Thing 21: Podcasts

When I saw "Ask a Ninja" on the Maryland Libraries 2.0 task page, I was super excited. If you're having a bad day and you need a pick-me-up, just type in "Ask a Ninja" into a YouTube search and prepare to feel better than you did previously...

On to podcasting - this is something I've listened to off of iTunes a couple of times and I know there's a category on my iPod for these, but I haven't used it as much as I'd like to thus far. After searching through some podcast topics, I decided to add The Animation Podcast to my Bloglines account. Animation is a topic discussed quite a bit in our house, so this will help me keep up with the conversation. :)

One of the neatest things from attending the MLA conference was a podcasting station where you could give feedback on the conference. Robyn, James and I made a podcast on a session we attended and it was posted on the 2007 MLA conference wiki. I was going to see if I could try to post it here, but I can't seem to find it. At any rate, it was really neat to see how instant and easy it is to create a podcast.

Thing 22: Audiobooks

Ugg...I know I said viewing problems as challenges is an easier thing for me, but I'll be honest. I really was not looking forward to playing with Net Library again. I've used it in the past, to no avail, but I tried to keep an open mind and start from scratch like I was using it for the first time.

After playing with it again...

I still can't download to my iPod (which I know from researching this has to do primarily with Apple, and while I -heart- Apple, this kinda ticks me off). Since I don't have a different MP3 player, I'd have to sit at the computer and listen to a book. No thanks -- I'm not really a big audiobook fan. My mind wanders when I try to listen to them. I can't tell you how many I've tried to listen to in the car...I mean everything from Freckle Juice to Janet Evanovich to a variety of biographies.

I also couldn't find some of the books I was searching for. Not to be a "Debbie Downer," but Net Library? Not for me.

Thing 19: Web 2.0 Awards

The Web 2.0 awards are pretty neat, especially if you're looking for the best of the best and don't have/want to spend a lot of time just searching yourself for great sites.

I was immediately drawn toward the music category and I am now...not ashamed at all...to admit I'm hooked on Pandora. Register for free (unless you want to take your music with you, i.e. iPod, etc.-- then there's a charge), choose a favorite artist, and they will create a radio "playlist" of artists similar to the one you've selected.

The really cool part is that Pandora will save your choices so you can revisit them. While listening, if you don't care for a particular song/artist, you can take them out of your list. I'm loving this site!

Thing 18: Online Productivity Tools

Good idea! Since I have a Google account, I registered with Google Docs. This is really going to help on those days when I want to work on something at home and I forget my flash drive. I used Google Docs to add the work I've already created for my fall storybox and now I can tweak and add things to it, if I get inspired (or am procrastinating doing laundry). Nice!

Thing 17: Sandbox Wiki

I added a favorite food to the Sandbox Wiki and read a couple of the other posts. While I'm crazy about Wikipedia, this wiki didn't really peak my interest as much as the "Wiki of all wikis." No biggie...not every Thing can be a favorite. :)

Thing 16: Wild About Wikis

Hi, my name is Julie and I'm a wikiholic.
To quote Pat J., "it's a non-stop train!"

At home, I find myself on Wikipedia, feverishly searching some tidbit of information -- and by golly, I'll end up on some crazy (I use the term mildly) adventure...that wastes a couple precious hours.

Libraries have their own wikis!?! I've had fun searching the St. Joseph County Public Library's Subject Guides and used the MLA Conference wiki briefly back in May.

I think wikis could be used in a variety of ways throughout the library. What if book clubs posted their book selections on a wiki and linked to more information regarding the author and kindred books? Gosh, we could even link to the databases in the different subject areas.

Out of the 23 Things thus far, I think this is in the top 3. So...can we do this? :)

Thing 15: "To infinity...and beyond!"

What an exciting time to be part of the library community! Times, they are a-changing, and we really need to step it up and keep as current and user friendly as possible. I think Rick Anderson pretty much says what I think regarding the future of libraries:

No profession can survive if it throws its core principles and values overboard in response to every shift in the zeitgeist. However, it can be equally disastrous when a profession fails to acknowledge and adapt to radical, fundamental change in the marketplace it serves.

It will be exciting to see where 23 Things/Library 2.0/Web 2.0 takes us. :)