Back in the Saddle Again.

After a long, extended summer vacation from my blogging I have returned to my YellowDog’s LibWeb.  I am working on my final course in Academic Librarianship this semester to complete my Master’s in Librarian and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island this December. It’s exciting, but it is also equally exhausting. Group projects abound and I am counting down the 5 weeks until I will be sitting in Rodman Hall, Room 109 taking that four hour written examination. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

Does the Journey ever really end?

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
— Ernest Hemingway

When I enrolled in this course, I had several pre-existing assumptions about Social Media, Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 floating around in my head. I have reconsidered many of these ideas throughout my time socializing in LSC 597 this summer. Join me as I think back to the beginning…

1. Facebook + Twitter = Time Suck.

We have all been there. I log on to view my niece’s new photo album on Facebook and two hours later I am still reading posts about how my high school girlfriend in Texas removed crayon markings from her son’s wall. As adults, we are just time limited online. Dry cleaning needs to be picked up, the dog needs a walk, and somebody needs to cook dinner tonight. Facts of my life.  My adventures on Facebook hit a wonderful high when I created the URI LSC group. I looked forward to reading all those library posts and insights every day because I was really interested in the topics. It was a quick, reliable source of information for me to look at and it didn’t take as much time out of my day to read as the blogs. I created a Twitter account for this course and discovered that I also found the same information surge of satisfaction following tweets. Surprise. Surprise.

2. I can totally write a blog. Super easy!

I have criticized many blogs out in cyberspace. Now that I am wearing the awkward blog shoes,  I am so humbled by how much effort it takes to be creative, informative, and conversational in a just a few paragraphs.

3. Net Geners are missing out.

I am completely curious about this generation of text lov’in, you tube video creating bunch of digital natives. I spent so much time worrying about what was missing from this generation’s education and social skills that I failed to realize the boundless opportunities they have because of their attitudes and access to technology. I am no longer asking my teenage daughter to get off of skype. She’s asking me if I want to check out ooVoo.

4. 911- do you have a social networking tool I have to learn, too?

I was initially overwhelmed with the amount of social networking sites, Web 2.0 tools, and Library 2.0 services. How’s a girl to know all these things when half of them were ditched yesterday? I have found an “inner calm” towards the end of this course. As we discovered on Linda Phelps Facebook poll, we all play favorites. Keep your eyes out for the exciting, ears open to hear what people say they like, and master the tools you like best.

5. It’s still about the ATTITUDE.

You have got to be open to new ideas, new ways of creating experiences and more opportunities for sharing resources. Are people surprised to hear a Librarian say this? Sadly, yes. The digital environment is changing our entire landscape as libraries juggle new technologies, wrestle with budget cuts, and create new niches. Better get your chair comfortable because you are going to be providing services of all sorts online whether you like it or not. Smile:)

Game On

The Case for Video Games in Libraries by Suellen Adams reminds us all that libraries are moving beyond just books. Despite what reservations Librarians may have about video games, we cannot deny their popularity- I mean 53% of all American adults and 97% of young adults can’t all be wrong.

Adams encourages us to think less about the negative characteristics of video games and more about how libraries can utilize video gaming as another opportunity to connect with our patrons.  Stop with the excuses about video games being addictive, violent, destructive and huge time wasters. The same could be said about Martha Stewart housekeeping. Gaming can do more than just drawn large numbers of rambunctious young adults or seniors on Friday nights. More and more public libraries are discovering a second life as community and recreation centers in these tight economic times. Families are opting out of paying for Kindermusik or Gymboree for free weekly Storytime or Craft Club meetings at their local library.

Adams makes point to say that a well thought out video game program can also support education in addition to providing a safe welcoming space for social engagement, and bridging the gap between the technology haves and have-nots. I do not think that video gaming in libraries detracts from a library’s purpose either.  If anything else it reveals another layer to our patrons about our own connections with technology and information literacies. Think about it this way, we are opening doors to welcome patrons that may not have considered coming into the library before…they may even leave with a book, magazine or DVD, too.

 

Comparing Top Tens

When does a Library Facebook page move beyond just sharing calendar events, programs, and likes to actively engaging its users? I was wondering at which point a Library Facebook page begins to have a personality or a real voice for the community. Personality is captured on every individual Facebook page quite easily. We catch glimpses into a person’s being just by the posts, comments and links viewed. A collegue of mine shared some additional thoughts with me about branding your Library. Facebook pages seem to be the ideal tool to help Libraries do this. Naturally, I had to find  a link to the best in Library branding and see how the “best” do it.

Who doesn’t love reading a top ten list? I spent some time comparing and exploring two separate “TOP TEN” Facebook page lists. One list is compiles “10 Great Facebook Pages” and the other list  “10 Great Library Facebook pages”. I realize that Multnomah County Library does not have the draw or financial backing as products like Red Bull or the Travel Channel, but I see some very innovative uses and unique features that we can apply to our own Library Facebook Pages.

Top Ten Facebook Pages from the Social Media Examiner

1. Red Bull
2. Burt’s Bees 
3. Uno Chicago Grill 
4. LiveScribe 
5. Toy Story 3
6. Coca-cola
7. Oreo
8. Jones Soda
9. The Twilight Saga
10. Travel Channel 

Top Ten Library Facebook Pages from the Social Networking Librarian

1. Geek the Library
2. Hunington Library and Gardens
3. The Billy Graham Library
4. Columbus Metropolitan Library
5. Jehovah’s Witness News, Library
6. Library of Congress
7. Multnomah County Library
8. The New York Public Library
9. The San Francisco Public Library
10. Salt Lake City Public Library

Personally, I enjoyed the Facebook pages of the Travel Channel and Salt Lake City Public Library the most in each category. Check them out. I would love to hear some of your thoughts.

 

Teen Privacy?

A peek at what my literature review tackled.

Mining My Data

After I read Rohini K. Srihari’s interview from  Data mining on the Web is shaping our world. Are we ready for it? , I became consciously aware of how data mining might change the way organizations and companies pop up into my own life. Srihari called it “socially targeted advertising”. I actually see some benefits to data mining like viewing more local advertisements on my email page. I enjoy seeing that my local garden store has an ad on herbs or learning that a new restaurant has opened down the road. I like the “Customers who bought this item also bought” recommendations on Amazon, too. When I read Don Tapscott’s book Grown Up Digital, I realized how much the Net Generation relies on search queries for not only the products they choose, but many other lifestyle choices. Since this generation is moving away from traditional advertising resources, it makes sense that companies must also move to different medias to sell themselves.

However, my thoughts also drifted back to a particular 1-8oo number that called several times this entire week. Since we have caller ID, my children never answered it and neither did I. This particular caller was relentless. They called at 8am, 1pm, 6pm and even one late evening at 9:30pm. Finally, I caved one day in the middle of dinner. I answered to hear the lovely voice a woman asking me to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, again. Sadly, I asked her to remove my number because I hated the way they were so persistent in calling me.  Could Data Mining end up on the same sour note? Will individuals rebel at the thought of being “targeted” or is it really just another media jump? My mail today consists of a stack of tennis camp pamphlets, a coupon for dog food and a trial cooking magazine. It looks like companies and organizations already know what I am about.  And yes, I will end up back on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society list because I do donate every year for my friend’s  running group. Maybe this year, I will just give her cash.

Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe

It’s amazing how many different media tool platforms are out on the Web. The easiest part of my LSC 597 book review assignment was choosing Grown Up Digital as my book and reading it. Early on, I had decided to use PowerPoint, make a slideshow and add some voice to it down the road. As I read my book, I was inspired by the collaborative norms of the Net Generation.  I emailed several friends and acquaintances, told them what I was doing, and asked for format suggestions. I received quite an inventory for my toolbox. The animation route was a very popular suggestion. In addition to Xtranormal, I looked at Go!Animate and Animasher. Xtranormal had the best overall design for my review, but I worried about the length of time it would take me to share my thoughts. I moved on to creative storytelling platforms like Projeqt and Storybird.

All the while I also continued working on my PowerPoint presentation. It  had just reached about 18 slides. I began to panic. I  started thinking that I had to go big. Magic Studio , Zoho Show, Slideshare,  Sliderocket and Prezi were my next round of platform possibilities. At the end of the night I fell back onto Glogster, a tool I had used last semester to create a virtual poster. It allowed me to share all the information I had compiled on my slides and it had the interaction I wanted my viewers to feel. Unfortunately the widget to post this directly to my blog failed. You will have to check it out at http://msialeonardi.glogster.com/netgen/

Bookworms Unite!

Nothing warms a Librarian’s heart more than recommending a good read to someone and hearing later that they loved it. It’s the best! I remember having a conversation with a worried mother in the Children’s Room about her son being bored with books. After she shared his likes and dislikes, I recommended the Choose Your Own Adventure series. She reluctantly checked out The Abominable Snowman. The next day, she was back rejoicing success as she proceeded to check out half of our  collection for that series.

It’s no surprise that Librarians are utilizing online sites to share their expertise. I spent this week looking into Reader’s Advisory and social networking sites. I explored the major players this week including LibraryThing, Goodreads and Shelfari. I must admit that I am more familiar with Goodreads and have been using this site for a year or so. Since there are numerous comparisons of the sites out on the web, I will tell you what I found interesting at each site.

My List of Discoveries:

LibraryThing

• Is based in Portland, ME!
• Has a fun description of a  job I would gladly apply for if given the shoes.
• Hefty Zeitgeist Overview made my head spin around.
• Clicking the LibraryThing Local tab lists and maps book events, I chose Other under Venues and found that Other included the Green Dragon Tavern and Grub Street.

Shelfari

• Love the bookshelf for my reads! Can I change the color?
• Like using the Tag Clouds to tag my books.
• Shelfari’s Book Tab lets you see the most popular books being read that day. The Hunger Games Series took 3 of the 6 spots (I know you were wondering).
• When looking into Genres under Browsing Categories I discovered some unique book groups; “Chiller (Realm of Horror)” and “Paranormal Romance is my brand of heroin”. Something for everyone.

Goodreads

• Does not have a widget to support my blog on WordPress!
• Explore Tab allows you to surf into Listopia heaven.
• You can create tag clouds that visually represents your shelves.
• For fun they have trivia, quizzes and quotes. The Never-Ending Book Quiz is awesome. (Warning: Don’t jump on this at 9pm).

David Radd has written a short article Crowdsourcing RA that is found in the Library Journal (Vol. 136, Issue 10) that describes some of the algorithms working for LibraryThing, Shelfari and Goodreads. Radd stated that Goodreads “has about 5 million users and 130 million books in its database”. Goodreads also conducted an informal poll asking how many members were librarians. Aren’t you curious?

Who Do I Follow?

I am just now branching out of my little twitter profile and discovering who I can follow. These are some of the organizations and people I am now following:

Humor:

Steven Colbert-http://twitter.com/#!/stephencoIbert

Ellen DeGeneres-http://twitter.com/#!/TheEllenShow

Food:

Brown-eyed Baker-http://twitter.com/#!/browneyedbaker

My Librarian Quest:

North Hampton Library-http://twitter.com/#!/nhplib

Library Journal-http://twitter.com/#!/LibraryJournal

New Hampshire Library Association- http://twitter.com/#!/nhlibrarians

ALA Library-http://twitter.com/#!/ALALibrary

Marilyn Johnson-http://twitter.com/#!/Marilynajohnson

Seth Godin-http://twitter.com/#!/ThisIsSethsBlog

 

 

Currency, Reliability, Authority, and Purpose/Point of View

Howard Rheingold reminds us that the mass amount of information found on the Internet should be approached in Sherlock Holmes style. We need to share this idea with students of all ages and teach them how to question information in order to determine the good from the bad. We should not make them afraid of sites like Wikipedia, but encourage individuals to be active explorers of information. This includes showing them how to find out more about what they see online. You can read more about Crap Detection 101 from the online investigator himself or view his Crap Detection video. Howard has the most peculiar suit I have ever seen on in the video. If he wore it to get attention, he certainly got mine.