Thing 6. Online Image Generator

I wanted to name this one Flickr cubed, but couldn't get the 3 to display properly. I don't have much else to add to this blog post. These tools can also be used in various ways to promote the library, for displays, or other items. Here is a trading card of my hound, Duke. I am just posting one image since I don't want to over burden readers with too many images of greyhounds.

Thing 5. More Flickr Fun!

The Flickr mashup tools are a lot of fun indeed! There is a lot of potential here for promotional items or other graphics for display in your library. For this exercise I did a mashup for the tag greyhounds with the tools on Big Huge Labs. I tried to get all hounds but a bus did sneak in. Enjoy!

Images in the mosaic are from the following photographers: wagongrrl, myuncannyvalley, saramurphy100, Susan McKeon, forestedge, ghostparks, and greywalkerov.

Thing 4. Flickr

I was going to take a photo of something in my library for this exercise, but since I keep forgetting to bring my camera to work I will blog about option A. It was interesting using the tags in Flickr. When first started to explore Flickr I searched for images from the MN 150 (Minnesota Sesquicentennial) celebrations that were held earlier this year. This is an image of the wagon train that was part of the MN 150 celebrations by micwalker84. When I get time I will need to upload my images of the wagon train going down Summit Avenue

Thing 3. RSS

I absolutely love RSS! Out of all the web2.0 technologies this is one of my favorites. I created a Google Reader account over a year ago and have slowly added feeds to it since. It's so nice to log onto one place, browse the content and see what's new in the library world. Some of my favorite library blogs include OMG tuna is kewl, davidrothman.net, and The Krafty Librarian -- just to name a few.

The greatest challenge for me is to check my account on a regular basis (see previous post). Even if I don't check my feeds for a month and there are hundreds waiting to be read it's nice to know that everything is waiting for me and that I haven’t missed a post. One of the features that I love about Google Reader is the ability to share items with your friends. I see this particular functionality as a collaborative online environment, since it allows me to keep current, learn about trends I may have otherwise missed, and also see what interests other librarians. This is also a great way to see if a particular blog is of interest to you. If you use Google Reader try this out.

Thing 2. Library 2.0

For this post I am going to reflect on Library 2.0, Web 2.0, and the whole 23 Things project (conceptually).

I must admit I was a little hesitant to sign up for the 23 Things program because of time. I am already involved with other Web2.0 technologies and sometimes I forget to keep on top of this, for instance I am notorious for not checking Google Reader regularly. However, that said the time commitment is often minimal for an app that you use. Too often individuals learning about Web2.0 think that they need to learn every new tool. You don't need to learn and use everything, use what fit you/your environment best. If you take this approach you will see that you have the time to use the tools.

So why am I doing the 23 Things? I am hoping to expand my knowledge of Web2.0 tools and see what I can bring back to my library. When I think of Web2.0 I get so man ideas of how we can manage and package our data to better serve our users. For instance just think of how we can repackage/organize the data from our catalog to enable users to find items or uncover hidden gems from our collections. When I think of Web2.0/Library 2.0 I think of virtual bookshelves, pushing library content directly to our users, and providing our users with the ability to manage of organize library materials to best suit their information needs. Libraries have always centered around the users’ information needs and supporting these needs, Web2.0 offers a new avenue for us to fulfill that goal.

Thing 1. Blog.

OK. So this is my first "non professional" blog. I must admit it was a little hard for me to do this since A) I am not that creative and knew that it would obviously be Nicole's blog and 2) I am not comfortable with having my information so accessible. I suppose this is a mute point now. Anyway a toast to 23 Things on a stick, let's get started!