Summarize Your Thoughts

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey? I think my favorites were learning about Flickr and YouTube and Meez. I thoroughly enjoyed blogging, Library Thing, Wikis, Sandbox and Rollyo.
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? This program has made me really excited to keep on learning things and to not let myself be intimidated of the unknown.
3. Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? Yes, about how out-of-touch I was in regards to technology !!!!!!
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program's format or concept? I can not honestly think of anything. I love the fact that we had the program in Abingdon to give us an overview of what was coming. It would have been nice if that could have been just a little bit longer or smaller groups.
5. If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again choose to participate? MOST DEFINITELY------YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6. How would you describe your learning experience in a few words or a few sentences, so we can share our successes and promote this program? I think this learning experience was fantastic !!!!!!! It not only gave me a format to start a learning program with technology but it gave me the incentive to motivate myself to expand my horizons. I would have NEVER EVER attempted to do something like this if HCPL had not offered me the opportunity to improve myself. Technology always scared me to death !!!!!!! Now, I have found out that I really do not need to be scared. That if you take 'baby steps' in learning, you can achieve so much more than what you ever thought was possible !!!!! And, I am soooooooooooo excited to learn about so many things that are available to us on the computer !!!!!

In closing, I just want to say-------
THANK YOU HCPL FOR THIS AWESOME JOURNEY INTO LEARNING!!!!

I am still going to continue blogging. I now have time to read more of the other blogs from HCPL staff. I have read parts here and there, but, now I can read LOTS more !!!!! I get to do more in the sandbox and catch up on my podcasts and my newsreader.

I have also learned a whole new vocabulary !!!!!!! RSS, podcast, mashups, online image generator, etc. etc. etc.

Once again-------------THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY !!!!

Library 2.0

I watched the video 'The Machine is us/ing us'. It reminded me of one of the old sci-fi shows I saw growing up where the computer starts taking over !!!!!! Technology is awesome, but, sometimes it seems to be moving so fast !!!!! You think you have just started learning something--and now--it is out-of-date !!!!!

I read the Discovery Resources and I really liked the article by Rick Anderson--Away from the icebergs. I guess I need to start 'shifting directions'. I still have some of the 'old school' in me--where the libraries were quiet, you talked in whispers and there were just books all over the place !!!! (Oh, and the library was dark with very low lighting !!) Now, don't get me wrong---I don't miss the darken library and talking in whispers but sometimes it seems the library is loud.

When my kids were in high school and I volunteered at the 'library', it was actually called the media center. I had a hard time getting used to that. I need to not only 'shift directions' but also change my mindset.

I think it is not just me that needs to change our minds about things. I am a page and I hear the patrons (baby boomers, etc.) make comments about how the library is so different than before. I think (begrudgingly) that the change is good. We need to have info out there for the patrons so they can slowly accept the changes. I am not saying all baby boomers are having adjustment problems, some are quite into the computers, etc.

I like the fact that patrons still like books !!!! Books to hold !!!!!!! But, I can see the advantage of ebooks. When we get older, it is harder to see !!!!!

I know that libraries are not just for the baby boomers, etc., but this is what I am most concerned about right now--I am one of them !!!!! The younger generation has adapted to this new 'library' and have made in their home.

So, change----here I come !!!!! Slowly--at first !!!!!

I like the fact that we are a place where people can get information of all kinds---whether it be from books or the computers. The more we learn as employees, the more we can be of help to the patrons.

My mindset now---(slowly, though)---is change is good. Shifting directions is a plus. Knowledge in one form or another is okay.

Del.icio.us

I viewed the Del.icio.us Tutorial by the OtterGroup. It was very interesting. I really loved the music at the end of the video. I also read Several Habits of Wildly Successful Del.icio.us users.


I looked at the PLCMCL2 account. It seems that 2 favorites are FD's Flicker Toys with 5019 people bookmarking it and Mappr! Where It's At with 645 people bookmarking it. The comments people made really helped to understand what the site was being used for.

This does seem like a great way to share info for research assistance, etc.

I did set up an account, but, my computer is a little weird, so it will be awhile until I can use it. I've been doing the 23 Things mostly on my home computer. It was my sisters and I got it from her estate. Dell Computers was not alot of help when I called them !!! In a few months, I will be getting a new computer--and--it won't be a Dell !!!! Customer service should be helpful !!!!

Audiobooks

I checked out Overdrive, NetLibrary, Project Gutenburg and World E-Book Fair.

On Project Gutenburg, I found an ebook that I had read ages ago---Death Be Not Proud.

On World Public Library, I found---Letters & Speeches by Lincoln and Letters to His Son by the Earl of Chesterfield 1694-1773. These were in Dr. Widger's Library section.

Also, I want to check into the Women Writers Collection on World Public Library.

I guess this is a new area I need to try. I can listen to an eBook while I am on my exercise bike or eliptical machine. I just feel like I need to HOLD what I am reading!!!!! There's just SOMETHING about holding a book and reading from its pages !!!!!

Podcasts

I read 'What the heck is a podcast?' and I watched the video on YouTube.

I am amazed at how many 'explicit' podcasts are out there !!!!!

I really liked Podcast.net and Yahoo. I subscribed to a few podcasts. Now, I can be on my exercise bike and listen to a podcast and get fit at the same time!!!!!!

I can not believe how many podcasts are available !!!!! Wow !!!!!

Technorati

Discover Technorati and Learn How Tags Work in Blogs.

I checked out Top Favorited Blogs, Top Blogs and Top Searches. I found in Top Searches---you need to be careful what you click on !!!!!!!

Under 'Learning 2.0', there were 21,532 blog posts !!! Under blogs---547. I liked the blogs most---short and to the point. There were a few videos which I will check out later. My computer has been slow lately.

I read a post from someone in Calif. who started out as a volunteer and ended up working for the library, also.

I know that you are supposed to have freedom with how you 'tag' your blogs, but, I don't understand why people 'tag' something with a tag that has nothing to do with that tag !!!! Sometimes you have to go through alot of posts/blogs that do not pertain at all to what you are looking for----how frustrating and time consuming !!!! Oh well !!!!!

Merlin

Well, I checked out and registered for Merlin. It seems to be pretty neat.

I tried Feedster, Topix and Syndic8. I really liked Blogline's Search Tool, though. I am amazed at how many things are under certain headings (tags, etc.), that have NOTHING to do with that category !!!!! How frustrating !!!!!! I am also surprised at what things people put on the internet !!! We have some warped people out there !!!------my opinion.

I checked out the learning links and I want to come back and especially look at the Computing & Technical Resources.

The Virtual World seems a little 'sci-fi' to me !!!! My son plays World WarCraft (?) and he has tried to show me some of it when I go over to see him. Strange !!!! I have enough problems in the 'real' world !!!!!!

I liked the Sandbox because I got a link to http://booklovers.pbwiki.com/mystery.

I did a widget for HCPL to my blog !!!!!!!!

RSS Feeds--3

Well, I give up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried 6 times to put my link here for my news feeds on bloglines. No matter what I did-----I was told it was wrong !!!!!!! No offense---but---stupid computer !!!!!!!!!

RSS Feeds--2

I went over the Discovery Resources again. I think all 6 things were quite useful.

I have subscribed to quite a few news feeds. I did subscribe to --It's All Good, Library Bytes and PLCMC's Reader's Club RSS feed. I have a news feed that I got from Linda's blog--New York Review of Books. She had a feed from Publishers Weekly. When I clicked onto that site, I found a few other feeds. I subscribed to 2 of the other Publishers Weekly feeds.

How can the library use RSS feeds? I think that they can have RSS feeds for areas that the patrons ask about most.

Web 2.0 Awards

I checked out the Web 2.0 Awards site. As you can see in the post below this one---I found the games !!!! I found this widget in 'Your Minis'. I also checked out Craigslist and Google Maps. I have heard the word- Craigslist- but did not know what it was. Now, I know. I clicked on different areas and found that I can find where there are local yardsales!!!! How cool is that !!!! Google Maps was okay. I have used it before.

I have looked at Google Docs, also. Since I am a page at the library, there is not much I could do with this or Zoho at work. It may come in handy when my brother and I work on our genealogy. It is just neat to know that things like these exist !!!!!!

My creation--FD Toys-Mosiac

My creation
Originally uploaded by jersey girl 4ever

I wanted to try another generator so I did this mosiac. This is so much fun !!!!!

Zoho Writer

This is my test for zoho writer. I am not really sure what I would do with this. This right here is like my e-mail for my hotmail account, but, you have so many more colors to choose from !!!!!! I guess if I learned to use the computer more, I would be able to do more things !!!!!!

Sandbox Wiki and PB Wiki

Discovery Resources---
I read this area.

Discovery Exercise--
I added an entry to the MD Libraries Sandbox. It is --I love CATS. I also added comments onto a couple of other entries. I added my personal blog to the Favorite Blogs list. I have signed up for a pbwiki. My account is www.beatle95.pbwiki.com. I have not done anything with it yet, though. Sandbox is pretty neat.

Wikis

I read over the Discovery Resources---Wiki's: A Beginner's Look, What Is A Wiki, etc. I checked out Wikipedia. I'm still not sure whether I like it or not. You have to be careful of what is there. I do like Wikiquote, though.

On the Discovery Exercise-- I checked out the SJCPL (St. Joseph County Public Library) Subject Guides. I found a book I want to look at by Dean Koontz---Life is Good. I also looked over the Health & Wellness Services with the Day Spas & Health Clubs just to see what was there. I also checked out Library 2.0 in 15 min. a day on the Oregon Library Instruction Wiki by Sam Wallin. I am going to check it out some more. I really LOVED the Book Lovers Wiki by the Princeton Public Library. When I was circ subbing, I really enjoyed talking to the patrons about books that they have read in the past. This site lets you see what others think of different books to give you an idea if you want to get it out or not. A couple of books I want to look at are 1. Flushed: How the Plumber Saved Civilization by W. Hodding Carter 2. Abide With Me by Elizabeth Strout. On one of the sites I was looking at I really enjoyed the article at http://ricklibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/08/hangouts-feed-souls-of-lonely-by-kayce.htm/

I think having a Wiki for people to share their thoughts on books that they have read is really awesome. This is one way, anyone can share their thoughts---whether they be positive or negative. And, it could be on any book, not just a book club selection. Sometimes you just want to try different authors and are not sure where to start. Not everyone can have Dolores in their branches to run to when you want to try something different !!!!!

I really liked the Wikis that have ideas on them for the Seniors. (Baby Boomers and beyond.) I put a couple in my 'favorites'. There is a site that helps seniors with learning about the mouse and doing exercises to help you control the mouse !!!! How cool is that !!!!!!!!

Yahoo Avator

I thought I'd try the Yahoo Avator, also. Alot of fun !!!!!!!

YouTube

I really liked YouTube. It is a pretty AWESOME site. You can spend hours on it !!!!!! I really love music so that is where I spent most of my time. Music helps you get through alot in your life. It helps with the ups and downs. It helps bring back memories. It helps make new memories.

I chose 'Wedding Thriller Dance' because it is awesome. It is fun and makes me smile.

I chose 'God Bless the USA--Lee Greenwood' because I love this country. I love our flag. I am proud to be an American.

I chose 'Osmonds--I Believe' because this is what I believe.

I chose 'Murmaids' because it was an early favorite of my growing up years. In fact, I have the 45 record on my record player right now !!!

How can YouTube be applied to library websites? It would give Baby Boomers a place where they can look up music from their growing up years. They can not only listen to the music, but, also watch the performers in most cases. I found The Beatles, The Temptations, etc. You can even find the big bands and other Doo Wop music !!!!!

As in alot of things, there are also the negative parts of YouTube. Some peoples ideas of what is entertaining is a little questionable. As for the information areas, you have to be the one to decide if you believe what is on the site or not.

All in all, I had fun with YouTube and I plan to check it out again---soon. But first, I need to continue on the other areas of the 23 Things.

Murmaids - Popsicles and Icicles - music only

At this very moment, I have this 45 record in my record player !!!!! You Tube is AWESOME !!!!!!

Osmonds ... I Believe

What can I say???? How BEAUTIFUL is this ????