Delicious---in lots of ways

I will set up a Delicious account, but I'm so excited about the site, I need to write now!!! I found fascinating links, tags, and unexpected use of the same words. I get used to our peculiar English language that uses the same word in so many ways, and we depend on context to sort out what the word means. When the word appears simply as a Tag, there is no context, so we are left with what my nephew calls the "promiscuous linking" of the Web. But, what fun that is! Connections I've never thought of appear on the screen, and lead down diverging paths. When I used the search term "library" in Delicious, I had 439,298 entries. Of the first ten hits, 5 were Web design or Javascript sites, 4 were virtual library sites, and the final one was the Library of Congress. Using the same term in Google, I had 8200,000,000 hits, with only one of the first ten a virtual library, the rest were physical libraries. What a difference! And all those interesting paths to follow. I could spend a lot more time than I have going exploring.

Wikis

I'd love to see Sno-Isle create a Wiki for Summer Reading. The one that Princeton Library used in 2006 grabbed my attention. Imagine our patrons being able to be part of a system-wide book discussion group---as in, not only posting reviews, but making connections (if they wish) with others of similar interests. What fun!!! And what a way to emphasize that we are all one system, even though we reside in different communities. Perhaps a way for staff to interact with patrons where they live, rather than exclusively where they work. I'm fortunate, I live and work in Stanwood, but I know there are many of us who are not that lucky. As we emphasize customer service, and respond to our communities, I can see that Wikis have the potential to generate interest, enthusiasm and connections between us and our users.

YouTube, etc.

Interesting. I've watched individual's YouTube creations before, but searching for library videos was different. I went from a talking head, who was so uninteresting that I switched off very quickly, to a tour university libraries (beautiful buildings). And maybe I'll go back to watch some of the longer poetry readings and things. I can't quite justify an hour of work time to listen to poetry!! The other two sites are of little interest as I don't watch much TV or many movies. Just not for me, though I'm glad to know about them, as we do have patrons who are interested in older TV series and may like the sites. And, of course, the other drawback for me is trying to watch something on my smaller computer screen from a desk chair, rather than loungeing in front of our larger TV.

Putting all this to work

While I enjoy learning new things, I'm finding that putting all the new things from 20 for 2.0 to work is a challenge. Even though I've done the lessons, I need to do them repeatedly in a short period of time for them to become habit. And that doesn't happen. With a reference staff and really good tech people, I don't have the opportunity to revisit the lessons frequently enough to keep them sharp. And---even when the opportunity arises, those other folks--reference and tech---are here and much faster and more knowledgable than I. So it also comes down to customer service. Do we ask patrons to wait and watch a neophyte fumble through the steps to upload a picture or video? Or, do we ask the knowledgable person to help? And, I come down on the side of knowledge every time. I think that customer service and the speed we provide it is vital to the future. I'm glad I do know how to do these things, so in the unlikely event I'm the person who has to do them, I'll have some clue! But, on the whole, I think we best serve our customers by providing them with the most knowledgable people the first time.

Facebook, etc.

OK, I always forget, hit the ENTER key after the title, and wham---the blank page is posted!! Maybe if I did this more regularly, I'd remember. Ah well---social networks. I see the positive connections, but it all still feels very second-hand to me. I'm wanting to make friends, chat, spend time face-to-face, not sitting in front of a computer! I did the facebook thing, but am to old to have any real connections there. I've signed up for Librarything (mostly to have a place to organize the books I've read), but there's at least the possibility that I'll go exploring and find more than I'm looking for right now. Life's too busy---and I have to make time for my in-person friends, so I'm not real interested in computer networking.