Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The End of A Short Lived Project
Since I changed jobs, I haven't had time to complete 23ThingsKS! and I feel it's time to end this Blog. I plan to make new blogs in the future, probably of a more personal nature. Farewell!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Week Eleven: Spring Break
Since this week is spring break for the 23Things! Kansas, I thought I'd take the time to announce that I am starting a new job!
I will be the "Automation Assistant" at Central Kansas Library System headquartered in Great Bend, KS. I will travel around to the libraries in the 12 counties that are part of the system and help with computer and technology related issues. I am looking forward to this new challenge and hope to provide CKLS with the best service I can give.
However, this means the closing of a chapter in my life. I must leave my first job in my chosen career. I have enjoyed working at Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library (PWRL) and will truly miss the wonderful staff members who are more friends than co-workers. But since my family lives in PWRL's service area, I'm sure I'll still see them from time to time!
I will be the "Automation Assistant" at Central Kansas Library System headquartered in Great Bend, KS. I will travel around to the libraries in the 12 counties that are part of the system and help with computer and technology related issues. I am looking forward to this new challenge and hope to provide CKLS with the best service I can give.
However, this means the closing of a chapter in my life. I must leave my first job in my chosen career. I have enjoyed working at Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library (PWRL) and will truly miss the wonderful staff members who are more friends than co-workers. But since my family lives in PWRL's service area, I'm sure I'll still see them from time to time!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Week Ten : Video on the Web
While sometime in the near future I hope to finally make my own video and publish it on YouTube, I'm a little overrun with getting ready to move to Great Bend and finishing projects at PWRL. So I'm just going to embedding a favorite funny animals video from YouTube. It makes me smile. Enjoy!
Week Nine: Instant Messaging
I already have Yahoo! and Facebook accounts, so I signed onto both through Meebo, which is extremely easy to use! I never thought of signing onto multiple chats at once, but that might be because most of the people I instant message with have my yahoo address and are friends on facebook. But this is a good opportunity to branch out my IM scope!
I am not a good IM-er. I can only handle about 1 or 2 at a time. I leave my computer without notice, and if I happen to be IM-ing during work, I end up distracted and never finishing my project!
But maybe if I use Meebo, I can practice my IM-ing until I can reach full distraction at work, or become a world class multi-tasker.
I am not a good IM-er. I can only handle about 1 or 2 at a time. I leave my computer without notice, and if I happen to be IM-ing during work, I end up distracted and never finishing my project!
But maybe if I use Meebo, I can practice my IM-ing until I can reach full distraction at work, or become a world class multi-tasker.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Week Eight: Cloud Computing
Google Docs is a great opportunity to not only back up files, but also share them with others easily. I shared a recipe with a colleague and a 23ThingsKansas! participant. It's one of my favorites: Chocolate Lovers Bundt Cake. Mmmm.....mmmm.
Also, my dad is working on his masters' thesis and I am his unofficial proofreader. Sharing the documents through Google Docs would be a lot easier than emailing them as they would be backed up online as well.
I think that I will try to upload PWRL procedures and other files to Google Docs so that I can access them from any location and easily share them with staff.
Also, my dad is working on his masters' thesis and I am his unofficial proofreader. Sharing the documents through Google Docs would be a lot easier than emailing them as they would be backed up online as well.
I think that I will try to upload PWRL procedures and other files to Google Docs so that I can access them from any location and easily share them with staff.
Week Seven: Microblogging
Microblogging with tools such as Twitter is an interesting tool to let friends know what you are up to and follow what friends are doing. For organizations it would be a way for staff members to follow recent happenings at branches.
It is very easy to find people to follow. However, I am hesitant to follow too many. Do I really need to what someone is doing right now. I am following 23thingsks and hbraum and roycekitts, among others.
I think this would be a good way for PWRL to keep all their staff up to date on the latest issues and happenings at the library. However, the challenge will be getting some of the less tech-savvy staff to hop on board and use and check twitter.
It is very easy to find people to follow. However, I am hesitant to follow too many. Do I really need to what someone is doing right now. I am following 23thingsks and hbraum and roycekitts, among others.
I think this would be a good way for PWRL to keep all their staff up to date on the latest issues and happenings at the library. However, the challenge will be getting some of the less tech-savvy staff to hop on board and use and check twitter.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Week Six: Tagging and Social Bookmarking
Since I already had a Yahoo! account, I went with Delicious instead of the other social bookmarking sites. This way I didn't have to open another new account.
While I've heard about Delicious, I've never felt the urge to really use it. I know the URLS for the websites I use most often. However, Delicious will be great to keep track of the websites that are useful to me professionally, but I don't use very often. It will also help me to keep track of sites friends and colleagues recommend. I think I will try to use this during the KLA conference in Wichita this April. I can just add another bookmark I learn about in a session from my iPod touch!
For those who are interested my username is mari_marvel. I just exported all of my bookmarks from my browser, so things are a little chaotic right now. I will try to do some tag bundles and weeding on the bookmarks. It's a little daunting right now!
While I've heard about Delicious, I've never felt the urge to really use it. I know the URLS for the websites I use most often. However, Delicious will be great to keep track of the websites that are useful to me professionally, but I don't use very often. It will also help me to keep track of sites friends and colleagues recommend. I think I will try to use this during the KLA conference in Wichita this April. I can just add another bookmark I learn about in a session from my iPod touch!
For those who are interested my username is mari_marvel. I just exported all of my bookmarks from my browser, so things are a little chaotic right now. I will try to do some tag bundles and weeding on the bookmarks. It's a little daunting right now!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Week Five: RSS Feeds
I created an account with bloglines. Initially I wanted to use Google Reader, but I didn't want to create an account with gmail and have another email account to look after. Bloglines is easy! I just cut and paste the URL of the website I want to follow and Bloglines does the rest. I have several feeds that I am following, including BBC News World; Books News, reviews and authors; ABC News: travel; Dictionary.com word of the day; and several blogs from others in 23 Things Kansas!: Lianne @ the Library, Heidi's 23 Things, Kate's 23 Things, Terri's 23 Things Blog.
If you would like to use bloglines to follow RSS feeds and your favorite websites, go to bloglines.com and sign up today. All you need is an email address!
If you would like to use bloglines to follow RSS feeds and your favorite websites, go to bloglines.com and sign up today. All you need is an email address!
Week Four: Photo Sharing
While I've ordered family photos on Snapfish and have visited friend's flickr accounts, I have never uploaded photos to these sites myself. I usually save all my photos for Facebook! Flickr is a great way for me to share my photos of library happenings, as Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library doesn't have a Facebook page.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Week Three: Online Meeting Tools
This week I watch the Writing a Library Behavior Code webinar. The host was Mary Minow as library law consultant that works with libraries nationwide. She has been a librarian and a library trustee.
This webinar discusses keeping library policies constitutionally sound to prevent lawsuits. A library cannot infringe on an individual's right to visit the library, but the library can make reasonable rules of behavior. Noise rules are okay, if restricting the time, place and manner of speech but not the content, but it must be applied equally to all patrons/ users. Be careful with dealing with obnoxious speech. You can request the patron to not use profanity, but you cannot kick them out of the library. Better to focus on the sound level. The Library can limit number or size of a group, but it must be applied equally to all users. Basically, if you are regulating behavior equally for all users, an not free speech you should be okay. Be consistent. And be able to reasonable justification for the rule. Also, make sure your policies don't violate state law.
Overall, I think online meetings are a good idea to economize. However, I have trouble speaking up during these sessions. I don't know why, but I had just talking into a microphone--it feels like I'm talking into nothing! I think, though, it's a matter of getting used to the format. I know that sometimes the host gets frustrated with the lack of response from the members. When you're in a room with people you can judge their reactions to the material (are they interested, or bored?) but online, all the hosts have is the response of the members. When they don't respond, is that because they don't have questions, or they're apathetic to the subject. But I think as more people get used to this format of meeting, they will get used to responding.
In 10 years, perhaps 75% of all meetings will be online? I would like to see our staff meetings and possible board meetings online. It would save mileage and the staff could revisit the meeting and attend at their convenience. Also, these webinars would expand the educational potency of sessions. Interested parties no longer have to go at a certain time and place, but can learn at their convenience. The big question is... will people actually go to the meetings/webinars? Or just say that they did?
This webinar discusses keeping library policies constitutionally sound to prevent lawsuits. A library cannot infringe on an individual's right to visit the library, but the library can make reasonable rules of behavior. Noise rules are okay, if restricting the time, place and manner of speech but not the content, but it must be applied equally to all patrons/ users. Be careful with dealing with obnoxious speech. You can request the patron to not use profanity, but you cannot kick them out of the library. Better to focus on the sound level. The Library can limit number or size of a group, but it must be applied equally to all users. Basically, if you are regulating behavior equally for all users, an not free speech you should be okay. Be consistent. And be able to reasonable justification for the rule. Also, make sure your policies don't violate state law.
Overall, I think online meetings are a good idea to economize. However, I have trouble speaking up during these sessions. I don't know why, but I had just talking into a microphone--it feels like I'm talking into nothing! I think, though, it's a matter of getting used to the format. I know that sometimes the host gets frustrated with the lack of response from the members. When you're in a room with people you can judge their reactions to the material (are they interested, or bored?) but online, all the hosts have is the response of the members. When they don't respond, is that because they don't have questions, or they're apathetic to the subject. But I think as more people get used to this format of meeting, they will get used to responding.
In 10 years, perhaps 75% of all meetings will be online? I would like to see our staff meetings and possible board meetings online. It would save mileage and the staff could revisit the meeting and attend at their convenience. Also, these webinars would expand the educational potency of sessions. Interested parties no longer have to go at a certain time and place, but can learn at their convenience. The big question is... will people actually go to the meetings/webinars? Or just say that they did?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Week Two: Social Networking
I chose Facebook as my social network for this week's 23 Things Kansas! workshop. I have also used MySpace, but I could get into it. I really enjoy facebook's homepage where I can catch up on all the newsfeeds from my friends. I also find it very easy to link to quizzes or games that my friends have tried out...sometimes it's too easy and I allow more apps than what I actually use. But I really enjoy finding old friends and reconnecting. And, it's always nice when an old friend finds me!
I use facebook mainly as a way to reconnect and stay in touch. I send out half of my Christmas letters as messages on Facebook this year! In the future, I hope to start a Facebook page for my library, PWRL. And I hope to be able to share some of my own creative work on my personal page.
I think PWRL could use Facebook as a way to reconnect to patrons who have stopped coming in. I think Facebook would also offer a great way to post programming and new books lists and be an ideal spot for patrons to post comments!
I use facebook mainly as a way to reconnect and stay in touch. I send out half of my Christmas letters as messages on Facebook this year! In the future, I hope to start a Facebook page for my library, PWRL. And I hope to be able to share some of my own creative work on my personal page.
I think PWRL could use Facebook as a way to reconnect to patrons who have stopped coming in. I think Facebook would also offer a great way to post programming and new books lists and be an ideal spot for patrons to post comments!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Week One: Blogging
Hi! I'm Maribeth and I am the the Assistant Director at Pottawatoime Wabausnee Regional Library http://www.pottwab.org. We have 8 locations: 4 Branches (Alma, Eskridge, Onaga, and St. Marys) and 4 Minis (Alta Vista, Harveyville, Olsburg and Westmoreland). Our minis are only open 1 or 2 days a week and replaced our bookmobile.
I have always wanted to try blogging, but never felt like I had anything to say. This is a great opportunity to give it a try!
I can't say that I've had any breakthroughs or failures, yet, with blogging. Give me a week, and I'll let you know! But I hope that with each post, I can learn how to make my blog more interesting to others. I would like to be able to add more photos and links.
I have always wanted to try blogging, but never felt like I had anything to say. This is a great opportunity to give it a try!
I can't say that I've had any breakthroughs or failures, yet, with blogging. Give me a week, and I'll let you know! But I hope that with each post, I can learn how to make my blog more interesting to others. I would like to be able to add more photos and links.
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