Gaming and Virtual Worlds

I played Websudoku.  I chose an easy puzzle.  After I finished, I clicked on “How am I doing” and saw all of my mistakes highlighted in a very pretty red colour.  After Stacy Martin sent her e-mail about not needing to download games, I followed her instructions and played Bejeweled, until I got stuck.

Gaming and virtual worlds could be of interest to libraries because they might help younger generations feel more connected to the library and, as time goes by, the youngsters will be the ones deciding on library funding as taxpayers.  We could make the library catalogue operate more like a game, permitting the user to browse more easily and have fun doing so.  We could create a program that explores the creation of teen library services in a virtual world.

Online Productivity Tools

This is a direct post from Google Docs:

 Online Productivity Tools

 Libraries can use these online productivity tools to allow staff members to collaborate on documents. This will be useful if people are working on a project or report together. It is especially advantageous that the information can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection, be it at home or on the road.

I shared this document with team member Julia Kellner.

Podcasts, video and downloadable audio

   I read more than I ever wanted to know about YouTube on Wikipedia.   I discovered YouTube with a search for Hamilton Public Library and a viewing of the video that Darcy Glidden created for the general staff meeting.  It’s a hoot.   I searched for Hamilton, Ontario on YouTube and found 1,810 videos.  Most seemed to be about music, sports, travel and entertainment.   I knew about YouTube before this assignment, but didn’t care enough to spend the time exploring the videos.   I took a look at some podcasting directories and listened to a few podcasts.  I don’t listen to the radio so I doubt that podcasts would ever interest me much.   Here is a link to some good music:

Right Click to download: Symphony No. 1 – March 31, 2008

Introduction to E-Books and e-Audio Books

I downloaded Little Women by Louisa May Alcott from Overdrive. It was easy to do, but rather slow, since the book has 17 parts.  I downloaded About Alice by Calvin Trillin from NetLibrary. This is a slight book so the download took no time at all.  But I had to stop and create an account first. On the whole, I would say Overdrive is easier.

It was extremely easy to find the titles I was looking for in both of the services.

Introduction to Electronic Database Services at HPL

   Using the EBSCO database Canadian Reference Centre, I searched Shaw Festival, clicked on the Alerts Tab and successfully subscribed to this feed.

   Then I chose Academic OneFile database, searched for articles on Library 2.0 and created a search alert for new results on this topic.

    The RSS feed updates I receive prevent the wasting of my precious time checking bookmarks just to see if something new has been added.

    An RSS feed alert in the Hot Topics section of the library’s Home Page will allow customers to easily receive all important information updates.  Flyers or postcards promoting this service can be distributed to all library locations.

Social Networking

I visited Ima Reader’s Facebook site and added an application. I chose to Create an Event called Canada Blooms “flower to the people”.

I also signed up for an account with HPL Learning 2.0 Social Network, filled in the “About Me” section, uploaded a photo, changed the appearance of my profile to neon and added 2 friends.

And as a warning to everyone out there, ever since I completed this assignment I have been receiving oodles of spam.  How delightful!

Social Bookmarking & Tagging

http://del.icio.us/ritabloch

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/ritabloch

Uploading photos & images

Playtime

I took the Blog Readability Test and the level of reading ability needed to read my blog is High School.

Wikis

In the library world I think wikis could be useful tools for collaborative authoring – to brainstorm or develop projects or presentations.