Thing 20. Libraries and Social Networks

Ugh. I've really gotten so much out of this 23 Things exercise, but now it's starting to grate a bit. Maybe because I have already made the decision to not participate in social networking sites. This does not mean that I don't think that they are a good idea or that other people shouldn't, it's just that for all the reasons I've talked about in former posts I don't want that much of an online presence. Or any more reasons to log in.
I already have an account with MySpace, though only to use for searching bands or other people's prospective dates, otherwise I really can't say I often look on MySpace. Plus, the layout of the pages is generally appalling. I can't stand looking at them.
I've always stayed away from Facebook after reading how hard it was to cancel an account with them. It's my worst nightmare to not be able to opt out of something online and then have it haunt me in some (unknown, possibly imaginary) way.
Then again, I think so many people (kids? most people younger than me?) check their Facebook or MySpace just to keep up with their friends. Blogs are just absolutely not the same as these social networks and I can see why libraries want to be a part of this movement. I mean, why not? They're free. Mainly, if a library chooses to be a part of a social network then some ONE person must be in charge of making sure that it is updated often. There is nothing more lame than an outdated social networking page. It would be better not to participate at all, or make the decision to have a more static webpage that would not require frequent updates. Know what I mean?

Thing Nineteen: Podcasts

I think podcasts are a great idea. I really, really do. I just can't seem to get myself to actually sit down and listen to anything (that needs my undivided attention) for any appreciable amount of time. I don't like listening to people read stories, I don't like audio books (sorry Kristen). There is a special place in my heart for all the public radio greats: Sarah Vowell, David Sedaris, This American Life, and A Prairie Home Companion, but I can't be bothered to seek them out. There are very few occasions that I feel comfortable sitting and listening, and even then I must be very entertained to be able to focus. Even lectures at school allowed me to look at the speaker. I must be one of those lame people who just can't learn through listening. I listen to the radio almost exclusively in the car, I've tried audio books and the format grates on my nerves. Why? I cannot tell.
The upshot is is that I've read about all kinds of good podcasts but put off listening to any until later. And it never happens. I like the MPR directory, I didn't listen to a podcast, I'm sure this format would be great for a library. Enough said.

Thing Eighteen: YouTube

Wow, what happened? I guess I got a little off track as life took over (ahm gittin' hitched in July), and since I missed the (first) deadline anyway... Hey I've got all the time in the world to finish these "things."

Now, don't get me wrong: YouTube is super fun, but I have NO patience for browsing through the enormous amount of CRAP. I rely on other blogs and word of mouth to direct me to Quality Video Entertainment. And for me, entertainment's mostly what it is. I guess the Common Craft videos really come in handy though, as well as this shirt-folding video:





thank God someone posted that.

Oh, and this is my betrothed:

Hot stuff? Rock star? In our house he is!

I just kind of hate embedded videos though. I hate having to click on a video and have it be a surprise. It could be anything. I don't know why it bothers me, but sometimes I am pleasantly surprised and others I just get pissed. I know that's vague, but I'm trying to explain the annoyance I feel when someone has posted a video. I think part of the reason is that when I'm using the computer, even at home, there are few occasions that are "safe" to play a loud, unreviewed video. I'm not saying that most videos are inappropriate, but you never know. And I almost always forget to adjust the sound.Also, I hate bloggers who rely heavily on videos for posts. I like to read what someone thinks. At least comment on the videos you post.You know who you are.

After a couple of drinks, though... Well, who hasn't wasted an entire evening looking at The Kings or Iggy being awoken onstage to put on a performance, or the new Weezer? Huh? Come on admit it!

Sure I like the options for libraries especially the options for getting people involved. Look at this kid's contest (from the Swiss Army Librarian) called Story Tubes. Fun! Though this contest is sponsored by publishers, Brian Herzog points out that an individual library system could just as easily set up a contest. What a great way to get the community involved and invested! At the very least it would get people to look at the library home page, and just to have people become familiar with that is invaluable.

Thing Seventeen: ELM

Ye gads. I am ashamed to admit that I have a hard time remembering what ELM is versus MELSA versus MINITEX. I had to do a quick self-tutorial. Doh.
ELM is an amazing example of local government working for the people of MN. It's just that most people have not a clue that it exists. And a lot of people don't have a library card, which is the way that ELM resources are accessed. I suppose having a library card helps to determine that the user is a MN resident. I'm just sad that people don't realize how valuable their tax-paid library cards are. USE THEM, PEOPLE. Sorry for shouting.
With that said, I am annoyed by this exercise mostly because, again, we have to sign up for an account. Now I've used all of these resources in the past without setting up an account and it's worked just fine for me. I think I'm glad to know that these tools exist, but I couldn't cancel my account after I was done. At least, I couldn't figure out how to do it. I hate that. Also, after all the rigamarole of setting up an RSS feed, my reader was inundated with results. I would use this function sparingly. I suspect for the average user a more measured approach would be more productive. I did, however, like the ProQuest Newsstand email a web page option. And I did end up signing up for a NetLibrary account, but that was so I could practice downloading our library's new option for audiobooks.
I suppose maybe my annoyance is unfounded. It is great to have options; even multiple ways to do the same thing. I just can't stand the multiple account sign ups and I know I'm not the only one.

Thing Sixteen: Student 2.0 Tools

Boy, why didn't I have these tools when I was in school? I could've used them in grad school, too. The U of Minnesota Assignment Calculator is such a clean, simple way of kicking off an assignment in a thoughtful and organized manner. I love it that there are as many or few recommendations for helpful links as you wish to use. Somehow the "official" timeline would enable me to work more efficiently, I think, as though I had some responsibility to someone. This, as well as the Research Project Calculator, would help in so many situations-especially with written assignments. I've always had a nasty habit of doing everything at once; not entirely at the last minute, but not with enough time either. I believe that a lot of my thesis papers would have been so much better if I had given myself time to really ruminate on the research that I had done instead of instantly synthesizing it (the research) into a paper. I suppose many people do it, and the Assignment Calculator enables you to be more methodical in your process. Slick.
I've already recommended it to a friend. Hopefully she'll tell me what she thinks. I think the library should absolutely link this to an education link or a student link on the resources page.

Thing Fifteen: Online Gaming

After some reading of random 23Thing participants' blogs to see if I'm a total wet blanket about all of this online gaming stuff, I realize that I'm not the only one who has qualms about it. Second Life in particular totally creeps me out, especially after watching the Ohio University video about all the opportunities for learning and networking at their Second Life campus. Just absurd. Why would I want to go to a less aesthetically pleasing universe? So I could fly? Well, maybe; but seriously, it's not as though most people are going to Second Life to learn. People are creating virtual lives. People are creating virtual lives. Can anyone really think of anyone who could not benefit from spending more time working on REAL relationships, real jobs, real wardrobes, real bodies? Second Life is not a game. I love the computer, and this is what I fear about the computer, and the future and young people. Humans strive to avoid reality in all sorts of different ways, and this is just another way to do it.
I think Puzzle Pirates seems like a way cooler alternative, but I really didn't want to sign up for it with my new computer. I've, many times now, managed to introduce viruses to computers even though they've been armed with the latest anti-virus shields. I'm just not willing to try it.
The upshot is that I think gaming is fine. Of course people should be able to play games, and even do Second Life if they want. If there is someone at the library willing to take the reins and trot out the program, so be it. It's just not gonna be me.

Thing Fourteen: LibraryThing

In case y'all didn't notice: I added my LibraryThing widget a long time ago. There are few things more pleasurable than finding out what others have read. LibraryThing is a delightful site. I love the options of knowing what other people have read based on the similarities of their libraries to yours. I love the "more recommendations" and the(brilliant) "anti-recommendations." Seriously, choosing the hot links to either of these categories after you have found a particular book leads you to all sorts of intriguing titles. So many people are a part of LibraryThing that I think it works really well. Millions of books are represented.
And the tagging! I cannot tell you how many times I have used LibraryThing to find a book that I was unable to remember the title to. More often than not I have located seemingly un-locatable books. I think that alone is a good reason to be familiar with LibraryThing. I think it would be great to have LibraryThing integrated into our catalog. From what I gather it is a simple thing to do.
I also belong to Goodreads. Not so many people contribute, so I don't think it's as great as LibraryThing. But check it out, it has a nice feel to it also.