Thing #5 Pod/Vodcasts

This was a difficult one for me, not so much content but execution. I was frustrated when looking for something to view-way too much out there to choose from! I did enjoy the featured library casts-the one for Denver Library's summer reading program w/the white kitty was hilareous (sp?)! Loved when he/she was trying to skateboard. I've been to the Denver Library-it is magnificent.
Anyway, I was not able to link a pod/vod feed/video to this blog. I will find out from 1 of our team leaders how to do it. I think the fact there is so much out there-like Lynn says "the good, the bad, the truly ugly" it is very overwhelming to be able to pick things here & there. It's almost intimadating having so many choices. I can see once again how people get addicted to viewing non-stop videos, TV shows, etc. I think I learned way more than I thought-so much so that I need more time w/this "Thing" to feel comfortable using or explaining it to a patron. Having said that, I am not sure what to comment on as far as use in the library. Useful tool, gets the word out in an ever increasing, visually oriented world.

Thing #3 Social Network(s) (ing)

I can see why people love MySpace, Facebook, etc. It's almost addicting. Instead of writing a letter, an email, or calling someone, you can gather everyone together via social networking & share what's going on with you & catch up w/your friends. I think if I had more time in my life, I'd set up a real page & interact w/friends however after working all day between 2 jobs and school work on top of that, I really don't want to sit in front of my computer any more! Too much like work. But that's just me. I learned how to set up a page & not feel imtimidated by the process. I am concerned w/privacy so this is a big step for me! I think the fact that RPL has it's own page in the social network world is great-perhaps we should all be utilizing it more. I think it could be useful in that we all work so many varied shifts-we could keep better track of issues/problems/etc. Anything to improve communications is a bonus.

Thing #4 Flickr

I took the easy way out....
There are some beautiful shots-the one I'm writing about is "Nah-it wasn't me who took the nut" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/savannah7133/3257764297/). My mother loves cardinals. They don't have them in Denver so she is sad that the beautiful red birds aren't around. The interesting thing about this shot is the shadow on the right side-it balances the black around the bird's throat. I'm also sitting here at Deb M's computer where her very own cardinal is perched.
I can see how sites like this are popular-anyone can have instant access to pictures. It is an easy way to share-virtually no waiting, just download from a source & voila! a photo album on line. You can choose which shots you like and download to your computer or burn to a disc or print them out.
As far as the library using Flickr or any other photo sharing site, I think it would be beneficial for the staff to have access to pictures from various events held in the library. It would allow us to keep records that everyone would be able to use. We can control how or if pictures are used for publicity. There is always a concern for privacy so that becomes more of a legal issue. I wonder if we could use the site (or one like it) for our archieve collection of Roselle pictures. I know we have them on our library site...I wonder if there might be a bigger audience for them & more exposure. Just a thought...

I still have to finish Thing #3. Oh well, that's next week's task!