Wordle

Not brilliant, but hey it's there.

23!!!!! Final thoughts

Phew! That was a bit of a marathon but I'm really glad I explored these tools.

There are some that I don't think are relevant to the small library where I work, and others that I didn't really like. I don't have time to trawl through the many blogs, opinions, of everyone else and don't expect anyone to pay interest to mine. I didn't like the YouTube videos or many of the comments on LibraryThing; and I'm not a persoanl fan of facebook although I am going to use this as a communication tool in the library.

On a more positive note, I thought Linkedin was very good and will be entering my details for my personal benefit; and I will also be adding delicious tags to the library website. Slideshare I thought was extremely useful and will be working on that next week to develop my presentation. I'm also looking at Flickr to develop some good posters for the library; (we've just had a photographer in to take images for the new library website).

I need to use Twitter more but I often get the whale image (try again later) when I try to log-in and this discourages use; I also think it could become too addictive, and there is so much I still need to do this summer! I think the use of new social media does depend to some extent on the environment you work in but I think no-one should ignore it and the potential benefits it can have, particularly when the promotion and networking of what we do has never been more important.

22: Wiki

I'm really curious about TeachMeet and the range of topics given by the speakers (I'm only an "enthusiastic lurker"). Any ideas involving teaching tips for students will be greatly received as I will be giving my first seminar in a long while to a group of postgrads (I spent five years away from the professional library sphere).

As for wikis, I have edited content for wikipedia regarding a certain victorian fellow called Albert Smith (see image) who I have researched for a number of years now. Just wanted to put a bit more about him online to give him more presence. I haven't consciously had too much to do with other wikis otherwise but will look further into the LibraryRoutesProject after the bank holiday.

21: Podcasting and YouTube

Of use to a major building like the UL for assistance on library procedures (and navigation around the building). Podcasts would also be good for the exhibition displays like Sassoon in the basement. YouTube to promote the UL certainly; but for the time and labour involved I can't see it coming to Divinity (yet!). Personally, it's not my "thing" either.

20: Create a google document

Created a simple word document and posted it to another Cam23 blogger. I can see the potential of this programme. I'm on the committee for the Cambridge Libraries Group and this would be a good way to finalise the programme of events for the year: i.e. everyone can contribute to the one document rather than the multiple e-mails going backwards and forwards. Also useful for people to work on publicity documents etc. I will suggest it at the next meeting.

Post 19: Marketing with Social Media

I'll be applying some of the things discussed and see how they work: delicious and facebook will be linked to the library homepage; slideshare for any presentations (including help on Zotero and Endnote); Flickr for posters; and Linkedin for my own professional interest. The new academic year is always a good time to implement new stuff (ie new students), and it should look good on the new website when it is finally up and running.

Thing 18: Zotero

I have a link to Zotero and the other reference management tools (Endnote etc) from the Library website. I'll consider what prominence to give it when we have our new website. Extremely easy to start using ...

17: Linkedin

Just a quick look at a few people who have a profile here: does seem useful to have a profile here - will get one set up next week, and create links to CLG etc.

16: Facebook

On a personal level I have a distaste for Facebook. I used it in the past and kept getting dull messages from people I see everyday. It could be useful to connect with friends overseas etc. but I prefer to e-mail/write/phone tem instead: seems more personal. I cancelled facebook but rejoined on moving to Cambridge to participate in the group discussion. In the next couple of weeks I'll get a site set up for the Divinity Library, link it to the website and see how it goes ... I am keen on getting information to and from library users in a variety of ways: hopefully it will used by someone!!!!

15: LibraryThing

I can see its potential use in certain small libraries; don't think it is something that I can see being useful at the Divinity Library in its current form. Entered a few books: the first review for "Middlemarch" was that you have to be really bored before picking it up: thanks for that insight. I know it goes against the grain of what web2.0 is all about but there is a lot of people including myself blogging and writing stuff that no-one cares about. On a more positive note: there is certainly some useful stuff in this course.

14: LibraryThing

Not sure how useful this will be on a professional basis until the next step, but I can see possible benefits on a personal level. It seems a way to promote books (I have one to try for the next exercise), although I can't see myself paying for the service.

13 (Reflection)

Hmmm; not really doing this to the prescribed timetable. But better late and all that. A few useful things have come out the sessions, especially slideshare and delicious. Also the possibility of using flickr for posters, etc. Been trying to create a general RSS feed for the library website to promote general activities rather than simply new books; will keep plugging at this for a while before going to twitter etc. for advice.

Delicious (12)

Yes, definitely will be creating a site relevant to the Divinity Library and creating a link for the library homepage: will be a good addition to the new library website when it is finally up. Will also create one for me personally for use on the enquiry desk. Obviously need to do necessary precautions about validity and usefulness, just because many people tag a site ... However, it is useful to see what other library staff etc. are doing

Slideshare (11)

This is one of the most useful of the Cam23 things so far. Plenty of great ideas for both content and style of presentations. Plenty of Cambridge sites like the University induction. Obviously with content on the web, it is easy to transport your presentation and make tweaks where necessary. Next month I will be preparing a presentation for the new postgrads and will certainly be using this.

Using images (10)

I'm currently exploring Creative Commons in Flickr with regards to getting some new posters designed for the library. Plenty of choice!

Flickr (9)

Flickr is a fantastic resource; have been a long-time admirer of the site viewing photos from family and friends. I'm not sure you would use any of the resources whilst creating a professional website but can certainly be used to highlight the architectural delights of buildings as Cambridge University has done. I prefer exploring the site rather than getting an RSS feed from anyone in particular.

Tagging (8)

Back after a long time away ...

As a researcher, I would simply pay no any attention to items tagged by other users: wouldn't trust the results or those who created them. I never found the ones on sites like Amazon very useful.

Thing 7

Now I've finally got a new PC and managed to upload and upgrade everything on it, I will make a daily check on Tweets and interact where possible. Has been rather sporadic so far. I personally find it frustrating sometimes but the more I persevere with it, the more I hope to maximise the use I can get out of it. I think facebook is the same; with growth there is more that is interesting and useful.

Thing 6

igoogle calendar - probably more useful to me if working in a larger library with a cohort of others. At the moment, prefer something more portable, at moment using normal diary. Probably use it when get ipad - it's not as helpful on a PC.

Thing 5

Didn't get Doodle when I tried it a month ago. Probably a bit late to try it again now.

Thing 1 revisited

igoogle page. Just more experimenting with the GIMP.

Thing 4

Just experimenting with Thing 4. Picture of my beloved Brig in Switzerland where I lived and worked for a couple of years including the mountain I climbed (from the other side - it's easier!)

Thing 3

Keeping an open mind about blogging though not keen at the moment on expressing myself in this way. Have read encouraging Cam23 links to converts so will see how things go.

Thing 2

Using RSS feeds at the moment in our library to promote new books; potential to expand on this as a useful way of communication. Have linked some RSS feeds to igoogle and will be doing more over summer. Potential to make igoogle useful if invest enough time adapting it to needs and interests.

Thing 1

Yes, I've set up igoogle and customised it with news feeds, twitter, Cam23. Need to spend more time tailoring it to my needs/interests, and exploring its' potential - still tend to go for my bookmarks and searching for things. I find it a bit restrictive and time consuming to set up when there is so much I get out of the Internet. Also potentially a bit too distractivefor me in the morning to have as a homepage.

First Post

This is my first blog post. Busy trying to catch up after a busy week. Yes, there is the potential for Web 2.0 to have an increasing importance both for personal development and communication within the workplace. I hope now that term is ending I will have chance to explore all this stuff fully and apply it to our library where appropriate.