Revamping Reference | The User Experience

Revamping Reference The User Experience

Beginnings ? well i guess !

Been so long since I've blogged.
Wow. In fact I'd forgotten about this one since I started it as a 23 Things assignment.
Wow2. I've learned a bunch since then, wonder if I should pursue the next 23 things?

#9 Revisited library blogs/newsfeeds

I set up my own Bloglines account.
I searched Bloglines to find a couple of library related RSS feeds.
I subscribed to ShiftedLibrarian and Library Journal.

First, you need a "feed reader".
Once you've obtained a feed reader,(Bloglines) subscribing to an RSS feed is as simple as looking for the appropriate XML code. Most websites that publish an RSS feed will display a tiny orange box or button labeled "RSS" or "XML."
Click the button and your web browser typically goes to a page of cryptic code. Just copy the Web "address" or URL of that page and plug it into your feed reader. The software will then automatically retrieve and display that site's latest information.


I'm ready to subscribe to a few more,
some library related, some personal.
I know this will keep me better informed and will save time checking web sites:)

#23 Is this the End - naw...just another beginning

I think this has been an awesome experience!
It has been a very useful staff development project.
Our dept. looks forward to participating in the library wiki, partly because of all we've learned thru these exercises.

I've decided to continue on with 2.1, at least reviewing the exercises.
I've found that I knew a bit about each "thing" we encountered,
but now have a much greater understanding and ability to actually "use" the resources. And the resources are Free!

Mostly I like the fact that Library 2.0 continues.
Just like software releases, there's always a new update !

#22 Face to Face: Social Networking

I know a bit more about Facebook now that I've explored.
I might even give it a try.
It would be great to link with others either geographically or with like interests.
OF course it could have library applications!
Wouldn't it be a good way to network - find other librarians looking to find other librarians?

#20 YouTube

Well aren't there a zillion of these on the web !
Thank goodness for search engines - how would you find one on purpose !

#21 Podcasts

Way cool!
Checked out podcastalley.com and postcastnet.
both were very easy to use.
I found a great podcast "learn spanish on your coffee break"!
I think training type podcasts would be a great use to libraries :)

#17 SandBox

Woo Hoo!
got my blog on the favorites page :)
lots-o-library folks out there doing this.

#16 Wikis

Had a lovely time exploring library wikis.
certainly the library will use these more.
I'm not so ok with wikis.
I understand the 'social' worth, i find it difficult
to use a wiki as first choice for any info.
but they are fun.

#19 Web 2.0 Tools

I reviewed several winners from the short list.
I continue to be amazed at all the technie stuff out there.
I probably wouldn't have found all these resources on my own.

#18 Web Based Applications

Too sweet!
I love the fact I can 'do work' away from desktop.
Especially for those of us who don't have laptops,
these aps make it easy to work away from your desk.

#15 Librarian's 2.0 Manifesto

Here's a post on Library 2.0 from a Librarian's perspective.

I think I try to do these things, especiallynow in our libraries' changing times:)

A Librarian's 2.0 Manifesto
I will recognize that the universe of information culture is changing fast and that libraries need to respond positively to these changes to provide resources and services that users need and want.
I will educate myself about the information culture of my users and look for ways to incorporate what I learn into library services.
I will not be defensive about my library, but will look clearly at its situation and make an honest assessment about what can be accomplished.
I will become an active participant in moving my library forward.
I will recognize that libraries change slowly, and will work with my colleagues to expedite our responsiveness to change.
I will be courageous about proposing new services and new ways of providing services, even though some of my colleagues will be resistant.
I will enjoy the excitement and fun of positive change and will convey this to colleagues and users.
I will let go of previous practices if there is a better way to do things now, even if these practices once seemed so great.
I will take an experimental approach to change and be willing to make mistakes.
I will not wait until something is perfect before I release it, and I'll modify it based on user feedback.
I will not fear Google or related services, but rather will take advantage of these services to benefit users while also providing excellent library services that users need.
I will avoid requiring users to see things in librarians' terms but rather will shape services to reflect users' preferences and expectations.
I will be willing to go where users are, both online and in physical spaces, to practice my profession.
I will create open Web sites that allow users to join with librarians to contribute content in order to enhance their learning experience and provide assistance to their peers.
I will lobby for an open catalog that provides personalized, interactive features that users expect in online information environments.
I will encourage my library's administration to blog.
I will validate, through my actions, librarians' vital and relevant professional role in any type of information culture that evolves.

#10 Image Generator

#8 Week 4 1/2 RSS

working on feeds and newreaders.
Got the basics down, I will come back to this,
this is should save some time, could increase productivity.

#13 and #14 Week 6

Read about Del.icio.us.
I like this bookmarking tool.
Helpful to reach my bookmarks from any browser,
since I can't remember anything :)

Technorati - this tool - didn't like so much.
Need to try it for real next time?

#11 and #12 Week 5

Play play play!
Using this week to review and tweek (hopefully:)

Here is my librarything:)



Didn't like Rollyo, need to play with it more to see if can get better results.

#9 Week 4

Finally moving on with Learning 2.0!
Finshed photos and images, begining RSS and newsreader info next.
Checked out Chad and Whitneys' blogs, nice to see folks are 'really' using
these tools :)
Finding feeds next.
Subscribed to bloglines newsreader account.
Subscribed to theshiftedlibrarian.com/
and librarything.com/blog/

#7 Blog-o-technology

Blogging about technology...loved learning about Trading card maker and Flickr Color Pickr! I continue to make 'using technology' harder than it really is?
Will go back and play with these later.

# 4 Assignment checkup

Reviewing my posts to make sure I've got it all covered.
Registered my blog psychedelicreadingroom :)

#5 Flickr

Had a tough time, but thanks to my colleagues.....
Finally had a breakthrough !