Thursday, March 27, 2008

Thing #8: Share Creations

PictureTrail was easy to use and provided many creative display options. I picked one that reminded me of file drawers...old technology to new! The photos from my personal collection have a seasonal theme which have me longing for green grass days and Rainy Lake fishing.
I'd recommend PictureTrail for creative displays - library or personal. Don't be put off by the sample displays...you don't have to be a kissy-faced teen to do this!
In the past I've used Kodak Gallery, Snapfish, and Shutterfly. I'd recommend any of these for photo save/distribution.
bweldon


Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Thing #7- Web 2.0 Communication Tools

Email is the preferred method of reference and document retrieval and delivery here. I still have many walk-ins during the day, but they're usually verifying something from hard-copy sources or escaping for a bit from offices/cubes/phones to scan the newest science mags or trade lit or WSJ. Customers prefer email to send requests and I respond by email (with attachments) as often as possible. Email has SO improved productivity here with great time savings. I liked the email productivity reminders esp. the tip to be honest..."guilt will not make you more responsive two months from now."

IM and SMS are tools I've used outside the library. IM isn't currently allowed in our resident email system, but if a business use can be proven, it might be. It would be a real time saver in linking staff. Using email for customer correspondence keeps the communication more formal - and traceable - which I appreciate. Is there a danger of IM in a solo situation with users expecting instant answers? Maybe. The use of acronyms make IM/texting a whole new language! If my company paid for my texting, I'd be glad to use it if a user preferred that mode of notification.

I "attended" these Minitex' archived training sessions: Web 2.0 Tools - Del.icio.us and Wikis - both presented by Carla Steinberg Pfahl. What a great Minitex service! I've attended many webinars presented by SLA and vendors. The concept is great for quick learning...just don't make me sit at the screen too long or I'll be asleep on the keyboard!

bweldon

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Thing #6: Image (Trading Card)


I still haven't figured out how to alter a previous post, so this is Thing #6, Part 2, Trading Card.

I love the Carleton College trading cards...what a clever way to (super) humanize yourself while touting your specialties. Many applicable ideas here for enhancing my brown-bag-seminar to employees.

I need more photos in my Flickr account. Anyone who has followed this blog is sick to death of me with the cake! Sorry!!

Thing #6: Image Generators

ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and more

Monday, March 3, 2008

Thing 5: More Flickr Fun


I hope this is considered a mash-up. I'm certainly getting a lot of mileage from that darned picture! I used Big Huge Labs to create the magazine cover. This would be a good application for the Library. I can imagine the design of creative covers to advertise online and print subscriptions. And how great it would be to produce my own posters.
I'm looking forward to our Library 2.0/23Things info-sharing meeting on Wed. night at Donaldson Co. It's the pits to be a solo librarian - and, dare I say - over the age of 55, without younger, computer-savvy co-workers with whom to share these assignments. Those of you in that situation are VERY lucky. Hug your staff members now!