#23 Summary

My favorite "discovery" was that the more I got into this, the easier it got. I actually feel like I learned new things that I can use in the future. It has definitely helped my previously lagging techno-skills. I feel a sense of accomplishment now that I have actually made it all the way through! The only things I would change would be to have web access approved from the beginning (so we can use our office computers) and secondly, to award the MP3 player as soon as we finish :)) I would like to thank all of the incredibly talented techies who worked so hard to put this all together. I consider it very beneficial training and would definitly take a second course. Awarding prizes is a brilliant idea. I needed the motivation to get started and stay with it in a time when we were all so busy. (1st Prize: MP3 player; 2nd Prize: ear buds)

#22-Audiobooks

My sister & I downloaded a book to learn Spanish from Overdrive. She lives in San Clemente, California and is now a Scottsdale Public Library online customer! What a wonderful way to show off Scottsdale's Library to my family. She and her husband are both downloading books for their trips to the gym!

#21-Podcasts

I chose NPR to investigate. I am completely amazed at the amount of information available with just a few clicks. I found an interview with Mireille Guiliano, author of
French Women Don't Get Fat.

#20-YouTube

Amazing fact that YouTube is currently getting over 100 million hits a day. Teens constantly show us funny/interesting clips. I chose a "Cup Stacking" competition video. (Participants upstack and downstack cups in pre-determined sequences.) We had considered cup stacking as a possible summer program for teens. I imagine thousands of uses for libraries and our customers alike. Recently while I was hunting for books about knitting, the teens taught themselves using YouTube. Enjoy the video! (It is not in fast motion!)

#19-Web 2.0 Tools

I tried Guess-the-Google a game that presents 20 tiled images. You have to guess their common keyword. Example: purple or things that beigin with the letter "i." I found this under the fun heading and noticed that there were many games listed. Could be used for Kids and Teens computers in the Library.

#18-Web-Based Apps

#17-PBWiki: Sandbox

Enjoyed playing around with Sandbox. Entered favorite restaurant: Pita Jungle. Current favorite cd: Once. Accidentally deleted other restaurants while trying to link to an image. Very disturbing :)) So sorry!

#16-What’s in a wiki?

Wikis create a forum that allows the involvement of both creators and users to gather and publish information. This invites a wider perspective of knowledge, opinions, and experience. Possible library uses: book reviews, community events, business news, etc. The possibilities are almost endless.

#15-Library 2.0

There was a time when libraries exercised something close to monopoly power in the information marketplace. The “come to us” model of library service will soon be outdated. Library 2.0 is a loosely defined form of library service that explores the way services are delivered. SPLS is now looking beyond our walls to find new technologies and new ways to approach and communicate our customers.