Texas Two-Step : Method #6 You too can Youtube

There a so many choices on Youtube, TeacherTube, and several more! Many are fun, some are just silly and I wonder why anyone bothers and still others are educational. We see people everyday watching videos at the library. We have 16 public access systems and we are a hot spot. The problem is that everyone shares the same network. So when some are watching videos or listening to music it impacts everyone. The speed really slows down!
One way videos in the library would be great is to use then like FAQs – have some that show how to do routine acts that we answer everyday. As in showing someone how to change printers or use office equipment or even where the restrooms are.
I looked at several starting with library themes and ended up in the holiday category where I found this Halloween video. It really made me giggle it was so silly. I hope you enjoy it also.

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Texas Two-step method 5: Extra credit

Picasa or Flickr for me the choice is easy – Picasa site is so much cleaner and streamlined. Flickr may have lightly more options but all the different frames on the site make it more distracting. I will say it is easier to blog a picture from Flickr. Although Picasa is the first choice, I will probably go back and forth between them!

Texas Two-Step : Method 5 – photos and images

Emma the Lyme Public Library Cat
Originally uploaded by ealling

I chose this picture “Emma the Lyme Public Library Cat.” I would love for all libraries to have a mascot – preferably a live one to keep patrons interested. I have a Flickr account and put a couple of pictures up. At one point in my life I believed in taking all the pictures I could. Now all those pictures are in a box (or more recently on a disc.) and not shown at all. Some of these I would like to post, especially for family that don’t live in the area.

I see a potential for new digital libraries to use pictures. They help people understand what libraries are all about. Libraries are about more than books! Images can also bridge the language gap whether it is between cultures or literacy. There are so many uses!

Texas Two-Step Method 4 – RSS

In my existing Google Reader, I added one of my co-workers blogs so I can read all of Little Elm Libraries staff blogs that relate to this course. I also found out how to use the manager to remove subscriptions I no longer read and those that are duplicate listings. I also added the “Librarian’s Internet Index” (LII) to keep up with their information.

From past use of the reader, I found I treat it like email. Which is to say, often skipped in my daily routine. I do see how it can save time when reading daily blogs. It has come in handy keeping up with others taking this class!

Texas Two-Step, Method 3, Life in the clouds

I must start my blog off with a comment on terminology! My original definition of “Cloud computing” was closer to the linking of thoughts as in searching between topics: similar to following idea trees. The concept of sharing files and applications was just that, file sharing.

This “Computing in the Cloud” philosophy makes sense also. The idea of sharing files and not everyone creating new saves time and creates consistency. If a group is working on a project, having multiple copies often leads to incorrect information, miscommunication, and discontent of the participants. I was part of many projects where some departments had PCs, others had UNIX systems, and still others had MACs. –Talk about miscommunication!!!! We converted several applications to html based and used networked based file sharing – the precursor to Computing in the Cloud.

Libraries can benefit by Cloud Computing quickly by putting forms, policies, newsletters, and many other common documents online. Clubs, programs, and other functions of the libraries can benefit also. Speaking from past experience, Cloud Computing is exciting!

Texas Two-Step : Methods 1 and 2

I agree with Beth Evans, libraries must evolve. Libraries have always provided content, information, education, relaxation, and much more. The method itself must change with technology. People today are accustomed to instant information be it video, data, or audio. Their expectations have also changed and they want to be included in the process so, a fine line must be drawn (in the sand.) Little Elm Public library is participating with others nation-wide to provide a text reference service – myinfoquest.com. This is really proving interesting trying to answer reference questions from other parts of the country. People don’t realize that we are in Texas while they may be in California, or Illinois, or anywhere in the good ole U.S. of A. I see Library 2.0 and Web 2.0 as one of the fastest changes in library lives today.

Texas Two-Step first test posting

This is my first post for the Texas Two-step class on blogging. Pretty cool ain’t it. (That’s Texanese for isn’t it!)