Thing 20 - Facebook and MySpace

I have both Facebook and MySpace profiles. I use both to stay in contact with people that I know and I also use MySpace also to promote roller derby via bulletins, messages and networking.
In the past, I've considered MySpace more of the party site, and thought Facebook to be the "clean" version of Facebook, because using it, you were less likely to get viruses than on MySpace. With all the new ads and apps on Facebook, that may not be so. I use MySpace, and I do not intentionally visit bad links or click on suspicious-looking links there, but I still get viruses from MySpace.
I could see where this would be a problem for libraries and lead to them blocking MySpace. In addition, MySpace is a big bandwidth sucker, and could detract from more "worthy" web use.
The Myspace and Teens Library Success page looked to list about 90 library MySpace profiles, but hadn't been updated since May 2008. When I searched MySpace for "libraries," I found about 500 related items. Not all of these are actual libraries, but many of them appear to be.
Libraries can and do promote themselves the same way. Often, if I am visiting a homepage of someone who's work or writing I appreciate, I'll find out they have a fanpage on facebook, or a MySpace profile. If they have either of these, I'll add them, so I can keep up on them. It's a good way for me to stay updated on artists and organizations I like, and when I add groups or pages now, my facebook friend's see it, and they find out about the page and get the chance to add them too. It's free potential exponential advertising for an organization or persons' work or services. There's no reason for a library service NOT to have a facebook or MySpace page.
While doing this Thing, I searched "Oklahoma" + "library" on facebook and found that the Oklahoma Library Association has a page, and I added them and became a fan. My library-inclined friends (and all the others) will see this the next time they check facebook, and they will know about OLA and have the opportunity to fan the page also. Free publicity, just like that. Only drawback - the virus issue.

Thing 19 - Podcasts

EPN and Podcast.com had more library-related podcast options than podcastalley.com . EPN's format was easy to use and find information in. Podcast alley had an interesting variety of podcasts - in the education section had podcast series on Byzantine rulers, and then also a series on white supremacy, specifically why it was important that their be no interracial sex. Wow. So podcastalley.com was pretty much open to anyone. I may subscribe to the Russian language education webcast.
I eventaully listened to Invisible Ancestors podcast from the OPAL archive on EPN.
Ideas and strategies for recreating their stories. It was about using LOC primary sources available online to find more information about ancestors.
It was put together as a webinar with questions allowed at the time of taping. So another web 2.0 technology was used within the podcast.
The recording was live, and people making mistakes, learning to use the tech was interesting as well. There was some good information in the podcast, so I'd recommend it. It wasn't the most gripping thing to listen to all the way through.
I'm adding my friend Wetootwag's Bagpipe Podcast to my RSS feed. He's a bagpipe playing, kilt-wearing, Ojibwe-speaking Park Ranger, and he'll probably get back to the updating when Grand Portage National Monument closes for the winter.

Thing 18 - YouTube!

Yeah, I spend a significant amount of time on YouTube.

My husband doesn't like it when I leave YouTube windows open, but it happens, because I play music to myself, because my CDs are still in storage, and I never uploaded much music to my PC. Tonight, I've been crabby and by myself, so I've been hitting the Patsy Cline pretty hard. Here's her first TV appearance, in a little cowgirl outfit her momma made her:




How would I have ever seen this video if it weren't on YouTube?


YouTube has made some careers - Kimbo Slice, the MMA fighter, and Lauren Luke, the makeup artist come to mind. It's a pretty basic method of web 2.0 communication, and librarians need to be fluent in it, to better understand and aid their clientele.

I don't have TV, so being able to watch video online is really nice for me. I also like that youtube doesn't have audio ads. YouTube is also amazing for communicating information to anyone who wants it, even if they are far away. Example: I play banked track roller derby here in OKC. Bonnie D. Strior in San Diego is really good at banked track roller derby, and I learn the best stuff from her. Bonnie's YouTube broadcasted moves benefit roller derby leagues around the world.




She doesn't know I'm interested, she doesn't communicate directly to me, but the available info is helpful to anyone who searches, or whoever stumbles upon it. Think of all the derby leagues and individual skaters who benefit from this!

One more gratuitous YouTube vid: The Whip It movie trailer, starring the track that I made with my own hands and skate on here in OKC.



It's so beautiful.

Thing 17 - Electronic Library Productivity Tools

I didn't know if I could access the ELM stuff that the 23 THiings on a Stick gives an overview for, but I was pretty sure that there was database access from OKC's Metropolitan Library system website. And indeed there was. Behold, Metropolitan Library Database Access .
To access this cite, you have to be a member of the Metro Library, and enter your card number and the first 4 letters of your first name on the website. It is nice that this information is available for local patrons, but kind of a downer that this isn't accessible to the public outside the metro area. (Note: i read Tara A's blog, and she found the Oklahoma Digital Prairie. Problem resolved).
This is a valuable resource, but maybe not good for a novice user working solo. A librarians help getting started would be a big boost in the customer's ability to use this resource.
One of the best part of the Metro's database collection is the OKC area photos. I found some pics of old public schools. One is Emerson high school, which I believe isn still standing, but the building doesn't look the same. This picture was linked to an essay called "Early Public Schools in Oklahoma City by Larry Johnson, This is fun and imformative local history. I'm impressed by this database of interlinked local information, aside from the giant EBSCO-type sites, which are also available.

Thing 16 - Student 2.0 Tools

The University of Minnesota Assignment Calculator is helpful on several levels. First, the day-by-day plotting of things the student needs to work on to finish on time. The subject-specific helps are handy, and all the links to "how-tos" and other resources that would be beneficial to the student's process. For me, day-by-day scheduling would be the most helpful. These won't be particularly valuable to me for this class' project, but I've bookmarked the RPC one for future use.
These guides could be helpful in planning long term, large documents or group projects at work. This kind of timeline would help keep everyone on the same page.
These tools would be very useful in the "how to pass your classes" classes that they make freshmen or new students take at the beginning of fall semester, or even in high school. I had to write "real" MLA style research papers in high school, and I think that helped me get through my undergrad. The prevelance of the "how to pass" time management classes implies that some high school students don't have to write these kinds of papers and plan ahead so much.

Thing 15 - Online Gaming

I chose Second Life for this thing, because it brings to mind the Metaverse virtual world in Neal Stephenson's book, Snow Crash. Also, this news story about Second Life cheating and divorce also pops into my head, and motivates me to not get to into online gaming. I haven't used Second Life personally, but some of my friends have,and I've watched over their shoulders. I think it's creepy and interesting, but I don't want to spend my money and time on it.
So anyway, now I have a Second Life, and 22.8 MB less hardrive space. Ugg. Username: Smitten Tchailenov. And I can't open Second Life. I can log into my account, can't go anywhere. Having wasted a significant amount of time and harddrive space, I am now angry. I am done with online gaming for now.
From what I've seen of other people using Second Life, it takes people a while to find their way around, and alot of things that provide a diversity of experiences have to be purchased.
I think libraries (and LifeChurch)are going to where the people are, and the people are on Second Life, so libraries and other social and information centers will go there, too.

Thing 14 - LibraryThing

I’ve browsed LibraryThing before and used it for folksonomy assignments in 5043 under Dr. Taylor, so I’m familiar with the site. I didn’t make an account before, but I am delighted at the requirement of this Thing to join LibraryThing, because It’s a good time to get my nerd on. And here I am sitting in front of a book case. My user name is smitten1054 for LibraryThing, and let me say, what a hoot! It’s like a reversed bookplate. I could use LibraryThing to remember where my loaned books are, aside from all the social interactions it’s good for. I’ve used a similar app on facebook, but I like LibraryThing much better.
We have a small church library, and NOW I want see if we can’t get our books on LibraryThing, it looks to be a great small library tool. I also love the tagmash tool.
One of my very most favorite books, the Diamond Age, was recommended to get a reader back into science fiction. No kidding, guy. Excellent choice.
Too bad I have to more homework tonight, or I would just play with LibraryThing.