Thing 16

Wikis! I couldn't wait to get here. I've heard staff talking about them and am looking forward to creating a useful wiki for our branch circulation department and training team.
In exploring the Library Success Wiki I looked into the Management and Leadership category. One subject I was looking for was motivation and it wasn't there. I may have to create on for them. I did explory some of the others in that category and some were helpful, others had very little information.
I googled Yoga Wikis and found quite a few. I will enjoy reading those and possibly adding to them as well as wikis on gardening.

Thing 15

In reading "Away from Icebergs" it seems that Rick Anderson feels that buying print materials will become a waste of money because these materials will all be available online. Many people will have access to online information only through the library, and while the items may be available here it is not conceivable that a person will be able to read the content of something like "Macbeth" during the hours the library is open. This concept concerns me because we may be essentially limiting services rather than expanding them. I feel it is important to offer electronic access to materials, but I also feel we still need to meet the needs of the people without electronic access or technological savvy.
Michael Stephens' profile of Librarian 2.0 is a model I believe we are already exemplifying. Forward-thinking, anticipating the needs of our customers and considering the usefulness of technological applications for their benefit rather than bragging rights.
The future is here...

Thing 14

I am exploring the learning 2.0 hits in new posts on Technorati and was amazed to see the video for PLCMCL2's Learning 2.0 challenge where they gave the top prize of a Toshiba laptop. I think our staff is very excited about the Wii gaming system, and while the laptop has a greater monetary value, it may not have any greater motivational value.
I looked over some learning 2.0 blogs - I was intrigued by the realization that so many of the blogs are library related.

People who are inspired to learn all they can will enjoy exploring the second generation of the Internet and make good use of it. It will also prove beneficial for businesses as we have already discovered many applications for blogging and del.icio.us within our library system. Students and educators will be able to apply the technology in the classroom, especially with group projects.

Thing 13

Delicious!
When Jill showed me this site a while back I realized the value it has for trainers. I immediately set up all the travel links that I had been printing out for participants of my Travel Planning on the Internet class. Now, when I teach the class I simply give out the address for my del.icio.us site and all participants have quick and easy links to the many travel websites I have already discovered to assist them in making their plans. It's also very easy to add those recommended to me by library customers, friends, and family. What's really great about this is that we only have to bookmark one favorite - the del.icio.us page!
Check it out. Kathi's Travel Links
Kathi

Thing 12

I have used NetLibrary before, but I must say, with all the time I spend on the computer at work and at home, I don't enjoy reading a book on the computer also. However, the book I will need for my Human Motivation and Behavior class this semester, Bringing Out The Best in People, by Aubrey Daniels, is available on NetLibrary. I can buy a used version of this book on Amazon for $7.99, so I'll save a little more than that (add shipping) if I use the eBook version. This will be most beneficial for books we can't get a hold of through any other source.
Keep on playing.
I would have no trouble showing a customer how to create an account and use NetLibrary.
Kathi

Thing 11

I like using Library Thing, it's easy to use. It will help me to keep track of the books I've read and those I want to read. It will take a long time for me to enter the books I've read by my favorite authors, James Patterson, Janet Evanovich, Stuart Woods, and John Grisham. I will be able to track what I've read from new authors I've discovered also. This will be really helpful for avoiding missing a book in a series and helping me remember which books I haven't read yet. What a great tool, especially for Readers Advisory.
Here's my Library Thing page.
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/kafrmptn
Kathi

Thing 10

This challenge is really fascinating to me! I am really enjoying learning about the exciting new things on the web. It's not just for research anymore!
I found the article by Stephen Abram very interesting. I think the Tech Challenge committee is using Google Docs already, so I explored it. WOW!!!
I may upload my PowerPoint class slides for participants to view later. This way I won't have to print out several copies of a 13 page document.
How Green!!!
Here's a test slide show I designed very quickly.
When I get back from vacation I'll work on getting some more docs up there.