Thing 28

The trouble with iGoogle and the other customizable portal sites is that you can't always put EVERYTHING in them. Case in point. I have a university email and calendar that I can't drop and drop into iGoogle. These are probably the two most important tools I have on a daily basis. So what do I have in iGoogle? Lots of fun gadgets like Nature Pictures, clock, weather, even some RSS feeds with a library perspective. Others that don't. Which means I rarely use it. The university has a portal that does have my email and calebdar, among other things, I can add other tools as well. Truth be known, I haven't used it much either. But the interface is getting better so that may change.

So much of what we do is habit...

Thing 27

I've been trying (really I have) to discern true useful applications of Twitter for myself in a academic environment. At it's heart, Twitter is a really easy way to let individuals know what you're doing on a minute-by-minute basis either through the Web, IM or texting. For example: I just scratched my nose. That would be an awesome Twitter entry and well below the 140 character limit per post. One of the 23 Things videos explained that your friend wouldn't have to need to know that you're mowing the lawn, but then went on to say that others might like to follow what you're doing? My immediate reaction is why? Who has the time to post about trivial matters or read about them? To me, Twitter undermines concentration, focus and deep thinking and puts in its place scattered tidbits of gossip. Think of a bird, fluttering its wings and darting here and there. That's what Twitter does a thousand times over.

I do see a use for it as another means of querying a certain group on a question or problem. Instead of inanely posting gibberish it could be used as a means to get answers. Twittering conferences, is fine I suppose, but wouldn't it be better to summarize the speaker and then blog about it?

The reference applications of Twitter deserve further consideration. Right now, our online reference tools don't get that much use, but if our users start using Twitter then we need to be there as well. I've already begun discussions on setting up a library Twitter account for publicity purposes.

Thing 26

I had already joined Ning, but I posted a query and also did a search, joining Ning for the NLLN region of which I'm a part. One thing I've noticed is that most of the conversations happening on these library Nings revolve around Ning itself, rather than some separate library question or issue. It's akin to sitting in a car and debating the merits or drawbacks of the vehicle in question instead of actually going someplace.

I understand that Ning like many of the Web 2.0 social sites is quite new and there is bound to be discussion about it. I'm just hoping that the best sites will survive and we can move on to actually using them for professional communication and growth.

Thing 25

Widgets, widgets, and more widgets. Oh yes, and some gadgets too!

What time is it?


What's the meaning of life? (Search here)




Picture Perfect


Feed Me!


Library Land

Tennis Time

Avatar of Aces?




Okay, I'm no Roger Federer, but I like to play tennis whenever I can. Lately I've been hearing a lot of talk concerning who the best tennis player ever is. Blame The Fed. Since winning his 14th Grand Slam title at the French Open he's officially tied Pete Sampras. At only 27 years-old he has a good shot at beating it too. But is he the best? Hmm. I would suggest another possibility and the answer might just surprise you.

Thing 24

Well, it's good to be back. I added a gadget (a picture of me in Librarian on the Loose mode), edited my profile and changed the template design of the blog. Most of the students are gone for the summer and it's quiet. Real quiet. Lots of time to work on special projects, take webinars and blog a bit, but I always have a hard time transitioning from the hustle and bustle of the academic year to this more relaxed atmosphere.

One of the things I miss is getting out of the librarian more as part of my Librarian on the Loose initiative. Basically, I take a laptop and set up a temporary reference desk somewhere on campus nearly every day. I bring a "quiz" that matches a monthly theme I pick and students who take it are automatically entered into a drawing for a nifty little prize. Along the way I make a pitch about Briggs Library reference services answer any research questions they might have. It's been a great way to meet and get to know students who don't come into the library very much. It also makes the library more approachable.

All for now. Bring on Thing 25!

Thing 23

I finally made it! Thanks for making this learning tool possible. I learned so much that I wouldn't have otherwise. Now on to More Things on a Stick...