Thing 12: Digg & other Social Media Sites

I looked at the four social media sites listed and then signed up with Mixx. I clicked on the share tools and sent one of the articles to another staff person via email. I also went to the New York Times news sites and looked at the Book section. I used the share tools for a book review.
These tools could be used as aids in keeping us with the latest in issues, news, trends, books, etc. as we select materials for the library system, prepare displays and provide programming. Used in those ways, the social media sites could enhance productivity. In another sense, they could detract as a person gets caught up in checking them out.

Thing 11: tagging and del.icio.us

I wish I had the use of tagging when I was in school and writing papers - many years ago.
It will be useful now as I read for professional updating and assisting with staff training.
This is also a nice tool for personal use, such as bookmarking favorite sites.

Thing 10: Wikis

I have used Wikipedia but I've never worked on a wiki. It is an interesting concept of anyone being able to make additions or to edit a webpage. It has been said that we each have a piece of the wisdom. I see a wiki as being an open invitation for each person who is interested to share his or her piece of wisdom with the wiki participants. I edited the 23 Things Wiki. (I can't say that I shared any wisdom but it was an opportunity to try out this tool.) One library application would be for staff who are responsible for developing guide sheets for training other staff.

Thing 9: Collaboration Tools

I have used Google Docs briefly for a work document and I looked at Zoho Writer. Both seem to be easy to use and both have lots of features such as inserting an image, sending to a blog, and use of spell check and tags. It is helpful to be able to look at the list of revisions. These tools are time-savers when there are several staff, for example, working on a document and working in different locations. Even if they are located in the same building, it would be helpful as each works from a different computer.

Thing 8: Share your creations

I used the Picture Trail to create a photo cube with some pictures of my grandparents, parents' wedding, etc., including a couple of my Irish relatives in the 2007 St. Patrick's Day parade.
This was an easy tool to use and a lot of fun. The various tools listed would find use in attractive, catchy publicity about library events and services. Another use might be offering a class at the library for people interested in doing creative things with their photos or learning how to do a slideshow for a presentation.

Thing 7: Communication Tools

Our library system has been using email for several years. I think that it is one of the best things that has happened and that we now take for granted. I like being able to ask staff at another location or at the regional office about something but not feel like I am interrupting them in the way that I might be with a phone call. Also, it is really helpful to have a record of the transactions and it's also helpful when we use "reply all" so that everyone concerned can share about an issue or topic.

Yesterday I wanted to try out instant messaging as part of this "thing". I was not able to download Windows Live Messenger either at work or at home. I then signed up for Google Talk. It was pretty exciting today to do my first IM with another staff person participating in 23 things. While I don't see myself IMing for personal use (that could change), I do see where the day is coming, sooner rather than later, when we will use IM for reference transactions. We would need to plan coverage for this service at the regional level.

I took part in an OPAL web conference called "Meet Me in St. Louis: the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Expo" presented by James Gilbert. I enjoyed it and learned a lot on a historical topic. When I signed in, I received a "Welcome" message but I did not know how to respond. I noticed that the next person who signed in was able to respond. The conference was a lecture and not intended as an interactive class. I have taken part in a Minitex webinar in the past. It's a very helpful tool for education without the expense of travel. When I see all the topics that are offered on both sites, I think, if only a person had more time. It's great to know that the opportunities are there.

Moving Forward