Thing 23: Program Summary

23 Things has been a great learning experience. Many of the Things I knew by name only. Had it not been for this structured opportunity, I wouldn't have taken the time to play with them. The links and suggested readings were helpful. I found it useful to see how other libraries and librarians are using these technologies, and hope to see Howard County Library do even more with them. As a next step, I'm interested in reading Michael Stephens' two part Library Technology Reports on Web 2.0 and Libraries. Part 1: Best Practices and Social Software; Part 2: Trends and Technologies.

I'd like to thank the creators of Maryland Libraries Learning 2.0, and Jaye Holly for the role she played in making this happen for Howard County Library staff. I would welcome the oportunity to participate in another discovery program in the future.

Thing 22: Downloadable Audiobooks

I know something about Overdrive and NetLibrary since we add MARC records for those titles to our online catalog. So, I decided to investigate Project Gutenberg which I knew by name only. I was amazed to read that "tens of thousands of volunteers" have contributed to the project. I tried searching for an older, little known title, and bingo. A girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter is a book that my mother-in-law talked about reading as a girl. I was able to find it, and the download from ibiblio took only a few seconds. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Gutenberg also includes The Sheet Music Project for which volunteers have digitized public domain sheet music for study and performance.

Thing 21: Podcasts

The word podcast has become a part of everyday vocabulary, but I hadn't subscribed to one through an RSS feed until doing this exercise. I discovered LibVibe Library News, and it only took a single click on "Subscribe" to add this to my Bloglines account. The synopsis of stories which Bloglines lists for each podcast date is helpful in determining whether you want to spend the six minutes listening.

Thing 20: YouTube

Finding Time in The Penn State Libraries is a 1 minute, 12 seconds race to locate Time Magazine, set to Flight of the Bumblebee. I can pull up Time in our AquaBrowser interface in a mere 12 seconds by searching Time, then clicking on Format > Magazine / Newspaper. OK, maybe I have an advantage over our average customer because I understand how refining is set up in AquaBrowser.

I've looked at lots of YouTube videos over the past few months, but was surprised that Yahoo was at the top of the video site list. I hadn't looked at Yahoo, Google, or the myriad of others on that list. Had no trouble placing the video on my blog, but will admit that I first visited the Help Center to discover the steps involved.

Thing 19: Web 2.0 Awards List

I selected the music category, and spent a few minutes playing with Last.fm. Earlier I stumbled upon myblogtunes and added a station with a song to my blog, but was disappointed with that site because there was no classical music. Last.fm is also from the Music Genome project, but has LOTS more content and a substantial amount of classical music. I was even able to listen to some Percy Grainger, whose arrangements have become some of my favorite band repertoire.

Thing 18: Online Productivity Tools

The KOHA scope of work document was created with Google docs, and I found it very easy to edit existing text and add my own content: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dctjzkv5_0ghkd4f&hl=en

I liked the simplicity of Zoho Writer, so I signed up so I can play with a test spreadsheet. I need to create one for my volunteer work with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The challenge will be getting the other flotilla officers who report to me to use it since some of them have limited computer skills.

Thing 17: Learning 2.0 SandBox Wiki

Playing in the sandbox reinforced how easy it is to set up a wiki. Here's the link to my creation:
http://marylandlibrariessandbox.pbwiki.com/Favorite+Spots+On+The+Water

Thing 16: Wikis

I was quite impressed with the Oregon Librarian Instruction Wiki, and the great links to all the technology topics we've been trying out: http://instructionwiki.org/Library_2.0_in_15_minutes_a_day.
This quote kind of sums up the concept of wikis "stop reinventing the wheel".

A wiki might work for our implementation of KOHA since there will be many of us working on different aspects of the project.

Thing 15: Web 2.0 and the Future of Libraries

In his article, Away from the icebergs, Rick Anderson says "patrons will expect access to everything". Our implementation of the AquaBrowser catalog interface started Howard County Library down the future path with its ranking of popular titles in search results, faceted browsing, and RSS feeds. AquaBrowser improved access to our electronic resources, and spidering has provided access to a subset of Medline Plus, The Library of Congress' American Memory Collection, and the content of the Library's website.

Moving to the open-source ILS, KOHA, will take us further down the future path. The ability to implement FRBR in the display of titles from our collection, where all versions of a title will be concatenated into a single hit, will be a breakthrough. I'm especially excited about implementing social networking through KOHA. The content that will be added through customer tagging, reviews and rankings can only serve to enhance findability through our catalog.

Thing 14: Technorati

Technorati is currently having technical issues. When I tried to claim my blog, I got "Technorati is borked right now!!!" I was able to add a topic to my watchlist: KOHA. Of course I got all kind of interesting posts, but found some discussions about the open source ILS we'll be implementing. Linked to some of the Top Favorite Blogs, Top Searches, and Top Blogs. Was amazed at the high numbers of "Authorities" (blog reactions).

Thing 13: Tagging and Del.icio.us

The 12 minute tutorial provided a basic visual overview, and then I browsed through the topics on the PLCMCL2 account. "SL2.0 Guides: Tagging" caught my eye with its description "Good article that contrasts and compares cataloging to tagging." http://schoolof.info/infomancy/?p=214
From there I discovered this great social bookmarking PDF: http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7001.pdf
The sharing aspect of folksonomy makes this a really valuable tool.

Francis Scott Key Buoy

This photo was taken from my boat on our last Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol, but you don't have to be on the water to see it. If you're driving southbound over the Key Bridge, look into the harbor just to the right of the bridge. The red, white, and blue buoy marks "the spot where HMS Surprise was anchored the night of September 14, 1814 as a British fleet attempted to bombard Fort McHenry. Alongside was moored the sloop of Francis Scott Key who had come out to negotiate a prisoner exchange, and was being held until the battle was over. The next morning, as the smoke cleared over Fort McHenry, Mr. Key saw the oversized American flag still flying over the fort, and was inspired to write down his thoughts in poetry." -- Description from everything2.com. Photo by Auxiliarist Clement Chan.

Thing 12: Rollyo

This one was frustrating because I had to spend a lot of time getting it to work the way I wanted. I successfully added the search box to my blog, but had trouble saving my Searchroll. I was disappointed to not receive any reply to the inquiry I sent to the Rollyo folks. I was telling Joan Langley about my frustration, and together we spent some time playing with it. Through trial and error we were able to get the Chesapeake Bay search to work.

Heron at sunrise

I've gotten hooked on searching flickr for pics of the Bay.

Heron at sunrise
Originally uploaded by 8230This&That

The colors in this one are outstanding. Click on it to enlarge the view.

Thing 11: LibraryThing

I've been receiving an RSS feed for LibraryThing through my Blogarithm account for a few months. It has been interesting to read about its ongoing evolution. Tonight I added a widget to my blog using random book covers.

myBlogTunes

I've set up a radio station using myBlogTunes. To listen to it, click on Select a station, and choose hollyjohnson's New Station from the dropdown box. It takes a few seconds to start playing.

Enya Book Of Days Lyrics

One day, one night, one moment,my dreams could be, tomorrow.One step, one fall, one falter,east or west, over earth or by ocean.One way to be my journey,this way could be my Book of Days. Ó lá go lá, mo thuras,an bealach fada romham.Ó oíche go hoíche, mo thuras,na scéalta nach mbeidh a choích.No day, no night, no moment,can hold me back from trying.I'll flag, I'll fall, I'll falter,I'll find my day may be, Far and Away.Far and Away.One day, one night, one moment,with a dream to believe in.One step, one fall, one falter,and a new earth across a wide ocean.This way became my journey,this day ends together, Far and Away. This day ends together, Far and Away.Far and Away.

Thing 10: Online image generator

Now that was fun! Reminded me of playing with paper dolls when I was a kid. Had no trouble exporting my avatar to my blog.

Thing 9: MERLIN and Technorati

Subscribed to MERLIN. When I have time, plan to check out Ning.com. Joined Technorati, and subscribed to blogs on Koha.

Thing 8: RSS & news feeds

I had set up Bloglines awhile ago, but hadn't taken the time to add much. Doing 23 Things gave me the opportunity, so I added a combination of personal and work-related interests.

Thing 7: Technology post

The DVD format war between HD DVD and Blu-ray is pretty annoying. When they become available, I would purchase "Spider Man 3" and The Bourne Ultimatum, but don't want to have to chose one format or the other. At least some movies like Pirates of the Caribbean - World's End will be released in both formats. I was curious if a machine was available that plays both, and found this article about a combo player:http://hometheater.about.com/od/blurayandhddvd/fr/bh100fullreview.htm
I'm certainly not going to pay $1,000 for it, so guess I'll be one of those waiting on the sidelines to see who emerges victorious.

Thing 6 - Flickr mashups

Chesapeake Bay
Originally uploaded by beccaxsos

A search in Montager pulled up 500 thumbnails for the Chesapeake Bay. This mosaic can be emailed using the link below: http://www.deviousgelatin.com/montager/image.php?image=1342108095

Thing 5 - Flickr: Chesapeake Bay Rewards

Chesapeake Bay Sunset II
Originally uploaded by jmark99

Heading into your anchorage after a day on the water, makes all that boat maintenance work worthwhile. The Bay offers something for everyone - whether you like a busy port of call like Annapolis, or to drop the hook in a secluded spot like Cacaway Island.

Things 3 & 4: Set up blog/registration

Yes, the blog was super easy to set up. This is my fourth post. I've completed the registration, and emailed the Second Holly.

Thing 2: Pointers from Lifelong Learners

Points 1-6 were all common sense to me, but #7 gave me pause for thought. Thinking over the teaching/mentoring I've done this past year, I realize that teaching or showing someone else did help solidify my knowledge. The point that will be the hardest for me is taking time to "play" when other responsibilities are always there.

Thing 1: About this program

I stumbled upon this program last Fall when doing research for RSS training. At the ALCTS national conference I attended last June, I found myself bragging to others that we would be doing this program at Howard County Library!

What's in a Name?

Jaye Holly and I share a name. Even though it's my first and her last, I've received emails and even phone calls meant for her. So now I'm setting the record straight. I was here first! And I thought sharing my name with all those other Johnsons was bad ...

Holly Johnson, the First Holly