Method 12

All the modules were fantastic and eye opening. My favorites are the delicious and social networking technologies. I am constantly learning. This program only reinforced what I have already known “so much to learn so little time.” I was surprised at how simple all the 2.0 technologies are to understand. But, how easily they can be forgotten, if not used.

I enjoyed the webcasts in Plain English, because they made all the technologies presented easy to understand. To improve the program more interaction between the instructor and the students might be beneficial. A project using a Wiki that incorporates Cloud computing, RSS feeds, photos, bookmarking, instant messaging, and podcasting among several students could help retain the use of these technologies.

I would definitely participate in another such discovery program.

Method 11

I did find many useful podcasts. I do believe that libraries could benefit from creating podcasts. Podcasts can be used to educate patrons on using the online catalog, requesting books and promoting programs. These podcasts could be embedded in the library’s blogs, MySpace or Facebook websites.

Method 10

The Wiki as a collaborating tool is very impressive. I believe that it would serve as a fantastic tool in the public library. This tool would work great in writing grants, creating new programs for the library, planning staff developments and many more projects.

Method 9

My experience with Instant Messaging is a positive one. It is convenient and easy to use. The chat/IM at public libraries could be a positive tool; however, some one would need to be actively logged in to the Internet 24/7. At my library our staff are busy with patrons and are not actively logged in to the Internet. My library does offer IM through Meebo Me. However, like anything else this tool must be promoted to the public.

Method 8

As, I read the articles about social networking, I felt overwhelmed with the amount of potential that these services can provide to public libraries. In general, however, patrons in my library are not very computer savvy so that using social networking would be a challenge. The use of tools such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter however are increasing. Librarians and library staff should become more familiar with social networking so that they can be used in libraries. They can be used to promote library events, programs and collections. Our library currently has a MySpace page.

I do have privacy concerns, just as there is a very positive potential for these services, so there is a very negative potential. Negative aspects of social networking could be negative slurs on a business or individuals that cannot be retracted. Stolen identities of individuals or stolen financial information can be devastating.

Method 6

I enjoyed watching the videos on YouTube; they are informative and funny. I especially liked videos that promoted the library by instructing, informing and entertaining. The video that I found both informative and entertaining is the video The Wizard of Oz - a Tale of Library Circulation.

Method 5

On a personal level, I would like to use online photo sharing between family members instead of with different groups of people that I do not know.

On a professional level, I see a huge potential in sharing photos online between libraries. This is an excellent documentation tool and promotional tool for libraries.