Imagine my surprise when I logged in to LibraryThing and found that it hadn't been deleted - Jo had been a member of LibraryThing for quite a while and I originally joined in January when my library was starting to investigate Emerging Technologies - and even my books that I'd added were still there - what a surprise!
I have added my series of Harry Potter (although I don't have number 7) and I'm going to try to add a widget....
Log in to LibraryThing
Under Tools
Click on link Make a standard blog widget
Choose style etc (eg Book covers, tag cloud)
Copy and paste the HTML code
and voila...
There was also an option (link) Make a search widget
Choose the options and copy and paste the Widget HTML
and voila....
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Week 7 - Technorati
I had a quick search for this blog using the search term 'how many things' and found there were nearly 4000 results....of course, my blog may not actually be one of those results so I tried a couple of searches using keywords from my blog and did not find it - perhaps it's not actually on technorati...but back to the task.
Bookmobile
Search for "Bookmobile" - I did a basic search for Blogs - and found 16 Blogs about Bookmobiles.
I then did an Advanced Search (Show posts that contain the EXACT phrase) and search in All Blogs: "Bookmobile" - and found it did not work the first time (perhaps as I had used "") and when I removed the "", I received 1 184 results Search in entire post of blogs with any authority in English
Out of curiousity, I returned to the original search result of 16 Blogs and clicked on the Posts tab and received 64 Posts tagged "Bookmobile" - Search in tags only of blogs with any authority in English
I also clicked the Photos and Videos tabs - it didn't actually give the number of results for Photos or Videos (there was one page of Videos) but I discovered there are 90 pages of Photos for "Bookmobile"
NSWPLN
I did an Advanced Search for nswpln2008 and found:
Posts - 9 results for "nswpln2008" Search in entire post of blogs with any authority in English.
Blogs - no blogs
Photos - there are 21 pages of photos about nswpln2008
Videos - There are no videos about "nswpln2008". To contribute to this page, go to YouTube and tag some videos.
The only difference I found with this particular search was the number of results for Posts - there were 6 Posts tagged "nswpln2008" Search in tags only of blogs with any authority in English
My Flickr images were there (even on the first page) searching for nswpln2008.
Bookmobile
Search for "Bookmobile" - I did a basic search for Blogs - and found 16 Blogs about Bookmobiles.
I then did an Advanced Search (Show posts that contain the EXACT phrase) and search in All Blogs: "Bookmobile" - and found it did not work the first time (perhaps as I had used "") and when I removed the "", I received 1 184 results Search in entire post of blogs with any authority in English
Out of curiousity, I returned to the original search result of 16 Blogs and clicked on the Posts tab and received 64 Posts tagged "Bookmobile" - Search in tags only of blogs with any authority in English
I also clicked the Photos and Videos tabs - it didn't actually give the number of results for Photos or Videos (there was one page of Videos) but I discovered there are 90 pages of Photos for "Bookmobile"
NSWPLN
I did an Advanced Search for nswpln2008 and found:
Posts - 9 results for "nswpln2008" Search in entire post of blogs with any authority in English.
Blogs - no blogs
Photos - there are 21 pages of photos about nswpln2008
Videos - There are no videos about "nswpln2008". To contribute to this page, go to YouTube and tag some videos.
The only difference I found with this particular search was the number of results for Posts - there were 6 Posts tagged "nswpln2008" Search in tags only of blogs with any authority in English
My Flickr images were there (even on the first page) searching for nswpln2008.
Week 7 - Del.icio.us - Discover and Explore
Firstly, when I viewed Lorcan Dempsey's Weblog and saw the link to Ask Now's del.icio.us webpage, I thought, Brilliant - I'll have to include the link for when I return from holidays and am next logged in on an AskNow shift - the AskNow Cloud.
Investigating the SLNSW Del.icio.us site was also interesting to note the variable number of people that have also saved a particular site. For example, 4 other people have saved Doctor DaDa and 16 788 other people have saved LibraryThing. I must admit I prefer the look of the tag cloud to the traditional list and by rolling your mouse over the cloud tag, you're automatically alerted how many posts exist for that particular tag; however, I can see that some people may prefer the list view for pure alphabetical ease of finding the tag they're looking for. All in all, a brilliant idea to have the option to keep everybody happy!
I really like the look of the del.icio.us accounts - and when I first explored Sutherland's tag cloud, it demonstrated how dated our Weblinks looks in comparison. Our Weblinks was fantastic, great etc when it was first launched (several years ago now) and even whilst I was working in another library service, a couple of us had used the Weblinks for our university studies and thought it was great. Although our Weblinks still serves a fantastic purpose, I wonder how many users look at it and think ho-hum - imagine how much could be improved if it was to be transferred to del.icio.us - and for users who do like the traditional list - that option is still there!
Which brings me to Cleveland's tags - you're are greeted with the traditional list, click on the hyperlink and voila - a more sassy-looking del.icio.us account, complete with tag cloud.
Thus, I can see the use for such a tool in libraries - and Sutherland is just one library that has grasped these type of technologies and run with it - and of course, I was nodding my head whilst reading Lorcan's blog regarding AskNow service and lately have found whilst looking for websites to assist AskNow customers, have found some sites 'blocked' by the IT department which of course, makes it somewhat difficult to ascertain whether it will be useful for the customer. Mind you, I think some customers have also been unable to view some sites recommended by AskNow librarians (perhaps due to IT administrators etc).
I can also see the benefits of having access to 'Your Favourites', Bookmarks etc from any PC - how often in a work situation could you be away from your own PC etc - such a tool would be of benefit to many people.
Also, as the Social Bookmarking in Plain English video states, the collaborative benefits of social bookmarking saves many people time and effort in finding relevant websites - the example of Math teachers were used - we could quite easily transfer that to Librarians!
I'm now going to create my own Del.icio.us account....I've created my account, and having confirmed my email, I had a little exploration and saved some websites and added some tags and then to add my tag cloud to my blog, I did the following whilst logged in to Del.icio.us:
Click on Settings
Scroll down to Blogging
Click on tag rolls - this will display a cloud or list of your del.icio.us tags as part of your website - so I'm hoping that will be part of my blog.
Adjust your display options
Copy and paste the code
and this will be the test...
Investigating the SLNSW Del.icio.us site was also interesting to note the variable number of people that have also saved a particular site. For example, 4 other people have saved Doctor DaDa and 16 788 other people have saved LibraryThing. I must admit I prefer the look of the tag cloud to the traditional list and by rolling your mouse over the cloud tag, you're automatically alerted how many posts exist for that particular tag; however, I can see that some people may prefer the list view for pure alphabetical ease of finding the tag they're looking for. All in all, a brilliant idea to have the option to keep everybody happy!
I really like the look of the del.icio.us accounts - and when I first explored Sutherland's tag cloud, it demonstrated how dated our Weblinks looks in comparison. Our Weblinks was fantastic, great etc when it was first launched (several years ago now) and even whilst I was working in another library service, a couple of us had used the Weblinks for our university studies and thought it was great. Although our Weblinks still serves a fantastic purpose, I wonder how many users look at it and think ho-hum - imagine how much could be improved if it was to be transferred to del.icio.us - and for users who do like the traditional list - that option is still there!
Which brings me to Cleveland's tags - you're are greeted with the traditional list, click on the hyperlink and voila - a more sassy-looking del.icio.us account, complete with tag cloud.
Thus, I can see the use for such a tool in libraries - and Sutherland is just one library that has grasped these type of technologies and run with it - and of course, I was nodding my head whilst reading Lorcan's blog regarding AskNow service and lately have found whilst looking for websites to assist AskNow customers, have found some sites 'blocked' by the IT department which of course, makes it somewhat difficult to ascertain whether it will be useful for the customer. Mind you, I think some customers have also been unable to view some sites recommended by AskNow librarians (perhaps due to IT administrators etc).
I can also see the benefits of having access to 'Your Favourites', Bookmarks etc from any PC - how often in a work situation could you be away from your own PC etc - such a tool would be of benefit to many people.
Also, as the Social Bookmarking in Plain English video states, the collaborative benefits of social bookmarking saves many people time and effort in finding relevant websites - the example of Math teachers were used - we could quite easily transfer that to Librarians!
I'm now going to create my own Del.icio.us account....I've created my account, and having confirmed my email, I had a little exploration and saved some websites and added some tags and then to add my tag cloud to my blog, I did the following whilst logged in to Del.icio.us:
Click on Settings
Scroll down to Blogging
Click on tag rolls - this will display a cloud or list of your del.icio.us tags as part of your website - so I'm hoping that will be part of my blog.
Adjust your display options
Copy and paste the code
and this will be the test...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Week 6 - Explore + Attempting the Adventure
Firstly, I did a search for "Mosman Library" in YouTube but didn't find any results as such, but then did the same search in Google Video and found 19 results! What a brilliant way to not only present the 'special guests' but also highlight the fact that these well-known identities have come to Mosman Library! Our Friends of the Library hold literary lunches for FOTL members and guests; yet if you aren't able to attend for whatever reason, you may recall that the particular author attended your local library, but it will become a distant memory. Now, if you could search for your local library in YouTube or Google Video and 'rediscover' the literary guest - wouldn't it create a great feeling (hopefully the guest was successful!). And it wouldn't just have to be a literary guest, it could be anything 'special' - even a launch of a new collection, new concept etc - the idea still reaches plenty of people, even years down the track.
I did notice in the James Valentine video, the option on the right hand side of Embed Video - I clicked on it and received coding (similar to HTML) and I've copied the tagging and I'm going to paste it and I will discover whether I have successfully embedded a video into my blog....
Fantastic! It works - so now I'm going to try to embed a You Tube video....I'll embed the longer video for AskWhyKY.org - I viewed the video, on the right hand side is the coding under Embed - I highlighted the coding and copied it and now it will be a straight paste into my post and tada!!!
Fantastic!
Some of my thoughts about libraries using You Tube and Google Video include:
Promoting the library - what it has to offer; if you have never been to this library - what would make you step inside; what would entice you to become a member - people are members of libraries for various reasons - but what would entice potential members - have an enticing video/promotion on You Tube and Google Video - voila! Reaching more people. Reach not only people in your local community but also visitors to the area - day visitors, travellers, backpackers.
A library could also do what Mosman has done - include special guests - the special guests are unlikely to disagree as it means that they too are being promoted.
You wouldn't have to limit it to special guests but use your resources - your staff (if they are willing) to highlight different aspects/activities etc your library has to offer.
I think it is Redcliffe Library in Queensland that has a Virtual tour on their website - perhaps the video tools such as You Tube and Google Video could offer a 'virtual tour' of your local library?
Just a couple of ideas to think about....
I did notice in the James Valentine video, the option on the right hand side of Embed Video - I clicked on it and received coding (similar to HTML) and I've copied the tagging and I'm going to paste it and I will discover whether I have successfully embedded a video into my blog....
Fantastic! It works - so now I'm going to try to embed a You Tube video....I'll embed the longer video for AskWhyKY.org - I viewed the video, on the right hand side is the coding under Embed - I highlighted the coding and copied it and now it will be a straight paste into my post and tada!!!
Fantastic!
Some of my thoughts about libraries using You Tube and Google Video include:
Promoting the library - what it has to offer; if you have never been to this library - what would make you step inside; what would entice you to become a member - people are members of libraries for various reasons - but what would entice potential members - have an enticing video/promotion on You Tube and Google Video - voila! Reaching more people. Reach not only people in your local community but also visitors to the area - day visitors, travellers, backpackers.
A library could also do what Mosman has done - include special guests - the special guests are unlikely to disagree as it means that they too are being promoted.
You wouldn't have to limit it to special guests but use your resources - your staff (if they are willing) to highlight different aspects/activities etc your library has to offer.
I think it is Redcliffe Library in Queensland that has a Virtual tour on their website - perhaps the video tools such as You Tube and Google Video could offer a 'virtual tour' of your local library?
Just a couple of ideas to think about....
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Week 6 - Discover
Lego - You Tube I did a search for "lego" in YouTube and found there were 70 100 videos containing the word lego (I presume all 70-odd-thousand have the word lego); however, I did view a couple of videos including Lego Donkey Kong and Ultimate Lego Rubberband Gun.
Google Video I did a search for "lego" in Google Video and found there were "about 103138" results; however, I selected the radio button "Videos hosted by Google" and the number of results decreased dramatically to "5160" - I scrolled forward through the results and found a video of 13 minutes "Thriller Lego Style" - I didn't watch the whole 13 minutes!
Liverpool Plains - You Tube - I did a search of "liverpool plains" and found 1 result - quite an interesting video when I started to watch it - but You Tube contained a hyperlink to see results for liverpool plains which gave 23 results - although scrolling through the results I noticed there were keywords of liverpool and plain - just demonstates the value of using quotation marks!
Liverpool Plains - Google Video I did a search for "liverpool plains" in Google video (videos hosted by Google) and did not retrieve any results. I removed the quotation marks and retrieved 1 result - 'Train to Belgium' ~ Liverpool City Council. Selecting the radio button for All Videos, retrieved the 'Liverpool Plains Harvest 2006' as per the YouTube result.
You Tube - Kogarah I did a search for "Kogarah" and found 78 results so I decided to add library to my search and found 1 video of 'yyz by rush cover by yr 12 students' - a performance at Kogarah Library for Yr 12 music.
Google Video - Kogarah I did a search for "Kogarah" searching Videos hosted by Google and retrieved 5 results (majority of them of Sydney News) - interesting to note that one of the results was the 'Train to Belgium' ~ Kogarah Municipal Council. Searching in Google Video for all videos retrieved 27 results.
I have just looked at the 2 library examples and I got the idea to search to see whether there is another video promoting a service such as Ask Now! - I found this short video and once I learn to embed into my posts, chances are, I may embed this one but for now, you could view this video at Parents - Try AskWhyKY.org! Librarians on AskWhyKY answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - absolutely free. This particular video runs for approx 0:30 seconds; however, I've just found another one advertising the website which runs for approx 2:30 minutes - this one can be found at AskWhyKY.org
Google Video I did a search for "lego" in Google Video and found there were "about 103138" results; however, I selected the radio button "Videos hosted by Google" and the number of results decreased dramatically to "5160" - I scrolled forward through the results and found a video of 13 minutes "Thriller Lego Style" - I didn't watch the whole 13 minutes!
Liverpool Plains - You Tube - I did a search of "liverpool plains" and found 1 result - quite an interesting video when I started to watch it - but You Tube contained a hyperlink to see results for liverpool plains which gave 23 results - although scrolling through the results I noticed there were keywords of liverpool and plain - just demonstates the value of using quotation marks!
Liverpool Plains - Google Video I did a search for "liverpool plains" in Google video (videos hosted by Google) and did not retrieve any results. I removed the quotation marks and retrieved 1 result - 'Train to Belgium' ~ Liverpool City Council. Selecting the radio button for All Videos, retrieved the 'Liverpool Plains Harvest 2006' as per the YouTube result.
You Tube - Kogarah I did a search for "Kogarah" and found 78 results so I decided to add library to my search and found 1 video of 'yyz by rush cover by yr 12 students' - a performance at Kogarah Library for Yr 12 music.
Google Video - Kogarah I did a search for "Kogarah" searching Videos hosted by Google and retrieved 5 results (majority of them of Sydney News) - interesting to note that one of the results was the 'Train to Belgium' ~ Kogarah Municipal Council. Searching in Google Video for all videos retrieved 27 results.
I have just looked at the 2 library examples and I got the idea to search to see whether there is another video promoting a service such as Ask Now! - I found this short video and once I learn to embed into my posts, chances are, I may embed this one but for now, you could view this video at Parents - Try AskWhyKY.org! Librarians on AskWhyKY answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - absolutely free. This particular video runs for approx 0:30 seconds; however, I've just found another one advertising the website which runs for approx 2:30 minutes - this one can be found at AskWhyKY.org
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Week 5 - Contribute to the wiki + Adventure!
Hi all,
It's been a little while since I've logged on but I have added to the NSW Learning 2.0 Wiki as well as doing searches of my local area in Wikipedia. I also contributed to Wikipedia by adding my library as a Place of Interest. Below is a copy of my contribution - I will keep a watch on the article to see whether it remains the same...
Dapto Library
Dapto Library is located within (on Level 1) the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre on the Princes Hwy (near Dapto Mall and McDonalds). The easiest way to access the library is to enter via the main entrance on the Princes Hwy. There is parking available in the Moombara St car park. A second car park is available in Heininger Street.
The library is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 8pm; Wednesday 1pm to 8pm; Friday 10am to 6pm; and Saturday 9am to 12noon.
Library membership is free to residents of the Wollongong City Council area. Proof of current address is essential. Reciprocal membership (free) is also available to NSW residents able to provide proof of current address as well as membership of their local library. Persons under the age of 18 years require a parent or guarantor to be present to join the library.
Library membership entitles you to use the Internet services (for research and information) free of charge. PCs are also available for Email, Chat & Word Processing facilities for a nominal fee. Visitors to Dapto Library are also able to use these facilities (proof of home address is required).
You may borrow :
Books (Fiction and Non Fiction), Magazines, Comics, DVDs, CDROMs, HSC resources, Videos, Audiobooks, Literacy resources, Music CDs.
PS2 and Board Games are also available for use in the library.
Activities for Children
Regular activities are held for children. These include:
Born to Read - a literacy program specifically designed for babies aged 0 to 24 months. This 10-week program exposes baby to language, books and rhymes. Bookings are essential.
Preschool Storytime - a free FUN hour of stories, songs, rhymes and craft specifically for preschool children. Preschool Storytime is held every Friday at 10.30am during school term. Bookings are not essential.
After School Activities - a free FUN program held on the last Tuesday of each month (during school term) at 4pm. After School Activities are specifically aimed at four to ten year olds but come along and give it a try!
It's been a little while since I've logged on but I have added to the NSW Learning 2.0 Wiki as well as doing searches of my local area in Wikipedia. I also contributed to Wikipedia by adding my library as a Place of Interest. Below is a copy of my contribution - I will keep a watch on the article to see whether it remains the same...
Dapto Library
Dapto Library is located within (on Level 1) the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre on the Princes Hwy (near Dapto Mall and McDonalds). The easiest way to access the library is to enter via the main entrance on the Princes Hwy. There is parking available in the Moombara St car park. A second car park is available in Heininger Street.
The library is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 8pm; Wednesday 1pm to 8pm; Friday 10am to 6pm; and Saturday 9am to 12noon.
Library membership is free to residents of the Wollongong City Council area. Proof of current address is essential. Reciprocal membership (free) is also available to NSW residents able to provide proof of current address as well as membership of their local library. Persons under the age of 18 years require a parent or guarantor to be present to join the library.
Library membership entitles you to use the Internet services (for research and information) free of charge. PCs are also available for Email, Chat & Word Processing facilities for a nominal fee. Visitors to Dapto Library are also able to use these facilities (proof of home address is required).
You may borrow :
Books (Fiction and Non Fiction), Magazines, Comics, DVDs, CDROMs, HSC resources, Videos, Audiobooks, Literacy resources, Music CDs.
PS2 and Board Games are also available for use in the library.
Activities for Children
Regular activities are held for children. These include:
Born to Read - a literacy program specifically designed for babies aged 0 to 24 months. This 10-week program exposes baby to language, books and rhymes. Bookings are essential.
Preschool Storytime - a free FUN hour of stories, songs, rhymes and craft specifically for preschool children. Preschool Storytime is held every Friday at 10.30am during school term. Bookings are not essential.
After School Activities - a free FUN program held on the last Tuesday of each month (during school term) at 4pm. After School Activities are specifically aimed at four to ten year olds but come along and give it a try!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Week 5 Wikis - Explore - as easy as making a peanut butter sandwich
I know I can certainly make a peanut butter sandwich so to contribute to a PB Wiki should be rather pain-free! I have just sent an email requesting the invite key so that I can contribute to NSW learning 2.0 wiki - I was reading the wiki last night and found it extremely interesting perusing the various roles in libraries - I have worked in a Junior Library so found I was agreeing with most of the entries for Childrens (even the part about dressing up in costumes!) as well as the Library Officer, Library Assistant and Branch Librarians - I don't consider myself 'that old' as I'm nowhere near retiring age but I have worked in each of those roles during my time - I started when I was only 19. Anyway, I look forward to obtaining the invite key so that I can add my thoughts to the wiki. I will add the link to the NSW learning 2.0 wiki
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