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 #9 Finding Feeds

Finding feeds was fairly easy. It helped that sites I regularly visited decided to add RSS (or similar) to their sites. Bloglines instructions are clear and understandable. A few of my subscriptions are in the previous post. Take a look.

I looked at the tools listed by iHCPL.
Feedster has some preset "channels". This is nice when you just want to have a look a what is there without having to sort it out.
Topix has a feature to search news by city, state or zip and looks user driven.
Syndic8 seems more about statistics and syndication.
Technorati literally updates as you view it. It reminds me of those news tickers and the bottom of the screen on several cable news stations.

Since I've been using the Bloglines search tools, I haven't needed any others.

iHCPL #8 RSS & Newsreaders

I have a Bloglines account and have found it to be Useful and Fun. I try to check it everyday when I check email. Some of the Feeds I subscribe to are The Shifted Librarian, Librarian Internet Index, and Will It Blend . That last one is for Fun. I don't have to wonder when the next episode is available, it appears on my Bloglines account. You do have to be careful, some feeds can have numerous posts and regular checking helps keep it from overwhelming you. Watching 10 feeds as requested by this exercise won't be too difficult for me. I just needed to add a couple.


I have found that a number of ISPs have this sort of option on their Homepages. Yahoo allows you to customize "My Yahoo" to include feeds to update news, weather, movie times and more directly on your Yahoo page.

Why keep searching for updates when they can come to you? If you want to subscribe to my Posts, scroll to the bottom of the page for that option. Or add my URL to your Bloglines account. It is http://www.hcpljl.blogspot.com/ .
I'll be watching several of yours to see what you have to say.

iHCPL #2 & #3 Learning Habits

The blog is now registered with iHCPL for the training program.

I watched the Tutorial again to make note of the learning habits.
I noted the following :
Laugh
Give Yourself Credit
Motivate Yourself
Set a Goal
Think Positive
Organize

Laughter and Think Positive are two that are easy for me. If you can't laugh at yourself or find fun in your work, why do it? Laughter breeds Positive Thinking and vice versa - see previous sentence.

I'm not really interested in Credit. I know what I can do & what I've done, so I guess I give myself credit, but I'm not interested in "publishing it" unless it means more money (ha-ha-ha). But hey, I work for the County Government and don't expect to get rich from it. Those that do tend to get jail sentences.

The Motivate Yourself & Set a Goal are related. This can sometimes be tough when goals are changeable. It helps to set small step goals - like clean the dresser off, instead of cleaning the whole room. Working it in small steps eventually gets you to the goal. Taking that first step is easier when the drop off isn't so big. Accomplishing the smaller steps help you see progress and keep you motivated.

Organize- Anyone who has seen my house or desk will know this is the hardest for me. I usually know where the stuff is, but it would be difficult for others. I do keep working on organization. I just need to remember that "small step" will get me to my goal.