to look at online.

It has been an excellent source for new sites, and I have found it to be equally excellent for being able to go back to something I found that was interesting from any computer I'm using. I love how easy it is (just click on a bookmark and hit "save") to use, and I enjoy being able to share my sites with others as well.

The design is simple (which I like when reading through things) and I really like that.

I would like to try out the #2 pick, StumbleUpon because I have heard friends talking about it. I have not had time to use it as of yet. I believe you have to install it on your computer, and I am not sure I want to do that at this time. But that concept, that you can have sites recommended to you based on sites that you already visit is intriguing to me. I don't like the idea that all of your moves are (probably, I am guessing) being monitored or taken down (by The Man, lol), but I use Lastfm which works in a simular way, only except for music, and I actually like that. I try not to think about who might be monitoring my useage, lol.

So yeah, the bookmarking site del.icio.us is pretty darn useful, easy to use, and the best thing I have gotten out of this class. I was not turned on to social bookmarking completely, but this site is definately worth a look, if anything, so that you can add your favorites and take them anywhere you use the computer.

Thing18 Library 2.0 assignment

Here I am trying out Zoho Writer for the Library 2.0 class. Seems pretty simple so far...I like that it is set up like most word proccessors. I think it is really convenient to have this available online, because I find that a lot of the times different versions of Microsoft Word won't be compatible with one another. That used to get me into trouble sometimes in college. I would do homework at the public library or at home and try to bring it up to print at school only to discover that the version at UNO was different. With this program, you could bring your homework etc. up anywhere and it would always stay the same. I think this is an excellent tool in that way. The only problem is if the internet is not available in a location or if it is down you may not be able to access your information as readily.

Why Doesn't...

...OPL staffers have a LibaryThing group?

I have been enjoying playing with this site and in my free time, have been exploring there. Other libraries have a group and I think we should, too!

I'd start one but it won't be any fun without others, lol. There are places to talk (message boards) and I think that might be fun.

#17--Wikis Pt. 2 (SandBox Wiki)

I went over to the SandBox Wiki and put my library blog on the favorite blog page. I saw that some of the blogs were arranged by system...I was wondering if OPL's will get their own spot on the list or if we'll all just be on there wherever.

I found it to be a bit messy overall, which I don't really like. I don't like wading through information all ran together. It's like reading a run-on sentence...tedious and confusing.

When I was looking at some of the music listed in the favorite music wiki or in the movie wiki, I was annoyed that each person's comments were just sort of blobbed together, one after another, without any sort of break in between them. I am not sure if this is like this because each individual poster did not put the breaks after their post or not.

Even so, if there is a moderator of the page they could step in and put some breaks in between or something so that a person can tell where one person's thoughts begin and end.

Other than that though, it can be interesting to see what other library staffers are into. I know that this wiki is just for play so I can understand why it is more lax about style and appearance...I guess I just like reading something less jumbled.

#16- Wikis Pt. 1

Taking a look at some of the examples given for library wikis, I saw lots of variety. I also imagined what it would be like if OPL had something simular to Printceton Public Library or Bull Run Public Library...two that I really enjoyed looking at.

PPL had book reviews. It think this is an excellent use of a wiki because patrons can comment openly about what books they've read. It creates dialogue and allows library staff to see what kinds of books their patrons are reading and enjoying (and what they aren't).

Bull Run had information about their library programs, Friends booksales, as well as information about the county history. I think having a wiki like this possibly combined with a book review wiki might make for a really cool wiki site for a public library.

The Library Success wiki was also highly useful, providing information about leadership and materials development, as well as customer service...lots of useful info. for library staffers.

One of the most professional and well organized wikis I looked at today was the WikiNorthia site for Melbourne. I liked how everything was sorted out by topics and the look of the site was very clean and easy to navigate.

A wiki for either staff or patrons could be useful in the future at OPL. I would love to see what our patrons feel about what they are reading from our library, and I would like to see information about the library and its functions become accessible through this media.

Thing #15: What Library 2.0 Means to Me

I read the Library Journal article entitled, "Library 2.0: Service For the Next-Generation Library" and thought about what this movement meant to me as a library employee.

According to the article, Library 2.0 is based in "user-centered change." I agree with this shift in service ideas because technology has been allowing more and more patrons to become information-seekers online, with more joining the online ranks in just the last few years.

This changes the way our patrons find and receive information. If we are the keepers of information to the public, why shouldn't we then be changing the way that we provide this information for them? This is where Library 2.0 comes into play.

With websites like MySpace, Facebook, LiveJournal, Library Thing, and Flickr, our library clientele are becoming used to choices and personalization, as well as voicing their opinions in a public format. They choose what kind of blog they want to start and talk about their lives there, what sort of profile page they want to have on MySpace, what books or music they want others to know they are interested in.

Our patrons shop online, they download music and videos, they look up information about their health or what food to prepare for dinner. They share themselves online through blogging or sharing photos with family and friends. Even our presidential election has found its place online with candidates boosting support via their websites, spreading their message through cyberspace.

At the library, we want to be able to provide our patrons with the same kinds of choices and options that they receive elsewhere. Part of this comes with allowing them to utilize their Internet savvy in part with their love for books and information at the library. If we give them choices and options, input on what services and materials we provide them, we are including them in the information process and ultimately, they have a stake in the library itself.

As the article states, "This increase in available technologies gives libraries the ability to offer improved, customer-driven service opportunities." The article states that we as library workers should be providing our patrons with the chance to "create their own stuff to contribute to the ocean of content out there."

When I worked at the elementary school library, one thing that the librarian did was let certain kids help with simple library duties. She felt that if the kids were given a chance to help with the library work, that they would take pride in their school library. I think this simple concept is at the basis of what Library 2.0 is all about.

Each one of our patrons should feel like they have a stake in their library. Hy-Vee touts that it is "employee owned," why shouldn't our library patrons feel this way about their neighborhood library?

According to Library Journal, Chris Anderson, who helped coin the name Library 2.0, talked about providing a voice for patrons who may want items that are not necessarily the "hit" movie or television show. I agree. I think for all the people we have who will want movies like "The Dark Knight" we also have patrons who would want us to purchase foreign films or British television shows, and we need to give them the proper channels to request these items, as well as give them the opportunity to voice their opinions on such things.

And as the article points out, Library 2.0 is not just about technology. The idea can be implemented just by considering "...what services your library already offers that could be improved as well as new things that can be added. This includes both technology-based and non-technology services."

At OPL, we have begun to embrace the concept of Library 2.0 through our programming alone. Teen lock-ins and game nights, including gaming themes utilizing Dance Dance Revolution, Rock Band, and Runescape have gone over quite well throughout the system. Baby Reads has been a hit with new parents, as well as providing parents and child-care providers with tips on how to read to young children. We have started an online movie service, as well as a service that provides books to be delivered via mail. All these things are examples of how Omaha Public Library is incorporating Library 2.0 on a daily basis.

If we allow patrons to participate in, and be a part of, the library and it's offerings, we are exercising the Library 2.0 mindset. By giving them options to review books, fill out a survey, or teach them how to use free, online technology, we are putting the Library 2.0 concept into play.

In conclusion, I feel that Library 2.0 is a customer service mindset. We can retain the beauty of what libraries have always been, providing books and reference for our patrons but at the same time, allowing patrons to be a part of the library by utilizing new technology in order to give our clients a feeling of ownership of their library system. Customer satisfaction can only come from knowing our patrons and what they want from our services.

Library 2.0 will not go away now that we have reached this point in technological advancement, even if the name changes or the concepts expand. The libraries who are not on board with this concept will surely be left behind in the long run. I am excited to see what this new surge of ideas will bring to our line of work, and I have enjoyed learning about some of the sites and technology available to librarians through the O! What A Geek program.

Thing # 14: Technorati

Technorati is FULL of information...LOTS of information!

I could probably stay busy reading up on topics from sports and entertainment to music and blogs. I like how you can look into different subjects like Entertainment, and see various stories. But also, along the side, you can search the popular tags in the tag cloud.

And a topic can cover a wide variety of things. For example, the Entertainment category sent me to a page with an article about sheep having to be tased so they would not block the road in Wales (LOL), to the sneak peak of a Jonas Brothers video.

Btw, Christie Brinkley is requesting a restraining order against her Ex-husband or something.

I like that you can not only get information from websites about various topics, but also, you can search blogs according to topic as well.

There IS a whole lot of information...so you have to be prepared to hunt a lot or know exactly what you are trying to find. But I do find this site to be informative and fairly easy to use.

I claimed my blog on Technorati, as well!

PLCMCL2<--I have to figure out how this works!

Thing #13: Del.ici.ous

At first I wasn't too sure about del.ici.ous...but now I am!

I spent a lot of time messing around with it. I created an account, and started surfing and tagging things. I found it really useful to be able to pull up my favorites on any computer I'm at...this is an excellent plus to using this site.

I know that this site will come in handy to librarians and teachers because all of your information is in one place. I was exploring the Omaha World Herald website and discovered that they too, have a del.ici.ous account! I searched it and found all sorts of useful resources for journalists, as well as the every day seeker of information. Their tags were full of interesting sites and links...I was thrilled to have found them on del.ic.ious!

I found a people search called pipl that was quite interesting (and fairly accurate), as well as free, while I was searching tags today.

I even found O! What a Geek, and my own blog, lol.

I don't think del.ic.ious will totally replace bookmarks, just because not all people are going to want to use another program or go through a second party to use their favorites. Some people aren't into sharing that information, and will most likely stick to using their favorites on the computer.

I think I will be using this site though, and I enjoyed exploring on it!