iHCPL Bling

Here is the iHCPL bling that HCPL staff received for completing their tasks. The traing hours are nice too. This was a fun training project & I enjoy helping other understand it.

iHCPL #23 The end of one journey is the beginning of another

This has been an interesting journey. As my title states - The end of one journey is the beginning of another. Everything we learn is just another step forward on the path of life and who knows where it might lead?

In these exercises, I found both familiar and new things. I'm helping others learn about their new discoveries.

I found that there were some activities I was familiar with, but not using because I wasn't sure I needed them. Because I was "forced" to use them as part of these exercises, I found them to be quite useful. Two items are LibraryElf and Bloglines RSS feeds. LibraryElf has been really nice for monitoring the 5 cards across 3 systems in the family. Bloglines is useful in keeping track of new developments on site I like to monitor, without the worry that I have missed something.

I have been recommending LibraryElf to customers who track multiple cards. I think it would be a good promotion for us, especially towards those customers with families and multiple cards

I think we can use online video tutorials for customers to better learn how-to instead of just having a hand out. Video could also help us show "How the LibraryWorks" so customers better understand what happens "behind the scenes".

We need to know what Library 2.0 & Web 2.0 are, but we also need to know how to use it to help our customers. It has been a great journey, but I want to bring along others too.

Where are you going and what are you doing NEXT?

I think Library 2.0, and Web 2.0 for that matter, is something that evolves to meet the needs of its users. One examaple is the iHCPL program for employees and the matching iHCPL2 program for patrons at HCPL. These tools help employees learn how to help the patrons and patrons learn how to help themselves. The programs are voluntary, but available to those who want to participate.

We learn how to help others and make available the tools so they can also help themselves.

iHCPL #22 Downloadable Media

This is a "been there done that" moment. When the HCPL Overdrive system added videos to its repertoire, I had to try it out. I found the instructions to be clear, but my PC could have been faster. That is one thing that will limit downloading and viewing - PC speed. The other is available memory. This is true for any type of downloadable digital media. I don't remember the title I chose, just that it was short. I followed the directions, waited for the download, and viewed the video. I have downloaded music but haven't downloaded any books.

I checked out both Librivox and Wowio. Librivox uses volunter readers to record Public Domain books for free audio download. They also have podcasts. Wowio uses corporate sponsorships to make Adobe versions of their books available. They also ask to confirm your identity to be sure you are you.

Between HCPL's Overdrive, Librivox and Wowio, I see coverage of mainstream, the classics and independent publishers, most what someone is looking for could be found.

iHCPL #21 - Podcasting

I've listened to online podcasts before when I could not get the live radio broadcast. It was easy to do a search on various subjects. I found & subcribed to one on Library 2.0. I also have a subscribtion to "Engines of Our Ingenuity", a podcast from KUHF. I can't listen to the live broadcast version, so I like getting the RSS podcast feeds to remind me to listen to the podcasts.

iHCPL #20 You Tube & Video Sharing

I'm a long time viewer, but never posted user of YouTube.
I've received and sent video links, searched for links, and monitored certain posters.
It's to the point where I'm thinking of signing up for an account just to be able to subcribe and comment to certain posters.

One that you may have seen material from is mwesch. Mike Wesch is a professor teaching Digital Ethnography at Kansas State University. The videos posted by that class have always left me impressed and thinking. Their study and use of YouTube shows how YouTube (and its users) is changing the the way people view the world around them.

Here is an introduction to the YouTube Ethnography Project:


If you aren't able to view the embedded video, click here.

To get the full impact, search mwesch on YouTube for videos by the class and individual students.


I think the Library could use video to change the way people view the Library and how it works, but we would need to start from the customer point of view. Maybe they should see what really happens to that book they requested or returned. Hmmmm..."A day in the Life of a Book" ?

Parade of Pumpkins- Animoto Style

This was Fun! You choose your photos & their music. They make the video

To see My Parade of Pumpkins video go to

http://animoto.com/play/78baeed06c155d4dd8689210a4f508dd

iHCPL Avatars

I've downloaded my Avatar to the iHCPL Avatar file. Take a look at the Parade-of-Avatars and try to guess who I am!