Feedback

First, I have found the program enjoyable, learned a lot, explored all sorts of things that I never would have if I hadn't been challenged. I do like to try new things and enjoy a challenge, but sometimes don't move too far out of my comfort zone, particularly with technology, so thankyou to all involved.

I enjoyed the fact that in my area people were asking each other for help and interacting in a way that I had not seen before.

The exposure to new technologies was worthwhile. It isn't possible to evaluate or ponder the usefulness or implications of something without having tried it.

I found some tasks quite challenging and some tasks difficult, I may not use too many of the skills learned on an ongoing basis, but at least I know a little about them.

Second life and libraries

I have read articles and blog posts about second Life and libraries, they talk about offering virtual services from a virtual library to virtual clients. I am trying to think of ways that this will be useful, other than to the virtual client. Is there anything to be learned that can be transferred to real life in the library ?

Podcasts

My mp3 player is used exclusively for podcasts and talking books, no music, although a looming, long overseas flight might change my mind. Mostly the podcasts are from ABC radio, usually Radio National. Ockham's razor is a favourite, but anything I miss on the radio really that looks interesting.

Watch You Tube videos

I don't think I want to spend too much of my life watching videos on Youtube. I did a search using 'Libraries' and 'Australia'- none looked that interesting or appealing. I came accross one that I thought might cover two tasks, an offering from Murdoch University which explained the library's site on Second Life and the training that they run for students, they also argue that it is a legitimate educational activity.

On my colleague Tony's recommendation I also watched the Betty glover Library workout tape. It was made in 1987 and brought back memories of banks of catalog drawers and clunky monitors.

Pet photo on the wiki

Putting the picture on the blog proved much easier than putting it on the wiki. Thanks Tony for your help.

Library 2.0

Having read various explanations of Library 2.0, I think "user-centered change" is something that has always been a necessary part of Libraries. I realise that 'technology' is central to the concept' but that is only because that is the latest innovation to implement connectivity with the user isn't it? Of course the idea that a user can configure the display of an online library catalog much more easily than a card one is obvious, but the philosophy that the service responds to customer needs has always been part of the ethos of any library I have worked in. The idea that there is no point in collecting something if no-one can find it, that if customers want it, we should have it, and that there is not much need for a librarian if they are not helpful, surely, is not a new concept in libraries.

Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk in their article 'LIBRARY 2.0 ; SERVICE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION LIBRARY' write that "At its most basic level, the Library 2.0 model gives library users a participatory role in the services libraries offer and the way they are used." Shouldn't this be central to any area of customer service.

The idea of commenting on Library 2.0 proved a stumbling block for me in completing the 23 tasks. What insightful and thought provoking comments could I make? It has caused me to think how much the rest of the world is doing the opposite eg. the experience of shopping/retailing for example. So much of what is on offer is preselected for us by the retailer with very little regard to the preferences of the customer eg. bookshops which stock the same generic stock of authors. Shopping centres where the same 40 or so shops appear, with the same window display and the same stock in each, no matter that they are in Glenferrie Rd,Torquay or Melbourne Central. A couple of experiences over the summer break for instance - going into the Birkenstock shop in the city and asking, specifically, for clogs, in December, to be told that they only stock sandals because NO-ONE wants clogs in summer. Recently in the Medicare office I was told how to rearrange my family's behaviour to cope with the fact that Medicare will only allow 2 cards per household, despite the fact that the household consists of 3 adults. Can we look forward to Retailing 2.0, or do we already have it, which is why online shopping is such a satisfying experience.

Mmmm.. the rantings of an ageing librarian.