Geocaching and wrap up

I had never heard of Geocaching, but this looks like a lot of fun! A new version of orienteering. I had a look at the Geocaching site and was surprised to see the amount of caches that have been hidden in my local area. Most of them had been found within the past month, so it is a well used social network. It could be used by anyone and great for families looking for some fun that doesn't cost anything, very rare now days.

I did wonder how a library could use this site, but after having a look at some of the examples I can see that with a bit of creative thinking this could be used to enhance such things as Children's book week activities or for children's holiday programs.

To wrap this up, I have enjoyed doing the course and have learnt a lot of new skills. Some of the programs I will probably never use again but at least I know what they are all about now and can keep up with the kids to a certain extent. I did feel that some of the lessons  took longer than others and the time allocated wasn't enough. It was fun!!

Podcasting

This is something I think could be very useful in the library. It could be used by local community groups, such as the local writers centre or sharing group to promote their members work. Local writers could place podcasts on a librarys home page with different writers work for example, for the borrowers of the library to download at there leisure. This would promote the centre and the individual writer. The winners of competions such as Mary Durak could have their work loaded onto the library homepage for others to listen to.

Podcasts open up a relm of possibilities  really.  Other things that come to mind are guest speakers talks. Maybe a storytime session for those that can't make it to the library that week. The list could be endless.

Online Video

Well I hope everyone enjoyed that video as much as I did. I chose this video as Elmo is my grand daughters favorite character and her Elmo goes everywhere with her. Elmo and Katy Perry is an unusual combination but its just a bit of fun. On a serious side I can see how this kind of thing would be useful for libraries. Throughout this course we have been using it and I can see how online training for the public could be set up.  Such as small sessions on how to use the online cataloge for example.

Facebook and Twitter

I have been a facebook user for some years now so have a good knowledge of the ins and outs of the program. Being the first generation Australian on both my mothers and fathers side I have a large proportion of my family living over seas. I have found by using facebook it has allowed me to keep up to date with family and friends on a daily basis. Not just the older generation but the younger ones as well. I don't befriend everyone, just select people and I make sure my security is up to date. So sorry Midland Swan library I will not be adding you to my friend list. I have had a look at a few of the libraries facebook pages and can see how this would appeal to readers. Especially the younger generation. It is a great way to keep readers up to date on a daily basis of activities within the library and also to get customer feedback. Hopefully only nice feedback!

I don't think I would get into Twitter.  I'm not the kind of person to let the world know what I'm up too on a regular basis.  Again  I think it would be rather time consuming and could become rather addictive. Like facebook I can see how it can be used in a library. Keeping borrowers up to date and for getting customer feedback. During this course I will be following a couple of work mates on Twitter and of course Jamie Oliver and Johnny Depp. mmmm Johnny Depp.


 So if you would like to tweet me go to  :  www.twitter.com/Gumtrees12 

Happy tweeting everyone!

Delicious/ My Library things

Delicious? mmm O.k seems like a good way to keep all your favorite sites nicely together. I can see how this site could be used in a library. All those web pages that are just floating around the online catalogue system with no real reason to them could be added and tagged and placed in a delicious site . Here is my site. As you will see if you decide to have a look I have only spent minimal time here, as usual I could waste a lost of time tagging and surfing to add things but have decided not too.


http://www.delicious.com/alispar70  


My Library things is another site that I could have spent a lot of time at. Imagine sending a bunch of Library worker to a site like this!! Anyway, I managed to get my widget to work after much huffing and puffing and have added a small selection of titles that I have really enjoyed.  I feel that this would be a rather useful tool for libraries.  The library bookclub could have a link to there site from the library home page for other readers to get ideas, or the staff could have a library site to review books and give ideas to readers. There really is a lot of potential here. This is the link to my page.


http://www.librarything.com/home/gumtreelibrary

Wiki?

Today I have been learning about Wiki's. I have watched the videos and read the information and visited a few sites. Added to the course wiki and now have to write my own blog. I wondered what I would use this information for so decided to do a search on a topic that I'm interested in and see what is on offer. So a google search was done for "travel wiki".

I came across

Free Worldwide Travel Guides - Wikitravel 

Wow! Everything you will ever need is here. Quite a comprehensive guide and in many other languages. Its more than a travel guide really. You have to be a member to edit this site so the information should be correct and up to date. You wouldn't want to be stranded in some far off country searching Wikitravel on your iphone for the next bus to civilisation if the information wasn't correct!

For the library enviroment, I can see a use for it. A page set up for Childrens librarians to source ideas. A public libraries Wiki for upcoming events for Shires maybe. There are endless possabilities.

I have found a way to get my daily Jamie fix. Thankyou RSS Aggregators!!

Today I have been learning about RSS Aggregators. Well this opens a can of worms!! How much time could I waste subscribing to all the things I would like to be kept updated on, then how much time could I waste reading about all the things I would like to be kept updated on. On the other hand used in a library environment I can see a use for it. For example it could be useful to keep patrons updated on new books to the library or the library news letter could be subscribed to for up coming events. Librarians can subscribe  to all the latest titles information. Here are a couple of pages I have subscribed to, the first is:

Jamies Daily recipes: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32402/f/467087/index.rss

That one kills two birds with one stone. My love of Jamie Oliver, I just love his food and now my work mates will never have to hear my cry of, "Help! Tell me what your having for dinner tonight so I can cook the same thing." Yes, this does happen on a regular basis.

The rest are not so exciting as the first but are also useful:

http://www.booksonline.com/ for all the latest titles

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news  latest headlines

http://ezybuy.vstore.ca/  for those shopping fixs and for all those gaming needs

http://au.pc.ign.com/   well I have to cheat sometimes.

As well as my library blogs that I am following.  These should keep me pretty entertained over the following weeks, and it goes without saying well feed. Thank you Jamie!!!