Thing #6 - A Flickr trading card

My creation
Originally uploaded by tesser63

This is how my geocaching trading card might look.

Note: a smiley in geocaching lingo means "I found it!"

In the library I could create trading cards for the library staff. They could list how long employed, how long at the branch, college attended, favorite book, movie, etc.

Thing #5 - More Flickr stuff

I played around with some of the flickr apps. I tried to do a magazine cover using Big Huge Labs, but I couldn't quite get it to look how I wanted. The editing options seemed limited. I moved on to Spell with flickr and came up with the fun image below:


I've seen some cache pages with photo mashups on them. Cool! Fun!

I think you could use some of these apps in promotional materials. I think they are attention grabbers, especially for teens.

Note: refresh the page and the Spell with flickr image will change!

Thing # 4 : Flickr

I've had a Flickr account for a couple of years now, mostly so I could have a place to post pics and then link them to a message board. That is not discussed in this lesson, but I did learn that Flickr can mainly be a backup of your photos in case your computer crashes. I had never thought of posting that many photos before. I see the value in the sharing, especially with a family of my size (I'm one of ten kids), and of course, for library applications. I have been aware of the group "Library Signage" (http://www.flickr.com/groups/librarysignage/pool/) for some time. I have gotten ideas from that site, and laughs!

Oh, BTW, there are 370 Groups on Flickr with the tag "geocaching." Check out their photos sometime. Geocaching really takes you to some gorgeous places!

I'm adding a pic of our statue out front. Not only is it popular with the local children, it has also been anonymously decorated at Christmas time, and it's the starting point of a geocaching adventure within my library!

Thing # 3 : RSS Feeds

I had never set up any RSS feeds before, but I have heard of how they work and I recognized the symbol. I started by adding startribune.com, Unshelved, a co-worker's blog, a couple MN library sites, and what else, my geocaching pal sir_zman's blog. I let 'er rip for a couple of days and checked the feed a few times. I received over 100 feeds from the startribune, a few from Unshelved, and that's it.

I can see this being very useful for the sites that post new content daily or less frequently, but the large amount of posts from a news site just are too much for me. I think I'll keep my subscription to all but the startribune for now. I think it would be very valuable to have RSS feeds available from our website or library blog. We'd want our users to get our updates asap.

I am subscribed in a similar way to a few sources. I get weather alerts by email, and I get emails when a website from a non-profit web magazine I used to work for posts it's new issue. Those emails work the same way, except it's a link in my email instead of a post. I believe both of these tools are very valuable to me when I want to keep informed.

Thing #2 - Read up on Library 2.0

I've been reading and hearing about "L2" for quite some time, and I have been using many of the tools already. I have been active in online forums, message boards, chat rooms, and IM since 2000. I have had Flickr and Youtube accounts for a couple of years now. I started a Facebook account earlier this year to keep up with my family. So why haven't I gotten past Thing 2 in six months? Perhaps I need to think about this like Stephen Abram said - make time to do it. He always found time to smoke two packs a day. Right now I am finding time to find at least one geocache a day. Yep, I'm working on a challenge called the "Streak" where I have to find at least one a day. Today is day 75, and I still need to get out there. I'm also working on another streak called the "KB 100" which means I still have to find a cache each day, hidden by a notorious cache hider named King Boreas. I started that streak later, so I am on day 25 for that one. Somehow, I have made time. I guess the yardwork and housework has slid a bit since I started this. It'll end.

So I'm making more time to do this. Honestly, my main fear about starting this program is the time it will take. I am already avoiding my Facebook account because of the time I can spend there. I'm not afraid of these new tools, I'm just quite aware of how addicting they can be, and I still want to have time to geocache!

As far as using the L2 tools at work: We have already been using them for IM between library branches in my library system. I like the fact that the phones aren't ringing as much. I wouldn't mind using IM with patrons with reference either, it would be better than the email version we do now, since you can get immediate clarification in a reference interview. Of course, I would still prefer to see the patron face-to-face to get them the best reference interview, but I agree with the whole concept of taking our services to where the users are and want it.

Almost daily I hear from the patrons who like some classic library service, or don't like some change we have made. My library gets alot of visits from seniors. However, I am concerned that my library remains relevant for all users, especially the future taxpayers, whose image of us now will impact their williness to fund us in the future. These Web 2.0 tools are being used by our local youth. Let's go out there and get them!

Getting Started (again)

Thing #1 Set up a blog

Welcome to my new blog. My last attempt was going to take too much energy to produce, so I thought I'd use a theme that should come more natural to me. See, I'm a little obsessed with Geocaching right now, so perhaps I can learn how I can use the Things to tell you more about my favorite pasttime. My screen name on Geocaching.com is also "tesser."