Tuesday, October 28, 2008

42. What have you learned?

It's been a long year, thinking back to January when we started this program seems like a long time ago. We've had some easy lessons and we've had some hard lessons.

For your very last lesson I'm going to make you think, I have four questions I'd like you to consider and answer in the comments.
  1. What was the most useful thing you learned?
  2. What was the most fun?
  3. What would you like to learn more about?
  4. Which do you think will have the most impact on libraries?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm... Well the most useful for me will be the e-audio books, why you may ask because I find I have time to listen to books on tape during my breaks as well as on walks and car trips. So I will probably use it the most.
The most fun was the superhero,I had a blast picking out colors and various features for my character.
I would be interested in learning about web design, things like how to create links on your page so when people google for something your page is listed-----perhaps it is silly but I am pretty clueless when it comes to these sorts of things and you did ask.
I think that thisonenext.com could be really helpful to librarians because patrons are continually asking what should I read next? or I liked this book do you have any others like it?
But these are just my opinions, I am just happy to be part of a work environment where learning is encouraged.

Anonymous said...

I think the most useful info I got was on the internet safety issues and how to guard yourself.
The most fun thing I did was with the pictures. Being able to change them or edit them.I would like to learn more about doing things along those lines.
I have to agree with Heather on thisonenext.com. It would be the most useful tool for a library.

Eric said...

The most useful lesson for me would have to be working with Ping to update multiple blogs. It's been wonderful.
The most fun would be a tie between Pandora and Google Maps. Yes, I love maps. Especially ones I can add pins and trip descriptions to.
I would like to learn more about DimDim and other conferencing services, if only to have more podcast recording options!
The greatest impact on libraries may very well be ebooks and electronic readers. I don't think they will replace physical books any time soon, but the technology is getting more attractive and popular every day.

Anonymous said...

Most useful - would be the start pages - particularly the google start page.

Most fun - definitely the Superhero thing!

Interested in learning more about - stuff like Playlist/Pandora or Reader's Advisory stuff. The other category of social web functions that would be helpful is disposal of goods - like Freecycle/Craigs list. In the past "where can I get rid of these books that even the library or used bookstore doesn't want", could be difficult to answer I'm so glad I know about they exist.

I guess the most useful tools we learned about were the Reader's Advisory tools like Thisonenext and previously Shelfari Goodreads LibraryThing.

Anonymous said...

the most useful lesson was a toss up between Google maps and information overload. I use Google maps often and the new tips I learned in the lesson are coming in handy. And imformation overload, in the short time I have been working here, I have accumulated a lot of information. I enjoyed the most Pandora and Facebook. I am talking to people I have spoken to in 15 years. I would like to explore LibraryThing more, it seems to have so much to offer, and I just haven't wrapped my head around twittering quite yet. The lesson with the most impact on the library is I think downloadable audio books. As much as I love the feel of an actual book, I can see the possibilities of an instant read with limitless title possibilities. I really have enjoyed these lessons. Thank you Bobbi and Robin.

Anonymous said...

I have used several of the lessons while in the PCC or referred patrons to some sites Facebook,Flickr,Google Maps, StartPage.
I like Pandora as it is something I use everyday.
I think that more e-books will be something that will happen more with libraries when you see how many people are already connected to their computers. Though not much can compare to curling up with a good book. I would like to continue learning about what is on the web. Since we get questions on the heritage database, maybe some lessons on how to search those would be good.

Anonymous said...

1) The most useful thing I learned personally would be Jott. I seriously hate checking voicemails with a passion and loved the idea of never having to do it again. I haven't used Jott yet, but I'm going to sign up eventually mostly for my family that gets mad when I don't listen to their voicemails. Also I liked lib.rario.us I like the idea of being able to catalog your own personal collection of books, dvds, cds etc.
2)The most fun I had with LL 2.1 was learning all the new tools such as pandora, Last.fm etc and all the other video stations other than youtube. Learning all these new tools helps me to help patrons that come into the PCC. If they had come in and tried to get help with one of these sites I had never heard of before I wouldn't have been much help.
3)I'm not totally sure my brain can withhold much more information. I learned A LOT with LL 2.1
4)I definetly like the Goodreads for use in a library. I think once patrons learn about Goodreads a lot of them and employees who love to read would get a lot out of it. Like keeping track of what they've read (which I get tons of calls saying, can you see if I've read that before) or having a list of what they want to read etc.

Anonymous said...

1)I think the most useful to me was learning about all the ways you can connect to your patrons and your peers. Also being able to pass the sites on to people I thought would enjoy them. 2)The most fun that I had was both the superhero site and learning about the online music sites. I can listen to them everywhere I connect to a computer. 3)I don't know what I would want to learn about next because we were given so much info that I have plenty to continue experimenting with. Although maybe learning more about texting lingo would be nice so my daughter won't make so much fun of me when I do text! 4)And I agree that the ebooks, online audio books and the sites that can connect our patrons to what we do are the most useful to libraries, imho.

Anonymous said...

1)The most useful lessons for me personally were Web 2.0 office, Goodreads and Google Maps. It's so nice to not have to worry if people have Word or Works, or Excel or Works etc., if they have gmail they can open the document.

2)The most fun to my surprise has been Facebook. I'm connecting with my friends from high school and my first cousins who live out of state. It's been great to get to know them as adults. I've also enjoyed Pandora, Hula and the photo lessons.

3)I would like to learn more about MRRL's databases especially genealogy stuff, Craig's list and similar sites (and safety measures you should take), ebay, keeping up with new AV sites like bliptv or downloadable audiobooks, keeping up to date on what to watch out for in online privacy and security, and web page design.

4) I think the most library related lessons were on MRRL's downloadable audiobooks, ebooks and their readers, thisonenext.com and Goodreads. Also coming up with different ideas for staff to communicate with patrons like Facebook and Twitter if the patrons want to participate that way.

sexybeast said...

The most useful was Goodreads, I have received hundreds of great ideas and my bookshelves are full. The most fun was making pictures or finding a way to inventory my movies and of course facebook.
Genealogy is what I would like to learn more about and for the patrons, ebooks and audio books are great

Anonymous said...

Things I liked and found useful: the reader's advisory lessons, Google maps, e-books, and the music sites. I appreciate your providing these lessons to help us keep current with new tech. As new services develop that would be helpful, please keep staff informed, via lessons or other means. I'd like to create a webpage or something else of reference sites I've found helpful--sort of like LC's Virtual Reference Shelf.
Thanks for this opportunity to learn.

I Don't Know How She Does It! said...

Some of the most useful lessons to me were about time management and information overload. Though I thought I detested Facebook at first, I have since grown to enjoy it immensely and I am in contact with many old highschool and college friends. It has been really nice.

I agree with the others about the tremendous usefulness of google maps and all the various reader's advisory tools. Both are a benefit to me on the Reference desk.

I love Pandora....I canceled my XM radio account and saved myself some money. I probably had the most fun with Dumpr and making the ALA READ posters.