Thing 5: More Flicker Fun

Having read about mashups and seen a few examples, the world of mashups was not new, but the huge variety of applications available was amazing to me. I took a look at Flickr Color Pickr, selected a color and the category doors and windows.

And example of one of the images is shown at the right.

There are so many ways to make use of tools like this these everything from promotional materials to pathfinders or subject guides and everything in between.

Thing 4: Flickr

I had a great time exploring Flickr. I was amazed to see how many ways there are to get your photoa online - you can even snap photos on your phone and email them to Flickr. Sets/Collections is another great feature, and there aways you use this feature on large batches, and do thins like tagging, changing permissions and setting editing limitations. All-important privacy settings are also available.

The mapping feature was very interesting, but what I am most excited about are the photo book capabilities. Knowing that this is available has gotten me to get out my digital camera and really start taking some pictures.

Another wonder find was the section on the "most interesting photos". These images are awesome.

All in all Flicker is great place for photo ideas, especially for a photography newbie like me - helping me to come up with ideas for my own projects.

To try the tagging feature I explored beach photos, and the search resulted in tons of gorgeous images. The picture at the top of this post is an example.

Thing Three: RSS

I have had a Bloglines RSS account for a couples of years and my feeds have mushroomed over that time period. Working as a solo librarian in a small government library, I find RSS particularly useful for access to various library-related blogs. Having these blogs aggregated together helps me to keep up with things going on in libraries.

My job also involves web responsiblities so I also use RSS to keep up with web development trends and tools and tech trends in general.

Participating in this 23 Things experience afforded me an opportunity to re-evaluate my feed selections and make sure everything was still relevant. I can see that doing this on a regular basis can help to guard against "RSS overload" which can happen very easily. For example, I did remove most of the news feeds I had been subscribing to since I often go directly to news or newspaper sites.

And finally, I have some definite favorites. Here's a partial list Hangingtogether.org: the hangspot for libraries, Library Stuff, A List Apart, and Library Clips.

And, of course, I have taken this opportunity to add a few more blogs. Thanks to 23 things I have learned more and even enhanced a tool I was already using.

Thing Two: What is Library 2.0

After viewing and reading the material I think am finally really "getting" what Library 2.0 is - essentially an approach and a perspective on libraries and library services that holds a myriad number of possibilities for library staff and patrons alike. Always having been a proponent of lifelong learning and the notion of continuous learning, I can see now how Library 2.0 fits into these overall goals with benefits for all.

With the committment to learning the problem of finding the time to fit in new skills and technologies becomes easier, it is simply the way to be. The readings in this part of the 23 things journey have really helped with tips and techniques, and also provided time to reflect on what I am reading, what I am currently doing, and what other things I want to incorporate into my professional skills and integrate into services provided in my own library setting.

All this is interesting and exciting and I feel less concerned about the challenges, and more focused on all the possibilites.

Avatars

Today I created an avatar. What fun!! I chose an appearance which is pretty far from the typical librarian stereotype. The instructions were easy to follow, and it only took a little time.

This is something that it would be interesting to play around with further when there is more time. Would also like to find out more about what one actually does with an avatar once it is created.

The Beginning

Well this is my first blog - something I have thought about doing for a long time. And now thanks to the 23 Things on a Stick: A Library Learning 2.0 Program I have done it. Let the fun begin!!!