Thing Fourteen
Library 2.0 is an upcoming model for libraries that allow users to have a more active role in the day-to-day operation of the library, giving the patrons the ability to shape libraries of the future. To me, it sounds like a democracy is being created between the librarian, the members of the community and the library users. The patrons are encouraged to give feedback on book selections, technology and operational procedures of the library. I do feel that most libraries today have evolved from the "traditional, one-directional offerings" as stated in the
Library 2.0 article from Wikipedia to a more user-friendly one. I know that other librarians and I provide the faculty and students the opportunity to fill out questionnaires on materials needed. Also, I try to listen to students' and teachers' requests and interests so that I can make purchases according to their needs and the requirements of the curriculum. Teachers are given a library evaluation form, providing the chance to suggest ways to improve the library so that it meets their needs and the students. The MISD online catalog also allows for suggestions or questions to the librarian. Students and community members have access to the district's and school's web page, offering access to databases and the online catalog of books.
In Librarian's 2.0 Manifesto, many of us already "go where users are" by visiting classrooms and the computer lab. Also, we are already "an active participant in moving my library forward" by completing the "23 Things." Therefore, I think the Mesquite libraries are moving toward the future with our blog, web page, the completion of the "23 Things," and the inclusion of students' and teachers' participation and suggestions. However, thoughts still need to be given to the privacy of the librarian and its users and not force them in to joining MySpace, Facebook and other networks that can invade or compromise their privacy and personal space.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tagging and Social Bookmarking
Thing Thirteen
Del.icio.us and Furl are two social bookmarking sites that offer a way to organize, store, or discover web bookmarks from other users. Since they are sites that collectively organizes bookmarks through tagging, users can view bookmarks from other users with similar interests or read their comments on the article. Thus, making research possibly easier by searching other users' stored web pages and seeing how they also tagged the information.
One aspect of Furl that is beneficial is it "privately archives a complete copy of the html of each web page that a user bookmarks." This allows one access to the article researched even if it has been modified, removed from the web site, or if the web site is down. While researching, I can recall a couple of times that this archival feature would have been assisted me when an earlier article I wanted to use could not be accessed or located. Also, several times students have researched one day and returned the next day at a loss where to locate the previously used article. Since so many middle school students are poor note takers and fail to properly cite the source, Furl would be an advantage to libraries. Therefore, creating bookmarks and improving the accessibility of articles in personal or library research are advantages of social bookmarking. My problem is finding the time to do it.
Del.icio.us and Furl are two social bookmarking sites that offer a way to organize, store, or discover web bookmarks from other users. Since they are sites that collectively organizes bookmarks through tagging, users can view bookmarks from other users with similar interests or read their comments on the article. Thus, making research possibly easier by searching other users' stored web pages and seeing how they also tagged the information.
One aspect of Furl that is beneficial is it "privately archives a complete copy of the html of each web page that a user bookmarks." This allows one access to the article researched even if it has been modified, removed from the web site, or if the web site is down. While researching, I can recall a couple of times that this archival feature would have been assisted me when an earlier article I wanted to use could not be accessed or located. Also, several times students have researched one day and returned the next day at a loss where to locate the previously used article. Since so many middle school students are poor note takers and fail to properly cite the source, Furl would be an advantage to libraries. Therefore, creating bookmarks and improving the accessibility of articles in personal or library research are advantages of social bookmarking. My problem is finding the time to do it.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Social Networking
Thing Twelve
This was a very time-consuming, thought-provoking "Thing" for me. As an educator, I guess it is important to know about social networking, since it has become a raging teen fad, and many of the students probably have a MySpace profile. Even though these networks may help one learn about the interests and social aspects of our students or help one find a friend with similar personality traits, I see no educational value in them. There are too many controversial, privacy and moral issues surrounding these networks. Nearly every day there is an article in the news or the newspaper of some child or adult who has fallen prey to some deranged individual who had access to private information posted in his profile. As Jacquielynn Floyd stated in her editorial in DMN, "I am genuinely surprised that so many people wish to share their photos, likes and dislikes and personal preferences in so public a setting, as if they were renting billboards." If I had to give a reason why I would like these networks, I guess it would be the contact one could have to family and friends, but I am perfectly happy using email or the phone. The useful feature feature might be having contacts with similar social interests, but I still would not want to see these sites as part of a library or educational purpose. I personally would not want to be responsible for any legal issues that might occur. Therefore, I am extremely hesitant and having a difficult time joining one of these social networks, but I guess I must to receive credit for "Thing 12." As Ms. Floyd stated, for a culture that seems to "cherish individual privacy, we certainly seem to be in a hurry to throw it away."
Here is my link to my Facebook Profile.
I was unable to access Ning, the school-related groups on Ning, or the Mesquite Librarians Ning Network due to the override. It was blocked due to pornography, nudity, etc. I have been very hesitant to join these groups, but I guess I am required to receive credit. I tried at home and saw a different link than at school. I am now a reluctant member of the Ning Network and Facebook.
This was a very time-consuming, thought-provoking "Thing" for me. As an educator, I guess it is important to know about social networking, since it has become a raging teen fad, and many of the students probably have a MySpace profile. Even though these networks may help one learn about the interests and social aspects of our students or help one find a friend with similar personality traits, I see no educational value in them. There are too many controversial, privacy and moral issues surrounding these networks. Nearly every day there is an article in the news or the newspaper of some child or adult who has fallen prey to some deranged individual who had access to private information posted in his profile. As Jacquielynn Floyd stated in her editorial in DMN, "I am genuinely surprised that so many people wish to share their photos, likes and dislikes and personal preferences in so public a setting, as if they were renting billboards." If I had to give a reason why I would like these networks, I guess it would be the contact one could have to family and friends, but I am perfectly happy using email or the phone. The useful feature feature might be having contacts with similar social interests, but I still would not want to see these sites as part of a library or educational purpose. I personally would not want to be responsible for any legal issues that might occur. Therefore, I am extremely hesitant and having a difficult time joining one of these social networks, but I guess I must to receive credit for "Thing 12." As Ms. Floyd stated, for a culture that seems to "cherish individual privacy, we certainly seem to be in a hurry to throw it away."
Here is my link to my Facebook Profile.
I was unable to access Ning, the school-related groups on Ning, or the Mesquite Librarians Ning Network due to the override. It was blocked due to pornography, nudity, etc. I have been very hesitant to join these groups, but I guess I am required to receive credit. I tried at home and saw a different link than at school. I am now a reluctant member of the Ning Network and Facebook.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The LibraryThing
LibraryThing would be a great site for those who have a large collection of books at home and wanted to catalog their books, sort them by subjects, or share their collection with others. Using LibraryThing , I could access other people's catalog who share similar reading tastes and discover recommendations of books to read. The ratings and reviews would also help me decide if I wanted the books before purchasing them, which would be useful for personal or school-related purchases. I am already excited because as I was adding books to my catalog I discovered one of my favorite authors is publishing a new book. It is Where Are You Now? by Mary Higgins Clark. Can't wait until March 2008!!
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