Week 10: # 23 Is this really the end? Or is this the begining?

This is the end the for Postits blog, but not for my future in blogging. I have enjoyed going through all (most) of the exercises, but describing my experiences with the exercises on the blog has been the most satisfiying. Many times I wanted to keep a journal, then wanted to keep a blog, but didn't know how to go about it. Now I have the expertise to do so.


Flickr is something I hope to keep going in keeping pictures on my home computer. Editing photos goes hand in hand. Avatars are fun and I can't see not continuing with them. Although I will probably not have the expertise (although who knows after completing iHCPL Learning 2.0) to post a podcast, I will certainly research them and listen. Library elf will also remain with me both at email at work, home and cell phone.

Between YouTube and podcasting; library programming, short videos and visual tours allow our branches to be viewed and/or heard throughout the world. RSS and wiki are great assets for finding information and keeping us connected.

I would like to thank the staff who designed and posted iHCPL. You did a fantastic job. What a wonderful learning experience for all who particiated, both staff and library customers. With the self-paced exercises those already with the expertise could sail right through. Those like me who had never been introduced to the likes of RSS and Wikis could go over and over the information before attempting exericses and blogging.

I would also like to thank the Administration for giving all staff the opportunity to learn this new technology.

Gamer

Week 9: #22 Downloadable Media

I looked up items on audiobooks, ebooks, music and videos. I wold be interested in downloading Iris Johanson's Pandora's Daughter (audiobook), T Myers's Larceny and Old Lace (ebook) and A Celtic Celebration (music).

In viewing the three sites I liked that HCPL highights new items and that book covers are shown. HCPL (as does Wowio) provides synopsis of the book and in the ebooks provides part of the first chapter. This allows the person the opportunity to see if the ebook is really something they want to take the time to download. LibriVox has a system where you have to search a title/author/genre/subject. When looking for titles by Louisa May Alcott, I spelled May as Mae. 0 titles were available.

Wowio has a format similar to HCPL. HCPL and Wowio show what can be available. Wowio's homepage has a large section with changing titles/genre. Both seem more user-friendly than LibriVox per example regarding Louisa May Alcott.

HCPL 's homepage provides serveral ways to access the titles in the various media. Of course, a huge advantage of HCPL is that it offers several forms of media. LibriVox offers only audiobooks, and Wowio only ebooks.

Week 9: #21 Podcasts, Smodcasts

http://www.podcast.net/play/58769/10

I have posted podcast from Kankakee Public Library of author Barbara D'Amato, mystery writer. She speaks to a live audience on 10/03/2006 about formulating an idea for a book to getting it published. She highlights her latest book, Death of a Thousand Cuts. The murder is of Dr. Scrimahorn (fictional) on the first night of reunion of his patients and patient's families. The fictional book is based on a real live Dr. Battleheim (although never a real doctor) who maintained a facility for autistic children. He claimed and told parents that they were the cause of their child's autism. He allowed the children only two visits home per year. D'Amato for many years harbored anger against Dr. Battleheim. Several books have been written about Dr. Battleheim, so instead of a biography she developed a murder mystery.

Listening to her about how she developed her idea for the book has certainly piqued my interest. Although I will probably never visit Kankakee Public Library or visit the town, isn't it wonderful to know you can participate in a library program, even one held over a year ago. Podcasts are here for posterity and an excellent way for a library to share its prograaming with the world.

Week 9: #20 Discover You Tube and other sharing sites

I was spellbound watching UNT Libraries' Portal to Texas History. A history buff anyway, and especially fond of Texas History, UNT promoted their digital libraries with maps, photos and news pages illustrating Texas History and what can be found at their digital site, http://texashistory.unt.edu/. HCPL could promote it's collections as well showcasing subject areas and genres of materials. The publicity and branding committee had discussed filming individual branches with panoramic views and posting on Harriet. Panoramic viewing or slideshows, it's about marketing and showing what we got.