It's been a while...

So, 23 Things is over and I can now this blog for what I intended; discussion of libraries I have visited and library things of interest.

In May this year I started a new job, which involved moving a library collection from one building to another. I took loads of photographs but then lost them. Hopefully there is a recovery tool out there somewhere that can help...

Thing 23

The beginning of 23 Things is now a bit of a blur and, to be honest, it took me a while to get the hang of what it was all about - I had felt somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of information in the emails sent before it began.

As you can see from my first entry I thought the blog was just a blog - not a way to communicate my progress through the 23 Things.

It started to make sense and I was able to add the fact that I had created an iGoogle page and then I set off...

I have enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It has been interesting to explore Web 2.0 technologies that I have shyed away from (Linkedin and Twitter) and things of which I had no real understanding (Delicious and RSS Feeds). Creating a Google Document - a survey - was entertaining and learning that I can create PDFs easily with ThinkFree was a revelation.

Flickr, YouTube, Wikipedia and Facebook were familiar, but it has been useful to reflect on them and their application to the library world, and also to consider some of the functions I had not known about.

Some of the purposes of the technologies will unfold over time (I hope), such as my membership of the Humsbox Wiki, as well as Delicious and Linkedin. Some I will be pleased to leave behind - Twitter, for example! - but above all it has inspired me to keep this blog. I have had encouraging comments (received privately) from those who have looked at it and it will be an interesting forum for writing about the libraries I visit, as well as, perhaps, the books I read and the thoughts I have about all things library-ish.

Thing 22

I have added My del.icio.us to my iGoogle page. It is great because it means I don't have to sign in on a different page and try to remember the password!

There was a fantastic YouTube video - a Lego version of The Matrix - which I watched and I have added Epicurious (for people who like eating) and Library and Information Science News. I like having one place to go for things I am interested in and, unlike Facebook, where I can control how much is there so that I don't feel overwhelmed.

Thing 21

There is now a Flickr photostream at the bottom of this blog with some rather woolly pictures of Oxford in the snow!

Please also note the Poll gadget, which asks you to vote about your reading position/environment preferences.

Thing 20

I found ThinkFree rather unsatisfactory to use - it was very wobbly and slow, and it was no different to word. The one great thing is the fact that you can save documents as PDFs however, and that is useful.

Thing 19

I have created a Google Document - a short survey about escaping - and I have sent it to a number of people. In the four minutes since I sent it I have had three responses. It is an extremely quick and easy way to canvass opinion.




The other functions would also be useful in the work situation - sharing documents and allowing others to contribute, edit and update them would be helpful with documents like the Standard Responses we use at the Main Enquiry Desk.

Thing 18

I have used Wikipedia on many occasions and even cited it in an essay. It was on natural versus controlled vocabulary for the Principles of Information Retrieval module of my library qualification. Wikipedia had the best, basic definitions of what the two things were.




I have also, in the past, been interested bt the debates that can occur - one where a contributor was accused of anti-semitism in a biography they wrote (I couldn't see it myself, but I wasn't all that familiar with the subject) and versions were changed on a daily basis. That became more fascinating than any of the entries!

It is great to have so much information available but it is important to ensure that the facts are correct.

Thing 17

I have joined Humsbox - a wiki for staff dealing with humanities subjects in Oxford. My initial thoughts are that it is a bit difficult to navigate but, as explained in the email inviting me to join, it is a work in progress. My brain doesn't always work in the way that these things are set up! I do not yet feel competent to contribute...

Thing 16

I've started a conversation but I will have to wait and see what happens...

Thing 15

Help! I am no longer living in the 1930s! I am now firmly in the 21st Century because I have a Twitter account.

So, I've signed up, I've asked "what IS happening?" and I've clicked on 'Follow' for The Tate, Penguin Books and Grey Thinking.

I guess it is a way of rapidly exchanging comments but I can't yet see what effect it will have and how it relates to libraries.

'Twittering women' never had good connotations...

Thing 14

I have created a Linkedin account. It is an interesting way of making details of your professional life available - I wonder how much people are approached about their work or are offered new opportunites?

The Reading List function is good - easy to use - although I included books I am reading for pleasure, which may not be of interest professionally!

Linkedin is a much more 'serious' site than Facebook - you cannot become a fan of such things as 'sleep' or 'Joyce Grenfell' or take part in strange quizzes. I am not yet sure how interactive it is.

Thing 13

I have been on Facebook for some time, in order to keep in touch with friends around the world. I was reluctant at first but now I enjoy keeping up with other people's lives.

The groups I am part of and of which I am a fan include the British Library, Unshelved (great cartoons about libraries from the point of view of staff on a desk), Penguin, Maya Angelou and Haruki Murakami. It is great to have news of these people and groups, all set up in one place.

And thus, it is a good place for libraries to broadcast news of developments and changes, new stock, opening hours and other useful information. It also fosters a greater sense of a library as a community.

On a less useful note, I also am the founder member of the Jean-Pierre Mialon Appreciation Society...

Thing 12

Ahh, Library Ninjas. What a great thing YouTube is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZdeVuEJ-s0

Thing 11

I have subscribed to podcasts of BBC Radio 4's Midweek, having listened to it on my computer at home. It is really useful to be alerted to new episodes and - should I wish to - add them to my MP3 player.

Thing 10

I have added the Zoology Library to my network - lots of websites about birds and bees!

Thing 9

I susupect Delicious may be more useful than I thought. My username is crowleye_1975 and I have added some helpful, librarianly bookmarks such as OxLIP+, EThos (the British Library's thesis service) and ABE Books.

Thing 7 & 8

I created a Flickr account and loaded some pictures of Oxford in the snow. I then edited a couple on Picnik. Both were simple enough but in comparison with Snapfish or the Kodak Gallery that came with my digital camera, they seemed a bit too simple.

Things 1 to 6

I have finally made some progress! I have set up my iGoogle account, I have signed up for a Google Reader and I have subscribed to some RSS feeds - the blogs of two ex-trainees who are avid readers. Great stuff!

In June 2009 I visited libraries in Goettingen, Hamburg, Roskilde and Copenhagen. Details and pictures to follow...