Week 3 Review - Social Networking

Social networking via Facebook or My Space could be used as an alternative method of communication instead of email. When an individual joins MLA, the new member could be asked how they want to be notified of MLA elections, classes, meeting/committee reports, etc… Personally I would select a RSS feed to my reader or email not Facebook or My Space.

No, my library would not use Facebook or My Space. Yes, there is a privacy concern any time one uses the Internet. This discussion is ongoing, once a picture, or thought is added to your Facebook or My Space web site or any web site it is on the Internet for all time – no way to delete. I did like the Denver Public Library site, a well design web page which pulls the young viewers. Libraries need to use social networking and other technology to attract the younger audience into the libraries. Librarians need to keep up and find how to use the technology to find new users and keep their audience – not use every technology as some will not work as well as others.

I am not sure if I would have joined Facebook or My Space without this class. I think I need more expose to these social networking sites so I will be more comfortable using them and perhaps find ways to use them.

Week 2 Course Review

Define the difference in a blog and a wiki. A blog is more about communication from the blog’s creator and the audience, more personal interaction. While a wiki allows for changes within the web document by the audience to create a more complete document. Administrators of wikis can control the audience who has access to make changes – anyone or specific audience.

I am not sure if a blog would be the best choice for a library to use as it would be very similar to the library’s home page providing announcements, news, etc… I can see a library using a wiki to create documents for training of patrons and/or staff. Another example would be documents (SOPs, books, manuals) that have to be reviewed by many different individuals, located in different states which would allow for change and be able to track these changes. I think that wikis are limited only by the creator’s mind.

Seeds are Growing

An update on earlier blog about planting seeds - the basil and tomatoes are two to three inches high. However, the parsley and calendula are doing nothing - no growth. I will be looking for variation of pesto recipes as I will have a lot of basil.

I am taking a MLA class and creating a blog was part of the class work so some of the messages will deal with class work.

Week 1 Course Review

I liked setting up my personal RSS account with Google, I know if will be helpful for me in the future instead of going to all the different web sites to read information. One web site I forgot is a monthly update titled First Monday - March 2008 is titled 'Critical Perspectives on Web 2.0. I have not read the items but I will.

I am not sure how RSS may be used in my library but I think letting our patrons know about new services or trials, any future training that might be available, news from the library. Patrons who set up a RSS account will be able to view the information from any computer unlike email accounts that can only be available onsite. If publishers’ forward journals toc to an individual’s RSS account, this would reduce their emails. Other information that is currently being forwarded to an email account ‘might’ be available via RSS feed. Patrons can save the items received in their RSS account for future viewing.

Thank you for offering this course – I have heard these terms before and now I will understand these terms. One quick question, what is the difference in a web page and a blog – both provide information, allow comments. Is the blog newer technology? Thanks,

March 14, 2008

First blog - should be inspiring, we will see.

Today in Arkansas the temps will be in the low 70s when only a week ago we had in some locations up to 18 inches of snow.

In the past when I have grown herbs, I have started with a plant in a container. This time I have started growing parsley, basil, tomatoes, and calendula from seeds. It will be interesting as I use the leaves from parsley, bay and basil but with calendula you use the flower petals. I have found several recipes using calendula to try on the Internet so the seeds better get growing. Some individuals use calendula as a topical ointment.

I want to wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day on Monday – do not forget your wear your green!