Musings

• I finally re-joined the American Library Association. The re-design of their new site will definitely improve things.
• Whenever someone mentions Cocoa Beach, I think of a giant expanse by the water filled with Cocoa Puffs. No Lie.
  
• Happy 42nd Anniversary, Mum and Dad (not actually sure my parents know what a blog is)!!!
  

It's Good to be a St. Paulite?

photo by Moncrief Speaks




Have you heard? The RNC starts tomorrow in my front-backyard (that's what my child calls the backyard; also, the backseat is the "front-backseat." wha?). I'm totally dreading it, but at least Bush won't be here and thank God McCain chose the worst running-mate ever.

My friend and her child are going to the rally/protest at the capital, but I just don't have it in me.

photo by the_bill
I'm going to bury my head at the last day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. And mourn the passing of another glorious summer.

Thing 23. Final Thoughts

I kind of jumped the gun. I over and out-ed before I was actually done. I completed the evaluation, and the one thing that I really DISliked about these exercises is the trail one has to leave when exploring the 'net. I mean, I fear THE MAN, among others, and I don't want to be tracked. So social networking, as it's name implies, isn't really for people who don't want to be social. To millions of people that is. I mean, I don't mind meeting some of you for a drink or something...

Thing 22. What Did I Learn Today?

Doing 23Things was such a great way to systematically work through some of the most important technological advances taking place on the internet. It is so important to know about these things mainly because, no matter what, someone will walk up to that desk and ask us.
But the other thing for libraries is that so many of these things are FREE. Free word of mouth, free advertising, free organization, free graphic design. For so long libraries have offered such a wealth of resources for (virtually) free. These Things are part and parcel of the philosophy of a public library (which is my domain, anyway).
One thing that makes me happy is how much I knew already. One of the challenges of being in the position of being very "green" in the library industry is being sure of paying attention to the proper advances. I work very limited hours at the library and my other job has absolutely no computer time involved, so the tools that I was already using and the blogs that I had been watching were actually right on target. Having this, as I've said, systematic approach to exploration just helped me to organize my research.
I will try to continue blogging.
I will absolutely continue monitoring my RSS feeds.
I will use these applications as needed.

Thanks for bearing with me.

Thing 21. Beyond MySpace: Other Social Networks

Yawn. I do belong to social networks, as you well know: flickr (though only for friends and family to view), LibraryThing, Goodreads, and MySpace (as a kind of shadow participant). I think that while it's a great idea for libraries to keep abreast of the multitude of social networks, I also believe that time needs to be invested to monitor the importance of the networks that pop up all over the place. There are soooo many. Gather, for instance: I just have no desire to join a social network that is basically indistinguishable from another except that the participants are older. Even after reading the article about Gather wanting to become like a MySpace for Books, I didn't feel compelled. At all.
WebJunction however... I think I'll probably bookmark this site and search for more links as far as online learning and career networking. It seems useful, especially in that there is a Minnesota contingent. God knows, LinkedIn feels somehow soul-less. I hate corporate and LinkedIn feels corporate.
I think the beauty of social networking is that it is there when you need it. For instance, how wonderful to find a ready made group when you are adopting a child or when you are looking for a job in a particular field. I do use social networking. When I need it.

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.