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!)

Reflections - Thing 23

Reflections on this course in one word – AAAAHHHH! Really, this has been an excellent course. There is just so much to learn in this whirlwind course and the time to keep up all the sites after connecting to them. I will probably focus on a couple and let the rest go away. I created accounts in most of the things and have a new list for just user names and passwords! I now have to figure out how to keep up with all the new things I have learned.

My least favorite this was Digg – I still haven’t figured out why I can’t get it to work the way I expect it to function. That is one “thing”, I’ll go back and practice with. The ones I enjoyed the most are the graphics. In fact I used the automotivator to create a background for my desktop.

The “thing” I’ll use most is Facebook. My family found out about my facebook account and within 12 hours, I had 14 invitations and many requests for farm items!

The big help to this course is the ability to understand just what is available and being able to help patrons as they ask. One other outcome is a directive from our director to find one piece of new technology and find a way to incorporate it in our library. After looking at all the sites, I will be focusing on the hardware that can connect to make it easier for users. An example is the bar code scanner, “CueCat”. Web 2.0 will be something I’m expecting to use on a day to day basis anyway. Many of the things will be used in promotion of the library.

Developing for our library - Thing 22

How true! How true! Serving patrons in a public library brings new, exciting, and often unusual requests every day. Learning the 23 Things touched on many of the questions we are asked. Our library was one that required the entire staff to participate in 23 Things. The good thing about total participation is that when one is having problems with a specific “thing” there is always someone to ask.

There is so much to learn within the 23 Things that combining this course with the increased summer traffic in a public library, made it very difficult to learn the details. This means that additional time for future review is a must. I would almost like to recommend that staff (including myself) take the course again in the fall and take their time with the things in order to learn them better. I am a firm believer in hands on use is the best way to learn. So, the encouragement to continue with a thing or two is probably the more realistic way to continue learning.

Pods - Thing 21

I looked at several of the libraries including Arizona State, DeKalb, Denver Public and Kankakee Public Library. Most of the audio quality was very good. When listening to the Arlo Guthrie visiting Kankakee the quality was really bad. After rereading the introduction of the podcast, they specified that the there was technical difficulties during recording. It was interesting listening to the Guthrie family discussing the music business during a trip on the City of New Orleans to benefit Katrina victims. I would consider subscribing to Kankakee’s podcasts because they had some very interesting topics. Some of the other libraries were okay; the topics were not quite to my taste. Although libraries are my bread and butter, listening to author talks don’t hold my interest unless it is an author I am extremely interested in or a local author that I want to learn more about as a person of interest to the community. Denver library has “Stories for Kids” that is impressive for children. Their nursery rhymes, folk tales, and fairytales are really good.

YouTube vids - Thing 20

I really liked the “Shout It Out for Your Library!” video, a promotion from regular and public people in support of the New York Public Library. The ending tells that libraries are more than just books; they are job searches, computer access, education, imagination, and much more. As one participate says, bang on a pan to raise awareness.

Thank you to all the libraries that explain Technical Services!!! We are often told volunteers can do the cataloging – hey it’s just data input. The different libraries that show what goes on behind the scenes are awesome!

I can see where libraries can use videos from finding the library to using the databases to checking out books. Marketing of the services by showing clips of programs would be a great way to explain the different programs offered at the local libraries.
ALA videos are called screen casts. They function just like YouTube videos but have a few options that are not as obvious like “guide details about this episode” the ability to embed or email the video to others and the option to easily full in full screen mode.