Thing 30: Done w/ Web 2.0?

My experience with Library 2.0 has been great! I have learned all kinds of new tools and approaches to exploring and comunicating over the Web. I feel so much more confident in answering general questions from our library patrons regarding Web 2.0. This has been an exciting winter experience. I am looking forward to exploring some things on my own now. So, may be now I am just beginning learning 2.0. I know I will keep my blog going...this has been my favorite part of Web 2.0!

I have been a bit stressed over the length of time spent each week on the exercises, usually 1- 1 1/2 hours. This has been especially difficult as a part time employee. I do like that the sessions were individually paced as opposed to off site training. In our building there were enough users who helped with difficult sessions like the one on Generators and Flicker tools. Therefore, eventhough we were offered "help labs", I never used them. I also didn't feel it was right to spend more time going to labs when I was already way over the suggested 1/2 hour a week time devoted to Library 2.0.

I also felt many of the "lessens" were not applicable to the average staff member at VBPL. How will we use things like podcasts when Websence blocks most of that activity? Additionally, most tools and technologies we were exposed to are good to be aware of but I am not sure how I will utilize them even on a monthly basis. I would like to hear some ongoing suggestions through email on this concern, and I would also love to see some major improvements on our library website which reflect Web 2.0. Mainly more visuals, and interactive, smoother/efficient links.

Thank you Cindy/VBPL for an overall wonderful learning experience!

Thing 29: Library 2.0

I am really thankful for the learning experience w/ the Library 2.0 program. I feel I would be left in the dark ages if I hadn't done this! I now know more about this stuff than my Three daughters (ages 27, 24, 19) and that's amazing!!

My favorite stuff w/ Library 2.0 was learning how to Blog and having a new understanding for phrases like podcasts, mashups, wikis. I really enjoyed learning about Flicker and Photobucket. I think I will also use YouTube more as a search method now because of how videos can be a great way to understand new technologies.

In reading other blogs I found I am not alone in likeing the learning experience but also wondering how much of this I will use, even on a monthly basis. I feel it it's mostly about exposure to new tecnologies and having an environment to try some of this stuff out. So for this and more I am thankful.