Thing #23

Thing #23 is the finish of this project. I have enjoyed learning more about various tools on the internet. Most of what I learned was what I expected, but having the time to explore the different places on the internet and how they can be useful was very enjoyable.

Thing #22

Thing #22 is about what we plan to do to continue our learning now that we've reached the end of the 23 Things program. I am going to continue reading articles and trying to learn new ways of using the internet in my job. I will continue to read blogs and email lists and share the new ideas that I find there. I really enjoy Google Reader and find it very useful for gathering ideas into one place.

Thing #21

Thing #21 was about social networks other than Myspace and Facebook. I am a member a couple other social networks, WebJunction being the one that most relates to my job. I have taken some courses through WebJunction and found them to be very interesting. Again, I think that libraries should provide access to these internet functions. The library in society is the great equalizer of society and allowing access to these sites to everyone, not just the people able to afford an internet connection at home is part of that balancing of society.

Thing #20

Thing #20 is about social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook. I have an account at both sites, although I much prefer Facebook because of it's ease of use and clean look. I find Myspace to be very cluttered and unorganized and I find Facebook to be easier to deal with.

Thing #19

Thing #19 is Podcasts. It's probably the geeky fan girl in me coming out, but primarily most of my experience in podcasts has to do with television shows like Battlestar Galactica. The creator of that show does a podcast every week after the premier of that week's show and he talks about his thoughts and the behind the scenes stuff for that episode. I find them very interesting. I have also listened to a couple of podcasts done by authors that I read and I have found those very entertaining and amusing. I think that they are a very worthwhile tool that libraries should be providing access to.

Thing #18

Thing #18 was YouTube and other online video options. I've been using youtube for awhile now, I can't remember how long, but I use it regularly enough that it has become a tool that I can't imagine life without. I use it primarily to find music, I very much enjoy the creativity of fan made music videos. This is a tool that I can see libraries using for reference or allowing access to at the library, but I'm unsure of how it could be successfully used to market the library.

Thing #17

Thing #17 is about ELM tools. These are various databases that are paid for and available to the public with just a library card. I use these databases sometimes when I am doing authority work and trying to track down more information on who an author is. I have also used it to read articles in magazines like Consumer Reports. I find this tool to be very useful, although sadly probably not as well known as it should be.