Thing 12

Well, I tried several times to ask a question using IM during the specified hours, but always got an "offline" message. The one time I got an "online" message, I had to help a customer at the desk, and didn't have time to ask my question. I can see how it would be hard to multitask while doing IM reference! I guess the staff member who's doing it would ideally not have to be doing anything else. I guess all the kinks will eventually be worked out...

Thing 11

I do think that IM reference can be useful for public library customers, and the technology can also be helpful for staff in certain instances. I think the issue is getting staff to the point where they are familiar enough with it to feel comfortable helping customers by way of a mode of communication in which speed is an important issue. In libraries we have always tended to work more slowly with our customers, putting lots of thought into our transactions. But these days it seems that customers are often more interested in speed than in quality.

But I see how IM is a valid way to communicate with some people, and the more people we reach, the better. Right?

Thing 10

I like Topix.net. It's fun to look for interesting feeds! And I find that it's very easy to add them to my google reader. I've also been visiting some of my favorite web sites to see if they have feeds, but so far not many of them do. It seems that feeds are mostly geared toward news information.

The adventure continues...

Thing 9

I have just finished creating my RSS feed on Google Reader! Yay! The only problem is that I haven't figured out how to use it effectively quite yet. I'm not getting the information I thought I was getting in my feeds, so I keep adding and deleting them. Oh, well. I'll figure it out.

I like the idea of feeds. I think they could help us keep up at work and in our personal lives without having to go to lots of different sites to gather information. Libraries could use these to keep up with news in the profession, as well as important blog posts, etc.

Thing 5

My thoughts on Web 2.0 as of November 3:

It seems to me that “2.0” is simply a natural progression from what we’re calling 1.0. Why are we using all this jargon? Sometimes I think we make things more complicated than they really are in order to feel like we’re on the cutting edge. Technology always evolves, and the bottom line is that we, as librarians and as consumers, always do evolve with it sooner or later.

I’m not sure I understand what we mean by “library users shaping services” in relation to Library 2.0. I feel like our services have always been shaped by our customers’ perceived needs and actual requests, at least as far as our budget will allow. Are we just talking about customers feeling like they are contributing? Is this feeling intensified if it’s electronically-oriented?

Thing 2

For me, the easiest habit is PLAY!! (And it's the hardest habit to break.) The hardest habit is to view problems as challenges. I want everything to be easy and correct - the first time around!

Well, I must say - this blog is even better now than it was last year! Does anyone agree?