Thing# 11 - Check Out Library Thing

I enjoyed setting up my library from my personal collection of books using Library Thing. Many of the books in my list represent the first book in a series that I collect so if something interests you, try the rest of the series. It was so interesting to see how many others have the same books. My collection ranges from 53 - Blood Red Horse - to over 25,000 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - and many numbers in between. I am planning to use a Library Thing account to spotlight books recommended by members of Pirates Read! and add it to our web page. I found Library Thing is easy to use (not frustrating).

Thing #10 - Online Image Generators

Image Generators are quick, easy and fun to use. I used the Happy Face Generator for the meeting sign and Image Chef for the jersey sign. These are good ways to advertise our book club, new books, other events held in the library, as well as cute signs to add to our library's web page. I always enjoy working with pictures and there seems to be no end of sites that will help me make good signs for use around the library. It is always good to have things that will catch a student's eye and that can be made quickly and easily. I enjoyed playing with the Comic Strip Generator . It is another good tool for library advertising.

Thing #9 - Finding Feeds

The Edublog's Award Winners was the easiest to use. I found one that I thought would be particularly helpful in the Best Librarian's Blog category: Hey Jude. Also Techno Tuesday that I had already subscribed to was on the list. I also liked to use the Google Blog Search which is like the search engine easy to search. The one I had the most trouble searching was Technorati, but I liked the second by second posting of new posts coming in. Topix.net had Mesquite news at the top and that is a nice local feature. The Syndic8.com podcast library had some interesting sounding episodes on the list. Feedster is changing and will be back soon with exciting news. On Blogline's Search Tool, the National Geographic News was blocked by MISD so you have to go through the program to get to it. Frankly, I find all this information overwhelming, but I'm sure it is the wave of the future and as a librarian, I'll have to get used to it.

Thing #8 Make life "really simple" with RSS

I set up a Google Reader account and subscribed to 6 blogs: news, library technology updates, PhotoshopElements, and The Top Shelf. I am looking forward to easily keeping up with my areas of interest without spending time going to individual sites to do the same thing. I like one stop reading. This will help me quickly find out what new developments are happening in in my chosen areas both for work and my hobbies at home. I like the possibility of another way to share information on new books with Pirates Read! There are so many good books out there and so little time.

Thing #7 Google - not just for searching anymore

I enjoyed searching all the Google options but picked Google Alert and Notebook for my focus. I set a mail alert on the Spirit of Nantucket, the ship we were on this summer. It had run aground in the coastal waterways of Virginia and I wanted to know more about its problems. The alert has sent me several articles that I had not found by regular searching and it's nice to have them just show up in my email without having to search daily for more information. This is a good way to easily keep up with developing news stories.

I set up a Google noteook to spotlight Favorite Books. This is a good way to share information with others on books that I like. I am particularly thinking about sharing them with the members of Pirates Read! the PHS book club. It is a great way to share information of any kind with the group of your choice as well as making it public to share with anyone who might be interested.

I also enjoyed the calendar which is a good way to share activities and invitations with friends, and it was fun to set up my own Google page, adding the things that interest me from the long list of things that can be added to it.

Graphic Novels Display

Graphic Novels Display
Originally uploaded by Llano Lady

In the fall of 2007 the Pirate Library is spotlighting the new collection of graphic novels. Many students are interested in this novel form, and by prominently displaying them in the library's entrance more students are noticing them, browsing, and checking them out. Other students are making suggestions about other interesting graphic novels to add to the collection. The display promotes student interest and participation in collection development.

Thing #6 - Flickr mashups

Mashups can do some amazing and fun things. The one I liked best was the Trading Card Maker. I am sure that trading cards will be a popular way to advertise the library and to let students know about good books to read. My trading card is the book that we will be discussing next week. I think the students in Pirates Read will enjoy making and using them. I also made some from summer vacation pictures, and I can see my grandchildren getting their own trading cards for Christmas this year. It's really cool!

Thing #5

I enjoyed learning about and using Flickr. It was easy to set up an account and I had no difficulty uploading pictures from our library. The cutest pictures however are the ones with students in them because that's actually what a library is all about, but I didn't use those for my public pictures. Many of the pictures posted in the public area are so amazing. The ones of butterflys and pets are the best. This is a great way to share pictures with your friends and the world.

Thing #4

The primary thing that I would like to accomplish with a blog is to get the students in Pirates Read to discuss the books we are reading while getting ready for our next meeting. So far, they are mostly only interested in using My Space, an idea that our principal has vetoed. If I could just figure out how to get them to open their minds and consider an alternative blog, I think that it would add an important dimension to the discussion of the books that we read collectively. Also, I would like to use a blog for the students to discuss and vote on future books for the club to read. I like to give them a voice in choosing future reads.

Thing #3

Creating the Llano Lady blog was an interesting learning experience. I learned that the system would not accept my email address to send me a verification email. I don't know why but I couldn't get the email that allowed me to continue my progress. Creating my avatar through the series of choices was fun. I have never in my entire life been that skinny, but it is a nice thought. It has also appeared on my personal email page.

Thing #2

The hardest -#3 - view problems as challenges - since I automatically tend to view problems as crisis situations and react in panic. I need to shift my thinking to see any problem as merely a challenge and a learning situation. With help, I can usually figure things out.

The easiest - #6 - use technology to your advantage - since I enjoy using technology and learning new ways to use the technology that I have already learned.

Thing #1

I want to learn how to effectively use and communicate proper use of blogging. Since students seem to be fascinated by using My Space, I want to set up an account and see what it is all about. I need to push myself out of my chosen ruts and learn to creatively use emerging technology that will impact the effectiveness of the Poteet library.