#6 Online Tutorials

New Employee Orientation
Kudos to the Ohio Library Council for supporting Ohio libries with the New Employee Orientation resource. I picked around the overall site, but found myself lingering behind the Classification link.

I'm reminded not to take for granted that Dewey Decimal Classification is understood by its users. I will likely refer back to OCLC's DDC (love those acronyms) tutorial link in the future, so I sent it to my Delicous Bookmarks.

In fact, I fattened up my Delicious with several new sites.

Behind the Cataloging link more information about new directions for searching options by using a complimentary browser over the OPAC interface. I'm not sure I understand this completely, but would like to experience the difference between a few of the options--proprietary or OpenSource.

I like the example featuring faceted searching's drill down system--poest filtering rather than pre-filtering. It seems to help searchers zero in to the information they need more effectiely and efficiently.

Customer Service 123
"Libraries that would like to change from "old friend" to "currently-useful-friend"! I have relied on libraries through the years as my trusted friend for advice, entertainment, company, information... I like the timeless potential of this relationship. Bring on a new mantra!

#5 Book Bag vs Signing In

It depends on what I'm doing whether I sign into my account or use the book bag. When collecting titles to do a little merchandising at the library, I want to pull the books myself. The book bag generates a list.

On the other hand, if I'm collecting books for myself or for a patron, signing in to the library account works best. The book bag in this case is too confining. I like adding items straight to the account and viewing the list in real time rather than viewing and exporting to see the collected hold requests.

I have to remember to logout though--especially if on a public machine.

#4 Social Networking

Like the masses, I've gravitated more towards Facebook than MySpace (haven't checked that account in a looong time). Facebook is part of my daily routine. I don't always contribute, but I like knowing what's going on with my people.

For my Masters program, I am currently assigned to investigate--not whether to or how to use social networks--but why. It's easy to pull off the top of my head--to be more connected! Where's the downside to that? A thorough investigation, however considers all angles. I find the following article enlightening because it alerts me to "The Creepy Treehouse" effect--a means of control or influence that can inadvertantly occur...

http://flexknowlogy.learningfield.org/2008/04/09/defining-creepy-tree-house/

After viewing all the suggested fb links, it was very apparent that fb is helping to pioneer the semantic web:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_Web

To see familiar faces listed at the top of President Obama's fan list--that's no accident.

#3 Library Website Scavenger Hunt

So I took the survey on a public machine and since the IP had already been used, my survey didn't take. I got them all right though. I did. I know that it was me who presented at the May 28th staff meeting, see?

#2 Pandora and Last fm

I've listened to Pandora for quite a while now--no complaints really. Tried Last fm there's a lot to be said for comfort zone. Pandora looks better on an Apple. I reserve the right to withhold judgment, though. Last month, for the first time ever, Pandora cut me off because I'd reached my listening max. Of course I just created a second account and poof--double the minutes--problem solved. Hopefully Pandora is not planning to go high maintenance on me. I've no patience for that.

Inner Critter

It's just the Stuart Smalley things I tell myself to blast through these exercises.

"Gail, doggone it, you're smart enough to do this blog."

#1 Web 3.0!

I'm looking forward to this next round of webolution sponsored by Mesa County Libraries. Thank you Nancy & Cari for preparing this opportunity. Here's my blog from the 2007 webolution. I have since moved on from blogspot and switch to blogger since it's all a part of my Google suite (fewer passwords to remember, yes!)



http://marygold-blog.blogspot.com/2007/07/maryg-simpson-2-d-or-not-2-d.html


Last.fm is already jamming here on my machine. Cheers!

Raccoon Rap

Drum roll please... here's the rap we promised! This mp3 is the combination of all the schools singing the raccoon rap. The voices of thousands of Mesa County students are singing these words:

Head to the library for loads of fun,
Head to the library everyone!
There are lots of books and prizes, too,
Fun for me and fun for you!

Thank you to Mesa School District 51, Plateau Valley and Debeque schools for fitting us into your waning school year schedule. We hope our Mesa County young people feel inspired to make public library use a regular part of their lives.

Click on the title of this post... Raccoon Rap to listen and download. Enjoy!