Final Thoughts on Learn and Play

Loved It!
Learned It!
Had fun with It!
Could have used a bit more time with It! (Literally finished the last 7 steps in the last two hours).

I do plan on continuing my tech education by going back to some of the steps I moved through more quickly than I would have liked. I hope CML keeps the Learn and Play site active so we can continue to revist and learn some areas in more depth.

Overall....Learn and Play Rocks! Great Experience!

MOLDI

I am very familiar with MOLDI since I help customers troubleshoot and find titles on MOLDI while working InfoLine. I had a staff member tell me a wonderful story today about helping a student find a needed title MOLDI at the last hour. The important lesson here, is, consider all options when looking for resources for customers. Continue to think outside the box in finding what they need...don't just stop at DP or ILL. MOLDI is an excellent resource for those "on the go" but we also need to remember it is a great back up resource for students and book clubs, etc.

Pod Casts

I'm not too crazy about Podcasts at this point. I will explore futher, when I have more time. I did peruse some of the podcast directories and it was almost overwhelming to choose.

You Tube

Thanks to my son, and some friends, I have become very familiar with YouTube over the last year or so. My favorites include comedy and animals. I've also witnessed my nephew doing a strip tease with a friend. (oh boy!) I do have some concerns that content can vary and my child could stumble across some questionable videos. But, just like we tell parents at the library, that is my responsibility to monitor what she is viewing online. Overall, I think You Tube is fun. If I could just pull myself away from Pogo more often, I would spend more time on You Tube!

CML's Toolbox

I'm working on this from home and I've had the CML tool bar installed since day one. What I never noticed, however, were the links at the bottom of the page. I discovered Stumbleupon on our toolbox page. Its really cool...helps you find websites that are of interest to you. Love it!

Web 2.0 Awards

I had fun with this one. I plan on going back and exploring some more when I have more time (working under the Dec 3rd deadline right now). I looked up a chronic condition my husband was just diagnosed with and, being a Pogo lover, I had to check out the other game sites. What fun!

Google Docs

All I can say is....that totally rocks! While I am still thinking about the various uses of Google Docs at the library, I know it will be extremely handy at home. My daughter is getting to the age where she needs to type up documents and create presentations for school. This discovery will make our lives so much easier and creative! Thank You Learn and Play!

Wiki Sandbox

I've asked for an account but apparently it takes awhile before you really have an account. As soon as I get notification that I'm "good" I'll attach my blog. In the meantime, since I'm working under the wire, I'll post this for now! I do love Wiki's by the way. They Rock!

Library 2.0

I've got to do a lot more reading on this subject, but at first glance (or should I say first article read) I find the concept of Library 2.0 exciting. Its time that the library become more user driven! Duh! That is how we keep them coming back..our users are part of the process and thus, a part of their library. So many customers refert to CML as "my" library. With Library 2.0 that will now really become their reality!

Wiki's

Now...here is something I am familiar with. Almost a year ago, Keith(IT) and I met to discuss the Tactical Plan item in which IT supports InfoLine. I told him I envisioned an on-line Rolodex in which all the information we need on the phone is literally at our fingertips. We created a small working group that included our Wiki Team and two IT staff members to create our own personal Wiki that would serve the function of a "Rolodex". 8 months later we have an awesome Wiki (WikiMart) designed specifically for our needs. So much of what we need while on the phone is literally just 2 clicks away. Here is the link if you'd like to take a look.
!

Just think...a year ago, when I met with Keith and he said "how about we create a Wiki for you?". And I said "Wiki What?" Now...I'm a Wiki Fan

Delicious

Okay...I've got my Delicious account up and running. I really didn't see the point of this account because I thought it was the same as a favorites bookmark. Type A Librarian then explained to me that Delicious follows me wherever I go! Way cool...a traveling bookmark!

Library Thing

I finally had some time to play around on Library Thing. I love it! I posted a few favorite titles but, to me, the most exciting part is finding all kinds of reading recommnedations by people with tastes similiar to mine! I plan on returning to Library Thing very often.

Twitter

As I continue to work on catch up for Learn and Play, I actually skipped Library Thing for now (although I did open an account on Library Thing) and went straight to Twitter. I've heard so much about Twitter, I just had to get on board. I've now got my Twitter opened and ready to go but not sure that I have anything interesting to say yet. I guess I'll tweet slowly as I get more comfortable. Tweet Tweet!!

Image Generator

Okay...using today to catch up and had some time to play with an online image generator. I made my own personal CML dog tag. I will be playing with this fun little gizmo a lot more! Its cool!

Library Blogs

Today I started following two library related blogs. I've added two of my favorites: Type A Librarian and LibraryBytes. This is really fun and interesting and I hope to find others I can add and follow in the library world.

RSS Feeds

I have fallen behind in my Learn and Play but I did get through the RSS Feeds last week. I'm still not sure how to add favorite bloggers and other sites but I do have a CNN feed on my google account. I'm going to keep plugging away until I get this. One thing for sure...I don't give up easily!

Technology saving lives

I was watching the Today Show this morning and saw a story about two young mothers, one here in the US, and the other in England. They first met online through chat on a pregnancy Web site, BabyFit.com, when they were both expecting. Their respective daughters, Rowan Santos and Lileth Robb, were born on the same day last August, spurring a continuing friendship through regular e-mails and photo-sharing.

When Santos posted a photo of 1-year-old Rowan on the Web site, her friend noticed a white shadow in the baby’s left eye.

Robb found the image curious, so she did some research on the Web. She learned that the white area could be a symptom of an eye cancer called retinoblastoma.

From her home in England, Robb sent a concerned e-mail to Santos. Immediately, Santos made an appointment with Rowan's doctor. A series of tests revealed Rowan did have a cancerous tumor growing on her retina.

Little Rowan will survive this cancer because a friend hundreds of miles away saw the symptom on an online picture! Personally, it is stories like this that make me realize the technology used to share and communicate can sometimes go far beyond "fun". It can actually save lives!

My soulmate

Mindy, our dog, who ate anything...
Originally uploaded by exfordy

I played with flickr today. What fun! I downloaded a picture of my daughter and edited it too! I can't wait to add more pics to my file. While exploring, I found this adorable picture of a chubby puppy who has dreams very similar to mine!

My First Blog

I am up and running with my very first blog! I know Type A Librarian will be very proud!

I really never considered blogging before since I didn't think I'd have anything interesting to share. Hopefully, I'll be able to come up with something entertaining from time to time!