Thing 7... RSS Feeds

I am not sure what to comment for this Thing 7. I browsed all the suggested feeds and added some of those, and others, to my Google Reader.
Watching the video on this activity gave me the idea to create a video, not very complicated, to offer some 'tutorials' to our Library patrons: they could learn how to use, for instance, Power Point. At our library we do offer computer classes in both English and Spanish but with the shortage on staff and service hours we can't offer all the classes that patrons all always requesting. Naturally this project, the creation of a video to teach Power Point or how to blogg, twitter, etc., will require preparation and extra time to finalize but I am very excited at the possibility of adding something like this to our Library's website.

Thing 6... Blog Readers

The process of using an aggregator, in this case Google Reader, certainly wasn't difficult. I was able to make a couple of folders and insert several blogs on each folder and renamed them. What I was expecting is something different: I thought I was going to see the information in the same type of format I see it while going to the direct source, for example The New York Times website. I guess I will need some time to get used to the layout.
On the other hand I keep thinking how time consuming these "Things" are. I have to admit that after the initial frustration while getting used to the "Things" I have enjoyed working with them (so far!). Whenever I have some little time to expand on the "Things" I end up spending much more time than the initially thought and that keeps me away from some other projects. Now I can see why people (youngsters) never seem to have enough time in YouTube, My Space, or while twittering or blogging.
How to use them in libraries? I guess libraries would loved to be in their patron's 'subscriptions', provided we offer up-to-date information on a regular basis (which brings me to the staff that undoubtedly would have to be assigned that duty).

Thing 5...Image Generators

It took me forever to find some "image generator" I could work with. It is fun to be able to add text to a photo or to convert the photo into something else, it takes time though and also patience. It would be great to have lots of free time to discover much more than 23 things but with the way things are right now I can just browse a bit and hope I will remember the basics for the next time I have to use the 'skill'.

There are some very 'cool' image generators that I haven't been able to work with until some programs can be downloaded to my work computer.

... as you can see now I can "generate" some images and loved doing it. The problem I see is that there is not enough time to play with them! As to how to apply these generators to library life, hmmm... adding text to images posted in blogs making them even more fun? the question again is: Who will have the patience and time to do it, perhaps in detriment of other activities, reports, workshops, classes, etc?

Thing 4...More Flickr

After visiting several library websites that are using Flickr I can see it could be fun and informative for the patrons to see which activities had been "posted" by the library and look for their photos or the different events and see how many attended or which programs were on. But... I think it will take a lot of time and dedication to keep the library's page updated and I am not sure who will be assigned that task or if any staff member can post their own programs and images. Does the library will require permission from patrons to post their photographs?

Also, I have to admit that I have tried several of the "image generators" with very frustrating results. Some image generators are hard to figure out, at least for me, and many of our staff computers do not have some of the programs required (Java, Flash 8, etc.), therefore I am unable to finish some projects. I am stressing out a lot with this assignment. I feel that it should be easier for me to figure it out but... no! that is not true in my case.

Thing 3, Flicker

Well... if I did it correctly it was easy to upload photographs: We will see when I post them with a link.

Hopefully you will let me know if I got it wrong!.

I think using Flicker is fun but you can spend so much time browsing that I find it time consuming. Once in a while will be fun to check on friends images but I don't see a point on using it continuously. I am not sure how to use in my library either: Would the idea is to share information via images with patrons? Like let them know how it went the storytime and who participated? Would there be interest from our patrons to look at it? I can see the kids parents, and perhaps the school principal/library managers and teachers/librarians, wanting to see their children's/patrons photos while listening to the storyteller but beyond that I am not sure at all. Perhaps I am not getting it?

If you want to see the images from the 2008 Booker's Alley segment for the Hispanic Heritage Month, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/38545060@N03/show/

About North Texas 23... Thing 2

Well... this will be my second post.

As all the Fort Worth Library staff received an e-mail encouraging us to explore the Web 2.0 tools and participate in the North Texas 23 things while we work on them... I am here doing my little bit.

Before I read the suggested articles on the Thing 2 : Learning about Learning 2.0 I knew about Web 2.0 but never had enough time to follow up with the program. This time I will try harder although time is always an issue at my Unit (and I imagine at everyone's workplace too)

Since it is becoming more relevant and urgent to know about new technologies, hoping to attract new and younger patrons --or not so younger but technology savvy--, we also must be able to answer their questions. Would that mean we need to be experts on every new technology? It seems daunting to me. At the library I work at, the majority of patrons using computers fall in two categories (more or less): the ones that know how to use the PCs, including My Space, Twitter, etc., and the ones that have no idea how to send an e-mail, get confused with web addresses and e-mail accounts and need lots of one-on-one help that we, frankly, can't give them since there is not enough staff to help the rest of the patrons.

...will be continued at a later time

New family member

Just a week ago our baby Doberman, Ulli, arrived home. She is a precious 3 months old oversized black/rust Dobie. It has been challenging because we also have three more beautiful dogs (Min Pin, Dachshund and Shih Tzu) and two gorgeous cats that for the moment are having trouble accepting 'little long legs' Ulli's playing antics.