Module #11 Image Generators

Image Generators can be used by anyone who wants to add a little pizazz to whatever it is they may be working on. I enjoyed looking at the various websites and playing around with different options. I really liked the "Help" paperclip from Word and enjoyed typing things for the paperclip to say. I think it would be fun to use on my own to leave fun little notes for people with images that have a personal touch. :)
Image Generator would be a great tool for the Library to use for program advertisments to make people do a double take at the image. During trainings they could be used to spice up powerpoints by giving some visual humor, information, etc.

Module #10 YouTube

YouTube is a great site to visit if you want to have a laugh, learn how to do something, or to catch up on the latest events. I searched for "funny library videos" and found one with cookie monster. This is the first one that I saw that was appropriate, which is why I chose to put it in my blog.  The library could use YouTube to promote its programs (positive PR) or for instructional videos (ex. using the self checkout machine... so the whole library doesn't have to constantly keep hearing "please scan your item" and "put the item in the tray to complete your scan".... and so forth...over and over).

Here is the video I chose! Enjoy cookie monster...num num num num: Cookie Monster in the Library

Module #18 Skype

I <3 Skype!

Skype is a fun way of communicating with friends and family because you can see and hear who you are talking to or you can also type to them (like IM-ing) while seeing them in the video.  I recently created an account to keep in touch with my brothers in college. I tried it out and just had so much fun and it was super easy using it, I just typed in my brother's screen name and then added him.... and just like that we were able to see each other and chat it up (he also got to see my Christmas tree).

In terms of other forms of communication, I still enjoy texting my friends and family, but when there is something I want to show people, skype is the way to go :)

Module #14 Google Docs

I love google docs! I use them all the time and when I was a student it was so much easier doing group work because you never had to find a time that fit everyone's schedule, you could just work in real time where ever you were.

The library could benefit from using google docs/presentations in the everyday work environment.  People on committees can work on projects or trainings by having everyone contribute to one document. If information needs to be shared that requires feedback, you can use google docs, and it will be able to tell you who has updated what.  Overall google docs is an amazing tool for anyone or any business to use :)

Module #17 IM-ing

I do like instant messaging. It is a really easy form of communication when both parties are on the computer because you can continue to do what you are doing on the computer while talking to others. It doesn't matter if you take a few minutes to respond because usually they are doing other stuff online as well. (Unless it is messaging with a business then you should be focused on the conversation).

The only concerns I have is if the library used instant messaging between itself and the patrons, that they need to make sure that someone is always available during working hours to interact with those that have questions.  My college library had a "Chat with a Librarian" link where you could ask questions and get answers right away by a librarian that was stationed at the anwer desk. It was very useful!

It really hasn't changed the way i work, because I don't use instant messanger when I am at work. I use it to socialize at home.

Google Calendar Module #15

I really like google calendar. It is nice to have a calendar that is so easy to get to anywhere there is internet. I also like how I can put all my activities and events in one place and then share them others. I made a calendar that has everything my husband and I have planned for the next month or so that we can see where our free weekend/evenings lie, then I created another one with just our church responsibilites on it. If I had more meetings then I could make one for work, although I could see how if I was busy with meetings and other tasks that I would need a work calendar. I just put my weekends that I work on my general calendar.

Module #9 Virtual Bookshelves

5 Books I would like to read:

*All But My Life: A Memoir by Gerda Weissmann Klein
*Villette by Charlotte Bronte
*Shirley by Charlotte Bronte
*The Three Musketeers  by Alexandre Dumas
*Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

I found the categories to be easily displayed in Goodreads and quickly found books I had read, rated them and then received a whole list of recommendations based off my ratings and interests. I personally liked Goodreads better because I found it more useful and easier to locate items. Tools like this could be used to help the Library see what types of items people would be interested in reading because they would be rating previously read material and then lists of recommendations will be created as well as them clicking on the "Want to read" buttons.

Module #6 Image Manipulation/Picnik

I LOVE PICNIK!!! I think this was actually the best 23 things exercise yet! I pretty much manipulated pictures all weekend long.  I watched the video on how to take a black and white picture and color some part of it. I have been wanting to learn how to do this since I received my wedding photos with no editing done on them (a story for a another day :/ ) So that answers the question on what I would use it for personally, wedding photos, family photos, landscapes.  Professionally it could be used to make awesome pictures for brochures, newsletters, etc. The only limitations I noticed were the colors selection to pick from when coloring on my black and white picture, but then I figured out a different way to do it, so I basically erased the black and white. I also noticed that the premium stuff I couldn't use unless I subscribed to the site, which was a little bit if a bummer, but they have to make money some how...

Module #8 Advanced Exercise

If Tippy Twentythree goes to my facebook page (Brittni Parson) they will see that I have several photo albums that can be viewed, wedding, engagement, Brickyard 400, just to name a few. It is really simple to add photos and you can even add several photos at one time, I have loaded 100+ and it only takes about 10 minutes. Then you can quickly tag people and write captions for your pictures (although usually I let people tag themselves.)

I had never "asked" a question before on facebook so I just asked Were dinosaurs on Noah's Ark? because this past weekend I went to lectures geared to understanding how dinosaurs fit into history from a biblical perspective. I made the options, yes, no, and I am not sure.  So we shall see if anybody answers :).

Module #8 Facebook

Exercise #1

I liked the Friends TCPL page on facebook, I actually joined them after seeing the presentation on Staff Development Day, just to see what their page looked like and what the statuses were about.  Every once in awhile I go and see what events are being put on.  I also liked Lakeland Public Library, which is my Library back home. I can see what events they are doing and let my family know whats going on (for those that don't have facebook).

Exercise #2

I have joined groups affiliated with my church so that I can know about upcoming events. The site could be used to show new books, movies, cds, etc that are coming to the library, and what info is needed for a library card, etc. A lot of people are on facebook, so TCPL having a site would help to reach the facebook savy individuals and give them information in a direct, to the point fashion. Some cons maybe people posting inappropriatly, not understanding posts, TCPL not keeping it up to date, or neglecting patrons that post on the wall. I think Facebook could be a very good tool for the Library to reach the community.

Exercise #3

I have used facebook to keep in contact with friends and family around the world and also to play the occasional word game with my brothers. I really like being able to post pictures so that my family in FL can see what it is going on in my life even though we are several hours apart. I see myself using it the same in the future as I use it now, a tool in which to keep in contact.  I can see the Library using it as long as there is someone to constantly interact with patrons, as well as keep posts updated for upcoming events.

Module #7 Twitter

I've avoided getting a twitter until now. I understand why people use them, it's a quick way to know whats going on with a business or with a person, but I'm not really a fan. I think that facebook, email, and other resources are more beneficial to me . I did however start following TCPL, Indiana State Museum, GS of Central Indiana, some Naval Historical organization/paper, and the Detroit Tigers.

Why did I choose to follow these ones? TCPL is obvious, the other choices maybe not so much. I followed GS of Central IN because I was a scout for over 15 years and like to know of volunteer opportunties, I would like to work in a museum and enjoyed the state museum when I went there so I want to know about other events they put on, my husband is in the navy so I just picked this one out of list for no other particular reason than his affiliation, and I like the Detroit Tigers so I was curious to see what they would tweet about...

Module #5 Flickr

I have never used Flickr before this exercise. I was able to look through tons of pictures, whether they were personal ones that everyday people took, ones taken by professionals, or even propaganda that was created in different eras throughout history. I looked for pictures dealing with WWII and Navy. Rosie the Riveter is one of my favorites and I found it on Flickr so I thought I would share it here. :)














From: Series: War Production Board, compiled 1942-1943 (Record Group 179)

Created by: Office for Emergency Management. War Production Board. (01/1942 - 11/03/1945)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/3678696585/

Module #4 RSS: Advanced Exercises

Creating folders in RSS makes the Reader easier to follow and find items within certain topics according to folders. I created a TCPL folder that holds all my links for the library, and a News Headline folder that allows me put all my news related links together in one convenient spot. I am also planning to make a sports one to keep track of sports related news and headlines. So not only is everything in one spot on the reader, but now it easier to keep track of your subscriptions through folders.

Module #4 RSS Feeds

RSS is a convenient thing to have because all the top pages you visit you can put them all into one place. It will save time from having to search everything on each page to find the highlights. I plan to use this for top news stories, since from one sites I added I can choose to have the headlines in my Reader. Having the links for the Library will be beneficial to know what upcoming events are and information about different books from the book clique one. Libraries can use this to get out events/book info to the public in an easy way, where people are not having to sift through all the pages of our website.

Test Blog Module and Link #3

I am interested in learning about Flickr and being able to share my photos with others. It is always nice to be able to have one spot where people can go and see all your photos, right now I use facebook for that.  I am also interested in learning how to set up the virtual bookshelves because I have never seen or heard of those before. 23 things will be a good opportunity to  fine tune some of these things I already have knowledge of and to learn how to do others that I have had no previous contact with.


Here is the link I added to help me get back to the 23 things webpage quicker.

23 Things List