Thing 24 Refresh your blog

I am finally getting started with More Things on a Stick. Today I refreshed my blog and I have to admit that I have not blogged since completing the first 23 Things on a Stick. Had good intentions by life has been very full. It seems that I need a structured program such as this one with a plan and a deadline. Blogging is good in order to keep track of what one has learned and to reflect and share. I have learned a lot from reading the blogs of others.

Thing 23: Final thoughts

Although I was excited to begin the 23 things, the first half-dozen things were slow-going for me, for various reasons: I'm not very "techie", am an older learner, and have added job responsibilities at this time. However, I'm pretty motivated, love to learn new things, and have a need to see things through to completion. What was unexpected was that I experienced a breakthrough and the tasks became easier. I would like to share a couple "things" each month at our staff meetings. That would motivate me to keep working with the tools and it would provide an opportunity for other staff to share their ideas about using the "things" in the library setting. The structure of this learning opportunity was very helpful to me. The explanations given and the resources provided were all thoughtfully done. It was a very practical experience and also an empowering one. We are fortunate indeed to have people who have the knowledge, the skills and the interest to provide this kind of learning experience.

Signing off and Moving Forward... to the next 23 things.

Thing 22: What did I learn today?

Keeping up and keeping informed about Library 2.0 and Web 2.0 does call for a commitment. My resolution is to take 15 minutes each afternoon to first of all review the tools that we learned about and then to check my bloglines to see what else is new or to read up on how others are using these tools. It was helpful to be provided with the Web sites and blogs on this Thing. I added "Librarian in Black" to my feeds. I already have several feeds. If there are too many, it would be counter-productive.
I get emails from WebJunction MN fairly often, so that is anoother way of keeping informed.

Thing 21: Other Social Networks

The second article that we were asked to read: "Building a Social Networking Environment at the Library" was very helpful with practical suggestions of how social networking might be used by the library. I am now a member of the 23 Things on a Stick Ning. It was easy to add the Ning badge to my blog. Kinda fun! I found a friend on this Ning and left a comment. The other social networks listed look interesting. I will probably stay with LibraryThing and the 23 Things Ning and not try to join any more at this time. It is certainly good to be aware of all the possibilities that our library customers are already using or may be interested in.

Thing 20: Facebook and My Space

This is a new adventure. I joined Facebook and followed the suggestions of inviting friends, writing on a wall, and also joining groups. I joined Libraries Using Facebook Pages and also Librarians and Facebook. These groups will probably provide ideas, inspiration and support in considering the use of Facebook or another social network to interact with library customers.

Thing 19: Podcasts

I checked a couple of the podcast directories and found them easy to use.
I chose to listen to a podcast from Minnesota Public Library from the MidMorning Program by Kerri Miller. I selected a conversation on books with Nancy Pearl. It was very worthwhile. If I had the time, I would listen to lots of podcasts from NPR and MPR. This thing inspired me to subscribe to MidMorning. I may subscribe to Speaking of Faith by Krista Tippett, also on MPR.

Thing 18: You Tube and other online videos

I tried a few different searches on YouTube. The video that I pasted here called: Teen Summer Reading@Birmingham Public Library was very well done. It was brief but humorous and I would think that for both reasons it would grab the attention of teens. We might use videos on our library web site to get the word out about programs as well as about resources.