Listed below are 24 Things (or small exercises) that you can do on the web to explore and expand your knowledge of the Internet and Web 2.0. Staff are encouraged to complete all 24 items on this list by January 15 in order to qualify for a reward. (Note: Details about each task will be activated weekly with posts related to each item.)
Week 1: Introduction
1. Read this blog entry and found out about the program.
2. Discover a few pointers from lifelong learners and learn how to nurture your own learning process.
Week 2: Blogging
3. Set up your own blog and add your first post.
4. Explore the online resources offered by Linebaugh Public Library System.
Week 3: Photos & Images
5. Explore Flickr and learn about this popular image hosting site.
6. Have some Flickr fun and discover some Flickr mashups and 3rd party sites.
7. Explore TeVA or the Nashville Public Library website to see what kinds of images are archived online.
Week 4: RSS & Newsreaders
8. Learn about RSS feeds and set up your own Bloglines newsreader account.
9. Locate a few useful library related blogs and/or news feeds.
Week 5: Play Week
10. Play around with an online image generator.
11. Take a look at LibraryThing and catalog some of your favorite books.
12. Roll your own search tool with Rollyo.
Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati
13. Learn about tagging and discover a Del.icio.us (a social bookmaking site)
14. Explore Technorati and learn how tags work with blog posts.
15. Read a few perspectives on Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the future of libraries and blog your thoughts.
Week 7: Wikis
16. Learn about wikis and discover some innovative ways that libraries are using them.
17. Add an entry to the new LPLS staff wiki.
Week 8: Online Applications & Social Networking
18. Take a look at some online productivity (word processing, spreadsheet) tools.
19. Learn about social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook.
20. Explore any site from the Web 2.0 awards list, play with it and write a blog post about your findings.
Week 9: Online Video & Audio
21. Discover YouTube and other sites that allow users to upload and share videos.
22. Take a look at the videos available through MyLibraryDV and the audio titles available from R.E.A.D.S. Find out how to download video and audio from the library’s website.
23. Discover some useful search tools for locating podcasts.
The Finish Line!
24. Summarize your thoughts about this program on your blog.
Showing posts with label LPLS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LPLS. Show all posts
#24 The End? Or Just The Beginning?
Wow! Congratulations!! You’ve reached the 24th thing! Be sure to give yourself a pat on the back for completing the program. Your reward for completing this learning journey before the January 15th deadline is an awesome MP3/video player. (Details about when we'll hand out the prizes will come in a later email.) But first, I ask for one last discovery post. For your last and final exercise for this program, please reflect on your learning journey and post a few thoughts. Here are some questions to prompt you if you're drawing a blank...
- What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
- How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
- Are there any tools or programs you plan to continue using after this program?
- Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
- What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
- And last but not least... If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
In closing, I want to thank each and every one of you for participating in this journey. Technology is changing so fast these days that it's important for libraries (and staff members) to keep in the know about these new Web 2.0 tools since so many of these technologies provide new channels for information to travel across and new opportunities for libraries to reach out and enhance services. You don't have to be experts with these new tools and websites, but as those of you that have completed Learning 2.0 have learned, a little bit of knowledge and exposure can go a long way.
Discover More
If this program feels like just the tip of the iceburg, if you want to keep traveling down the path of self-discovery, then I encourage you to explore Learning 2.1. The PLCMC library staff developed this new program as a continuation of the original Learning 2.0 program. Its goal is to help introduce news finds and discoveries that may be of value to libraries, combining 21st century skills with lifelong learning. Like the original program, participants are encouraged to follow along with their own blogs. Read through the blog to see what participants have discovered so far, or sign up for the RSS feed, or subscribe by email. Another place to check out is LibraryStream, a blog about social networking libraries, which is presenting a Learn More series. This self-paced discovery series is for library staff interested in venturing out on the social web. You may find some repetition (from places we've covered in our Learning 2.0 program), but you might still find it worthwhile.
Whatever you do: keep learning!
Whatever you do: keep learning!
#22 Downloading Audiobooks & Videos
Congratulations on making it this far! I'm happy to tell you, the end is in sight. Just a couple more exercises to complete, and you could own a fancy new MP3.Once you have your new MP3 player, you'll probably want to put it to use. That's why this Thing explores the downloadable audiobook options available at the LPLS website. While we're there, we'll also take a look at downloadable videos. Anyone with a LPLS library card can download ebooks, audiobooks, and videos to their personal computer and even transfer audiobooks onto their own MP3 player for listening on-the-go!
Our library system has access to ebooks and audiobooks through R.E.A.D.S. (Regional eBook & Audiobook Download System), a service funded by the State of Tennessee and the Institute of Museum and Library Services and powered by OverDrive. R.E.A.D.S. offers popular fiction titles, consumer nonfiction, and selections for children and young adults. For this discovery exercise, you merely need to familiarize yourself a bit with the structure of the R.E.A.D.S. site and get an idea of the types of titles you can find here. Take a look around and locate a few titles of interest.
We also offer downloadable videos through MyLibraryDV. LPLS has a subscription to this service. MyLibraryDV gives you 24/7 access to hundreds of great video programs, including classic movies, independent films from the Film Movement series, PBS Kids shows, and popular television programs on lifestyle, health, travel, and cooking. The cost to our patrons to be able to access DVD-quality video on demand? Free. The second part of this exercise is to simply familiarize yourself with the MyLibraryDV service.
Discovery Resources
Explore the following resources, as needed, to learn more about these services:
- Watch the Download Digital Media Guided Tour tutorials to learn more about how to use R.E.A.D.S. (Each tutorial is 3 minutes or less.)
- Read through the Quick Start Guide (including the system requirements and necessary software) and other Help options available at R.E.A.D.S.
- Watch the MyLibraryDV commercial (Windows Media Player required).
- Read the MyLibraryDV system requirements and the MyLibraryDV FAQ.
- NOTE: Be sure you know how to sign in to R.E.A.D.S and how to get started with MyLibraryDV (item 2 in the FAQ), so you can instruct patrons on how to access these services. A library card is required for either service.
Discovery Exercise
- Visit the R.E.A.D.S. site and explore the thousands of ebook and audiobook titles available. Try searching for a specific title or author to see if it is available.
- Browse the list of videos available from MyLibraryDV (PDF).
- Write a blog post about your findings. Did you locate any titles at R.E.A.D.S. that you might want to download once you have your player? Were you surprised by anything you discovered in this exercise?
Discover More
You don't have to wait until you have your MP3 player to enjoy R.E.A.D.S. You can download books to listen to (or read) on your home computer; some books also may be burned to CD. You can also start downloading videos today from MyLibraryDV.
If you're up to the challenge, sign in to either site, download and install the necessary software, download a book or video, and enjoy! Be sure to blog about your experience.
If you don't have a home computer, or if you're unable to download and install the software to your staff computer, you can use the R.E.A.D.S. download kiosk at Linebaugh Library. This kiosk lets library patrons download free audiobooks to their MP3 or WMA audio player using the library's connection.
#17 Creating the LPLS Staff Wiki
Many of the activities we've done during the Learning 2.0 program have been just for fun, but let's not forget that most of the Web 2.0 technologies we're learning about can be practical and useful tools for libraries. As we saw in Thing #16, libraries are using wikis in several ways to share and collaborate among staff, with patrons, or with the library community as a whole.This week, we're going to work together to create a wiki for LPLS staff. In this exercise, we're going to learn more about how wikis work, how to use a wiki, and then you're going to add a contribution to the new LPLS Staff Wiki, using PBWiki (a free, wiki-hosting site).
Discovery Resources
- Take a tour of PBwiki to see some of the features PBwiki has to offer and how to use the Point and Click editor (which works like the formatting toolbar in Microsoft Word).
- PBwiki has several other videos at YouTube about using PBwiki, getting started, and using the text editor.
- Read the Editing FAQ or other PBwiki FAQ topics.
Discovery Exercise
You can find the LPLS Staff Wiki at lpls.pbwiki.com. We've started the wiki with 3 sections:
- Circulation Manual - This section will include articles from the Circulation Manual, policies and practices and instructions on all things circ.
- Services Available - This section will be a list of all the services and resources available at any LPLS branch.
- How To - This section will include miscellaneous how-to articles and branch-specific instructions on how to accomplish various tasks.
For this exercise, your goal is to post 1 or more articles to one of these 3 sections. Because this wiki contains privileged information, you will need a password to access it; check your email for that password. You'll be asked to enter your name and email address; that's so we can keep track of who made which additions and edits to pages within the wiki.
If you want to get some practice before uploading your page, visit the Sandbox. ("Sandbox" is the term that wikis often use to describe the area of a website that should be used for pure play.) You can make any changes you want to that page, or just play around with the editing tools.
Ready to get your feet wet? Your choices for this exercise are:
- post 1 long article from the Circulation Manual (1/2 page or longer)
- post 2 short articles from the Circulation Manual (less than 1/2 page)
- post 1 article to the How To section
- post the Services Available list (the entire section should be 1 wiki page)
We've already created the separate "chapters" and article lists for the Circulation Manual within the wiki. To add an article:
- From the front page, click the link for the Circulation Manual (in the Sidebar Navigation Menu), then click on the name of the section where your article will appear. (ex: Holds)
- Click the "Edit Page" button.
- Highlight the name of the article you plan to add and click “Link” on the menu bar. Check the defaults:
- Link Type = WikiPage
- Link to wiki page = new page
- New page name = your article name
- Link text = your article name
- Click OK. Then click Save. You’ll be taken back to the normal page view. The text for which you just created a link should now be in blue with a red-dashed underline.
- Click on the link for your article. Check “No Template” and click Create New Page.
- Now you’re ready to paste in the text for your article. As much as possible, please keep the formatting the same (ex: bold & italic text).
- For increased on-screen readability, please hit enter at the end of each list item (to put a blank line between each item in the list).
- Anywhere there is a reference to a section title (ex: see Overdues for more information), create a link to that section. (We will create links between articles after all the articles have been uploaded.)
- Highlight the text and click the Link button.
- Under "Link to wiki page" select the name of the page you want to link to, then click OK.
- Be sure to click Save when you're finished editing your page.
- Here's an example of an article that's already been created: Checking in Materials. (Note that you will need to be logged in to the wiki before you can access this page.)
You can add something to the How To section. We have listed several suggested articles, many of which we already have typed-up instructions for. You can find some of these within Everyone/Circulation/Circulation Manual or Everyone/Circulation/Smyrna/Instructions. Copy and paste, following the directions above. Or you can retype instructions that are posted in your department but are not saved on the server. Or you can write up new instructions.
Once you've added something to the wiki, create an entry in your blog with a link to the page(s) you created. Try searching for topics in the wiki and see what results you get. Then, share your thoughts on this project: How useful do you think this wiki will be to you? What other topics/sections would you like to see added to the wiki? What other ways could our library system use wikis?
Discover More
Our goal is to post the entire Circulation Manual to the wiki site. If you do the math, you'll see that we have more articles than we do staff participating in the Learning 2.0 program. So your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is:
- Post additional articles.
- Edit already posted articles. Fix mistakes, add screenshots or other images, add links to other articles, add a scenario / example, etc.
- Most importantly: Recruit your non-Learning 2.0 co-workers to get involved and contribute to the wiki.
About This Project
This blog has been set up to support the Linebaugh Public Library System’s Learning 2.0 program for staff. This program is designed to encourage staff to experiment and learn about the new and emerging technologies that are reshaping the context of information on the Internet today. The objectives of this program are to:
Staff Incentives & Prizes
Updated to correct info about MP3 player: The first 20 staff members who complete the 24 Things will receive a Creative MuVo V100 MP3 player. This player supports MP3 and WMA formats and can be used with R.E.A.D.S. audiobooks. It features 2GB of storage (about 1000 songs worth) and a direct USB connection (no extra cords needed). Other features include a built-in voice recorder, a backlit LCD display, adjustable EQ, and lyrics display.
If multiple staff complete the program at the same time (resulting in more than 20 finalists), a drawing will be held to determine who receives the MP3 player.
Additional prizes, to be announced, will be awarded for other staff who complete the program before January 15.
- encourage exploration of Web 2.0 and new technologies by LPLS staff.
- provide staff with new tools (that are freely available on the Internet) to better support LPLS's mission: to provide the freedom to discover and the resources to explore a lifelong love of reading and learning.
- reward staff for taking the initiative to complete 24 self-discovery exercises.
Staff Incentives & Prizes
Updated to correct info about MP3 player: The first 20 staff members who complete the 24 Things will receive a Creative MuVo V100 MP3 player. This player supports MP3 and WMA formats and can be used with R.E.A.D.S. audiobooks. It features 2GB of storage (about 1000 songs worth) and a direct USB connection (no extra cords needed). Other features include a built-in voice recorder, a backlit LCD display, adjustable EQ, and lyrics display.
If multiple staff complete the program at the same time (resulting in more than 20 finalists), a drawing will be held to determine who receives the MP3 player.
Additional prizes, to be announced, will be awarded for other staff who complete the program before January 15.
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