Thing 18

As I've already said before, I don't see the value of a social networking presence for libraries. Kids don't want the library as their "friend." We're an institution, not a hot date! Although, according to Alachua County library's my space page, we are a 22 year old female. Right now, she's "diggin' these new databases on small engine repair and automotive repair" and her mood is "impressed," smiley face. See what I mean? It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Let's just stick to an online presence and fill that up with all the flashy 2.0 things we can think of. Quit trying to befriend our young patrons in their world. It's not just creepy - it's pathetic.

Thing 17

Will E-Book Anti-Piracy Technology Hurt Readers?


A podcast about digital rights management and the changing publishing industry. It seems just about every industry is changing as a result of the internet these days. Today I read an article about how the video game industry is losing to free online "casual" games. I read another one about tv producers worrying that too much of their content is available for free online. Of course, this has been an issue for the music industry for some time now, and as this podcast shows, it's one for the book industry too. And I couldn't be happier. To me, a radical shift away from cut throat capitalism is just what we need. That may not be in fact where we're headed, but I am optimistic. I envision a world where money is given freely to causes you want to support. Not because you have to in exchange for their goods, but because you want to see them succeed, if you can afford it. A kind of donation system, or, "love offering" as many new agers put it. I know it seems far fetched now, but I already do this for my favorite music artists and many other music fans do as well. It's the same for listener supported radio and public television. Make it all free I say, and see where the money flows.

Thing 16

Thing 15

Rollyo doesn't seem much better than Google. Since I'm not familiar with that many websites, I'd rather cast a wide net for my searches. I've never heard someone say, I wish I could narrow my searches down to specific websites, but if I ever do, I'll know where to send them. Roll your own I will say. Sushi. Or is it fruit roll up? I can't figure that one out.

Thing 14

I have no desire to be more organized or productive. Not sure how these websites would help me with that anyways. What ever happened to simplicity?

Thing 13

Now here's a social networking site I can see the library getting into - cause it's about books, duh! The Broward County YA librarian had the right idea - create a profile of yourself as a librarian, and try to get your patrons to read your recommendations and recommend a few of their own. Also looks like a great place to publicize our programs. Personally, I have no desire to catalog my own books. I do see the value as a reader's advisory tool.

Thing 12

Wikis look like a great tool - both for libraries, and if the Common Craft video is any indication, for personal use too. I loved all the sample library wikis Neflin posted. A wiki of book reviews for the summer reading program!? Brilliant! I was also very impressed by the best library practices wiki. I checked out the articles on gaming and I think I'm finally starting to warm up to the idea. Some libraries actually check out games, but the point is more to draw people in to the library - especially young people.

The subject pathfinder wiki was very well organized and useful, but perhaps not quite as suited to be a wiki, since only staff members can edit it. The coolest feature of wikis is their editability. I guess the idea is, the more people that contribute information to the subject, the better it will be - provided there is a reasonable filter to keep out the mal-intentioned. I think that's why wikipedia is so popular. The average person is more drawn to information supplied by folks just like them, rather than some private party that may have a hidden agenda.

Here at my library, we are working on a wiki for local information - formerly known as the rolodex. It will supply answers to questions that google just isn't good for, like where are public notaries, free yoga classes, or public art exhibits. This kind of information is best supplied by the community that houses it - and that's just what a wiki is for.

Thing 11

I'm not a serious consumer of the news. I only read it when I'm bored. I read the Gainesville Sun online, and a paper it seems increasingly inclined to borrow stories from, The New York Times. Occaisionally, when I'm really bored, I'll sink as low as CNN.com. The news I most prefer is on the public radio. It's insightful, succint, and interesting, on both the local and national level. But enough about me, social media is about everyone!

And it sucks. It's like reading a tabloid online or something. I just don't care. I see no value in it for libraries.

You know, this thing brings to mind a book I once read by local history professor, C. John Sommerville: How the News Makes Us Dumb - The death of wisdom in an information society. He basically argues that daily news is not about wisdom, but about change - what publishers think they can get us interested in and get us to pay for, on a continual basis. And this was written 10 years ago. With the advent of social media, I think it's all the more relevent.

I'm a follower

Yippie! I am now following everyone in the Adult Services department. This department is the best place to work in the ACLD, IMHO. Good luck everyone. May you win a prize.


These are some of the good people that work in my department.

Thing 10

How do we make our library delicious to our patrons? There's that darned social networking again. As I've said before, it freaks me out. I don't really care what the rest of the world is bookmarking, nor do I care to share. Organizationally, it doesn't make that much of a difference to me that I can have all my bookmarks accessible from any computer.

I do think tagging might have value for the library. It can make the catalog more interactive and user friendly. Same for the library's recommended bookmarks. But does the library really need to be a part of Delicious? I decided to force myself to try it out and sign up for an account. Super easy. But now what? I tried tagging all my bookmarks. Neat - a little list of all the subjects that are important to me. Lists are fun. I wonder who else has Jeff Master's blog bookmarked, no wait, no I don't, on second thought, I'm actually VERY BORED.

I tried watching the webinar about Delicious http://www.opal-online.org/5weeksGriffey20070222.htm but unfortunately fell asleep 10 minutes into it. I read the article Seven Habits of successful Delicious users http://www.allbusiness.com/management/change-management/3875646-1.html and realized that Delicious is for serious web explorers. There may be potential there for finding some cool websites, but at this point, I don't really have the time or motivation to explore.

Has anyone found any interesting websites via Delicious? It doesn't seem that user intuitive or well organized. For example, did you know you had to add a plus sign between tags to find entries that contain both those tags?

For now I will congratulate my library on adding taging and reviewing capabilities to the new version of our much maligned aquabrowser catalog search tool. If the staff member here in charge of bookmarks wants to look into Delicious, I say more power to ya, let me know what you find out.



This is what I have to show for my Delicious adventure. I have shared with you. I have shivers down my spine.