Reflections

Wow. I am done! It was a great exercise and I learned a lot. I believe it behooves us as people working in a library to know about all these applications 'out there' even though we might think they have no great application in a library setting. At least we will know about them and be able to talk to our patrons if they inqure. About half of the applicatons introduced I could see used in a library: Meebo, Flickr, Blogs, Wikis, RSS. Another goodly number I could see using myself in my private life: Library Thing, del.icio.us, Pandora, GoogleDocs etc. Applications I didn't find useful at all: microblogging and Tumblr. They are so disorganized, I can't stand it. And truly, does one really need to be in touch with friends and family CONSTANTLY? These things just take up space (I know, I know, it's cyberspace but still...)I do not think that blogging is going to be a big thing for libraries. Just look around in library land. Libraries that have had blogs for a while are discontinuing them. No one seems to read them. No one leaves comments. So I have to question how valuable they really are. The same goes for MySpace accounts for libraries. Does anyone really care? What teens said to me is that they don't want me there...it is THEIR space. Not mine.

One more thought...I think 4 months is not enough time to complete the program. If one wants to really look into all the applications in-depth, read about them, try them out, it takes much longer, especially if one is completely or relatively new to Web 2.0. I've had to help several of my staff with questions - which I am very happy to do! - because they were not web "savy." I think 6 months is a much more realistic timeline to complete all the steps.

I am very glad, however, that I had the opportunity to explore web 2.0 in-depth. I would never have taken the time to do so and this made me really look at all Web 2.0has to offer. I've learned a lot (especially that I could become addicted to the games and mash-ups out there...) and I thank FVRL for this opportunity. Over and out.

Alternative Blogging

Boy, what a waste of ones time! I see absolutely no use to anyone for anything in Twitter and Tumblr!I have no desire to give an account of where I am and what I am doing/going to do/have done at at all times and don't want to read about other people's whereabouts or doings. It's boring. It's disorganized. I am glad I took the time to explore Twitter and Tumblr a bit but only because I want to be able to be able to talk about them somewhat intelligently - or at least know about them. I think this is just another tool for self-indulgent people who think they are really important and everyone is interested in their lives. Well, I am not. Bah, humbug.

Audio/Video: Video

I looked at all the different video providers and one could certainly spend a lot of time surfing and watching different videos. I know that it is said by librarians that YouTube and similar services should be integrated on library website as how-to tools and that there are many valuable videos on these sites. Well, maybe but are these sites really used for that purpose? I've spent an afternoon now on these sites and when looking at the popular videos or the videos that are currently being watched, not ONE was/is an educational one. They are all about stupid pet tricks or people doing some stunts. So, if a library were to add YouTube to their website I believe their videos would have to have an entertainment value to be watched. Maybe a storytime could be featured. Or a book talk. Or a program. I did searches on all the different sites on how to tie a tie. All gave me good results with some giving me some very raunchy results! I didn't think "how to tie a tie" could be interpreted in any way other than what I meant but boy, was I wrong...ANYWAY, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ

The video I watched and thoroughly enjoyed is the medieval help desk one. It's in Norwegian (with English subtitles). It is absolutely hilarious and well worth the 3 minutes it takes to watch! It reminds me a lot of my work in my previous library as an automation librarian...