National Nurses Week - May 6-12, 2009

Working with a nursing teaching staff, I have come to appreciate the intellect and role of the nurse much more than before. Before, well before and still now, I just held them in awe and am forever grateful to those nurses who encourged me when my little premee was hooked up to a bunch of machines and lying silent, waiting for the day I could hold him and then, finally, take him home. Without those nurses, it would have been so much harder to bear. I also revere the hospice nurses who took care of my mother and my father at the last. I don't know how you can do it day after day, but I'm glad you do. Thank you nurses for all of your dedication and self-sacrifice.

Thing 22- Staying Current

This Thing is like "preaching to the choir" for me because I will be 50 years old (YIKES) this year, and did not grow up with a computer or cell phone (PC not invented yet). When PC's came out, I was an English teacher and took a class offered by the "typing" teacher after school for faculty who wanted to learn word processing. I learned most of my computer skills "on the job," either by necessity or by playing around with something new. I became a media specialist in 1998, but did not go to school until 2001. I learned a lot on the job. There, I had to also learn how to make TV's and VCR's work together, then DVD's, then multi-media projectors, and the list goes on of equipment I had to learn how to use and had to instruct others how to use. If I don't know something, I ask if I need to know it or if I am just curious which happens a lot. Other people are a wealth of ideas and information. I also love to read. I read the newspaper and magazines/journals and stop and concentrate on library related articles. I do the same (but also search) on the Internet. That's why I already take advantage of NEFLIN's webinars and am a part of 23 Things. I want to know what is in, what is new, and what is next. I don't always like it--don't get texting...haven't tried (only because it costs more though). I think I would like a Kindle, so if any of you are very kind and have a lot of extra money in this economy, buy me one. It would combine my love of reading with my love of something new and techy. I plan to keep reading, keep taking classes from NEFLIN and other sources, keep networking with fellow librarians, keep searching the NET for ideas, and keep trying new things. This blogging thing is fun. Maybe, I'll keep it up too. I would especially like to keep it up if my library director would give me permission to use it in connection with our library. (So, if he is reading this...)

Thing 21- Assignment Calculators--Better name--help for procrastinators

For me, these tools would not be helpful because I am not a procrastinator. When I was working on my masters degree, I did my own planning on the calendar for due dates of class assignments. These calculators ask the same questions or similar ones to something my graduate degree (which centered on being a media specialist)stressed--The Big 6--Research Strategy. These seem to have skipped a step, but essentially it is the same--a research thought process that leads to a final product. These calculators seem to me like a gimmick to get procrastinators to get the job done. I hope it helps, but I present the research process to students and let the students do it at their own pace at their own schedule. This works best in a school where most students also work full or part time and have families. (This was a short assignment.)

Thing 20- Reading and more reading-Print or Online...That is the question...

I agree with the articles about reading, being a former English teacher. Reading novels and reading regularly increase test scores. The question discussed primarily was is reading online just as beneficial as reading print? I think it depends. (Personally, I hate reading online. I now have bifocals and too much computer screen gives me a head and neck ache. I read to relax and reading online does not make me relax.) What should be a factor in comparing online to print reading should be exactly what is being read online. Reading twitters, emails, and blogs do not necessarily promote the correct form of the English language much less correct spelling! However, I have read some books, some being children's books that do not demonstrate the best examples of these things either. I think reading anywhere improves vocabulary. I say if you can only get them to read online, allow it wholeheartedly (being cautious of what's out there, of course).

As far as all those sites you listed, I agree with the comments on the 23 Things page-there are too many, but you wanted us to explore. I hope it's ok that I just picked one or two from each list to explore. I have no interest in book communities or book groups, but I took a look at Overbooked and Booksprouts. (I just don't have time to get involved with something like this.) I looked at Librivox for Audio Books, but again, I don't like listening to books; I love reading books. I clicked on Metacriatic, but I frequently use Amazon for a quick review--I don't know why I would need several sites for the same thing. Besides, that one is not kept updated anymore anyway. I thought the idea of "renting" a textbook would be a good idea for college students in Book Swim. I clicked on "What should I read next?" and thought it would be good for someone else, but I like shelf browsing myself to choose my next book. The one site I did join was Daily Lit. I tried adding the RSS feed to this blog, but it wouldn't work. (I think I need to review RSS feeds.) I'll try to add what it said to copy and we'll see if it works. If it's there, great. If it's not, oh well.

Thing 19- Options for Social Networking

The librarian's article of how they were using social networking in his library was great! I can see how it would be wonderful in a public library. The Gather site seems to be for the more serious-minded than Myspace or Facebook. I have a Facebook account, a fact I've already mentioned, and sometimes get a little annoyed at all the "playing" like taking a million "quizzes" and posting the results to all of them. The part I enjoy is reading the day to day comments of "my friends." I don't enjoy seeing the quizzes or anything that takes up a whole lot of room like a bunch of pictures when I'd rather just scroll down to see what everybody did that day. Gather seemed to be a serious conversation like talk radio. I could get into that because I like to express my opinion, but I probably won't because it would take too much of my free time.

I added Shelfari before I knew it was a social network. Another 23 Things blogger had it on her blog, and I liked it, so I put it on mine. They do email me from time to time and say people are asking about the books I listed. I haven't taken the time to answer, but maybe someday, I will. When I was a school media specialist, I would really have liked having Shelfari. My school now is very career oriented and casual reading is not emphasized.

Well, I must get on with the next Thing...only one week left and I have 4 things to go.

Podcast thing 17 Revisited

Well, I finally was approved for podcast.com - got to be careful of those librarians - do a complete background check! At home, I had to download Quicktime to be able to use podcast, but after that it came in loud and clear. It reminded me of listening to a radio talk show. I have tried searching for library related items. At home, I tried a storytelling pod, but they spent too much time talking before the story that it completely lost my interest. At work, I listened to an interview of an award-winning librarian whose library catered to a very diverse population that spoke 90 different languages. That was interesting. I tried a couple of others, but they didn't work, so I don't know if my work blocked it (this is professional development if you are checking) or if those pods just aren't working. I still don't think podcasting is for me in my present circumstances, but I did try - again.

Thing 18- Facebook!

I have been waiting for this Thing! That's because I'm already a member of Facebook. My son got me started about 6 months ago. I check it almost daily, but I have one problem--I can never think of something clever to write. I have enjoyed re-connecting with old friends (and I do mean old--all the way back to high school) and staying connected with friends who have moved away or have a new job. Facebook is fun. I like the fact that you have to accept friends and that not everyone can be a part of your circle unless you want them to be. My friends represent a huge variety from the old high school friends and faculty to college friends to old co-workers to members of my church to old students of mine to my son who's a college student himself. It's a great way to network for friendship and for opportunities should they arise. A library could use this to form a group for a book discussion or for library help because you can use the online IM if you are both online. I joined the librarians and facebook group you mentioned. I'll see if I get any comments from that. So far I have 71 friends, but that's nothing; my son has over 300! You'll find me if you do a search for Patricia Lynn Mayfield. I'm going to try to post a link to this blog into my facebook page. See you there!

Thing 17- Podcasts

The name "podcast" reminds me of a Sci-Fi flic, Invasion of the body snatchers or something like that. I have listened to what I assume are podcasts when I listen to the news channels over the Internet. I did try to use the podcast sites you have listed, but only one let me listen to a sample without joining. I tried to join podcast.com, but it must take forever for them to email me to confirm and I just don't have the time. I will try to add a link to one of their pods, but I'm not sure how to do it. http://feeds.feedburner.com/LibrarySurvivalGuide We'll see if it works after I publish this post. I wasn't able to listen to it yet--you have to be a member! But, the title sounds good. I guess a podcast might be "cool," but I just can't think of a way I would use one in my library.

Thing 16- YouTube

YouTube is fun, but very time-consuming. I heard on the radio the other day DJ's talking about just sitting and watching YouTube videos instead of TV. I have seen some good videos, but I also have seen a lot with language that I would not want to view or share, especially in my library. I chose a video, Gorilla Librarian,to upload, but unfortunately, your directions are not working. I will try to add the link. I chose this video because it was a humorous spoof of a librarian interview and because my shoulders are aching from sitting in front of the computer too long watching YouTube and I needed to choose something. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukJmF6f0JdQ

Thing 15- Rollyo

I set up a Rollyo account; the link should be at the end of this post. I think Rollyo is ok as it functions to organize your major searches and can be accessed from any Internet ready computer. However, there was another 23Things item that does the same thing; I just cannot think of which one. I really don't see a need for it when I use my favorites on my browser. The favorites I use at home are not the same I use at work so Rollyo does not help that issue. One library use I could imagine is to make a list of reference tools for library users to use. The link I have is one of the Rollyo searches I created; It is a link to a few sites to aid in writing APA form papers for college.

Select Search Engine...APA Paper HelpCampusCaper23Search The Web

Powered by Rollyo

Thing 14- Online Productivity Tools

Wow! Talk about information overload...this Thing is full of it! I chose to look at Yahoo's page because I already have a Yahoo account. The calendars mentioned are not of use to me because I use Outlook for the same thing at work (in the library). At home, I'd rather not be so organized to the minute--I'd rather relax. The calendars all seemed to do the same thing so I guess it would be a preference choice. I tried the Ta Da list. It was fun and quick to do, but since I tend to make my list where ever I happen to be thinking (and usually waiting for something), a scrap piece of paper and pen is really all I need. (I do not carry a PDA or Blackberry; I can't afford it.) I think the online to do list is a bit much especially when some of the other sites will do the calendar and the list as well as other things. I really do think there's too much out there to choose from--as I said too much info! So much that I'd just rather not spend the time on it, but I did do the assignment and click on each hyperlink to see what you wanted me to see. I just think that these are a little overboard. I feel like I have opened a million online accounts, set up a million passwords (although I tried to stick with the same thing), and there is no way I will remember that I did those. So, the productivity tools were not productive for me. I could have made a list and made a note on my calendar in less time than it took to do all of this.

Thing 13- Library Thing

I really wasn't very interested in Library Thing because I had found Shelfari on someone else's Blog and was using that to display books of interest. But, the assignment must be done, so I set up an account. One big plus for Library Thing for me is the possibility of getting free books that have not been placed in bookstores yet. That was most of my motivation for using this site. I did look for local events and only found two other places in my city using Library Thing-the main public library and one used bookstore--not much was going on either. I'll try to paste the Html to show my books as I set them up in the site. If I am successful, you should see them listed below:

Thing 12- Wikis

I don't think wikis are for me. For one reason, PBWiki wouldn't allow me to make one. Oh well. I understand the concept-that here is a place on the Internet that many people can access and contribute. A wiki would be a great place to do a collaborative project. That's what I was hoping until that site wouldn't let me do it. On the negative side, as a former English teacher, I do not like Wikipedia because of its "anyone can edit" feature. It is not a viable source. It's a great shortcut for something you want to know right now, but there can be errors. One of my own students made one on it once--yes, on purpose. (No, never found out exactly who, but it sure gave me a dim opinion of Wikipedia as a source. To their credit, the vandalism was found and corrected, but not immediately.) I suppose if my institution were willing to pay for its use, PBWiki would work. I wanted to create one that all librarians on our many campuses could collaborate on such as a pathfinder site. We'll see....

Thing 11- Social Media

I liked the set up for Digg and for Mixx, but not the others; there was too much advertising on them, and the format was not as easy to read. I really do not think I would use these sites because I am not an Internet hound--only when I'm researching--I really prefer to read in print. It doesn't hurt my eyes or my neck. The video in this Thing did not work; neither did it work for the last one (same site). I found a great article in the NY Times for librarians, particularly media specialists, and I added it to del.icio.us. (The sharing tool on the NY Times site would not work.) Here is the URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/books/16libr.html?scp=6&sq=librarians&st=cse

Thing 10- Tagging & del.icio.us

I put some tags into place so that I could easily find the blogs having to do with images. I added tags to Things 5, 6a, b, and 7. I set up a del.icio.us account and imported some of my Internet favorites into it. I really don't think I can see an immediate importance for this account until I have the opportunity to use it more. Now, when I find a site I want to access from any computer, I will have to add it to my del.icio.us account. I like the feature that you can view all the accounts; it may save a little Google time. I also tried one of the challenges to set up Pagekeeper, but it has not shown up in my email account to continue with that as yet. I also emailed that URL to my husband who is a middle school teacher; I was sure he would love that sample page with the math helps. Well, I'm behind in 23 Things since life happened, but I am going to catch up soon.

Thing 9- Sharing Communication

Please view my Slideshare presentation in the preceding blog. My powerpoint presentation was easy to download into Slideshare and easy to add it to Blogger. I chose Slideshare because it seemed to be the most professional of the two mentioned in 23 Things @ NEFLIN. Zoho Show is the other, and I would choose it for more personal use because it seems to be more fun. Speaking of fun, I enjoyed Picture Trail. I could have used this for presentations all the time when I worked with teens as a media specialist and as a teacher. There are just too many fun things to try; I will try them when I have the opportunity to do so. Sharing one's presentations on the Web is awesome. Most educational institutions have something like Blackboard to post their presentations for further study or for someone who missed class, but these tools are great for those who have their own websites or blogs to add a bit of spice. And, it was SO EASY. And did I mention it was also FUN? The Lazybase database site was a bit boring. It needs these tools to add some life to it.

Power Point Presentation Tips

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Power Point Presentation Tips

View more presentations from Librialyn. (tags: powerpoint presentation)

Thing 8- Communication Tools

I have already had some experience with most of the items in this Thing. We use IM (instant messaging) at work. I have also used IM in Facebook and a little online, but I don't really like using IM at home. When I was taking my online classes for my degree in library and information studies, I would get "interrupted" at times when I was in class or when I really needed to work on an assignment by some well-meaning friend--usually one of my sons' friends because they use it quite often. They love it. Im'ing is convenient when you need an answer right away at work. I use it mostly to tell my co-workers that their client is finished with a test. When I just want to find out something, I prefer email. It's a personality thing, I guess. I want to do things when I want to do them (or when I'm finished with what I am presently doing) and that's not always instantaneous. To me, IM's are like phone calls--they interrupt me in the middle of my concentration, and I have to shift my mind gears. I am a very focused-minded person, wanting to complete one task before I go to another because I know it will be done correctly that way and probably with less error than if I was interrupted. I can multi-task, but it is not the best way to do things because you cannot lend your best to every task you are doing. But, life is full of multi-tasking. I can see using IM in a library from a reference desk because it extends that desk.

I have also been making much use of web-conferencing since beginning this job and having many opportunities through NEFLIN to do so. These online workshops have been a great help; I appreciate the fact that they are available online and that I can attend them while I am at work AND still help my library patrons at the same time. I miss not actually seeing the other people and interacting with them before and after a session, but I really like the webinars for their convenience.

Texting! Yuk! No, I have absolutely no experience with texting. Maybe I would if you didn't have to pay for it! My sons love it though. They are all in their early 20's. I am afraid that texting is killing the proper English language as email has already been doing since it arrived. (I love email, but I wish people would learn to spell and take time to proofread.) I did google FWIW as the article said to do if you had no clue (which described me). It means "for what it's worth."

Continuing Thing 7...

from The Generator Blog

Thing 7- Online Image Generators

As you can see from my sidebar, I have been having fun with this Thing, and I'm not done yet. Little did I realize before all that is readily and freely available out in cyberspace! Wow! It's just Fantastic! These tools are so simple to use, but they could also be time wasters if I'm not careful--trying out all kinds of things. Well, now I can use the excuse that it is an assignment and I really must do my classwork! So far, I have tried Big Huge Labs-See the puzzle picture from Thing 6; ImageChef-See my valentine sweet on the sidebar.; and ToonDoo which is in this post. (I am disappointed that the cartoon doesn't just appear here instead of going to the link.)

Thing 6c- Mashups

Mashups seem to be something only a programmer would fully understand, but I think the jest of it is that information from more than one source is compiled together to provide information in one shared place--thus, all "mashed" together. I think the example of Google Maps explains it best--locations, street names, aerial photos or live satellite feeds, weather--all compiled together from different sources.

Thing 6b- Mashups

My creation
Originally uploaded by jlmayfield1980

Ooohhh...Look...Look...Look See what I did? Cool! As to how I will use this in my library, I'm not sure. This is a picture of part of my circulation desk with our display from Constitution Day. Using pictures of our library in a library blog open for students to view would create interest. Let me go back to see what else I can do with Flickr...

Thing 6a-Mashups

"My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose"
Originally uploaded by *snapdragon

Now that I know how to place a photo from Flickr to my blog, I am on to the next step--adding other fun things in Flickr. (I wanted to add the clock, but wasn't sure about that.) I am adding a picture from Flickr chosen from the color tag. Pretty against the black background, don't you think?

Thing 5- Flickr Fun (sort of)

Thing 1-YRD pic
Originally uploaded by jlmayfield1980

I set up a Flickr account which was easy since I already have a Yahoo account. I added some pictures. I really don't snap a lot of pictures so I don't have many. My Flickr account is http://www.flickr.com/photos/dramaticlibrarian .

I am having trouble adding a picture I saved in Flickr to this blog. It says it is here, but it is obviously not. I am a bit frustrated now. What am I doing wrong? I clicked on the picture icon and put in the picture's URL. ...Ok, I figured out I had to allow access from Flickr to Blogger...Let's see if this works...no picture...I went back and read NEFLIN's instructions--very carefully...It worked, but the picture is in the wrong place, so I am deleting it. Wait, I think I have it now. Wha LA! (whew)

Thing 4- RSS

RSS is an acronym for "Really Simple Syndication." (I had to type it so I'll remember it. I know you already know this, but I'm new to it.) It is still a bit mind-boggling to me. I read through the 23 Things article, but was unable to view the video-technical difficulties, you know. After reading the article and after taking a class which touched on this, I still could not have fully explained it to you. So, do not expect a scholarly rendition of RSS from this blog post. But, all is not lost. I am one of those visual learners who has to get her hands into it and play with it and figure it out even if it does explode. I believe I now understand--a wee, little bit--a RSS is a way of saving valuable research time by tracking authoritative sources and others that are just plain fun. I didn't quite understand at first that it all happens with a middle man, so to speak--Google Reader. I tried to use Bloglines since I had created an account in that for the before mentioned class I took, but I just couldn't figure out how to use it with Blogger. So, I went to my Blog and worked from there. It already had Google Reader. Using trial and error, a lot of error, I finally added three of my fellow 23 Things Bloggers to follow and three news, CNN and two library, sources. I still need practice to get this, but I can see it can really be a helpful item for a researcher.

Thing 3 - Blog Search Tools

Lost in the world of billions of blogs not knowing which to follow...not knowing which exists...That's why we need blog search tools. For NEFLIN's assignment, I took a look at two such tools: Technorati and Google Blog Search. Both had excellent categories so I could go straight to what interested me. Both include pictures and videos and the latest things. However, I like Technorati better because it is smaller. I followed the assignment rules and entered the same search query: "academic librarian" into both search engines. With Technorati, I got 76 and with Google, I got 5,435. Google is just a big giant that needs to be downsized or departmentalized. One thing I did not like about Technorait, but is only a part of Internet life, is all the advertisements on the side bar. Google does not have those.

Thing 2 - Library 2.0

Thing 2 in the 23 Things is labeled "Web 2.0," but the information is about "Library 2.0." I find the change in labeling confusing when from what I gathered in the information, they are almost the same thing. Correct me if I am way off base, but I learned from the information provided that Library 2.0 is a gathering of library sources, a collaboration of libraries, made available on the Web. I found the blog from John Blyberg in Connecticut to be the most helpful of the resources I read. One part in particular was interesting to me: John mentions that libraries need to collaborate to provide information. I am one of about twenty librarians on campuses located in different cities throughout Florida for one particular institution. Our library site does just this, but I think adding public libraries and information from state libraries would be wonderful to give our students more access to authoritative information. John compared a bit with the idea of ILL, interlibrary loan. It is so easy to get lost in Google or any other large search engine. If we could funnel the relevant information for our particular patrons from various credible sources, we could help them save time and find exactly what they need. That is the reason we love our expensive databases-the funnel of precise information. Library 2.0 would be a more economic option.

Campus Librarian

What does a librarian for a proprietary school do? The same as other librarians--order books and other materials, check in and out those materials, and offer help to the library's patrons on a variety of subjects. Proprietary school librarians also proctor tests and get the opportunity to teach workshops on library usage and research papers.

Thing 1-The Blog

Today I begin the 23 Things Challenge by NEFLIN. This is the first one-not just the first thing in the challenge, but my first real blog. And I just realized something-Although I am a novice blogger, I am now a blogger. I chose to participate in the 23 Things because I want to keep up with the times. I would eventually like to have a blog for my library patrons. After all, most of them are much younger than I, and online, I would like to appeal to them as more than just the dusty old librarian. This is CampusCaper #1.