Final Thoughts

There are so many excellent web 2.0 tools out there I don't think there is any way they could all be covered. I think it did a good job of covering the basics, and a little beyond.

One of the things I may go play around with is backpack.
A place for keeping lists of lists, kind of.
As a list maker, I think this is FABULOUS.

I also think that it's important for staff to learn about these tools, so we can keep our patrons informed. Did I mention I thought it would be interesting and helpful to have a version of the 27 things for patrons?

I still think that a staff book review blog that patrons could access would be excellent. By genre.

All I can say is I found it rewarding, and I learned a lot even when I was helping someone else.

I have to say, I'm a little sad it's the end of the Things.

I hope there are plans for a refresher in a year or so, to see what's new, and what's changed.
Or maybe just a place for us to go as staff, and tell other staff, "look at this new cool thing".

And in review.....

So, I already wrote about a few pre-post 27 things here.

I honestly think this has been one the most fun and useful programs KCLS has done. I'm already a fan of technology, but it was also a good way to inform less technical people about Web 2.0. My personal goal, always, is to keep learning as long as I am here on earth. I think everyone can always learn something new, even about subjects they know a great deal about to start with.

The Internet has already provided me with vast amounts of information of all kinds, from the highly valuable, to the useless but entertaining. Learning 2.0 has highlighted a few tools I hadn't paid much attention to in the past - RSS feeds, specifically.

I think my favorite exercises were learning about RSS feeds, and the fabulous generator exercise (I have gotten MILES of fun out of this). But I got something out of all of them.
Flickr was the most difficult for me, and highlighted the fact I need to read directions.

I found when I needed help my fellow staff members were happy to assist. As an advocate, I was happy to help them, too. I would have helped them anyway. Having so many of us as advocates made certain there was always someone available. That was excellent. The program flexibility made it convenient to use. There were a few weeks I was swamped, it was nice to know I could catch up at my own pace. I also liked the fact it was all online - there was no mandatory attendance at any in-person class.


As for the question if I could go back in time and do it all over again - yes. No doubt.

It was an excellent experience, and I am looking forward to we as a system incorporating some of the 27 things into library tools, for staff and patrons.

My only regret is the 27 THINGS inspired me to create even MORE blogs - I think I'm up to seven or eight now.

E-Audio Books

I actually have played around with the OverDrive software, just because it is available to burn to CD.

Being one of the wretched, the musically enhanced, yes, that's right iPod owners, I hoped to be able to finagle my way into transferring it onto my POD. (I call it the POD, as sort of a nickname. Because when I use it, I am a POD person.)

I was able to burn the book to disc, and then transfer it onto my POD, however, there were no bookmarks. This meant that as long as I didn't have to charge my iPOD, everything was fine, but once I had to charge - back to the beginning. It wasn't un-do-able, it was just a pain.

It would have been great to take even HALF of the books on tape we lugged up to Alaska and back on an MP3 player instead of plastic boxes. It didn't happen this time.

I have to help patrons with the e-audio all the time, which helps me to be familiar with what we have. I am looking forward to having and MP3 player I can put books on tape on - that will be awesome!

Podcasts

Being a mainly visual/written word person I can see how podcasting might be very useful for libraries as an alternative for people who prefer audio instruction.

Instead of writing a book review, why not podcast one? Or what about recording story times for kids? You know kids, they can listen to a story a MILLION times in a row. Plus, it could be structured to be interactive with a book. While nothing beats personal interaction, most parents I know do NOT have time to read "Go Dog Go" as many times as a kid would like to hear it.

I added the RSS feed for the KCLS Law Library to my bloglines account. Just because I like Law, and information on the law, and being able to tell people there is an actual Law Library.

For hours of fun, check out the Washington State Court Records website. Just my own personal addition to "Links you may want to know about someday." Hours of fun, I tell you.