Say no to internet censorship!

My Dewey Classification

I found this great little website thanks to Helene Blowers and her blog LibraryBytes.

My results follow...

AtticusM's Dewey Decimal Section:

525 Earth (Astronomical geography)

AtticusM = 11088543199 = 110+885+431+99 = 1525


Class:
500 Science


Contains:
Math, astronomy, prehistoric life, plants and animals.



What it says about you:
You are fascinated by the world around you, and see it as a puzzle worth exploring. You try to understand how things work and how you can make them better. You might be a nerd.

Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com

Dreaming 08

just returned from a FANTASTIC ALIA biennial conference - Dreaming 08! Here are some clips of fellow conference delegates recorded by CSU Info Studies team Bob Pymm, Jake Wallis and Damian Lodge

Disasters - how can we help?

With the horrendous disasters in Burma and China, it makes me think how we - the library industry - can help? There's the obvious money tin on the counter asking for donations, but I feel we should be doing something more constructive. I do know that after human-made and natural disasters in other countries, libraries donated books and computers to help affected schools and libraries in those countries (e.g. East Timor). And how many books do we send off for pulping? Wouldn't it be better to send them to people who need them?

So how would my library go about this? Should we contact ALIA? or SLNSW? Or should we contact a charity such as UNICEF or Red Cross? I guess what I'm trying to say (and without having done any research into this whatsoever so far) is that I think the world would benefit from a permanent Library Aid Programme in Australia. What do you think? If I get many positive comments, I would be happy to look into setting up some sort of programme and discussing it with ALIA, SLNSW, NLA etc.

I'll do some research now in case I get a positive response from the blogsphere.

That's all folks!

Well I've just finished Week 12 - but haven't done the feedback yet!

I decided to go back over the weeks and refresh what I'd learnt, and really benefited from it. Its so easy to forget things! And as I finished it from my home computer, I was able to access some of the sites I couldn't before. It was also easier re-reading the blogs after I was more familiar and comfortable with the terminology.

So I just wanted to say thanks to SLNSW for putting this all together, and thanks everyone for your comments.

I'm actually looking forward to having some time to view more of the other blogs now!!

Good luck to everyone - and see you in cyberspace!

Mash me up?

I was really looking forward to this week's activities, as Mashups are something I've heard about, but didn't really know about. And this week did answer some of my questions, but not all. For instance, what are the copyright implications of using these programs on our official websites? Is there anything official we have to sort out before we do it, or can we just start mashing?

If we can just start mashing, I can see great possibilities - fun stuff, like getting kids to create badges and jigsaw puzzles - as well as using maps and photos and frames to promote our local studies collection. It could also be a great way to advertise the location of our libraries and upcoming events - especially if they are held off site!

Podcasting the library world.

Unfortunately our IT restrictions made it too difficult for me to listen to any of the Library related podcasts, but I had a look through the libsuccess.org list and thought most of the libraries had used podcasting very effectively. I especially liked how so many schools are doing it, with teachers, students and librarians all offering information for everyone else in the community to share.

I'm a fan of ABC podcasts from way back - I must admit that I never really understood all the technical mumbo-jumbo, but figured out how to listen to my favourite Radio National programs regardless! My favourites are "The national interest" and "The Science Show" - and I try and podacst them if I ever miss them 'live'. I've also 'vodcast' a few episodes of 'Chaser' and 'summer heights high' that I've missed when they were broadcast - better than illegally video recording them!

To Slam or not to Slam? That is the question!

The question was posed "Is there a role for your library in 'Slamming the boards'?" and it made me consider the different opportunities we might have as a library to promote our specialist services. As a local studies librarian, there is a real opportunity for me to promote the local studies and family history collections in all libraries, but with particular reference to my area where possible. And the Children's and Youth Librarian could more effectively answer questions relating to HSC materials or Children's literature and again use the opportunity to promote their collection. But is this then taking away from the integrity of the event? I think not, as long as the answers are given honestly and any advertising is done at the end and it is made clear that these events are run at most libraries.

I've heard of the 'Slamming the boards' events each month and have honestly considered participating, but I have always been either too busy (aren't we all?!) or not confident enough with the technology to feel I could give my best. I think I feel that if its going 'in print' (albeit online) it needs to be 100% perfect and accurate, and whenever I've drafted an answer, I tend to spend hours tweaking it to make it perfect, only to give up because, of course, it never is!

AtticusM on del.icio.us!

Well I may be running a little behind the rest of the pack (long time no blog!), but I've set up my del.icio.us account. I've had to use the name "AtticusM" because "Atticus Mockingbird" was already taken - which I'm surprised at, it's not as if it's a very common name!

It was very easy setting up the account. I love the way that I can share with everyone some of the really great websites and blogs out there!

For instance, I've been subscribing to LibraryBytes (Helene Blower's site) for a while now and often get some really useful links. And today I saw that there's a 'free use' Flickr group where all photos submitted to the group are completely copyright free! That's right - you are encouraged to use these photos for displays, signs, web pages- ANYTHING! And it was set up by librarians primarily for libraries! So I encourage you all to join this group and add your photos from Flickr to it, so that we can all USE the pics, not just VIEW them!

I was initially concerned about security and privacy. It is a bit 'big brother' that everyone can see what pages you like and visit. However, I figured that if you don't want people knowing what you're visiting, don't post them to del.icio.us!

I was inspired by the Sutherland Libraries Tag Cloud. It was great to see some family history and local studies sites recommended, as well as readers advisory. Many (if not all) public libraries in NSW have web pages with a separate 'links' or 'electronic resources' page arranged by subject headings, so why not have Tag Clouds that the current generation of library users are so familiar with!

An animation dissin' web 2.0 by using web 2.0

I'm sure we have all come across colleagues, family and friends who really don't like web 2.0 and don't understand why we want to know more about it. I had a family member who sent me this link via email.

American Comedy Network : My Space

Its an animation of 'Frank Sinatra' and his feelings about one web 2.0 phenomenon in particular. What I found amusing is that the animation was obviously done on a computer, and then broadcast to the world via the web using web 2.0 practices - good to see that people still fully partake in irony!

Embedded videos within a blog post

I just tried posting two youtube videos to my blog, but only one (Crazy Warehouse Guy) worked.

So I'm going to try and 'embed' a link to see if that works.



It's from a mini-series called North and South based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskill. Its one of my favourites and I hope it encourages you to watch it. It has recently been aired on ABC1, and I believe it is currently on Foxtel's UKTV. I like it for the way it examines the prejudice between the North (working class) towns and the South of England - as well as the fact that the male lead (Richard Armitage) is a bit of a dish!

Crazy Warehouse Guy in a library

For those who missed it when it was on TV, and those who want to see it again! It's the Chaser's regular spot "Scenes from the life of Crazy Warehouse Guy". Enjoy!

More thoughts on Wikis and web 2.0

Been very busy at work for the last few weeks (heritage festival preparation etc), and so haven't posted for a while! But it has given me time to ruminate on some of the benefits and the potential of wikis.

As information professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure that information can be found when it is sought, and that it can be verified once it is found. So, why not combine the genius of Wikis with the practicality of Creative Commons to ensure that a 'virtual paper trail' is created. Let me elaborate, if I add a page to a specialised wiki (such as nswlearning2), and someone edits it, then their username (to maintain privacy) and the date, and a Creative Commons licence attribution share-alike is attached, then whoever then copies, edits or uses the information are compelled to maintain the attribution, thus ensuring that people will always be able to find the original source of the information by following the trail back, and see how it has developed! I believe this will encourage the free exchange of information, while maintaining some level of source reliability.

I would also like to see an active campaign by libraries to remove the stigma associated with wikis (such as wikipedia). By actively assessing the information on various entries, and editing them to ensure they are correct and meet referencing and style-guide standards, we can all improve this encyclopedia, and make it a more reliable source.

I have changed my views on wikis in the past weeks, thanks mainly to this NSW Public Libraries Learning 2.0 course. I realised that I would not be able to find information about my suburb, or the City I work for, or my Mayor in a standard print or online encyclopedia, because (lets be honest) why would they bother! There are thousands of 'little' places, people and things all over the world and they couldn't ensure that all were accounted for and then keep the entries maintained.

Three Wikis reviewed - and my ideas!

I really liked the SJCPL 'subject guide' wiki. I can see that it has great use in libraries, particularly if we are to make our virtual library as user-friendly and efficient as our physical library. I really liked the way it showed the relevant call numbers for each topic, as well as listing specific titles, and showing their covers (although I think that could be a copyright issue!).

I also looked at the Wisconsin Heritage Online (WHO) Wiki - but was less impressed. I thought it was great that a wiki was developed to encourage institutions and people in the Wisconsin area to digitise their collections and add them to the Online portal. However, I immediately saw the possibility of linking famous people or places in the area within the wiki so that the public could get an idea of the benefits of having an online heritage portal and cannot understand why this hasn't been developed. I also was unable find the link to 'collections' as the Learning 2.0 blog instructed. I did click on the online heritage portal, and searched the collection, but this was more like a catalogue than a wiki, it just showed the digital item with basic metadata, rather than allowing the user to find in depth information through links between the items. E.g. a basic search resulted in an article on Women's Suffrage in Wisconsin in the 19th Century. I would have like to have seen links to other articles about the women or places or dates relevant to this subject, rather than just a copy of the article with the author, title and publication details.

I then compared the WHO wiki with the 'mint museums' wiki. I found the mintwiki to be more what I was expecting from the WHO wiki - links to articles on current, past and future exhibitions, with the ability to print out PDF's to take with you to the museum. I would have like to have seen a history of the mint museum on the wiki, or information about its location and opening hours there too, but at least they offered the link to the library webpage where I presume you could find out this information. I suppose it is important to remember that wikis can be updated and revised at any time, so these criticisms may not be relevant as soon as I've posted this!

I have found this exercise of searching other wikis very useful. When I first heard about this (learning 2.0) course, I was excited by the possibilities of developing a local studies wiki - where the public could find out about personalities, places, dates and events that are important to our local area. Having seen these other wikis, I feel I will be able to develop a better wiki for our area and ensure it has enough information and is easy to use!

Apart from a local studies wiki, I think libraries can benefit from an 'faq' wiki, a 'subject guide' wiki, and a 'reader's advisory' wiki ("who else writes like" etc).

Real benefits to RSS and newsreaders

I've been using RSS feeds since completing NSWnet training last year and I find them incredibly useful!

I have a Google reader account and (now) a bloglines account, but find the Google one more user friendly. What I found especially useful with my google reader, is that I've personalised my 'i-Google' page so that my RSS headlines are featured. This way I see what interesting posts have been made every time I go to use the Google search screen!

I've discovered some very interesting facts and useful information from RSS feeds that I know I wouldn't have discovered otherwise, as I don't have the time, nor frankly the inclination, to browse blogs all day to see what new things people have written (if any!).

Some of my favourite blogs and RSS feeds that I've subscribed to are:

• Designing Better Libraries at http://dbl.lishost.org/blog/
• Helene Blowers and her Library Bytes blog at http://www.librarybytes.com/
• ALIA's range of RSS feeds at http://www.alia.org.au/rss/
• and on or two of Library Journal's RSS feeds at http://www.libraryjournal.com/learnrss

I have also subscribed to some of my overseas or interstate friends' blogs so that I can keep in touch with what they're up to and see their latest photographs!

The main benefits to our workplace and ways libraries can utilise RSS technology that immediately come to mind are:

• the ability to keep up with professional development by being aware of trends, thoughts, debates and news
• the ability to inform members of our corporate library (i.e. Councillors and Council staff) of the latest releases, news, events, technology, debates etc in their field of expertise through RSS feeds we have subscribed to on their behalf
• the ability to inform all our members about upcoming events at our library service points, as well as other library related information by encouraging them to subscribe to RSS feeds of our Blog

Malabar morning NIK_2359

Malabar morning NIK_2359, originally uploaded by tominoz.

My favourite ocean baths - and a pretty good photo of it too!

A new way to attract young adults back into libraries?

I came across this blog (Library lets patrons play DDR to avoid late fees) entry via technorati. Its an interesting way to waive fines! We take part in a fines amnesty "Food for Fines" but I think the idea of gaming to erase fines would be a great way to Young Adults back into the library after they've racked up fines for DVDs, CDs, HSC materials etc. You never know - maybe some of the not-so-young Adults could show us a thing or two too!



I've also discovered iLibrarian through technorati. This blog has dozens of categories relating to the library industry. Although it is North American, the information on web 2.0 and 3.0 is still very interesting and certainly gives plenty of food for thought. I also think it will be a useful blog to refer back to during this course!



One thing I dislike about technorati, is that it takes quite a few 'clicks' to find what you want - for a type of 'search-engine' for blogs this is quite annoying! I think the lesson here is keep the reader / user / patron interested by keeping the information 'upfront'.

Having said that, I've still joined up with them, as how else will I get to know how to use them better?

Welcome to my learning 2.0 blog!

I've created this blog so that I can track my learning. Although it is initially set up to follow my learning 2.0 course through SLNSW, I envisage that it will be an online lifelong learning diary.

I have recently been inspired to adapt my workplace to an online environment, and this learning 2.0 course seems ideal. Although I have dabbled very lightly in blogs in the past, I've never really looked at them in depth, or used them to their fullest potential.

I'm excited to learn about web 2.0 and to see the opportunities it will bring. More than just being able to communicate with "kids these days" I really feel there is a future for web 2.0 technology (and beyond) in the library world.

I'd like to congratulate the team at SLNSW for making this course available to all library workers - I think it is a great way to inspire the NSW library world as a whole into a forward-thinking, future proof place to be!

I also think its a great opportunity to be reminded of some of the wonderful things about technology - we so often get bogged down in the reasons why it won't work, or can't work, or shouldn't work, or doesn't work - and that our institutions are places of lifelong learning - so surely we should be lifelong learners too! (I suspect we always have been but it was rarely labelled as such).